As pet owners, we want our beloved, furry companions to live forever. The notion that they will succumb to a debilitating disease is something that we just do not want to imagine. However, as hard as we try and as much as we do for them, it happens. While veterinary medicine has made many advances in pain management, nutrition and treatment of many different chronic diseases, we cannot promise that your pet will live forever. In fact, just the opposite is true.
Many people are familiar with the concept of human hospice care – a philosophy and type of care that focuses on the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient’s pain and symptoms. This type of care is also available for your pets and often can provide relief that culminates in a natural death. On the other hand – unlike with human patients, who sometimes must endure weeks or months of continuing hospice care while waiting for death to happen – we have another option for eliminating the distress experienced by our pets. Euthanasia – from the Greek terms meaning “good death” – is that option.
Pet owners can find solace in thinking of it as ending the patient’s suffering as opposed to ending their life. Providing a smooth transition for your pet in the calm, familiar setting that has been their home, with their loving family members close, is a service that I am honored to be able to provide.