![\"veterinary,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/3.png\")
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Making the decision to say goodbye is one of the hardest decisions a pet parent will\u00a0<\/span><\/span>face. Our<\/span><\/span>\u00a0pets are beloved family members and knowing the \u201cright\u201d time to euthanize can be an overwhelming prospect.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>As you weigh the options and assess your pet\u2019s quality of life, we want to provide some insight\u00a0<\/span><\/span>on the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>pet\u00a0<\/span><\/span>euthanasia process in order to provide comfort and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>assurance<\/span><\/span>\u00a0as you consider your pet\u2019s final care.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There is not an unequivocally right or wrong choice in end-of-life care.\u00a0<\/span>Ultimately, you know your pet best and are better equipped to make the decision to say goodbye than anyone else.\u00a0<\/span>C<\/span>onsider\u00a0<\/span>the following<\/span>\u00a0factors<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0discuss<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>them\u00a0<\/span>openly with your veterinarian<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n Quality of life can be subjectively determined by considering<\/span>\u00a0daily if your pet is doing the things they love to do. This may include eating, going for walks, playing, or socializing with your family. These joys will vary for each pet, but it\u2019s important to track them every day to help establish a pattern of good versus bad days<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0help you\u00a0<\/span>recognize\u00a0<\/span>when the time may be approaching.\u00a0<\/span>Objective scales evaluating quality of life have also been developed and can provide further measures to help guide decision-making<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n We recommend the following quality of life scales:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There may also be instances\u00a0<\/span>in which<\/span>\u00a0making the choice to euthanize needs to occur quickly<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Y<\/span>our pet\u00a0<\/span>may\u00a0<\/span>have a condition\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>requi<\/span>res<\/span>\u00a0immediate<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0life-saving intervention<\/span>\u00a0at an emergency clinic<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>The\u00a0<\/span>emergency<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>veterinarian<\/span>\u00a0will help you understand your pet\u2019s diagnosis and prognosis<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0as well as the available care options. If proceeding with aggressive intervention is not in line with your goals for your pet,\u00a0<\/span>ask if palliative care is an option<\/span>. Sometimes, if your pet\u2019s condition permits it, discharge for home care\u00a0<\/span>is<\/span>\u00a0possible, allowing you to spend time with your pet and make the decision to euthanize in a more controlled\u00a0<\/span>fashion<\/span>. The veterinarian can determine if this option is reasonable and safe, as well as explain what to expect. If this is not a good option, the emergency team will make th<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0difficult experience of unexpectedly needing to say goodbye as comfortable as possible for both you and your pet.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Regardless of when or why you may choose it, euthanasia is focused on being pain and fear free. A sedative drug is typically administered first. This allows your pet to rest quietly and comfortably. The euthanasia solution is then delivered, working quickly and painlessly, with death coming peacefully in a matter of seconds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Due to the pandemic, many clinics are only providing curbside services right now. For this rea<\/span>son, final care\u00a0<\/span>experiences may vary, depending on your veterinary clinic\u2019s current protocols. Some clinics may allow you to be present with your pet while others may have you say goodbye before your pet is escorted into the clinic. <\/span>If you have questions about your family veterinary clinic\u2019s current euthanasia process, contact them directly to learn more. At Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota, we are allowing up to two family members inside\u00a0<\/span>the clinic\u00a0<\/span>for their pet\u2019s final care only.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Making the decision to say goodbye is one of the greatest responsibilities of a pet parent and providing a peaceful death is a final gift we can give to our furry loved ones. Although the associated\u00a0<\/span><\/span>grief<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0can certainly be devastating for families, your veterinarian can help you navigate through this difficult process and can also suggest other resources and pet loss support groups that may help after\u00a0<\/span><\/span>you say goodbye to your furry, scaly, or feathered pet<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Visit Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Pet Loss Support Group<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>website\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to learn about our group,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em>as well as pet quality of life tools, hotline numbers, and other helpful resources.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n![\"dog,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/1.png\")
<\/p>\nKnowing When It\u2019s Time to Consider Euthanasia<\/h4>\n
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![\"bird,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/6.png\")
<\/p>\nDetermining Quality of Life<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
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![\"cat,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/5.png\")
<\/p>\nEmergency Situations<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"veterinarian,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/2.png\")
<\/p>\nUnderstanding the\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Pet\u00a0<\/span><\/b>E<\/span><\/b>uthanasia\u00a0<\/span><\/b>P<\/span><\/b>rocess<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"dog,](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8.png\")
<\/p>\nEuthanasia\u00a0<\/span><\/b>During<\/span><\/b>\u00a0COVID-19<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"paw](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Untitled-design-2021-03-03T101538.631.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"Kayla](\"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/BLOG-Author-Block-31.png\")
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