Why do veterinarians go to euthanasia for sick animals?

There are a lot of different reasons why we do euthanasia. Sometimes the animal won't get better so we let them go peacefully and pain-free. Sometimes the the treatment would be very intensive like chemo and the owner doesn't want to put them through that so we make them as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. other times it comes down to money. If the owner can't afford the treatment we will euthanize to prevent the animal from suffering. It's never an easy choice and it's not something that anyone wants to do, but it's a fact of life. I like to think of euthanasias as our last gift to them. they no longer have to suffer or be in pain.

Euthanasia is not something that anyone, most of all veterinarians, go to as a first or second option, but only as a last option to spare the animal and the owner from contined pain and struggle. There are always options for treatment for sick animals, but owners also have to weigh the animals current condition and quality of life against factors such as their ability to provide care physically, emotionally, and financially. An available treatment may not be sufficient or sufficiently sucessful to aleviate the animals discomfort. Many people wish that their pet could just lay down, and not wake up. Unfortunately, while this does occasionally happen, more commonly they may become distressed and stuggle violently before they pass away. No one wants that. Hospice is becoming more common for animals, and this can help greatly in some cases.