Why do some people not euthanzie?

[lizzybeth727]

So, why do people put their animals through this? Do you think it's pure selfishness? Do you think they just don't recognize the agony their animals are going through? Or do they honestly believe that they are doing the right thing for their animals by not euthanizing?

I don't think it's any of these things. I think for most people, it's just difficult to know when to stop treatment and when the animal is "ready" to go.

I've had several rats die, but usually I only have an indication that they're sick a few days before they die. My last one, however, had a tumor. I knew that eventually her quality of life would no longer be there and that I'd have to have her PTS. For weeks I'd spend time with her, and besides the tumor I'd've had no idea that she was sick, she was her same chipper self. Unfortunately I was out of town when she took a turn for the worse, and my roommate who was taking care of her probably watched her suffer for a few days. As soon as I got back I knew it was time, but it was still an extremely difficult decision.... her death hurt me more than any other of my rats' deaths, I guess because I felt much more responsible for her death.

I still question whether I should have had her put to sleep when I first noticed the tumor, instead of letting her live with it the last few weeks of her life. There was nothing that could be done about it, and I knew it would eventually get to the point where she'd be PTS.... so should I have done it in the beginning??

 

[BostonBanker]

It is such an intensely personal thing, I find it hard to judge people based on how they handle the end of a pet's life. No, I can't imagine dropping a pet off at the vet to die naturally, but perhaps it makes sense to them. They assume a vet is there to do every last thing, and to make sure any meds possible are delivered to relieve pain. "Where there is life, there is hope".

My mother went with our Bedlington to be put down - he was more her dog than any of ours. I've only been with two animals when they died, both horses. One naturally, one euthanized. The natural death (stroke probably, she passed before the vet arrived to euthanize) was a horse I knew very well, the other I barely knew. Both were...numbing. I would certainly want to be with Tristan and especially Meg at their time, but I will be a huge wreck. I worry that will be more upsetting for them than anything.

And if it were Meg especially, I will need a padded room for a long while after.

 

[gecko_mom]

I am so jaded about this topic after working at the clinic for a while.

The worst one for me was when a family scheduled a euthanasia on Tuesday for the coming Saturday. The adult kids were back in town from college. The whole family was there.

But the dog had to literally drag it's back end in because hip dysplasia had left it unable to walk any longer. And it had always been terrified of the vet, so it had to be drugged before they brought it.

So when they brought the dog in, dragging it's back end, and it realized where it was, it pooped itself. The last image this family has of their beloved dog is dragging itself while deficating.

It's my belief now that the general public has no clue about when it's time. They don't have a clue about anything else, but euthanasia really bothers me now.

I can't take the image back. It sucks. My girls will not suffer. I will not be selfish.

 

[Labyrinth]

I've euthanized once. It was beyond heartbreaking for me, and I doubted my decision for days. As much as it hurt, I know I made the right choice and I am so happy I didn't take my vet's advice and leave the room before he passed.

A month later one of my ferrets crashed from an ongoing illness she had. I did not take her to the vet for selfish and delusional reasons. I was still mourning the passing of my cat the month before and just couldn't accept that I was going to lose her too. By the time I realized I needed to bring her in it was too late. It's been almost a year now and it still haunts me. I'll never forgive myself for not bringing her in to go in peace or worse yet not knowing if they could have saved her

 

[sillysally]

It is such an intensely personal thing, I find it hard to judge people based on how they handle the end of a pet's life. No, I can't imagine dropping a pet off at the vet to die naturally, but perhaps it makes sense to them. They assume a vet is there to do every last thing, and to make sure any meds possible are delivered to relieve pain. "Where there is life, there is hope".

I agree. I personally have an issue sitting in judgment of how people react in situations involving death. Everyone is so different.

Apparently in certain Eastern faiths there is the belief that life is sacred and you DO NOT end it before it's time, even if there is suffering.

 

[bubbatd]

'''''''''''''two of my Goldens were already under for surgery ..... as painful as it was I let them go at that point ~~~ basically I'd said my goodbyes and I didn't want them to wake up to more pain .

 

[Laurelin]

We've had animals I'm sure people would have euthed sooner than we did. Trey for one, Nikki for another, and our first hammie Jewel.

Trey and Nikki both had terminal diseases. Trey had a tumor and Nikki had cardio issues. I know some people would euth when they got the diagnosis and I dont think that was wrong. I personally couldn't as they still both had a few more months of a pretty good quality life. Jewel suffered a stroke when she was 1 year old that left her paralyzed for two days. We would have taken her in to the vet to be euthed but it was christmas and it was closed. My dad debated doing it himself but we decided to just keep her comfortable. In a few days she was up and eating and drinking and walking (albeit a bit funnily). Her whole life she had some neurological issues from her stroke and always walked a bit off, but she had a whole year after that that if you ask me, she was very happy.

I'm always reminded of a family friend we have. He was in an accident and was in a coma for 7 years. His family wouldn't give up on him that long and then one day he just woke up. No one knows how but he's around talking and being pretty much normal for the past ten years. It's a fools hope but I understand why some people would hold onto that hope for such a long time.

 

[theresa92841]

I don't think I could ever judge one way or another based on what somebody decides. Unless they are doing it out of intentional cruelty or indifference. I think everybody handles grief and death in their own way, and the process of their animal dying is part of that whole process. And since I can't speak animal, I don't really know how the dogs feel.

For me as a human, if I lost my sight, then put me down. But most people wouldn't think that was enough to be put down. [Btw, think it is ridiculous that we don't allow euthanasia for humans].

I just don't think it is something that there is a right or wrong way.

 

[jess2416]

It is such an intensely personal thing, I find it hard to judge people based on how they handle the end of a pet's life. No, I can't imagine dropping a pet off at the vet to die naturally, but perhaps it makes sense to them. They assume a vet is there to do every last thing, and to make sure any meds possible are delivered to relieve pain. "Where there is life, there is hope".

Agreed!!

 

[Romy]

I know a woman who was 100% against euthanasia - even in very very sick animals. She said something along the lines of Thou shall not kill or whatever. She also said if it was really okay to do, then we'd do it to humans when they're sick as well.
opcorn:

Wow, I wonder if people with that philosophy are vegans who only wear organic cotton or something.

Anyway, she's quoting it wrong. "Thou shalt not kill" is a mistranslation. If you translate straight from the Hebrew it's "Thou shalt not murder" To some people it's the same thing, but I see a clear difference between the two.

I wouldn't be able to keep an animal here once if it was suffering terribly with no hope of recovery. I feel like letting them go is the kindest thing, so they won't hurt any more. Usually they let you know when they're ready.

 

[Saeleofu]

'''''''''''''two of my Goldens were already under for surgery ..... as painful as it was I let them go at that point ~~~ basically I'd said my goodbyes and I didn't want them to wake up to more pain .

I've seen that a few times too. And I believe it's absolutely right.

For me as a human, if I lost my sight, then put me down. But most people wouldn't think that was enough to be put down. [Btw, think it is ridiculous that we don't allow euthanasia for humans].

I'm not that way - really, I don't think I'd mind losing my sight (and it may actually happen sometime down the road). I don't know if it's because I've come to terms with the possibility, or that I realize "blind" isn't always legally blind, and indeed I lived 2 years functionally blind and didn't even realize it until I had an eye exam and got glasses. Or maybe it's because I've been exposed to so many people that are blind and live very good lives. Heck sometimes I even close my eyes or take off my glasses and wander around just because I'm bored lol But I do understand the point you're making.

My mom has said that she'd rather die than lose a limb, particularly a leg. Personally, I'd rather lose both legs than an arm, but even if I lost an arm, or both arms, I'd still rather have that happen than die.

 

[ihartgonzo]

I'm very torn on the issue... : /

There are people who board their dogs with us 5 days a week, because the dog cannot be alone, is completely incontinent, and/or needs constant attention, meds, etc to keep living. It makes me so sad. There is a Peke mix named Chelsea who comes in... she does not even look like a dog. Her fur was shaved and cannot grow back, she feels like a stuffed animal, her face is so sad and she can just barely slink around for a few minutes. She looks like she's 20 years old and she's only 8. Apparently her liver failed and she cannot be fed any protein. We have to feed her a salad of sprouts, broccoli, carrots and tomatoes with RANCH - and she rarely eats. I want to cry when I see her... you cannot pick her up, because her stomach is so painful.

But she's so happy and gets a burst of energy when she sees her Mom. She's a very sweet person for spending so much money and time on keeping her dog alive, and I just feel bad for her. I know it would be a very difficult choice, but I don't think I would let my dogs live like that. A skeleton that can barely function? As far as the "thou shall not kill" belief... that's a nice thought, but in reality, if these dogs weren't given constant care and attention they would have probably died naturally a long time ago. We have the power and science to keep them alive way past their natural lifespan, as well as to let them go peacefully.

 

[Saeleofu]

We have the power and science to keep them alive way past their natural lifespan, as well as to let them go peacefully.

:hail::hail::hail::hail::hail:

 

[adojrts]

I often just wonder if people are so busy, wrapped up in their own lives or cowards by protecting themselves from some hurt. I was shocked when I was told of the elderly people that died alone in the hospital because their families didn't come and see them and left them to die alone.
So if people are capable of that, then leaving their animal/pet for someone else to PTS isn't hard to believe.