Is Euthanasia Painful for My Pet?

Watching a beloved pet’s quality of life deteriorate during advanced stages of life or witnessing extreme suffering from a debilitating disease is unfathomable for most pet lovers. Unfortunately, these situations do occur and when they do we’re forced to make difficult choices about what is best for our beloved pets. Though pet euthanasia is not the right choice for everyone, it’s important to understand what your pet will experience when weighing your options.A common fear expressed is that the euthanasia procedure will cause additional pain and discomfort to an animal that has already experienced his or her fair share of suffering. Rest assured, the procedure itself can provide temporary comfort for your pet’s final moments. In fact, the most pain your animal will feel is the slight prick of a needle used to administer pain medication. The drug used quickly enters the bloodstream and the suffering pet loses consciousness. If you’ve ever been given anesthesia prior to surgery, the sensation your pet will experience is quite similar.The process of euthanizing a dog or cat hasn’t always been this peaceful. In year’s past, your only alternative was to bring a sick animal to a veterinarian’s office, which can be a cold, inhospitable place for many pets. There, the physician would perform the procedure without the benefit of many of the sedatives available today.At Gentle Journey, we strive to make our in-home euthanasia service as pain-free and peaceful as humanly possible. Your pet’s comfort level during this difficult experience is our top priority. If you would like to learn more about the process, please call us at 602-332-7757 or visit us online.