Without  a doubt, the hardest questions we get asked is, "So when is it time to let go?"
I had initially intended to answer this question with my professional opinion, but I can’t. It's such a personal question and it requires a personal answer particularly because, as a veterinarian, I too am a pet lover and owner.

One of the greatest gifts that veterinarians are granted by law is to prevent suffering. Unlike human medicine where the topic remains controversial, veterinarians can legally euthanize a pet that is in pain, suffering or has a terminal disease.  I consider euthanasia an incredible act of kindness that we can offer a pet.

So, when do you really know?
Well, I personally think they tell you - they tell you with their eyes. It's not their hips that no longer support them. It's not their waning appetite. It's the look in their eyes.

Look into your pet's eyes and say, 'are you ready?' My fellow pet lovers, they will tell you.

That shiny gleam when the leash appears is gone. That wagging tail with the sight of the food bowl is gone. That look you know better than anyone else that communicates "I love this world and my life" is no longer there.  Look closely. Their eyes will say, “I am ready."

I saw this look in our dog Zed's eyes one morning at 5 AM. Zed was 12 years old, a Labrador-Great Dane mix with the most incredible personality and loving spirit. Our precious boy had cancer. And, we knew he didn't have much longer but we needed him to let us know he was ready. 

That morning was one of the saddest days of my life, but I took solace in knowing that letting him go was a gift to him. It was our thank you to him for all the joy that loving him brought into our family's life and Zed gave and got gobs of it.

But, it hurts to come to terms with this most difficult decision that we all, as pet owners, must face. The hurt comes from our hearts as we are losing a friend that makes us smile and laugh; and, that most importantly, makes us feel loved unconditionally. But the decision to let them go is also from our hearts.  It is not a selfish decision.
 
To this day, when I think of Zed I am sad and I am happy.
So when you are struggling with one of the hardest decisions, just look into their eyes.
They will tell you. You will know.

Dr. Shae Martin, DVM

In the past few years, vaccine technology has improved and for many dogs a yearly vaccine is no longer required, leaving many dog owners wondering about the importance of the yearly check-up which in the past included important vaccinations.

With this said, I thought I would share with our dog loving clients why the annual canine check up is still so important as it really is the key to the long-lived healthy pooches.

The most important part of canine annual exam is checking the canine body for conditions that clients may not notice like ear infections, dental disease and heart murmurs. If heart worm prevention has not been given (a must on Maui) then a blood test should be performed each year to check for this deadly parasite. Other issues such as obesity, flea-tick trouble or behavioral problems can be addressed. And, indeed, this our job - to be thorough with the examination, listen to your concerns and then customize the annual exam to the particular needs of your pooch. And best of all, it is no longer just a needle stick for Fido. 

Dr. Shae Martin, DVM