At one point there will come a time in your life that you may have to say good-bye to your beloved pet. Be it old-age, illness or tragic accident here are some questions to ask yourself whether or not the best decision maybe to let go and no longer let your pet suffer. Be it let them die naturally or have to choose the dreaded but merciful euthanasia.
So in considering what to do, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does your dog have a terminal illness? Ask your veterinarian what to expect at the next stage and then ask whether you’re prepared to go there.
- Is your dog in the kind of pain that cannot be significantly alleviated by medication?
- Will more treatment improve his quality of life, or simply maintain a poor quality of life?
- Can you afford treatment? End-of-life care can run into thousands of dollars, and people can end up prolonging their grieving while paying off credit cards.
- Is your dog so old he has lost most bodily functions? If he can no longer stand up, get down stairs, defecate, and urinate on his own, the quality of his life is pretty poor.
- Does he still want to eat? Once a dog loses his appetite he’s signaling he’s close to the end.
- Are his gums pink? When gums aren’t a normal pink, your dog isn’t getting enough oxygen.
- Is it in his best interest to extend his life, or are you extending his life for yourself? This last point is the most difficult one for most of us to sort out, but it may well be the most relevant.
Article Credit: Read more at http://dogtime.com/dog-health/general/60-when-to-say-good-bye#aOZko2jEdEiY3T3S.99
In the end its up to you as a owner and friend to decide your dog's fate. If the quality of your pet's life has diminished to the point and your pet can no longer enjoy the things they love it maybe time to say goodbye. Do what is in your pet's best interest.
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