VIP Advice
VIP Advice
A Natural Death For Pets
3 Minute Read
By Dr. Karie Johnson | Healthcare | Jan 2019
A Natural Death For Pets
3 Minute Read
By Dr. Karie Johnson | Healthcare | Jan 2019
By Dr. Karie Johnson | Jan 2019
IS A NATURAL DEATH REALLY WHAT YOU WANT?
Many people say “I wish they would just go to sleep and never wake back up” and while this may happen for a very slim number of pets, most don’t leave this world peacefully without our intervention. See my article “What is Euthanasia” for why euthanizing a pet truly is having them pass in their sleep.
In reality, the natural death process can be very slow and very painful. It can be extremely hard to watch your beloved pet suffer and slowly fade away. I have consulted clients who were very opposed to euthanasia eventually turn to it in the final stages of their pet’s life because they could no longer watch their furry friend suffer. This is a terribly difficult situation that I want to help other pet parents avoid.
DO YOU WANT TO RISK WAITING TOO LONG?
There is such a thing as waiting too long to euthanize and unfortunately it can happen in an instant. I don’t want to scare you, but I want to prepare you for the risks you take when you don’t want to make that decision.
You risk a trip to the emergency room where you are forced to euthanize your pet in a hurry rather than going through a peaceful process in a setting of your choice surrounded by everyone who loves them. You risk not getting a chance to say goodbye or them passing alone.
Most pet owners aren’t okay with these risks. They don’t want the stress of coming home everyday and seeing if their pet is still alive or if they are struggling to keep going. The level of risk you face if you are waiting to euthanize depends on the disease processes your pet is enduring. With all factors considered, the main question you have to ask yourself is if you want to risk their final moments being painful, stressful or rushed.
WHAT IF THEY DIE UNEXPECTEDLY?
An unexpected death is a rare occurrence, but sometimes we don’t know how much time we have left with a furry family member or a pet’s health might deteriorate quicker than expected. If this happens to you, try not to feel guilty. There is no way you could have predicted this to happen. Usually when this occurs without warning, the pet died rather quickly and you were unable or even unknowing of what was happening to intervene on their behalf.
If you are struggling with a sense of guilt after your pet’s death and are looking for help with your thoughts or emotions, you can read my article, Euthanasia Guilt: Feelings of Regret or Remorse.
YOUR BELIEFS
No matter what your beliefs are, you should talk to your veterinarian about what your plan is for your pet. Veterinarians try their best to honor the values or wishes of all pet parents, and we ultimately want what is best each individual pet. We want a pet’s last moments on earth to be happy, free of fear or pain, and surrounded by those who love them.
I want you to remember your pet for how they lived and not how they died. I don’t want you living with feelings of guilt or regret. Schedule a consultation with us today to talk about your pet’s quality of life, your concerns around euthanasia and your plans for their death. We are here to help you through this difficult time.
Author: Dr. Karie Johnson, Co-Founder of VIP Vet Visit
Dr Karie is a companion animal & equine veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. Her desire to strengthen the human-animal bond while providing enhanced preventative care led her to start VIP Vet Visit – an at-home veterinary care option that provides less stress, more convenience and better care.
IS A NATURAL DEATH REALLY WHAT YOU WANT?
Many people say “I wish they would just go to sleep and never wake back up” and while this may happen for a very slim number of pets, most don’t leave this world peacefully without our intervention. See my article “What is Euthanasia” for why euthanizing a pet truly is having them pass in their sleep.
In reality, the natural death process can be very slow and very painful. It can be extremely hard to watch your beloved pet suffer and slowly fade away. I have consulted clients who were very opposed to euthanasia eventually turn to it in the final stages of their pet’s life because they could no longer watch their furry friend suffer. This is a terribly difficult situation that I want to help other pet parents avoid.
DO YOU WANT TO RISK WAITING TOO LONG?
There is such a thing as waiting too long to euthanize and unfortunately it can happen in an instant. I don’t want to scare you, but I want to prepare you for the risks you take when you don’t want to make that decision.
You risk a trip to the emergency room where you are forced to euthanize your pet in a hurry rather than going through a peaceful process in a setting of your choice surrounded by everyone who loves them. You risk not getting a chance to say goodbye or them passing alone.
Most pet owners aren’t okay with these risks. They don’t want the stress of coming home everyday and seeing if their pet is still alive or if they are struggling to keep going. The level of risk you face if you are waiting to euthanize depends on the disease processes your pet is enduring. With all factors considered, the main question you have to ask yourself is if you want to risk their final moments being painful, stressful or rushed.
WHAT IF THEY DIE UNEXPECTEDLY?
An unexpected death is a rare occurrence, but sometimes we don’t know how much time we have left with a furry family member or a pet’s health might deteriorate quicker than expected. If this happens to you, try not to feel guilty. There is no way you could have predicted this to happen. Usually when this occurs without warning, the pet died rather quickly and you were unable or even unknowing of what was happening to intervene on their behalf.
If you are struggling with a sense of guilt after your pet’s death and are looking for help with your thoughts or emotions, you can read my article, Euthanasia Guilt: Feelings of Regret or Remorse.
YOUR BELIEFS
No matter what your beliefs are, you should talk to your veterinarian about what your plan is for your pet. Veterinarians try their best to honor the values or wishes of all pet parents, and we ultimately want what is best each individual pet. We want a pet’s last moments on earth to be happy, free of fear or pain, and surrounded by those who love them.
I want you to remember your pet for how they lived and not how they died. I don’t want you living with feelings of guilt or regret. Schedule a consultation with us today to talk about your pet’s quality of life, your concerns around euthanasia and your plans for their death. We are here to help you through this difficult time.
Author: Dr. Karie Johnson, Co-Founder of VIP Vet Visit
Dr Karie is a companion animal & equine veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. Her desire to strengthen the human-animal bond while providing enhanced preventative care led her to start VIP Vet Visit – an at-home veterinary care option that provides less stress, more convenience and better care.
