It may take a little longer if your animal is very ill or has poor circulation. Death occurs within a couple of minutes when the heart stops beating.Unconsciousness follows within seconds, often before the injection is finished.They may give a small cry as the injection is given – as with all anaesthetics, there is a brief feeling of dizziness as the drug takes effect.All your cat feels is a tiny prick of the needle – then the injection is painless. Your cat will be held by a nurse and a small patch of fur is shaved off.Euthanasia is usually carried out by injecting an overdose of anaesthetic into the vein of the front leg, although the injection can be given to other areas of the body as well.Once this is done, they will begin the process. Some of the events described below may be hard to watch, but remember that your cat quickly loses consciousness and cannot feel pain from that point onwards.īefore your cat is put to sleep, your vet will usually make you sign a consent form. It can make finding a vein more difficult and the injection may work more slowly but this won't cause them any pain, as they'll be numb from the sedative. This will make them feel relaxed and less worried about being handled by the vet. If your cat is agitated or restless, then the vet may give a sedative first. When an owner or fellow pet passes away, pets can show a range of behaviours from crying or searching, to a loss in appetite. Like humans, pets also show signs that could be interpreted as grief. Talk to them honestly about what is happening and, as far as possible, involve them in the decision making. Children need support even if they are not outwardly upset. How can I support my children through pet loss?įor children it can be especially upsetting as it may be their first experience of death. If your cat is already hospitalised and is not under anaesthetic, then you can ask to visit and say goodbye if you want to. If your cat is already under anaesthetic, though this may be hard, it may be kinder to agree to euthanasia without waking them up. What if my cat is already under anaesthetic? asking for a house visit – some vets will agree to this if you prefer.taking a friend or family member with you for support.explaining the situation to the vet receptionist when you make the appointment – you can often choose a quiet time for your visit to the surgery.taking some time off work to process what's happened.To help you through what can be a difficult time you may want to consider: Once you've made the decision, it can take its toll emotionally. Our trained professionals are here to help you through.Ĭhat to someone now How should I prepare for my pet being put to sleep? In life we don't always know what is around the corner, a sudden or unexpected loss, can leave us feeling shocked and struggling to cope. Most reach a point when their quality of life is poor and a decision for euthanasia has to be made. Sadly, few cats die peacefully in their sleep at home. If you are hoping for an improvement in your cat's condition, setting a time limit may be a sensible option. Cats do not always show pain by crying or yowling and they tend to change their natural behaviours to cope with the pain (like sleeping more than usual) instead. Often there is a big time commitment involved in care.Īssessing your cat's long-term pain can be difficult, even for your vet. Living with an older or terminally ill cat can be emotionally and financially draining. My cat has a long-term illness, how will I know when the time is right? change in toilet habits or incontinence (weeing or messing on the floor where they wouldn't usually).sitting or lying in an unusual position.Signs that your cat is in pain and may no longer have a good quality of life can include: This is a term they use to understand how much they are now able to enjoy their lives without pain or suffering. When you visit the vet, you'll hear them talking about your pet's 'quality of life'.
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