Pet Euthanasia At Home
How do I know when to consider euthanasia?
Because our pets cannot clearly express to us their level of pain, it can often be difficult to know when to help them move on. Signs of pain can include panting, falling, difficulty getting up or lying down, and eliminating in the house. Many pets suffering from significant arthritis pain continue to eat well, wag their tail, and still have that sparkle in their eyes. Their innate drive to push on prevents us from seeing that they really are suffering. Unfortunately, lack of muscle caused by old age makes arthritis pain worse. Your pet may feel like they are trapped in a constantly aching body. Sometimes, they need relief more than we may realize. Our experienced and compassionate vets are good listeners and can help you assess your individual situation by phone, email, or in a personal visit.
What will my pet experience during the euthanasia process?
The procedure involves administering a massive overdose of anesthesia. A tired, relaxing, falling asleep feeling is what your pet experiences. First, a calming sedative is given carefully under the skin with a tiny needle. Peaceful relaxation and often full unconsciousness sets in over 5-15 minutes. Next, a vein injection is given below the knee while the family is gathered near the pet’s head. As the anesthesia overwhelms the brain and shuts it down, the breathing quickens and stops within 30 seconds, followed by the heart slowing and stopping over 2 minutes. Faster breathing is the most noticeable change. You may also see that the eyes will remain open, the skin may twitch, and the diaphragm may spasm causing one to three sudden deep breaths. Pets with Addison’s Disease or elevated potassium levels may have muscle spasms. Seizures are rarely seen. Most visits last 30 minutes or as long as an hour if you need to talk things through and prepare yourself.
How is my pet transported for cremation?
Small pets nestle in the front passenger seat and larger pets rest in the back cargo area of an unmarked SUV or minivan. Your pet’s gently wrapped body is transported directly from your home to the crematorium. If you feel that having your pet’s ashes returned would be comforting, they will be delivered back to you in person. Deliveries are coordinated with when we are called to your area again. Please let us know if you’d like us to make a special trip in order for your reunion to be as soon as possible.
How do I know that my pet’s remains are treated respectfully and that I am really getting only my pet’s ashes back?
Many people have this concern. We have interviewed, researched, and probed every cremation service in the area. We’ve also been attentive to word of mouth. Because euthanasia is our specialty, we are in the cremation facility almost every day making sure pets are gently handled in cushioned beds as if they were our own sleeping souls. Private cremation means your pet is cremated by themselves, thus their ashes alone are saved for you. For those who prefer to keep photos and memories, pets are cremated in a group and their ashes are respectfully scattered over private land.
What about the kids?
Honesty is what kids deserve when facing the death of a pet. When they know how and why their pet died, it eliminates years of asking questions. So include your children in family discussions about how lucky we are to be able to relieve our pet’s suffering. Our pets are family members, thus the entire family should be there, supporting the pet and each other. Most kids need and want to say goodbye. Even very young children can be present when a pet dies and view the body. The family can cry and grieve together.
