Now What?
Contributed by Angie Lewis
My almost eight-year-old Great Pyrenees Mix has inoperable bladder cancer. When my vet uttered those words to me, I didn’t even take time to let the impact devastate me, but rather asked what next. No time to cry or pity myself or him, but time to determine the next plan of attack. If this damn disease was going after my dog, we weren’t going down without a fight. At the same time, I was not going to let my dog suffer, just so I could say that we had waged an admirable war against this horrible cancer.
Fortunately, euthanasia is an option for animals and so, when fighting this cancer no longer makes sense, we can allow for a gentler way for life to end. Euthanasia involves the use of drugs to end the life of the patient. Typically, a sedative is administered to help relax the patient and it is followed by a high dose of pentobarbital, which actually kills the animal. When the decision to euthanize your pet Is made, a great deal of guilt is involved, whereas, when the animal dies on their own, it is easier to bear, because you did not make the decision to end your animal/s life.
How do you know that the time is right for your beloved animal to leave this world.
Think of the following:
- Age of your dog
- Physical condition - overall health
- Look for signs of pain (crying, panting, excessive drooling, labored breathing, lethargy, and restlessness.
- Not eating or drinking
- Hard time pooping or peeing.
- Emergence of antisocial behaviors
- Get a calendar and make note of good vs. bad days. Having concrete data to note exactly how many bad days there are provides you with hands-on information regarding how many days are difficult for your pooch.
- Get a second opinion. This can be an opinion from another doctor or from a friend. Take advantage of other people’s opinions and experiences.
I hope when the time comes, that I will have the fortitude to make the right choice for my dog, Jerith. He will be my primary concern and I am just there to guide him. I love you Jerith.
Angie Lewis President of Alaska Animal Advocates