Dysthanasia (Animal)

Animal dysthanasia refers to the practice of prolonging the life of a seriously or terminally ill animal that is experiencing suffering, rather than allowing a natural death or performing euthanasia. The concept has become more prominent as Western societies have shifted from raising animals primarily as livestock toward keeping companion animals such as cats and dogs as family members, while advances in veterinary medicine have made it possible to diagnose disease earlier and offer more treatment options, which are sometimes used to extend an animal life regardless of its quality of life. The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy defines dysthanasia somewhat differently, as a bad death event in which a euthanasia procedure fails, or inadequate veterinary hospice care causes an animal to suffer before death.