Losing a pet can be an immensely traumatic experience. It’s a deeply challenging situation for many pet owners, so emotionally complex that some find it difficult to stay present with their beloved animals until the very end. However, veterinarians strongly emphasize the importance of being there. A tweet by Jessi Dietrich addressing this situation went viral, highlighting the significance of this emotional support during such a difficult time.
She remarked, “Asked my vet what the hardest part of his work was, and he said when he has to put an animal down, 90% of owners honestly don’t want to be in the room when he injects them. The reality that animals usually spend their dying moments helplessly looking for their owners shattered my heart.
In response to Jessi Dietrich’s tweet, the Hillcrest Veterinary Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, replied similarly. Even though it may be challenging, the clinic recommended pet owners to cater for their animals right up until the very end.
Despite the likely emotional turmoil, a “weary broken-hearted vet” at the clinic requested that people who brought their animals in for a humane, pain-free finish not forsake them.
I encourage you to stay with them. Do not compel them to transition from this world to the next in a foreign chamber in a place they dislike. They look for you when you leave them behind, which is something that most of you don’t understand, according to the clinic’s article. They simply seek for their loved one in every face in the room. When they are unwell, terrified, old, and they need your consolation, [pets] don’t understand why you left them. Don’t back down out of concern that it will be too difficult for you.
According to Melbourne veterinarian Dr. Lauren Bugeja, euthanizing older pets in their homes may be a very tough affair. She claims that although people may occasionally be too disturbed to remain in the room, animals usually feel at ease and peaceful throughout this time.
In order to prevent the animals from experiencing fear or distress in their final moments, Dr. Bugeja underlines that she always takes the time to speak with and console them with her nurse.
Dr. Bugeja noted that if a pet is left alone in an unusual setting, such as a vet office or consultation room, they are more prone to worry since they are unsure of their location. “For this reason, if you prefer to do it at a clinic, I would recommend staying in the room with your pet.”
