Reasons To Euthanise A Healthy Animal
There are many reasons that a pet would come to a veterinarian for euthanasia.
Most of the time, the pet is sick or injured and can no longer be helped.
Sometimes, however, a healthy dog may be put down because:
Will a Vet Euthanize an Aggressive Dog?
In general, yes, vets will euthanize dogs that pose a danger to society.
However, most vets would see this as a last resort.
In some cases, a dog is acting aggressive due to poor training because their natural needs are not being met.
If it’s the case that a dog may enjoy a normal life and the aggression can be controlled, the vet may discuss how this could be achieved.
Your vet should discuss your concerns with you.
They may advise you on medicine that could help, local veterinary behaviorists, and other helpful resources.
They may also discuss the option of handing your dog over if they feel they know a person or center that could help them.
Here is how Dr. Allen responded to this request along with some Fear Free tips on how to handle this unfortunate situation.
When the owner returned home she called Sandy Mesmer, the Silky Terrier breeder from whom she had bought Peter, and explained she had taken the dog to the veterinarian to be euthanized.
Dr. Allen received the impression the owner didn’t want to end Peter’s life but didn’t know what else to do with the dog. Feeling a family obligation to take in and care for her ill, elderly sister who suffered from hearing issues, the owner didn’t anticipate the sister wouldn’t like dogs and couldn’t deal with the terrier’s barking.
“My contract specifies that if for any reason, the owner can no longer keep the dog, I will take him back,” says Mesmer, of Clearwater, Florida. “When the owner gave me the doctor’s name I immediately called Dr. Allen and posted messages on social media about a Silky Terrier needing a new home.”
“It did no good for me to refuse to euthanize the dog because the owner would only take him elsewhere,” says Dr. Allen.
Healthy Dog Euthanized So She Could Be Buried With Owner
Imagine that youve just graduated from veterinary school a few months ago, and you’ve finally progressed to a point in your internship where your presiding resident thinks you’re capable of flying solo on an overnight shift.
That is, until you receive your first client of the evening: a cat owner who wants to tax your no-longer-insubstantial skills only as far as your way with a syringe full of euthanasia solution is concerned. What’s worse is that when you perform the obligatory physical examination, it becomes clear that this prospectively dead patient is a perfectly healthy feline specimen.
The rationale behind the request? (Owners always supply one or more reasons for engaging in this kind of drastic activity.) In this case, the predominant complaint: Said cat would not let the owner or her husband sleep, urinated inappropriately on expensive furniture, and — sin of all sins — refused to live outside, preferring to yowl at the door to regain entry than “enjoy his freedom.”
Why a cat would want to be let back into a household willing to do away with him is beyond me, but I’m given to understand that abusive relationships are complex beyond most uninitiated individuals ability to fathom.
In any case, the intent of the office call was obvious: “Kill my cat and, if possible, make me feel better about my wanting to do it.”
