Euthanasia
is a painful topic to discuss. However, it is a crucial part of veterinary
medicine because we have the comforting option of letting our pets
go when the pain and suffering is too great for them. In some situations,
it is inhumane to let an animal suffer and die a natural death. They
can’t
verbally tell us when they are ready, therefore we must rely on facts,
our veterinarian’s recommendations, and our intuition to guide
us in the right direction.
The death of a cherished
pet can be more distressing to a person than the passing of a relative
or friend. To some people,
their cat is the
equivalent
of a child – and the pain of losing him or her can be excruciating.
To others, their cat has been an unconditional companion and a great
friendship has formed. Whatever the case, it is very difficult to cope
with the loss – and
you shouldn’t have to bear it alone.
There are many resources
available to help grieving owners deal with the loss of their beloved
pet, including
books, hotlines, and websites.
We
have a few suggestions to help get you started.