As your pet ages, it is hard to deal the decline in its health. Your emotional bond with your cat, dog or other pet can make this especially painful to see. If your pet is diagnosed with a terminal illness, then it’s important to make it as comfortable as possible.When the time draws closer, some owners may want to care for their pet at home,or alternatively they may opt for hospice care. If the illness is too severe, then they could consider euthanasia as a humane option for their suffering pet. Below are some options that you can explore.
End-of-life care
Taking your pet to the vet and making sure that it is treated for its illnesses should be your first priority. You should try every avenue to help prolong your pet’s life if the illness has a low mortality rate. Provide the essentials for your pet during this period, such as the right medication, a warm, comfortable place to sleep, fresh, clean water and food.If you need to, then you can help it go to the bathroom by carrying it outside or to the litter box.
When your pet has a terminal illness,taking care of ir at home is an option. The goal in its last days should be to make it feel as pain-free as possible.It would be best to help manage your pet’s dietary needs and the interaction that it has with other family members.A vet should participate and help guide you when taking care of your pet at home.
When to consider euthanasia
Animal euthanasia is painless process where the pet is put to sleep by injection from the veterinarian. When your pet is in constant pain or close to death, this can be a more humane option to choose. The vet will inject your pet with a sedative followed by special medication that will end its life. This will take around 20 seconds, and your pet will have no awareness of the end of its life.
When it comes down to it, your vet will be the best person to advise you on whether to consider euthanasia, as he or she can come to a decision based on test results and the symptoms that your pet is showing. Remember, in regard to illnesses in pets, a veterinarian is a trained medical expert.
Laying a pet to rest
Many owners don’t like to see their pet go, and losing it can, in some cases, be as hard as losing a human loved one. It has become popular in recent years for owners to have theirpets cremated or even plan a funeral ceremony for them. Some services offer a burial for a pet or a traditional cremation where you receive its ashes to keep afterward. Other pet cremation services use water-based cremation, which provides you with sand instead of ashes. Any of these methods can help when it comes to laying a pet to rest and handling your grieving process.
Though you may lose one of your best friends, having a pet feel safe, happy and comfortable in its final days can be enough to know that you did right by your cherished companion.