Euthanasia and Grieving

Anyone who has shared their life with a pet knows that eventually the time comes when your paths must part. Sometimes events happen that take this decision out of our hands although sometimes we, as compassionate pet owners, have to decide what is best for our pet. No matter whether it is expected, anticipated or out-of-the-blue, the decision to euthanase your pet is never an easy one.

The most frequently asked question we hear when people are considering euthanasia is 'how do we know when it is time?'

Owners faced with this decision often suffer a high level of anxiety, caused by not wanting to end their pet's life prematurely but also being concerned that leaving the decision too long may cause undue pain and discomfort to their animal. Depending on your pet's individual situation, timelines and specific prognoses may be discussed with the veterinarian. However, sometimes there is no clear-cut answer. I have found the best advice is to assure each owner that they know their pet the best. Once you notice your pet's behaviour starting to change, whether their appetite is diminishing or perhaps they don't find enjoyment in the things they used to, then the time may be approaching to discuss options with the veterinarian.

It has been my experience that owners can be 'frightened' to come in for a consultation and discussion about their pets quality of life, for fear that they will be 'forced' into euthanasia, or chastised for 'letting their pet deteriorate'. Do not assume your pet's condition is untreatable - call us first and discuss the situation before you are too far into this emotional process to turn back. Be assured that our vets and nurses are here for your support and that we will sensitively discuss your concerns. Remember that we are pet owners too, and as such we have all faced this and other difficult decisions with our own animals.

Once the decision to euthanase has been made, owners have the choice whether or not to stay with their pet during the euthanasia. This is a very personal decision, and there is no 'right or wrong' choice. The procedure is fast, painless and is the most humane option when euthanasia is required. It is most commonly performed by injecting a drug directly into the bloodstream, although sometimes alternative routes may be used.

Some owners feel strongly that they want to stay with their pet through the whole procedure, whereas others prefer not to be present for this final moment. If you would like to discuss your options before making this decision, please let us know before your appointment time and we will answer your questions sensitively. In addition, generally we recommend against children being present at the euthanasia, and can provide information about grief management in children where required.  

Once the pet has been euthanased, you need to decide how you would like to care for the remains. There are several options - home burial (check council regulations first), general burial with other animals through the hospital or individual cremation with return of ashes. We find it easiest for clients to make these decisions before the time of euthanasia, when possible - please discuss your concerns with the hospital staff.

Grief is a very normal process after the loss of a pet. Each person in the family will grieve in a different way, and will feel the effects of grief for a different length of time. It is important to surround yourself with people who are supportive, and empathetic to your loss. Make sure you are kind to yourself and give yourself permission to grieve. Feel free to contact our staff if you want to talk about things during your time of grieving. We also have information about websites for self-help in grief and may be able to give you information about suitable counseling, if desired.

Any remaining pets in the household may also show signs of grief. Generally these are transient, but please discuss any concerns you have with our staff. We also have a handout about pet grief if you require information.

Sometimes, the depth of grief felt after the loss of an animal results in wanting to 'fill the void' immediately with another pet. To welcome another animal into your family is a big decision, and must be done only when all are ready to receive it - the new pet cannot be seen as a 'replacement' for the lost one. It is always best to wait until all the family members are ready to discuss bringing a new life into the household before getting a new pet.

Physiotherapy & Canine Osteoarthritis

Did you know that 1 in 5 dogs will develop osteoarthritis? Even worse, many owners don't know how to recognise the early signs of osteoarthritis. If your dog has become less active, is stiff early in the morning or following exercise, has limited movement or trouble jumping or getting up and down stairs, chances are, they're not just "getting old" but have the beginnings of degenerative joint disease.

Osteoarthritis primarily occurs in dogs over 7 years. Overuse, obesity, conformational problems or old injuries can all cause degeneration of cartilage within joints, the build of fluid and growth of abnormal bony spurs. All these signs of osteoarthritis lead to a loss of mobility and pain in our doggy friends.

So What Can You Do?

Traditionally, treatment for osteoarthritis has revolved around anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain. Dietary supplements, weight control and Synovan (anti-arthritic) injections can also aid in supporting joint function and give your dog some relief. For many years, research in humans has demonstrated the importance of exercise in maintaining strength and joint movement to decrease pain, often known as "Move it or Lose It".   More and more, veterinarians are discovering the importance of applying these same principles to our canine companions and at Casula and Elizabeth Drive hospitals, we now offer a physiotherapy service.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy starts off with a complete assessment, often some hands on therapy such as massage and all animals leave with 'homework', a program of fun, treat-rewarded exercises aimed at developing strength, mobility and ultimately improving your dog's quality of life. Since we teach owners how to do the exercises themselves and provide ongoing support via email, physiotherapy is a very cost effective way to help manage your dogs arthritis throughout their autumn years. If your best friend has slowed down in the last few years, please look out for our upcoming Arthritis evening on June 14th or have a chat with one of our veterinarians about what you can do to manage this debilitating disease.

The Facts About Feline AIDS: Is Your Cat at Risk?

The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is a major cause of disease world wide. Unfortunately, here in Australia we have a higher incidence of the disease than anywhere else in the world. In fact, the research of one of our veterinarians here at Casula, Dr Betty Liem, found that 1 in 6 cats are infected with FIV in Sydney's western suburbs.

FIV causes disease similar to that of the human immunodeficiency virus and eventually develops into an AIDS-like disease.  However, FIV can not spread to humans or vice versa.  The virus replicates within the immune system, killing white cells and leaving our feline friends vulnerable to opportunistic diseases.   Early signs of FIV will vary depending on what other infections are present but you may see a loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea, weight loss or anaemia. Affected cats usually die of opportunistic infections.

As there is currently no cure for FIV, prevention is very important. Also, signs of FIV are rarely present immediately after infection and many cats can live years before their immune system has been affected enough to cause disease. Unfortunately, during this time they are still able to infect other cats and you may not realise how often your cat is at risk of catching FIV. For this reason, here at Casula and Elizabeth Drive hospitals we recommend that all cats, (unless exclusively indoors) are vaccinated for FIV as part of their kitten vaccinations.

If you have an adult cat that has not been vaccinated for FIV or if you are not sure, a quick test can be done in the clinic which will tell us if your new cat has ever been infected or vaccinated for FIV previously. A DNA test can also be performed which allows us to differentiate between vaccinated and infected cats. As FIV is most commonly spread by biting during cat fights, it is important to keep your cat indoors until we have the results of these tests.

         

Although there is no cure for FIV, the good news is that we can help to prevent infection and avoid the spread of this deadly disease in our feline companions. If you have any questions on vaccination or FIV tests, the staff at Casula and Elizabeth Drive Animal Hospitals are happy to answer them.

Chocolate toxicity

With the Easter festivities coming up, there is always the risk of a dog being tempted to eat one of those tasty Easter eggs!

Dogs are most commonly affected, due to the common 'sweet tooth' they seem to have and their habit of rapid consumption, however it is important to remember that cats and other species are susceptible to the toxic effects of chocolate too.

The chemical in chocolate that is highly toxic to dogs is theobromine. Half a small bar of dark chocolate (around 50g) is enough to end the life of a little terrier. Small dogs are much more at risk as the toxic effect is dose-dependent, so a 40kg Labrador would need to eat eight times as much chocolate as a 5kg terrier to be affected.

Vomiting and diarrhoea occur 2-4 hours after the intake. Nervous system stimulation leads to hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures. The heart rate becomes rapid and irregular. Excessive urination may result from the diuretic action of the chocolate. Heart failure, weakness, coma and even death can occur 12 to 36 hours after intake.

If your animal has possibly ingested some chocolate, or if there is vomiting, nervousness or weakness, take your animal immediately to your veterinarian.

We suggest you keep your Easter eggs to yourself this Easter!  

Permethrin toxicity

Fleas are annoying insects that thrive on our pets, many products are available on the market to control fleas within our homes and on our pets, and the most common types of insecticide contain pyrethrins and permethrins. The latter has a much greater potential for causing toxicity especially in cats. Permethrin-based products are usually labeled "for use in dogs only". Application of these products to a cat can result in toxic signs including drooling, lethargy, muscle tremors, vomiting and seizures within 6 hours of application. Prolonged seizure can cause brain damage and death if left untreated. To protect your cat from permethrin toxicity, avoid using any of those products if possible, always read labels on packaging thoroughly and never give more than the dosage stated on the packet. Avoid using these products on your dogs if you have cats in your home as your cat can become poisoned by licking the dog or even by sleeping next to your dog. If your cat displays any symptoms of poisoning, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Some safe products you can use on your dogs and cats include Advantage, Advocate, Revolution and Frontline. Even with these products, ensure you read the packet and use the correct type and weight range for your pet. 

Vaccination

Vaccination is important all year round to protect your dogs and cats against serious diseases. Puppies and kittens will be temporarily protected against many diseases by their maternal antibodies (in mother's milk). However, these antibodies decline in the first few months of life and this is why a series of vaccines is necessary. After their initial course of vaccinations, the immunity weakens over time and your pet can become susceptible to diseases again, therefore annual vaccination boosters are necessary to maintain good immunity against these serious diseases.

A consultation with the doctor will be performed at the time of your pets' vaccination. This includes a general check-up, physical examination and this also gives you the opportunity to discuss any concerns or ask any questions you may have about your pet.

In general, our recommended vaccination schedule for a dog is:

Time schedule (age)	Vaccination Coverage
6-8 weeks	Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis (C3)
12-14 weeks	Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis, Para-influenza virus, Bordetella bacteria, Coronavirus and Leptospirosis (C7)
16-18 weeks	(C7)
Every year for life	(C7)

 In general, our recommended vaccination schedule for a cat is:

Time schedule (age)	Vaccination Coverage
6-8 weeks	Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Enteritis (F3) + Leukemia (FeLV) + Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
12-14 weeks	(F3) + (FeLV) + (FIV)
16-18 weeks	(F3) + (FeLV) + (FIV)
Every year for life	(F3) + (FeLV) + (FIV)

Types of vaccination can be different depending on your pet's lifestyle, please ask one of our friendly staff for a tailor-made vaccination protocols for your dogs and cats.

Tick Prevention

The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus) occurs mainly along the coast of eastern Australia, however it may also be found further inland in valleys and forested areas. If you are planning to spend your Easter break in these high-risk areas, the best possible advice regarding ticks is to avoid them- do not walk your dogs in bush areas. Perform a thorough search of your dog's skin and coat at least once a day. Use the fingertips to feel through your dog's coat, ticks or tick craters which can be felt as lumps on skin surface. If a tick is found, quickly remove the tick by a vet or if veterinary attention is not available, remove the tick with a special tick key or tweezers, without squeezing the engorged abdomen. In addition to the daily search, apply a spot-on product such as Frontline Plus or Advantix for tick prevention every fortnight and use a tick collar to reduce the risk of tick paralysis during your trip. Signs of tick paralysis including lethargy, change of voice, vomiting, a grunt when breathing or staggering in the hind legs may occur as early as two days after the tick attachment. If left untreated, the paralysis progresses to the front legs and muscles associated with breathing and swallowing, and death eventually occurs due to respiratory arrest and aspiration pneumonia. Prevention is always better than cure!