Unfortunately, our pets do not live as long as humans, so there will come a day where you have to
say goodbye. Our animals leave such a big impact on our lives that this can sometimes be difficult to
go through, and some people may benefit from accessing various bereavement support associations.

So, what happens when a pet is euthanised or ‘put to sleep’?
It can be helpful to understand what to expect when saying goodbye to your pet, and make the
process as relaxed as possible for both you and your animal. You will have a consultation with the
vet to discuss your pet, and when the decision to put them to sleep has been made you will be asked
to sign a consent form to give your permission. The euthanasia process involves an overdose of
anaesthetic liquid into the veins, so a small patch of hair will be shaved from one or both legs, and a
cannula inserted into the vein. This is flushed with a small amount of saline before any drugs are
given to check it is in the correct place. This is a simple process, but can be difficult on very sick
patients, as sometimes their veins are fragile, and a different leg is needed instead.
Some pets benefit from sedation prior to cannula placement, which can be discussed with your vet
beforehand.
When you are ready, the vet will inject the anaesthetic through the cannula whilst you hold or stroke
your pet. This makes them quickly go unconscious, similarly to when they are sedated. Their heart
will stop beating and they will stop breathing. This is a completely painless process, and the vet will
check their heart with a stethoscope. Occasionally reflex movements may be seen from the pet after
euthanasia, usually a ‘gasp’ as the body responds to the lack of oxygen when the pet stops
breathing. This can look alarming but at this point the pet has already passed away and is completely
unaware of anything happening. Following the euthanasia process, you will be given time to spend
with your pet.

What do I do with my pet after they have been put to sleep?
There are a number of different options available to you, and it can be helpful to have an idea of
what you would like to do before the appointment, but we understand that this is an incredibly
difficult time, so a decision does not need to be made immediately.
Some people prefer to bury their pets at home, so the pet can be wrapped in a bio-degradable item
such as a blanket or towel and buried at least six foot deep. It can be nice to plant a tree or plant in
the pets’ memory.

If you do not have a garden, or rent your house, cremation may be a better option to consider. Some
people prefer to have their pets’ ashes returned to them so they can be scattered, or simply to keep
at home with their family. This is known as individual cremation, meaning your pet is cremated by
themselves, with no other animals present. Your pet will be kept in a cold storage facility until the
cremation company collect them, they are transported to the crematorium, cremated and their
ashes returned to the veterinary practice. The whole process may take up to a week, and the
practice will call you to let you know your pets’ ashes have been returned. Some people prefer to
take their pet directly to the crematorium themselves, and whilst you will not be able to watch the
cremation process, you can usually take you pets ashes home sooner.

There are a number of different options for how your pets’ ashes will be returned to you, some
prefer a scatter tube or box, whereas other people prefer a wooden casket engraved with the pets’
name. This is something that can be discussed before or after your pet has been put to sleep, so you
can choose the best option for your family.

If you do not wish to have your pets’ ashes returned to you, group or communal cremation may be
an option to consider. Your pet will be cremated with other animals, and the crematorium often
scatters a portion of these ashes in their garden of remembrance.

Can I have my pet put to sleep at home?
We can perform home visits for pets who do not like the veterinary practice, or if their owners
would prefer them to be put to sleep at home. This relies on having the staff available to come out,
so needs to be discussed and arranged in advance. The process is the same as if it were carried out
in the practice, and we can arrange cremation for your pet if this is what you have decided on.

Animals have an enormous effect on the lives of their family, and the loss of a pet can feel like losing
a family member. There is no set pattern or timeline for how everyone experiences grief, and there
is no wrong way to cope with the passing of a pet. Acknowledging and discussing the emotions
involved in losing a pet can be helpful, either with friends and family or a dedicated pet
bereavement support service. Some of the associations that offer advice and support following the
bereavement of a pet include:

? Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service
o www.bluecross.org
o 0800 096 6606
? Cats Protection Paws to Listen and Grief Support
o www.cats.org.uk/grief
o 0800 024 9494
? The Ralph Site
o www.theralphsite.com
? Samaritans
o www.samaritans.org
? 116 123

Dementia, often called cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), is becoming increasingly more common now that our beloved cats are living for longer, thanks to the advancement in their healthcare. Cognitive changes in our cats over 10 years old are common, however many of these signs are subtle and can be mistaken by owners as a normal part of ageing.
One study showed cat owners reported at least 1 behaviour problem in 28% of cats aged 11 to 14 years and in more than 50% of cats aged 15 and over.

What are the common signs of Dementia?
The most common presentations of this disease are;
? Change to sleep patterns, they can become awake during the night when they are not usually
? Being more vocal, your cat can often start being vocal at night times
? Wandering or pacing around rooms, can often look lost, stare at walls etc, trapped in corners. Generally being disorientated
? Toileting in unusual spots

However there are more symptoms that can be linked which are linked to the loss of learned associations;
? Altered behaviour, your cat can become more clingy and attention seeking or increasingly more irritable or aggressive
? Change in appetite. They could either have an increased appetite, returning frequently to their food bowls outside of mealtimes or alternatively a decreased appetite
? Decrease in grooming

It is worth noting that some of these symptoms can also be linked to other things, so it is always best to speak to one of our vets if you are concerned.

Is there a cure?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for CDS, however, suitably managed, you can delay the progression of the disease and improve their quality of life. If you think your cat is showing any of these signs, book an appointment with one of our vets and we can discuss options with you.

Management of CDS
The best way to manage CDS is using different modes of treatment. The cocktail of treatment should include environmental, dietary modification, pharmaceutical pain management and cognitive function support.
The best way to support and improve your cat’s quality of life is to acknowledge what the end goal is. What is important in your cat’s life and what you want to improve. You can make a list of activities and so you can document the progress.

Environmental management
Social interaction, mental stimulation and physical exercise are all vital components for cognitive support in ageing cats.The aid of heated beds can attract cats to certain areas of the house. Radiator beds, window perches and elevated beds, that are easily accessible. Puzzle feeders can help stimulate their mental and physical activity. These can provide good brain teasers for your cat. It is also worth adding however, that these environmental changes can potentially have a negative impact with some cats not coping with change. Try minimising stress by keeping the changes low and see if any benefit has been made.

Dietary and nutraceutical support
Nutraceutical is a term used to describe medicinally or nutritionally beneficial foods. It is best to note that these are considered supportive over curative. There are no specific diets that have been designed for CDS, but some diets have shown positive effects in studies. Commercial diets that contain fish oils, antioxidants have been associated with increased longevity compared to non-supplemented diets. Diets such as Hills Feline Mature Adult 7+, and Purina Pro Plan Age 7+ have shown these positive effects. A questionnaire to cat owners was taken place and it showed that 70% of CDS signs improved after being fed diets containing antioxidants, essential fatty acids which are designed to help with osteoarthritis. Hills Prescription Diet j/d Pet nutrition was the main benefactor.

Speak to our vets or nurses to discuss diet changes and/or supplements that we can tailor to your cat.