Last week we dealt with the activity associated with actually putting the pet to sleep permanently, usually using the method of lethal injection (overdose of an anaesthetic, which works quickly and smoothly).
I should now mention a few ‘asides.’ For example, it is less stressful for all concerned, if the family were to enter the vet’s clinic last, when all the other patients have left. Make the appointment with the vet’s receptionist accordingly. You don’t want to be taking the dead animal (with your tears flowing and while you are in a state of visible agitation) out of the clinic in front of other pet owners. All the paperwork, including the filing out of the Euthanasia Consent Form, should be completed before the actual euthanasia exercise. Caregivers might wish to have a few last moments alone with the dead animal; that’s if they have arranged with the vet to dispose of the body. In this case, the vet and his/her staff will step outside for a few moments. I usually stay with the client, as unobtrusively as possible. But I am there as an immediate support, if the emotional situation becomes too overwhelming.
If you wish the vet to dispose of the dead body, please do not feel inhibited to ask what will be done with your dead pet after it has been euthanized. If you don’t get a very clear and direct answer, you will always wonder, and your imagination might just run wild.
Let me assure pet owners here in Guyana, who have decided to end the pet’s life, that no vet is going to experiment on your dead animal; no vet is going to ‘sell the animal to science.’ Of course, this eventuality rarely arises, since very few veterinarians will take on the task of disposing of the dead pet.
If, perchance, you (in agreement with your vet) wish an autopsy (post mortem) to be carried out, so that you can confirm the diagnosis of the vet which led to the euthanasia, please make that clear as soon as your decisions for euthanasia is made. The vet might wish to take samples of organs, place them in preserving solutions and dispatch the samples to the examining laboratories. All of this takes time and arrangements – and, of course, extra monetary outlay has to be factored into the total cost of euthanasia.
Now to the actual disposal of the body. There are no pet crematoria or pet cemeteries in Guyana. Nor is any taxidermy practised on pets in Guyana, to my knowledge. My advice is that the owner should dig a grave three feet deep (at least) in the backyard, before carrying the pet to the veterinarian for euthanisia. On returning home with the dead pet, the caregiver will then bury the animal – with or without ceremony. Please ensure that: (i) you have permission to bury the pet in the backyard; (ii) you get technical advice from your vet about burial.
The vet might advise that you cremate (burn) the body, so that there is no risk of the causal agent (of the original ailment, eg an infection) contaminating other pets in the household/neighbourhood, and (iii) you know where the pipes (sewage, water), underground cables, etc, are located before you start digging.
There is another option relative to the disposal of your pet’s dead body. If you don’t have the land space, or you are not allowed to bury the animal in your premises, you can take it to the GSPCA and ask them to dispose of the animal for you. A donation towards defraying the costs would be appreciated.
And, finally, a word to friends/family/neighbours of those caregivers who have lost a family pet. Please, in an attempt to assuage the pain associated with the pet’s death, do not try to be helpful by saying “it was only a cat; another one can easily be adopted from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter.” If one has not personally experienced the loss of a beloved pet, then it may not be so simple for one to understand, empathize or connect with a pet owner who is grief stricken, helpless and depressed.
Now we have come to an end of the topic euthanasia. Originally, it was not meant to contain so many chapters. In retrospect, I truly cannot find one episode that could have been omitted. Hopefully, we have covered this complex issue (that no one wants to discuss – not in humans, and not in animals) so comprehensively, and touching all aspects, that pet owners would not be too upset should the time arise when it becomes necessary to put a beloved pet to sleep.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
