Complete loss of appetite or unwillingness or inability to eat Trouble standing or walking. Falling over when standing or trying to walk. Difficulty with breathing or every breath is labored Incontinence or soiling problems Chronic pain or inability to get comfortable Chronic vomiting or diarrhea that threatens to leave the animal dehydrated
Remember to let any people that cared for and loved the dog join in this process. Do not lie to them that the dog is going to another home or that it ran away. Instead, explain to them the decision making process to euthanize the dog and explain the death to them in an age appropriate manner. An excellent book for kids is When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood fame.
Most veterinarians and their staff will be fine with you being present and will explain the process to you. If you can’t be present they will understand that decision as well. When you call for the appointment to euthanize your dog you can ask if they will come to your home to do the euthanasia. Or you may prefer to have it done at the veterinarian’s office to avoid unpleasant memories at home. Either the way the procedure is similar.
Do you have a box or a special blanket to wrap the body in? Or will you decide to have the veterinarian’s office arrange for cremation, which will add more money to the final bill. Do you have room to bury the body in your yard? Can you dig in the yard if it’s winter time? Is there a safe spot to dig? You may have to check with your local utilities to make sure you don’t damage any buried lines on your property.
Many veterinarians will place a small catheter into the vein while others are adept at using a plain needle on a syringe full of the euthanasia solution. The veterinarian will usually need their assistant to help hold the pet and keep its leg steady, but you should be able to stroke and speak to your pet if you want to. Occasionally a dog with heart or circulation troubles will take a bit more time for the solution to work. The dog may give a sigh or a couple of deep breaths. The veterinarian may check with his or her stethoscope to make sure your dog’s heart is stopped before pronouncing it dead. They will assist you in respectfully readying your dog’s body for a proper disposition.
Create a memorial. This could be a spot on a shelf with your dog’s framed photo, a special photo album with photos, or you could plant a tree or bush in your dog’s memory. Write your feelings in a journal. Ask your humane society or veterinarian if there are any pet loss support groups in the area. Call a pet loss hotline to speak with a counselor[3] X Research source Most of all, remember the happy times with your dog and enjoy those good memories.
