Disadvantages of Natural Death
Letting a Pet Die at Home
Natural death has always been around. This is what happened to animals before there were vet offices and anesthetics. The pet fell ill and eventually died in their home or yard. It doesnt necessarily mean an uncomfortable death; pets can now be prescribed painkillers to help them better cope with the pain in their final days.
When giving hospice care to your animal, you will see your pets health decline and go through several stages. There are several signs that a dog is dying. Your companion may not go through some of these stages if you euthanize your pet before they unfold. If you decide to let your dog or cat die at home, you will need to learn how to recognize pain and must acknowledge and accept all the events as they unfold.
Pain management is crucial if you want your pet to die at home. The problem with pain though is that often animals tend to hide the pain. In cats, pain is a sign of weakness that could make them vulnerable to prey. They, therefore, prefer to hide rather than manifest it. Dogs are often stoic and will not necessarily manifest pain in obvious ways.
Being aware of the most subtle signs of pain is important. Pets dont have to vocalize to be in pain; they may show pain through acting lethargic, losing their appetite, exhibiting behavioral changes, and hiding or moving around less. When in doubt, its best to have a vet do an assessment. Blood pressure measurements may be helpful indicators since blood pressure rises when an animal is in pain. Knowing your pets normal pulse and respiration rate may help recognize pain at home—rapid breathing and pulse are both signs of pain. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs prescribed by a vet can help make them more comfortable.
Hospice care for pets is a new trend. Some offer this care until the very end, others endure it until they feel the need to use euthanasia. The end-of-life stage includes symptoms such as anorexia, behavior changes, decreased urine production, different breathing patterns, and decreased alertness.
As they near death, animals may refuse food and water at some point. This may be difficult to accept, but this is normal. The body no longer needs fuel as it shuts down. Yet, hydration may help them be more comfortable. Your vet can teach you how to give sub-q fluids; however, in some conditions, such as edema, fluids may make the condition worse and cause breathing difficulties. Consult with your vet.
Everybody wishes their pet dies in their sleep. Unfortunately, this is not common. If you are considering having your cat or dog die naturally at home, you will need to keep in mind that you may have a sudden urge to put them out of their misery. Its best to have a vets number always available if you decide to put them down. You also might want to call a close friend or family member when it seems like the end is near. Theyll be able to help you take care of logistics and provide emotional support.
What Happens on the Day of the Procedure?
When the day comes, your vet may inject a sedative to make your pet more comfortable before injecting a dose of brightly colored pentobarbital, a liquid barbiturate often used for anesthesia. In this case, though, it will be an overdose amount, and because the barbiturate depresses the central nervous system, the dog or cat drifts into an anesthesia-like sleep that will ultimately halt their breathing and cause cardiac arrest. Many owners like to hold their animal throughout this short 10-to-20-second process.
The Dying Process: Letting Your Pet Die Naturally
Many people are surprised by the emotions that arise after their four-legged companions death, their dog. They come to feel, even guilty, for the pain they feel. It is worth remembering that our dog was part of our life, our routine, and our home in these moments. In addition to the love we come to feel for him, he was family, a friend, and a partner. We ask ourselves, should I let this special being, my dog, die naturally at home?
Often, we are not aware that we not only mourn the animal we love so much, but we also mourn the loss of that happy time in our life. It has given us during that time, and for the bonds, it helped create with other people and animals, which have become important to us.
So how do we let a dog die naturally at home? Let’s look at some of the things involved when our loved one passes and if that is the right decision for you.