St. Francis Veterinary Surgery 40 Norfolk Square Brighton BN1 2PE Tel: 01273 770800 Email: info@saintfrancis.co.uk WAP: http://tagtag.com/stfrancis/

When a pet has been so badly injured or is so ill that its quality of life has degenerated to the stage where its suffering is virtually continual there is only one course of action left to the pet-owner, euthanasia. To take the decision to end your pet's life is traumatic and should never be made lightly, or without full consultation with your vet.

All of us at St. Francis' Veterinary Surgery are fully aware of the strength of attachment between pet and owner, we deal with it every day and you will find we are understanding and sympathetic.

In most cases a simple massive overdose of anaesthetic is administered and the pet will peacefully and painlessly close its eyes and fade into death with dignity. The whole process takes seconds rather than minutes. Please do not abandon your pet to this situation on its own. You owe it to him or her to be with them during their last few moments, to comfort and reassure them. You will almost certainly regret it later if you try to fool yourself with such thoughts as you prefer to remember your pet as he was in life rather than his death. You will know that you let him down at the last great hurdle of pet ownership.

Do consider having a home visit from the vet. It may be more expensive but it is almost always less upsetting.

And, yes, of course you may cry. In fact, it would not be normal not to cry.

Given time you will get over losing your pet but it may take much longer than you expect. Please do not resist getting help to handle your quite natural grief.