Posted by terry ozanich on November 17, 2005

Q: Is there a best way to put a dying animal out of its misery?

A: That all depends on the kind of animal you're dealing with. Coldblooded animals, ectotherms, are probably the easiest since they can be popped into the freezer and their death is simply a painless, slowing down of life processes until death. Dealing with birds and mammals is different since they can maintain their own body temperature. Of course, veterinarians regularly "put down" animals for various reasons that they usually do with a drug that is painless but isn't available to the general public. Whatever way is chosen, it should be quick and painless for the animal and probably best to have it done by someone other than the owner. If you have a specific animal in mind, you might want to contact your local vet and see what they recommend.

This is never an easy task but it can be one that shows real concern for an animal in distress. Many pet owners have had to do this and although it is really difficult, they realize that it is the best for their beloved pet. Hope this helps a bit. Thanks for an interesting question.

John Wiessinger ( November 18, 2005)