In animals, assisted dying, the so-called euthanasia, is permitted under certain circumstances regulated by animal welfare laws. If suffering can no longer be alleviated, painless euthanasia can be a relief for your animal. But when is the right time, and how does euthanasia work?
According to animal welfare law, euthanasia is only permissible for "reasonable grounds." These include, for example, incurable, severe suffering or pain caused by illness or injury. Euthanasia must be carried out as painlessly and with as little distress as possible and may only be performed by a veterinarian.
It is usually not easy to accurately assess your animal's quality of life and recognize when the time has come for euthanasia. If there is no prospect of recovery and you are unable to provide the necessary care for your animal, discuss with your veterinarian whether and when euthanasia should be considered.
Is your animal still eating, drinking, and sleeping enough? Can it move around safely and groom itself independently? Does it still show joy and interest in its environment? Is it in untreated pain or suffering from shortness of breath? Does it has more good days than bad? These are the questions you need to consider together with your veterinarian.
Euthanasia usually takes place in three steps. After being sedated, the animal falls into a deep sleep. Consciousness and pain perception are eliminated before respiratory and cardiac arrest occur.
Your veterinarian will then confirm death by listening to the heart and lungs.
There are various ways to dispose of the animal's body after euthanasia. If your pet is the size of a dog or smaller, you can bury it in your own garden. Otherwise, you can consider a pet cemetery, individual or collective cremation, or disposal at an animal carcass disposal facility. You can find more information about the individual options in the article "When the dog dies - letting go and accompanying them".
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