The Saddest Situation For A Veterinarian

Picture from: http://www.citizengo.org/en/lf/35120-no-assisted-suicide-and-euthanasia-australia

I recently had a case that broke my heart, brought me to tears, made me feel like an awful human and a terrible voice for the animals I swore to protect. Unfortunately this was not the first time. I do not want to go into detail since I do not want to cause anyone shame. The gist of the story was a middle aged dog came in for an exam and the owner decided upon euthanasia for her own reasons. There were tests and treatments that could have been done, but that was not an option for the owner. I do not judge as I cannot put myself in a person's shoes. I gave the owner options and discussed the quality of life I believed the dog could have with proper treatment. I did the best I could.

The hardest part is not described above; it is when an owner decides to allow the veterinarian to euthanize their pet alone, instead of staying and comforting their baby. This definitely takes a toll on my soul and sticks with me for quite a long time. The issues owners don't think about are:
1. Your pet loves you. Most of their lives have been with you and you are what comforts them.
2. They look for you. I cannot tell you how sad animals look when they leave their owners for the last time. They pull on their leashes to return to you. Their claws dig into the floor trying to get back to the comfort of you.
3. I am not their owner. No matter how many times I tell your pet they are a good boy/good girl, that I love them, that everything will be okay, they are still scared. They are not comforted.

With all of that going on, then I have to be the one to give them that last injection. I have to be the one, while injecting them, to pet them, to hug them and to give them their last kiss. The owner gets to go home and leave that last memory for me. I understand it is a very hard thing to do; to see your beloved pet take their last breath. I urge people to think about that last moment from their pet's perspective before they make that final decision. Your pet's last memory can be either of you walking away or you staying there while saying goodbye, while you give them their last kiss. Your pet can either be screaming inside to get back to you or be comforted by your presence. I have to be the voice of our animals and I have to let it be known that they would beg for you to stay.

Picture from: http://www.padoniavets.com/tags/euthanasia

Picture from: http://www.padoniavets.com/services/humane-euthanasia