Definition:

noun - The act of humanely ending the life of a living being in order to end extreme suffering, typically as the result of a serious and irreversible medical condition; in animals, often called "putting to sleep"

Euthanasia in animals is intended to end life when there is little or no hope of recovery from illness or injury. In dogs and cats, euthanasia involves the intravenous injection of a solution of pharmaceutical agents that will quickly stop the heart.

In most cases, this solution is predominantly made up of pentobarbital, though some euthanasia solutions also contain phenytoin.

Before an animal is euthanized, the veterinarian may wish to have an intravenous catheter placed. This will help decrease the chance of complications during the injection. Some vets prefer to administer a sedative to the animal prior to administering the euthanasia solution. This will allow the pet to be extremely relaxed and sleepy before the next step. The euthanasia solution is then injected into the vein, where it rapidly travels throughout the body. Within just a few seconds, the animal becomes unconscious. Breathing slows and then stops over the next few seconds. Cardiac arrest soon follows, resulting in death. Typically, death occurs within 30 seconds of intravenous administration.

As a pet owner, the decision whether or not to euthanize can be a very difficult one. Your veterinarian will help guide you and your family through the decision-making process and help you keep the best interest of your pet in mind.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you. Just know that your decision is the right one if it was made with your pet's best interest in mind.

Pronunciation: yoo-thuh-NAY-zhuh

Also Known As: putting to sleep, mercy killing

Common Misspellings: euthanazia