Requirements, process and most common questions

One is reluctant to think about it, but for every pet owner the moment can come when the beloved pet has to be put to sleep. The topic of many people rightly raises a variety of moral concerns and questions. Is it even justifiable to put an animal to sleep? It is therefore no alternative that this question is always answered independently of your own personal views and only in the interests of the animal. Because at the end of such a decision, there should be no doubt as to whether an old or sick animal still enjoys life or whether it suffers in this way, so that only death still means redemption. In addition, sleeping is often spoken by euthanasia – By the veterinarian from the Animal Welfare Act Clearly regulated because an animal must not be killed for no serious reason.

“According to paragraph 3 and Paragraph 9 of the law, the prerequisites are not remedied by the animal. In the respective individual case, the veterinarian decides whether an animal has incurable, serious illnesses that are associated with severe pain and are no longer treatable, ”explains veterinarian Dr. Anja Kittner. Also Age -related changes associated with permanent pain Or in which a healing of the animal is impossible, according to the expert. A veterinarian is therefore obliged by the law to make the decision on euthanasia dependent on these requirements. « Violations can be punished with money or imprisonment, » says Kittner.

What happens when the pet is put to sleep? The process

The Animal Welfare Act also regulates the process, which states that a vertebrate can only be killed under anesthesia, i.e. by avoiding pain. « If the decision on the animal's euthanasia has been made, the veterinarian will usually put so -called venous access, » says Kittner. This means only a short puncture for the animal, as is the case with a blood sample on the limb. This venous access gives the animal a anesthetic that works after a few seconds and lets the animal fall asleep.

« After the veterinarian has checked the sufficient depth of anesthesia based on the reflexes of the animal, another medication, usually a barbiturate, i.e. a anesthetist, is also given in high dose, » explains the veterinarian. This remedy finally leads to the animal's cardiac arrest after a few seconds. Sometimes it could happen that the animal is in such a bad general condition that the veins are not found. « Then the anesthesia can also be injected into the muscle and the medication for euthanasia is then injected directly into the abdominal or breast space after the deep anesthesia occurs, » says Kittner.

Sleep the pet: keepers should be present

Every pet owner should deal with the fact that it can come to the moment that your own animal has to be put to sleep at some point. It is advisable to discuss the possible scenario with the veterinarian to lose unnecessary fears and to plan any euthanasia at home, as this is more pleasant for most animals than the way to the veterinary practice.

According to veterinarian Kittner, it is also very important that the Pet owners themselves are there. “Understandably, the step is not easy for everyone. However, the animals are in an exceptional situation: they are afraid and often pain, ”said the veterinarian. Finally, the animals calm down the familiar person with them because they don't know what happens to them. « If you don't want to be there yourself, we advise you to at least wait until the anesthesia works and the animal sleeps deeply ».

According to veterinarian Kittner, animal owners have an enormous number of fears on the subject, since many do not know what exactly happens. “Others have heard various horror stories, which only makes fears bigger. It is important to address this topic to the pet doctor and to be explained how an euthanasia works, whether the veterinarian is also accessible in an emergency and whether a home visit is possible, ”says Kittner. In addition, the costs incurred should be discussed, which are regulated by the fee schedule for veterinarians (got) and are usually between 100 and 500 euros.

What happens to the body of the deceased pet?

Pet owners should deal with the animal in good time what should happen to the animal after death. “Many pet owners now choose a cremation of the pet. Here you can find out in advance what options there are, what costs incurred and whether there is a wish to get the ash of the beloved four -legged friend back in an urn, ”says Kittner. The deceased animals are usually picked up by the employees of the crematorium at home or in the veterinary practice. The burial of the animal in your own garden is also allowed in compliance with certain regulations.