{"id":55766,"date":"2025-03-21T10:31:10","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T14:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spca.com\/euthanasie-animal\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T11:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T16:10:11","slug":"en-animal-euthanasia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spca.com\/en\/en-animal-euthanasia\/","title":{"rendered":"Euthanizing your animal"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Euthanizing a companion animal: helpful information and questions to consider <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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You<\/span> ha<\/span>ve taken <\/span>loving<\/span> care of your <\/span>animal<\/span> since<\/span> the day<\/span> they<\/span> came into your life<\/span>. You love <\/span>them <\/span>deeply, and you <\/span>don<\/span>\u2019<\/span>t<\/span> want<\/span> to see <\/span>them<\/span> suffer. But <\/span>the day will come when, <\/span>because of <\/span>their<\/span> advanced age or a serious illness, you may have to resign yourself to letting <\/span>them<\/span> go.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Euthanasia <\/span><\/span>is a medical <\/span>procedure<\/span> t<\/span>hat<\/span> end<\/span>s<\/span> an animal\u2019s life in a respectful and painless manner. <\/span>P<\/span>erformed or supervisedby a veterinarian,<\/span> it<\/span> is <\/span>generally <\/span>carried<\/span> out <\/span>to <\/span>shorten <\/span>the animal\u2019s <\/span><\/span>suffering<\/span> or<\/span> final<\/span> agony.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It is normal to ask yourself about the \u201cright\u201d time to euthanize your companion, as this can be very difficult to determine. You may be afraid of acting too soon and prematurely shortening your animal\u2019s life, or of waiting too long and regretting having prolonged their suffering.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

To assist you through this important reflection, <\/span>this article reviews the main questions you should consider<\/span><\/b>, and provides <\/span>information about euthanasia<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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A medical procedure: discuss it with your veterinarian <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Animal health profes<\/span>s<\/span>ion<\/span>als are <\/span>best-placed<\/span> to guide you through this <\/span>important decision<\/span> and answer you<\/span>r<\/span> questions about th<\/span>e<\/span> procedure. <\/span><\/span>Don\u2019t<\/span> hesitate to contact a veterinary clinic of emergency centre. <\/span>It costs nothing to ask<\/span> questions over the phone.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Quality of life <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Quality of life is an important consideration when it comes to <\/span>deciding to <\/span>end your <\/span>animal<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s life. Observe your <\/span>animal<\/span> and ask yourself the following<\/span> questions<\/span><\/span>1<\/span><\/span>\u00b9:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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  • Is your <\/span>animal<\/span> <\/span>in pain<\/span><\/span><\/strong>?<\/span> Are you able to <\/span>provide relief<\/span> with medication?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    • Does <\/span>your animal<\/span> have <\/span><\/span>difficulty breathing<\/span><\/span><\/strong>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      • How is <\/span>your animal\u2019s<\/span> <\/span>appetite<\/strong>?<\/span><\/span> Do you <\/span>have<\/span> to <\/span>coax<\/span> them<\/span> to eat, offer <\/span>them<\/span> particularly appetizing foods, or hand-feed <\/span>them<\/span>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        • Good hydration is important for <\/span>an<\/span> animal<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s health and well-being. <\/span><\/span>Is your animal<\/span> drink<\/span>ing as often<\/span> as usual<\/span><\/span><\/strong>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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          • Can<\/span> your animal<\/span> <\/span>keep <\/span>themsel<\/span>ves<\/span><\/strong> clean<\/span><\/span>?<\/span> If <\/span>they are<\/span> unable to <\/span>groom <\/span>themsel<\/span>ves<\/span> properly, can you help <\/span>clean <\/span>them<\/span> so as<\/span> to<\/span> prevent <\/span>the onset of <\/span>skin problems?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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            • Is<\/span> your <\/span>animal<\/span> still<\/span> <\/span>lively<\/span><\/span><\/strong>?<\/span> Do<\/span> they<\/span> still show interest in <\/span>their<\/span> favo<\/span>u<\/span>rite activities and<\/span> engage with <\/span>family members? <\/span>Conversely,<\/span> do they<\/span> seem anxious, <\/span>withdrawn<\/span> or frightened?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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              • Assess your <\/span>animal<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s<\/span> <\/span>mobility<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/span> Can <\/span>they<\/span> stand up on <\/span>their<\/span> own? <\/span>Are they<\/span> able to relieve <\/span>themsel<\/span>ves<\/span> in <\/span>their<\/span> usual <\/span>spot<\/span>, without soiling <\/span>themsel<\/span>ves<\/span>? <\/span>Do they<\/span> still seem <\/span>keen<\/span> to<\/span> go for walk<\/span>s<\/span>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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                • Last<\/span>ly, <\/span>while it is<\/span> normal for <\/span>an animal\u2019s<\/span> condition to vary from day to day, does your <\/span>animal<\/span> generally <\/span>have<\/span> <\/span>more good days than bad<\/span><\/span><\/strong>?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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                  As you ask yourself<\/span> these questions<\/span>, you<\/span> will g<\/span>et<\/span> a better picture of your <\/span>animal<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s quality of life. If your <\/span>animal<\/span> has several <\/span>of the above-mentioned problems <\/span>at the same time, and <\/span>if they <\/span>are difficult to treat, <\/span>their<\/span> quality of life is compromised. Discuss this with your veterinarian. If, on the other hand, your <\/span>animal<\/span> has only one<\/span> problem<\/span>, or if <\/span>their<\/span> problems<\/span> are mild and can be relieved with medication or care, your <\/span>animal<\/span> may still <\/span>enjoy a happy and comfortable life<\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

                  \u00b9Drawn from<\/span> Dr. <\/span>Alice Villalobos<\/span>\u2019<\/span> <\/span>Quality of Life Scale.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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                  If you<\/span> woul<\/span>d like to <\/span>explore this subject in greater depth, we suggest you read<\/span> the<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> Quality of Life<\/span> Scale<\/span><\/span>created <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong>by veterinarian Dr. Alice Villalobos to help veterinarians and families assess a<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>n<\/span> animal<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s <\/span>end-of-life <\/span>quality of life. <\/span><\/span>Feel free to discuss this tool with a veterinarian<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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                  Prognosis <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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                  Does your veterinarian believe that your animal has a good chance of <\/span>recovery<\/span><\/b>? Are they likely to suffer <\/span>after-effects<\/span><\/b>? If they are suffering from a chronic disease, will they be able to enjoy <\/span>good quality of life if given regular care<\/span><\/b>?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

                  When an animal has very little chance of recovering or maintaining an acceptable quality of life, euthanasia may be the most compassionate option, as it gives your companion a peaceful release.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

                  If you can afford it, you can also seek a <\/span>second<\/span><\/b> opinion <\/span><\/b>from another veterinarian. Your veterinarian may refer you to a specialist.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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                  Your ability to give your animal the care they need <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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                  Medical care <\/span>comes at<\/span> a financial <\/span>cost, and<\/span> also <\/span>requires an investment of <\/span>your <\/span>time and energy. You need to consider your <\/span><\/span>ability to <\/span>afford<\/span> <\/span>treatment and medication, as well as your <\/span><\/span>physical and emotional <\/span>capacity<\/span><\/span> to provide care.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

                  If you are unable to<\/span> give<\/span> your <\/span>animal<\/span> the treatment <\/span>they need<\/span>, but <\/span>their<\/span> life expectancy is good and <\/span>their<\/span> quality of life can be adequate <\/span>if <\/span>they receive<\/span> appropriate <\/span>care<\/span>, consider <\/span><\/span>entrusting<\/span> them<\/span> to<\/span><\/span> an organization or a new family<\/span><\/span> that has the <\/span>capacity<\/span> to care for <\/span>them<\/span>.<\/span><\/span> This solution is<\/span> not<\/span> perfect, but it give<\/span>s<\/span> your companion a second chance.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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                  Your personal values <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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                  If your animal is sick, your veterinarian may recommend <\/span>therapeutic care<\/span><\/b> (which aims to treat <\/span>or cure<\/span> a disease) or <\/span>palliative care<\/span><\/b> (which relieves symptoms without treating the disease, as in the case of incurable cancer).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

                  Some people find it pointless to extend their animal\u2019s life by a few weeks or months, while others consider this time to be very precious and helpful in allowing them to prepare for the death of their companion. Your choices will be guided by what is right for you and what fits with your values.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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                  Trust yourself<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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                  While it is normal – and entirely appropriate – to think about end-of-life care for an animal when they are old or sick, <\/span>families benefit from trusting their feelings and instincts, and approaching this issue calmly, forthemselves and for their companion<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

                  You will most probably know when the time comes to say goodbye to your animal. If, after you have provided all the care they need and you can manage, you see that your animal\u2019s condition is deteriorating significantly and they have less and less energy, <\/span>euthanasia will seem like the right option<\/span><\/b>. Trust your judgement, and forever cherish the loving bond you had with your companion throughout their life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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                  Remember that<\/span> euthanizing a suffering animal does not mean that you have given up or turned your back on them<\/span><\/b>.<\/span> It is often the final loving and compassionate thing you can do for your beloved companion.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

                  Veterinarians and clinic staff know that euthanasia is a trying time for families, and often go to great lengths to ease their distress by providing a peaceful, comforting environment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

                  If you have never witnessed euthanasia, here is what to expect: your veterinarian will usually administer two injections, the first designed to relax your animal, and the second to painlessly stop their heart.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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                  Most local clinics offer quick <\/span>appointments <\/span><\/b>for this procedure. Call your regular veterinary clinic, or other clinics in your area, for an appointment. <\/span>The cost of the procedure varies<\/span><\/b> from clinic to clinic for a number of reasons. If you are on a tight budget, don\u2019t hesitate to call around to compare prices. You will usually have to provide your animal\u2019s weight to enable the clinic to quote you a price.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

                  You may prefer a <\/span>home euthanasia.<\/span><\/b> This can be a good option for animals or families who are more stressed, or if it is difficult for them to get to a clinic, but it is generally more expensive. Take the time to make a few calls to compare prices and check availability.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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                  Thank you for giving loving care to your animal companions, and please be kind to yourself as well! \u2764\ufe0f<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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                  <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  You have taken loving care of your animal since the day they came into your life. You love them deeply, and you don\u2019t want to see them suffer. 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