What Definitely Isn’t Pain
As a dog is put to sleep, you may notice some unusual reactions that could be easily confused with pain. Let’s go through these now.
This is obviously quite shocking and can be upsetting for owners and vets alike. But we do not think this is a pain reaction, but rather ‘dysphoria’. As the drugs kick in, it causes a brief period of excitement before it induces anaesthesia. It is not pain, just a reaction to the drug.
We call these agonal breaths or a ‘last gasp’ and it is a normal reaction to the body shutting down. As the heart stops, the body automatically tries to respond to the lack of oxygen by taking big breaths. Your dog is already asleep at this point, not feeling any pain, and may already be considered deceased.
Finally, as your dog passes away and their muscles start to relax, you may notice some twitching, movement or even paddling of the legs. They can also relax their bowels and bladder, causing weeing and pooing. They often will not close their eyes. Again, these are all normal signs that occur at death, and not signs of pain.
A good vet should warn you well in advance that any of the above behaviours could occur, assure you that they are normal and your dog is not in pain. If they are prolonged, administering a little more pentobarbital can stop them quicker.
Other Sources of Pain
As well as everything the vet is doing, there can be other aspects of a euthanasia that might be painful for your dog.
Most dogs being put to sleep are very unwell or elderly, and usually in pain. Conditions like arthritis, cancer, kidney failure or breathing difficulties will all cause distress and/or pain. For some dogs, lying in certain positions or having to extend their legs for a catheter may cause discomfort. We can minimise this as much as possible by discussing how you would like the process to occur, providing soft blankets to lie on, administering pre-emptive pain relief or sedation, and choosing injection sites carefully.
As we have discussed in previous blogs, some dogs become distressed at the vets and by being touched. Others may be distressed if the owner is not present, or distressed if the owner is present but in great distress themselves. However, though it is unclear whether dogs understand what we are doing when we put them to sleep, the vast majority are comfortable and accept the process peacefully. In some cases, this is because they are so unwell and have little energy to react.
However, in both cases, pain is not caused directly by the euthanasia process, and being put to sleep will stop all of this pain. In most situations, the short physical and emotional discomfort of the euthanasia process is worth stopping other, more serious, forms of pain completely. Remember that euthanasia means ‘good death’, and that the primary goal is to prevent further suffering.
Is It Time to Put My Pet to Sleep?
As your pet grows older or as an incurable and fatal disease progresses, you may start thinking about those dreaded final days. Will you have your dog or cat put to sleep at the vets office or will you let them die at home? These are big decisions, and despite what people may tell you, its also a personal choice based on your pets personality, your personal beliefs, and their condition and level of pain. Unless they pass on to a better life in their sleep or suddenly out of the blue, these decisions will need to be thought over carefully. Here are some important questions to ask yourself:
Dr. Babette Gladstein, a vet who practices integrative veterinary medicine in the greater New York area, says, “Many people really have to think hard about whether they are keeping the animal alive for themselves or for the animal.”
In the United States, I have noticed many owners are often very quick to choose the euthanasia option. Many people think this is the only choice, or they may feel that allowing a pet to die at home is unacceptable. In other countries, pets often die at home, either because there is simply no other choice or they perceive death differently.
This article will tackle both views. There is really no right or wrong way to die—it inevitably happens as we are all common mortals. All that matters is that the pet isnt in any major pain. But its important to start thinking about what you will do when the time comes so you can have some plans in place.
10 Critical Signs that Indicates Your Dog is Dying
Theres a subtle difference in a dogs behavior when they are past the point of struggling to overcome illness or injury and are about to die. Learning what happens to a dogs body when they die and how to tell when those final moments have arrived can help you prepare and provide your dog with love, comfort, and dignity as they leave this earth.