Death of a Company Animal
The life expectancy of a cat is 15 years. If we have one, it is probable that we have to confront his loss some day. Most of the cats do not die getting old, as they need that the veterinarian gives them a hand. The medical term "beginning to sleep" it's called euthanasia. It offers a calm end to animals with a terminal illness, with unbearable pains or that has lost essential functions of the body and cannot take an active life. It is very frequent that the owners do not take an old cat in order that they treat him until it is too much late,on fear that the veterinarian suggests the euthanasia to them. Any veterinarian likes to lose a patient and, if there is a possible treatment, he will apply it. The veterinarian only can apply the euthanasia to the animal with the assent of the owner. And, on the contrary, the owner cannot notice of what the veterinarian says and to ask for the euthanasia for his cat. If the veterinarian does not agree, he can refuse and send owner and patient to another veterinarian. No veterinarian can pick the cat up of an owner and look for another house without his previous assent.
What happens with euthanasia?
In almost all the cases, take the cat to the unconsciousness takes place placidly, almost in the moment in which an overdose of anesthetic is injected into the front straight leg of the animal. Hold to the cat smoothness and can give him a sedative before if he is nervous.The familiar presence of the owner contributes that the cat be quiet and calm, but there are owners who do not tolerate to see this procedure, by the distress that it can cause. This is natural and the veterinarian understand this decision. However, to be present is in the habit of helping to relieve a sorrow of the owner, who can see by himself the quiet that were the last instants of the cat. The cat normally does not realize the injection and the effects are so quickly that he has slept in five or ten seconds. He stops breathing within a minute and, immediately, the heart is stopping. There is no more sweet way of finishing with the life and the suffering. Sometimes, the blood tension of the cat is so slow that puts the injection in the abdomen. This is also painless, but the cat is more delayed in getting the dream.The veterinarian can advise us what to do with the body and can offer facilities for the cremation and the burial. Many owners prefer burying to their pets in their own land. It is necessary to put the body in a box of carton or of wood and cover it at least with a cap of land of 60 cm of depth.
