Euthanasia vs Natural Passing: What’s right for my pet?

For this blog we are only using pictures of our own pets who have passed but have not been forgotten.

Euthanasia vs Natural Passing: What’s right for my pet?
Every pet owner wants what’s best for their pet. This is true from the moment a pet joins your family, but it’s especially true as a pet grows older and as difficult questions about their care begin to surface. In the past we’ve discussed one of the most daunting questions pet owners eventually face1; How do I know when it’s time? But with evolving attitudes around end of life care, and with increasing options for veterinary palliative care, pet owners are more and more frequently asking another question: How do I know euthanasia is right for my pet, period?

Each pet, each family, and each situation is different. As such, these questions don’t have a universal answer. That said, understanding the options in detail is the best way to make a decision that accounts for the needs of both your family and your pet.

These topics are hard, but not talking about them only makes them harder. Let’s talk about them together.

Defining Terms
Before we go further, we have a few terms to define. You may already be familiar with some of these terms, but having common definitions will be helpful for our discussion:

• Euthanasia: The American Veterinary Medical Association describes euthanasia as “ending the life of an individual animal in a way that minimizes or eliminates pain and distress.” In a veterinary setting, euthanasia is usually carried out via a combination of anticonvulsant and anesthetic drugs. Together these induce relaxation, stop nerve signals to the brain, and allow for a swift and painless death.
• Natural Passing: Death that has not been medically induced. While this means treatment is not administered with the intention of ending the life of a pet, it does not preclude other treatments aimed at alleviating pain or other end-of-life symptoms.
• Palliative Care: A method of treatment focused on alleviating symptoms of disease, when curing the disease itself is impossible or impractical. Rather than pursuing treatment at any cost, palliative care focuses on enhancing a patient’s comfort and quality of life; put another way, palliative care prioritizes quality of time remaining, rather than quantity of time remaining.

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Euthanasia and Palliative Care: Tools in the Same Kit
There exists a historical view of euthanasia and palliative care as being opposites: palliative care is viewed as “doing everything for your pet” while euthanasia is viewed as “ending their suffering quickly.” Fortunately, especially with the constant advances of veterinary medicine, these options aren’t mutually exclusive.

​Rather than euthanizing at the first sign of a terminal illness, palliative care techniques allow us to keep a pet comfortable for as long as possible, only turning to euthanasia when the time is right. A pet suffering from kidney disease may receive medications and subcutaneous fluids to assist with kidney function; this is an example of palliative care. When the pet stops responding to these treatments, or when intensive treatments become too taxing to a pet’s quality of life, it may be time for a conversation around euthanasia. You can still “do everything for your pet,” including sparing them from further suffering when the time comes.

The Process of Natural Passing
While pet owners hope that a natural death can be a quiet, peaceful passing in the familiar comfort of an animal’s own home, this isn’t always the case. If pet owners don’t have an idea of what to expect, the realities can be deeply traumatic.

​As a pet starts to decline, body systems gradually shut down due to lack of blood flow and oxygen. Pets may start breathing heavily and you may hear a “death rattle” as mucus builds up in the throat. Pets will stop eating and drinking, may vomit, and may soil themselves as they lose the ability to control their bathroom habits. Pets may experience pain or discomfort for days as their bodies gradually decline, and they may experience abrupt episodes of thrashing, respiratory distress, and vocalization.
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If pursuing natural death for a pet, it’s advised to have pain medications and a backup plan, such as an at-home euthanasia service or 24 hour facility, in case a pet goes into crisis.

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The Process of Euthanasia
Euthanasa can still be difficult, especially for those who have never experienced the process. If you decide euthanasia is right for your pet, here is an overview of what you can expect.

​Modern veterinary euthanasia is typically carried out through a combination of injectable medications. Your pet’s veterinarian may first administer a sedative to ensure the procedure can be carried out safely and successfully. Next, they will place an intravenous catheter to ensure easy access to a vein.

Once the catheter has been placed, the veterinarian will administer a combination of anesthetic and anticonvulsant drugs; these induce muscle relaxation, stop signals to the brain, and ease your pet into unconsciousness and death. You may observe a few breaths, muscle spasms, or vocalizations, and your pet may empty their bladder or bowels, but these are all results of the body’s relaxation rather than signs of pain or distress. Finally, your veterinarian will listen to confirm that both breathing and the heartbeat have stopped. If you would like to spend additional time saying goodbye to your pet at this point, the veterinarian can leave the room and allow you to do so.

Closing Thoughts
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is always hard, and it can feel even harder because of the responsibility we owe them. A human facing terminal illness can decide how aggressive a treatment they want to pursue and can make the choice to decline treatment when their quality of life worsens or when the cons of treatment outweigh the pros. Pets can’t make these choices for themselves; instead, they depend on us to make decisions in their best interest. 
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Whether you elect for euthanasia or natural passing, it’s good to consider the options and how you’ll feel about each ahead of time; nobody wants to make the choice under duress. If the options are a little too heavy to weigh on your own, we’re only a phone call away - we’d be happy to help you figure out what’s right for your family.

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A Word on Grief
It’s normal and expected to feel grief after the loss of a pet, just as you would after the passing of any other family member. Indeed, grief is a healthy response and an important part of the healing process. Talking about grief is one of the best ways to work through it, especially if others in your household feel similarly; some family members may even be thankful someone else broached the topic.

Of course, friends and family can only do so much. If you’re struggling with grief and need additional support, there are resources available. Tufts University operates a Pet Loss Support Hotline, and Ohio State University’s Honoring the Bond Program has compiled numerous readings, videos, support groups, and other resources to help pet owners dealing with grief.
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Grief is normal, and showing these emotions or asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. If you’re struggling after the loss of a pet, please don’t hesitate to reach out or utilize the resources above - we know it’s what your pet would want for you.

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