ethics in end-of-the-life care
My rats are about 2.5 years old. They've lived good, stress-free lives and a fair amount of amazing food. I think Ani had been falling ill for a while now, but it wasn't completely obvious. No coughing, no sneezing, no perceptible tumors or lost use of a limb or anything like that... Then suddenly, last night, she was hunched up, her rapid shallow breaths made it all-too-obvious that she's on her way out. I feel terrible, but I think I'm just going to leave her where she is, to pass quietly and without disturbances. I doubt she'd make a trip to the vet, the way's she's looking. I know that if I was on my way out, I would MUCH rather be left alone, to die in a comfortable spot, one that I am familar, than to be jostled about, poked and prodded.
What does everyone else feel about this issue? Please keep the conversation civil... I understand that this is an extremely emotionally intense topic. I also understand that I will definitely be getting flamed for making the decision I have about my dieing rat, and I uphold all responsibility and acceptance that this will occur.
What does everyone else feel about this issue? Please keep the conversation civil... I understand that this is an extremely emotionally intense topic. I also understand that I will definitely be getting flamed for making the decision I have about my dieing rat, and I uphold all responsibility and acceptance that this will occur.