Guiding Your Pet with Compassion in Their Final Stage

Friends and Neighbors,

One of the greatest joys we experience as pet owners is moving through the stages of life with our companions by our sides. But how do we know when their quality of life is suffering? In the veterinary industry, we can rely on humane euthanasia when necessary. Whether it’s age or illness, your veterinarian can help guide you and your pet through their quality of life journey. 

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) surveyed 2,570 pet owners about end-of-life care and found that quality of life, rather than age, is more closely linked to decisions about euthanasia.

Deciding when to say goodbye to a beloved pet is never easy – how do you know when it’s time to consider euthanasia?

According to the AVMA survey, over 85% of pet owners who had lost their pets chose euthanasia, with nearly half doing so to alleviate their pet's suffering. More than half of respondents cited illness or disease as the actual cause of death, not age.

Your veterinarian’s goal is to help pet parent’s extend their pets' lives with a high perceived quality of life while minimizing suffering. Pet owners should watch for signs of aging and work with their veterinarian to assess changes in quality of life.

Signs to look out for include:

• Hiding 

• Immobility 

• Inappetence

• Going potty in the house for potty-trained dogs 

• Not using the litter box for cats 

• Neurological and severe behavioral issues 

FAQ’s

• How do I know it’s time to euthanize my pet?

  • If your pet is displaying signs of pain, loss of appetite, loss of mobility, loss of bladder control and general concerning changes - contact your veterinarian to schedule a visit. They can examine your pet and help determine if end of life care is necessary.

• How do I know if my pet is suffering?

  • Our pets can be very good at hiding their pain! If you aren’t noticing any glaring, obvious signs of pain - it’s best to ensure your pet is having an annual visit with your vet. This will allow your vet to catch any easy-to-miss signs of poor quality of life.

• Is euthanasia painful?

  • Euthanasia is not a painful procedure. It involves gently administering a solution to the patient while they lay comfortably in a warm blanket. Our team makes sure to provide the absolute most comfortable experience possible for the patient.

• What can I expect at the euthanasia appointment?

  • Our team preps the lobby before your appointment to ensure a quiet entry for you and your pet. We use a small candle to indicate to the other folks in the building that there’s a sensitive procedure happening and politely ask that they remain as quiet as possible. We bring you and your pet into a dim-lit exam room with lots of blankets and treats of all kinds. We allow our pet parents privacy in the room with their pet for as long as they’d like. We leave them with a clicker to alert us when they are ready to begin the procedure. From there, our skilled technicians enter the exam room and begin the procedure which only takes a few moments. We leave you with resources on next steps and follow up with you in the following week after the procedure to check in and give our condolences.

Our pets (especially our feline friends!) can be masters at hiding pain and illness. This is why it’s crucial to have annual check-ins with your veterinarian so they can identify trends, changes and new signs of illness. Understanding these signs can help you and your veterinarian make informed decisions about your pet’s care. 

We hope you find these tips helpful and that they help keep you and your pets happy and healthy. Don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule your pet’s next visit. 

Sincerely,

The BLVD Team