While advances in veterinary medicine allow your pet to live a longer, healthier life, the most difficult decision you can make regarding the care of your best friend is when to let him go. There is rarely a clear answer as to when the “right” time is to put your beloved dog to sleep – rather, it is a combination of various factors. Although no one can make this difficult decision for you, there are a few things that can help.
Talk to your vet
One of the most common questions veterinarians hear is, “When should I put my pet down?” This is an extremely personal decision, and many veterinarians are reluctant to give a specific answer unless it is clear that the pet is suffering . If you ask your veterinarian for advice, he or she can guide you through this challenging task and help you make a decision. Your veterinarian will inform you about your dog’s medical problems as well as the prognosis and progression of the disease.
For example, your miniature schnauzer may have been struggling with diabetes and regulating blood sugar levels for two years. Over time, she developed cataracts that left her blind, and she was also recently diagnosed with Cushing’s disease, making managing her diabetes even more difficult. Your dog never fully adjusts to blindness and stumbles through life, afraid of bumping into objects and no longer being able to enjoy his favorite pastimes. Given the Cushing’s diagnosis, coupled with comprehensive treatment and monitoring, you may have reached your limits. Your veterinarian will help you identify various quality of life issues for you and your pet to avoid distress and disruption of your bond.
If you have questions about the medical aspects of your dog’s quality of life and want to know what to look for, contact your veterinarian. They can show you signs of your dog’s suffering that you may not be able to recognize. She will also explain the euthanasia process to ease your stress and anxiety by giving you time to prepare in advance.
Track your pet's quality of life
In younger dogs that have suffered catastrophic trauma or an illness for which there is no cure, such as: Such as a devastating car accident, a poisoning that irreparably affects organ function, or a congenital defect that cannot be corrected surgically, deciding when to euthanize your loved one is an easier decision. But when an older dog begins to deteriorate, it is much more difficult to know the exact moment when your pet’s suffering will end. You can use a quality of life scale to determine how comfortable and happy your pet feels in everyday life.
One of the most commonly used quality of life scales is that of Dr. Alice Villalobos developed HHHHHMM scale. The HHHHHMM scale evaluates seven categories of happiness and well-being to determine your pet’s quality of life:
Injured
Is your dog feeling unwell and showing signs of pain despite painkillers, alternative therapies and home modifications? Signs of pain include panting, licking the affected area, whining, groaning, reluctance to move, decreased appetite, inability to get comfortable, and decreased activity.
hunger
Does your dog eat regularly with a good appetite or does he refuse food? If your dog refuses to eat or is experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you may need to hand feed him or use a feeding tube to ensure he is receiving proper nutrition. Many medications and illnesses can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. For pets experiencing nausea and vomiting due to a disease process, talk to your veterinarian about anti-nausea medication.
Hydration
Does your dog drink normally? If they drink more or less than normal, abnormal alcohol consumption may be a sign of an uncontrolled disease process. If you cannot get your dog to drink enough to maintain adequate hydration, the veterinarian may consider intravenous catheterization with fluid therapy or subcutaneous fluid administration.
hygiene
Is your dog able to maintain normal grooming habits? Are they mobile enough to get out of the mess if they suffer from urinary or fecal incontinenceSuffer? The development of urinary or fecal incontinence is a crucial factor for many pet owners, especially when combined with immobility. Struggling day after day to rid a large dog of its own urine and feces is a burden that is difficult to bear and often damages the bond between owner and dog.
Luck
Is your dog happy? Do you still enjoy your favorite activities and can you still do them? Does your dog still greet you enthusiastically when you come home? Has your dog shown signs of anxiety and depression and isolating himself from the family? If your dog no longer enjoys his normal activities, consider prolonging his life for his sake instead of letting him go.
mobility
Is your dog able to exercise? comfortable? Have they developed severe osteoarthritis or another debilitating muscular or skeletal disease? Are there medications, therapies or surgeries that can improve your dog’s mobility? If your dog is unable to walk or stand without assistance, keep in mind that the immobility can impact his mental health, happiness, and hygiene.
More good days than bad
Does your dog have more good days than bad? Or have the bad days started to outnumber the good? Towards the end, you can allow yourself a few moments on the bad days to remember the good times – a wag of your tail for your favorite treat, a quick game of fetch, or a dedication to following you from room to room the entire time you go home.
More resources
Because making the decision to euthanize your dog is incredibly difficult, we have included some questionnaires and quality of life scales to help you determine how your pet is doing:
Transitions In Home Pet Euthanasia Quality of Life Questionnaire
Ohio State University Quality of Life Assessment
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice’s Quality of Life Assessment Tool
If your four-legged companion has more bad days than good, you should let him go in peace with the help of your veterinarian. After your loss, take advantage of useful resources and lean on family and friends to help you cope with your grief.