Why do we have pets put down when they are too sick and ill?

Question

but people who who are in great pain and suffering are kept alive even though they have no knowledge of what is going on around them and will never recover their faculties or improve their condition but are made to suffer an awful existence until they die naturally

Answer 1

money pure and simple.people will not go to the expense,but you must think of the animal first.If it is suffering ,you should not let your heart overule common sense and compassion.

Answer 2

Most people find it more difficult to let go of a relative than a pet. They let their emotions cloud their judgement.

I think it is very humane to put an ailing pet down and cruel to not let an ailing human go. It is very important that everyone have a living will that specifies exactly what should happen to them in case something happens. I would hate to be kept alive artificially just so the people around me don't have to let me go yet. I don't know what the point of life is, but it's certainly not to lay in a hospital bed unconscious with no hope of ever leaving.

Answer 3

Because doctors take a hippocratic oath that states that they'll do no harm. If they intentionally kill a person, even if to relieve suffering, they're compromising their oath. It would be a difficult and unfair position to put them in. Not that watching a person suffer isn't unfair. I'm totally with you on that. There are just too many ethical arguments against it. Euthanasia might be legal some day, but not in the near future.

Answer 4

Hello. When our pets are ill,I think it right to find out what's wrong with them by going to a vets. If the diagnosis and prognosis isn't great, then I believe it right to put an end to the suffering of a much loved pet.

My Mum died from medical neglect. One day she was alive and well,and,within 3 days,went into a coma as a result of kidney failure from that medical neglect. I wouldn't allow Mum to suffer and I asked the doctors to remove all her medications keeping her alive. They did this and she died peacefully four and half hours later.

The case against the GP who caused my Mums death is now in the hands of solicitors and the C.I.D. Sadly,the GP is still in Practice.

Alan L.

Answer 5

What's your point?

That we should force animals to endure agony for weeks on end until they die anyway? Because we're too wimpy to do anything about it?

or

That we should put old people down because they are costing us too much money in terms of health care?

My own father became bedridden with about constant bouts of pneumonia. He had already lost his mind to alzheimer's disease. At some point, the family decided to withhold treatment. He was never going to get better, so allowing the pneumonia to take him was the most humane thing to do.

My point is that the situation you are describing does not ever need to happen.

Answer 6

I think you question should read:

Why do we keep humans alive just for the sake of it?

I think it's cruel to keep people on life support etc. not only for them but for their families.

Euthanasia should be legalised and people should carry a card, like a donor card, just in case. I'd much rather have a machine turned off if I was beyond good repair than to have my friends and family's lives so badly affected by my deterioration.

Answer 7

I don't know. But it seems that it is a matter of ownership.
What if the human could get better? Miracles happen.
I supported the Terry Schiavo case. It was difficult either way. I think fear also comes to play. Where is the limit set? It is going to vary.

Answer 8

We do because some people cant stand seeing them suffer. I had a cat put down because it was going to die in three days because its stumick was being eaten from the inside and well that is pritty much it.

Answer 9

I couldnt agree more. I have made a living will so I dont have to suffer if have cancer or any other terminal illness/stroke. I feel its kinder also to my family not to make the decision for me. I watched my mother die in agony because she had liver cancer and it isnt going to happen to me.

Answer 10

you can pull the plug if you want! that's why you have that option!~

I do get what your saying tho.. and it's mainly for money lets keep this guy in this room for as long as we can it's 650 a night so we can rank in the money even if he dies by the end of the week his family will get it the bill and have to pay for it!

I wonder if a dead man can file for bankrupsy

Answer 11

people have the choice to die if they want. and most of the ones that live that way are living because of machines and it is their family that refuses to let them die. When you have an ill animal you can choose to allow it to contiune to live and suffer, but most people choice not to.