University of California at Davis Veterinary Students (530)752-3602 or toll free (800)565-1526 Monday-Friday 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm (PT) http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/petloss/index.htm Florida Community Volunteers (352)392-4700 Dial 1 and 4080 (352)392-4700 X4744 (Joy Diaz) Monday-Friday 7 pm to 9 pm (ET) http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/vmth/companions.htm Michigan State University Veterinary Students (517)432-2696 Tuesday to Thursday 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM (ET) http://cvm.msu.edu/petloss/index.htm Chicago VMA Veterinarians and Staffs (630)325-1600 Leave Voicemail Message Calls will be returned 7 PM to 9 PM (CT) Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (540)231-8038 Tuesday, Thursday, 6 PM to 9 PM (ET) Ohio State University Veterinary Students (614)292-1823 Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM (ET) Voicemail messages will be returned, collect, during operating hours. Tufts University Veterinary Students (508)839-7966 Monday-Friday, 6 PM to 9 PM (ET) Voicemail messages will be returned daily, collect outside Massachusetts http://www.tufts.edu/vet/petloss/ Pet Loss Support Hotline hosted by the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine (888)ISU-PLSH (888-478-7574) Operational seven days a week, 6 PM to 9 PM (CST) from Sept-April; Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 6:00-9:00 PM (CST) from May-August http://www.vetmed.iastate.edu/animals/petloss/ Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline (607)253-3932 Tuesday-Thursday 6-9 PM (ET) Voicemail messages will be returned http://web.vet.cornell.edu/public/petloss/ University of Illinois Veterinary Students (217)244-2273 or toll-free (877)394-2273(CARE) Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday evenings 7-9 PM (CT) http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/CARE/ Pet Loss Hotline, Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine (509) 335-5704 Staffed during the semester on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 6:30 – 9:00 PM, Saturday 1:00-3:00 PM (PT) http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/plhl/index.htm
The Next Step
The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet’s problems. However, you should review with them the information you have received from your veterinarian. Long-term medical care can be a burden that you and your family may be unable to bear emotionally or financially, and this should be discussed openly and honestly. Encourage family members to express their thoughts and feelings. Even if you have reached a decision, it is important that family members, especially children, have their feelings considered. Children have special relationships with their pets. Excluding or protecting children from this decision-making process, because they are thought to be too young to understand, may only complicate their grieving. Children respect straightforward, truthful, and simple answers. If they are prepared adequately, children usually are able to accept a pet’s death. Will it be painless?Euthanasia is almost always accomplished by injection of a death-inducing drug. Your veterinarian may administer a tranquilizer first to relax your pet. Following the death-inducing injection, your pet will immediately go into a quiet and irreversible deep unconsciousness. Death will come quickly and painlessly. How can I say goodbye? The act of saying goodbye is an important step in managing the natural and healthy feelings of grief, sorrow, and sense of loss. Your pet is an important part of your life and it is natural to feel you are losing a friend–for you are. Once the decision for euthanasia has been made, you and other family members may want to say goodbye to your pet. A last evening with your pet at home or a visit to the pet at the hospital may be appropriate. Family members who want to be alone with the animal should be allowed to do so. Farewells are always difficult. How can I face the loss? After your pet has died, it is natural and normal to feel grief and sorrow. The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. There are many signs of grief, but not everyone experiences them all, or in the same order. Even before death has occurred, your reaction may be to deny your pet is sick or injured when you learn the extent of your pet’s illness or injuries. Anger may follow denial. This anger can be directed toward people you normally love and respect, including your family and veterinarian. People will often say things that they do not really mean, perhaps hurting those whom they do not mean to hurt. You may blame yourself or others for not recognizing the illness earlier or for being careless and allowing the pet to be injured. You also may feel guilt and depression. This is when you usually feel the greatest sense of loss. The tears flow, there are knots in your stomach, and you are drained of all your energy. Day-to-day tasks can seem impossible. Sometimes you may even ask yourself if you can go on without your pet. The answer is yes, but there are times when special assistance may be helpful. Once you and your family come to terms with your feelings, you can begin to resolve and accept your pet’s death. When you have reached resolution and acceptance, the feelings of anger, denial, guilt, and depression may reappear. If this does occur, the intensity of these feelings will be much less, and with time, these feelings will be replaced with fond memories. Although the signs of grief apply whether the loss is of a loving pet or a human loved one, grieving is a personal process. Some people take longer than others to come to terms with denial, anger, guilt, or depression. If you understand that these are normal reactions, you will be better prepared to cope with your own feelings and to help others face theirs. Family members should be reassured that sorrow and grief are normal, natural responses to death. They may not understand Often, well-meaning family and friends may not realize how important your pet was to you or the intensity of your grief. Being honest with yourself and others about how you feel is best. If despair mounts, talk to someone who will listen about your pet and the illness and death. I cannot forget If you or a family member has great difficulty in accepting your pet’s death and cannot resolve feelings of grief and sorrow, you may want to discuss those feelings with a person who is trained to understand the grieving process such as a grief counselor, clergyman, social worker, physician, or psychologist. Your veterinarian certainly understands the loving relationship you have lost and may be able to direct you to community resources, such as a pet loss support group or hot line. Talking about your loss will often help. Should I get another pet? The death of a pet can upset you emotionally, especially when euthanasia is involved. Some people may feel they would never want another pet. A new pet may help others get over the loss more quickly. Just as grief is a personal experience, the decision of when, if ever, to bring a new pet into your home is also a personal one. If a family member is having difficulty accepting the pet’s death, bringing a new pet into the home before that individual has resolved his or her grief may imply that the life of the deceased pet was unworthy of the grief that is still being felt. Family members should come to an agreement on the appropriate time to acquire a new pet. Although you can never replace the pet you lost you can get another one to share your life. Remembering your pet The period from birth to old
The Decision
Your decision is a personal one, but it need not be a solitary one. Your veterinarian and your family and friends can assist and support you. How Do I Make The Decision? Your relationship with your pet is special, and you are responsible for its care and welfare. Eventually, many owners are faced with making life or death decisions for their pets. Such a decision may become necessary for the welfare of the animal and for you and your family. A decision concerning euthanasia may be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make regarding your pet. Your decision is a personal one, but it need not be a solitary one. Your veterinarian and your family and friends can assist and support you. Consider not only what is best for your pet, but also what is best for you and your family. Quality of life is important for pets and people alike. How Will I Know When It’s Time? If your pet can no longer do with you and your family the things he or she once enjoyed, if your pet cannot respond to you in the usual ways, or if there is more pain than pleasure in his or her life, you may need to consider euthanasia. Likewise, if your pet is terminally ill or critically injured, or if the financial or emotional cost of treatment is beyond your means, euthanasia may be a valid option. Your veterinarian understands attachment to pets, and can examine and evaluate your pet’s condition, estimate your pet’s chances for recovery, and discuss potential disabilities and long-term problems. He or she can explain the medical options and possible outcomes. Because your veterinarian cannot make the euthanasia decision for you, it is important that you fully understand your pet’s condition. If there is any part of the diagnosis or the implications for your pet’s future that you don’t understand, ask to have it explained again. Rarely will the situation require an immediate decision. Usually, you will have time to review the facts before making your decision. As you make your decision, you may wish to discuss the care of the remains of your pet’s body with your family and veterinarian. You have several options, and your veterinarian can provide information about burial, cremation, or other alternatives. What If the Animal is Healthy? Euthanasia might be necessary if a pet has become vicious, dangerous, or unmanageable. However, some undesirable and abnormal behavior can be changed. Economic, emotional, and space limitations or changes in lifestyle also may force an owner to consider euthanasia of a pet, but it is better to find another solution or an alternative home for these pets. Euthanasia should be considered only when another alternative is not available.
The Veterinary Approach
Veterinarians employ state of the art technology that is very similar to technology used in the treatment of humans. Veterinarians in private clinical practice work to prevent disease and other health problems in their patients. They examine animal patients, vaccinate them against diseases, prevent the transmission of animal disease to people and advise owners on ways to keep pets and livestock well nourished and healthy. When health problems develop, practitioners must diagnose the problem and treat the patients. Accurate diagnosis frequently requires the use of laboratory tests, radiography or x-rays, and specialized equipment. Treatments may involve a number of procedures including: emergency lifesaving measures, prescribing medication, setting a fracture, delivering a calf, performing surgery, or advising the owner on feeding and care of the patient.
You & Your Vet
Your veterinarian will rely on your awareness of small changes in your pet’s behavior or habits. As the pet owner you must communicate your pet’s health care needs to your veterinarian. Nobody knows your pet like you. Many signs of illness are subtle. Your veterinarian will rely on your awareness of small changes in your pet’s behavior or habits. Take the time to choose the right veterinarian for your special pet. It is a good idea to start thinking about selecting a veterinarian before a new pet becomes a member of your family. In fact, a veterinarian can assist you in selecting a pet that complements your personality, work schedule and home life. If you’ve just moved, you will want to locate a veterinarian soon. Don’t wait until your pet becomes ill; you want to establish a relationship right away. Your veterinarian can provide you with information on special climate concerns for your pet. In addition, since traveling can be a stressful experience for a pet, an early check-up may be in order.
Saying Goodbye
A decision concerning euthanasia may be one of the most difficult decisions you can ever make regarding your pet. If your pet is extremely sick or so severely injured that he or she will never recover normal health, perhaps the kindest thing you can do for your pet is help induce its death quietly and humanely through euthanasia. Your decision to have your pet euthanatized is a serious one, and seldom easy to make.
What We Learn
Continuing education is important, even after veterinarians have completed their college studies and acquired the appropriate licenses. Students interested in a career in veterinary medicine should begin their preparation by doing well in general science and biology in junior high school. They need to take a strong science, math, and biology program in high school. Admission into veterinary medical school is competitive. In fact, many people would agree that it’s just as tough if not tougher to get into a veterinary medical school compared to a human medical school. To be considered for admission to a college of veterinary medicine, a student must first complete undergraduate preveterinary medical coursework, which usually includes three to four years of college study, with specific course requirements. Each college of veterinary medicine establishes its own preveterinary requirements. Typical requirements include basic language and communication skills, social sciences, humanities, mathematics, chemistry, and the biological and physical sciences. Veterinary medical study is difficult. Students learn about many different animals and diseases, and become skilled in surgical techniques and many laboratory and diagnostic procedures. A typical veterinary medical student spends about 4,000 hours in classroom, laboratory, and clinical study. Because the time required for instruction absorbs most of a student’s day, many evening and weekend hours are spent doing reading assignments, library research, and independent study. Before graduate veterinarians can engage in private clinical practice in any state, they must acquire a license issued by that state. A license is granted only to veterinarians who pass state-required examinations. Continuing education is important, even after veterinarians have completed their college studies and acquired the appropriate licenses. New scientific knowledge and techniques are constantly being developed, and veterinarians must keep up to date by reading scientific journals and attending professional meetings and seminars.
Camping with Pets
Camping with pets presents its own challenges. Skunks, raccoons, porcupines, snakes, and other wildlife can bite or otherwise injure your pet. Keep your pet within sight and on a leash. Be considerate of other campers. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about flea, tick and heartworm prevention.
What We Do
Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Surgeons are medical professionals whose primary responsibility is protecting the health and welfare of animals and people. The term “Veterinarian” comes from veterinae, which means “working animals.” Every veterinarian has gone through extensive medical training for animals and has received a license to practice veterinary medicine. Veterinarians diagnose and control animal diseases, treat sick and injured animals, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to people, and advise owners on proper care of pets and livestock. They ensure a safe food supply by maintaining the health of food animals. Veterinarians are also involved in wildlife preservation and conservation and public health of the human population. You are probably most familiar with veterinarians who specialize in pet medicine in a clinical setting such as an animal hospital or veterinary clinic. During each visit, this type of veterinarian will be able to guide you in all aspects of pet maintenance, including food requirements, daily care, and any special needs. They will also be able to provide vaccinations, complete surgery, and even prescribe medicines as needed.
Travel by Bus or Train
Most states prohibit animals from riding on buses and similar regulations restrict travel on trains. Exceptions are made for guide and service dogs accompanying blind and disabled persons. Consult your local carriers in advance for information.
