When is Euthanasia Appropriate?

Introduction

Selecting euthanasia is a difficult and very personal decision. Placing the welfare of the patient as the top priority will help you during the difficult time surrounding your decision.

How to Know When it is Time

When trying to decide on whether or not to euthanize or humanely end the life of your cat, you need to ask some important questions:

• Is your cat free from pain, distress, or serious discomfort which cannot be controlled effectively?
• Is your cat able to walk and balance reasonably well?
• Can he eat and drink enough for normal maintenance without difficulty and without persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea?
• Is the cat free from inoperable tumors which cause pain or serious discomfort?
• Is your cat able to breathe without difficulty?
• Can your cat urinate and defecate without serious difficulty or incontinence?
• Can you as an owner cope physically and emotionally with any nursing care which may be required?

If the answer to any of the preceding questions is negative, and treatment is likely to be unrewarding, you might want to consider euthanasia.

Some other questions that must be given serious consideration are:

• What is my cat's quality of life?
• Is is there a loss of dignity?

In the final analysis, euthanasia is performed to save the cat from unnecessary and ongoing pain, as well as from the indignity and distress of a prolonged terminal illness. A cat's life should not be prolonged simply because an owner cannot bear to part with his or her cat. We are often faced with cats that seem much better on some days, and worse on others. In this case, it is wise to make your assessment based on average comfort levels.

When confronted with the decision of whether or not to euthanize your cat, your veterinarian is best qualified to help you with this most important of decisions.

Overview and Facts