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Recently, I came across a really good post on Dr. Patty Khuly’s blog. This post dealt specifically with cat owners that elect euthanasia over insulin for their diabetic cats. One of the things that Dr. Khuly talked extensively about was why a cat owner might elect euthanasia instead of giving the insulin injections.
Specifically, Dr. Khuly talks about the owners that don’t want to put their pet through “it”, with “it” being the treatment proposed, in this case insulin.
“But then, as most of us who labor long enough in veterinary medicine know, a large percentage of don’t-want-to-put-her-through-it cases are really just an excuse for economic euthanasia. Or more depressingly, don’t-want-to-put-her-through-it is the code for death offered by the I-just-can’t-deal-with-this-right-now mentality I encounter so often among my emotionally overwhelmed client base. This latter group means well. But they just. can’t. deal.”
Though Dr. Khuly talked mainly about cats in her post, I’m including dogs and other pets in this discussion as well because often similar types of decisions arise for them too.
Reasons Owners Elect Euthanasia Over Treatment
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons a pet owner might feel the need to choose euthansia over treatment. Please understand that I’m talking here about pets that have treatable diseases, not those that are terminally ill or injured and suffering.
- Often, fear is the reason for the choice. Fear of the unknown. For many pet owners, the thought of giving insulin injections or even medicating their pet with an oral medication regularly is frightening and disconcerting. In many of these cases, education about what is involved and a few “practice rounds” is all that is needed to change the decision, especially when it comes to procedures like giving insulin injections. In the case of oral medications for a pet that is difficult to medicate, other options include flavored medications, pill pockets and similar types of compounded medications. For some medications, a transdermal gel can be used and involves only rubbing the medication into the skin.
- Lack of finances to afford the treatment is another common reason for this decision. This is known as “economic euthanasia” and it is unfortunate that it has to occur at all. However, when a serious illness occurs that adversely affects your pet’s quality of life, the only options are treat or euthanize. In other words, it’s not fair to let your pet suffer because his treatment is out of your reach. Responsible pet owners do what they can to avoid this situation and that may mean a savings fund put aside for pet emergencies or pet insurance or even a credit card put aside for use in emergency situations. However, I do understand that in some circumstances, the cost is simply overwhelming.
- Other factors that may enter into the decision might include things like time issues or even physical difficulties. For instance, insulin injections require that you (or someone else) be home to treat your pet at a specific time each day and often insulin needs to be given twice a day. Another example might be someone is simply not capable of performing a treatment such as an insulin injection because of a physical disability such as crippling arthritis. Ideally in these situations, an alternative can be found. Alternatives might include having a friend or neighbor help medicate your pet or finding a home for your pet where the treatment can be performed. However, in reality, these options are not always possible. We all know it is terribly difficult to rehome a diabetic animal, for instance.
- There are also those cases where treatment may or may not be able to save the pet’s life and some pet owner’s may balk at putting their pet through an intensive and stressful course of treatment with no guarantee of a successful outcome. In my experience, these can be the most difficult decisions for pet owners to make.
Economic Euthanasia and Other Causes of Euthanasia for a Pet with a Treatable Disease
The euthanasia of a pet with a treatable disease (a disease that is controllable but not curable with treatment) is always unfortunate. The euthanasia of a pet with a curable disease is even moreso. These decisions are even more regrettable when they have to be made for purely economic reasons. However, for many pet owners, other factors such as fear may play a part in the decision as well. With the proper education and perhaps some help from other pet lovers, some of these situations may have the potential for happier endings. Still, a willing pet owner is a necessity to make the treatment work.
Photo Courtesy of tobyotter/Flickr.com
About Lorie Huston, DVM
Lorie Huston is a veterinarian, pet health and pet care expert, professional writer, blogger, social media and blogging consultant, and SEO strategist.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
While making the euthanasia decision is always hard, I think economic euthanasia is one of the most difficult ones, not just for the client, but also for the veterinarian and staff.
Yes, I agree with you, Ingrid. Those type of decisions are always the hardest. It’s much easier to rationalize the euthanasia of an animal that is suffering with no chance for recovery. Then it’s a kindness to end the suffering, though it’s always sad. But it’s hard when these decisions need to be based on economic realities.
I agree, Ingrid King. Those are definitely the hardest.
It is hard. Education can help when it is fear. I know there are groups in this area looking into food banks for pets, perhaps they would be willing to consider working with vets to provide assistance with meds, too.
It is hard and terribly sad when a pet owner is faced with this type of situation. I agree that education is the answer when there is fear involved. And I’ve also found that, when possible, giving the owner a little time to adjust and think about the situation can help too. As Dr. Khuly mentions, sometimes owners just can’t deal, especially when faced with a sudden crisis. Allowing a little time to accept the situation can lead to a change of heart about treatment. Of course, circumstances don’t always allow that to happen.
This makes me sad. I was terrified when I learned that my dog had diabetes, but it never occurred to me not to treat him, even though it was/is expensive and it takes organizing to give two shots a day. And cats are easier to treat than dogs; sometimes they only require one shot, sometime the condition is reversible through diet, and new oral medications are being developed for them.
There are also financial resources for pet owners in need.
But as you say, the owner needs to be willing. And you can’t force someone to change their feelings, though education helps.
There are financial resources for pet owners in need, you’re absolutely right, Edie. (Although maybe so many or as much as we would like.)
In so many cases, dealing with the fear is the first and most critical obstacle. Education and support can make a big difference in overcoming that. Still, these choices are tough on so many levels for all concerned.