Veterinarians Share Heartbreaking Experiences Of Pets' Final Moments

Pets should not be alone

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• July 17, 2023

We love our pets so much. And, experiencing the loss of a pet can be an incredibly distressing event.

The heartache can be overwhelming, something that truly tests the strength of the human spirit. Many pet owners find the moments leading up to their beloved pet's passing to be unbearable.

The intense sorrow and helplessness can be so overpowering that some choose not to be present at their pet's final moments, preferring to remember their companions in happier times. However, veterinary professionals suggest that owners should indeed be there with their pets during those last moments.

The topic gained widespread attention when Jessi Dietrich, a pet owner herself, shared a poignant tweet highlighting this issue. Her words resonated with thousands, and the tweet rapidly went viral, opening up a discussion about the crucial role pet owners play in the closing chapter of their pets' lives.

“Asked my vet what the hardest part was about his job, and he said when he has to put an animal down, 90% of owners don’t actually want to be in the room when he injects them,” she wrote. “So the animal’s last moments are usually them frantically looking around for their owners, and that broke me.”

Pets should not be alone

The post says:

In response to Jessi Dietrich's viral tweet, Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital, a medical facility for animals located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, issued a poignant message echoing similar sentiments.

The clinic emphasized the importance of pet owners remaining by the side of their pets, providing care and comfort until the final moment, despite the emotional difficulty of the situation.

A heartfelt plea was penned by a "tired, broken-hearted vet" at the facility, urging pet owners not to abandon their pets when they are brought in for a humane, pain-free end. The plea acknowledged the emotional turmoil that these moments could stir up but stressed the crucial role of pet owners in providing solace to their companions in their last moments.

“I beg you DO NOT LEAVE THEM. Do not make them transition from life to death in a room of strangers in a place they don’t like. The thing people need to know that most of you don’t is that THEY SEARCH FOR YOU WHEN YOU LEAVE THEM BEHIND,” the clinic’s post reads.

“They just search every face in the room for their beloved person. Pets don’t understand why you left them when they are sick, scared, old, or dying from cancer, and they need your comfort. Don’t be a coward because you think it is just too hard for YOU.”

Losing a pet is so difficult

Dr. Lauren Bugeja, a veterinarian based in Melbourne, acknowledges that home euthanasia of aging pets can be a profoundly difficult ordeal. Despite this, she assures that animals tend to experience a state of calm and relaxation during these times.

She recognizes that the emotional intensity can sometimes be too much for owners, leading them to step out of the room. Nonetheless, Dr. Bugeja highlights the importance of assuring the pets are comfortable and at ease.

She, alongside her nursing team, always prioritizes providing solace to the pets in their final moments. They invest time in speaking softly to them, comforting them, and ensuring they do not experience fear or anxiety as they transition peacefully.

Damjan