If the cat is terminally ill and treatment does not bring results, then the veterinarian can alleviate the suffering of the animal in a humane way. This method is called sedation. The medical term is euthanasia.
Indications for euthanasia of a cat can be end-stage cancers and other incurable diseases, from which the animal experiences only pain and suffering.
The decision to euthanize his animal is made only by the owner, the veterinarian suggests this method of alleviating the suffering after all treatment options for the cat have been tried.
How is a cat euthanized?
The euthanasia of an animal can only be carried out in specialized institutions or veterinary clinics, where this procedure is authorized by higher services.
This procedure is performed by a veterinarian. If the owner's decision to euthanize the cat is firmly accepted, then he signs a written consent. The document explains what euthanasia is, describes the operation itself and that the owner agrees to carry it out.
Euthanasia of a cat can also be prescribed for old animals that refuse to take food on their own due to exacerbation of chronic diseases.
If the owner of the animal does not have the opportunity to take the cat to the clinic, then you can call a specialist at home. The entire procedure for euthanasia will take place in the same sequence, only at home.
Sleep procedure
The procedure itself should take place in several stages. First, an injection of a muscle relaxant is given, in which the animal will completely relax. After a few minutes, the main anesthesia can be administered, and the cat will experience a complete loss of sensitivity to the environment. At the same time, she does not feel anything and does not hear those around her.
In some older animals, cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest occur at this stage of euthanasia. If anesthesia is given intravenously, the doctor may overdose and the cat will die under the anesthetic.
The next stage of euthanasia is to inject a drug into the heart muscle, which immediately stops the heart. In this case, the cat does not feel anything.
After all the procedures to put to sleep are done, the doctor listens to the heart with a stethoscope. After the last injection, the cat may have some reflex movements.
Putting a cat to sleep is a psychological trauma for the owner of the animal, you need to be prepared for psychological changes, for this you can take relatives with you who will support and calm the owner of the cat.
The method of euthanasia depends on the disease and the age of the cat and is prescribed by the veterinarian independently. At the request of the owners, the corpse of the cat is cremated or given out for self-burial.
If the owner of the cat cannot take the corpse of the animal, then he has the right to leave it in the veterinary clinic, the disposal of the animal will take place at the state expense.
