Is Euthanasia Always The Best Answer ?

Carlos Porto

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There are thousands of thousands of pet owners who probably at some point in time, have to make the gut wrenching decision of whether to put their beloved pet to sleep. It is the same heart wrenching decision whether your pet is a dog, cat, horse or something else entirely.

I feel to many times however ,Veterinarians do not always work with their human clients the way they should in understanding that euthanasia may not always be a necessity.

I am in no way stating that in some instances putting the pet down is not the right action. Nor am I saying that pet owners are not occasionally too quick to opt for euthanasia.

My own personal feelings are that if possible you stay and take care of that pet to the bitter end. I have known many people that have chosen euthanasia as a cheap easy way out even when treatment was an affordable and easy option.

One instance of this, is a person whose horse had a hoof infection. The vet informed the person that it could clear right up with a course of antibiotics but it is a possibility that it  may not and the horse be lame. Without a second thought the horse was put down on the spot. This story broke my heart and sadly I know many more like it. Sometimes it is the Veterinarians doing because they know the client is low income and will persuade the client its the best choice when it is not necessarily the case.

As I stated before, there are many different reasons why putting ones pet to sleep may be the best option in some cases. However, I strongly feel that something needs to be done here. Whether it be putting restrictions on when Euthanasia be administered, or judging whether a pet owner should make that call if clearly it might not be the right choice due to the fact it is unnecessary. 

Change needs to come and money should never be a factor in making a person put down their pet. It should be something that absolutely is the only way to ease an animals suffering, period.

There needs to be programs implemented that help in case of an emergency to cover low income and others in financial need with veterinarian bills and or surgery costs if required. 

After all, for many not only in this country, but around the world, our pets are our lives.