Pet Bereavement
Is it time to say goodbye?
Saying goodbye to a companion is one of the most difficult decisions one has to make, but yet people make that decision every day to alleviate suffering for their companion.
Everyone wishes for pets to pass away in a peaceful manner and most of the time euthanasia is most peaceful and humane way to say goodbye. Very few pets pass away peacefully in their sleep.
We want pets to have the least amount of suffering. When we think of suffering we often think of pain, but not being able to wash yourself, or soiling yourself, or constantly vomiting is also a type of suffering.
Sometimes our pets change very slowly over a long period of time and we don’t realise how unwell they have become, because the change has been very slow.
It is important to remember that you know your pet better than anyone else, but it may be a good idea to discuss options with a close friend or family member. It is also good to have someone come with you, to be there for you in the difficult time.
Questions to ask yourself before making this decision:
- Is your pet still doing the things he loves? Eating, drinking, happy to see you, barks at the squirrels?
- Is your pet experiencing continuous pain or are they experiencing mental or physical distress?
- What was my pet like before they started slowing down?
- Do I think that my pet is enjoying his life?
Is there anything else I can do?
Slowing down in old age is a normal process, but if you are worried about your pet. Please give us a call and we can discuss options to help your pet cope with old age. Even though we do our utmost best to make pets comfortable in their old age, eventually we will come to a point where we cannot do anything else, and that may be the time to say goodbye. When your companion is suffering, saying goodbye is the last kindness you can show them.
How do we say goodbye?
When you have made the decision to euthanasia (“put to sleep”) your pet, please give us a call and we can make an appointment that is convenient for you and your family. Some people prefer to be with their pet and others prefer not to be with their pets. There is no wrong or right decision. The pets we say goodbye to always get a kind word with a cuddle and some love while they fall asleep and pass away.
You may want to stay with your pet afterward or leave straight away. We try and allow every person to do what they are comfortable with. If you would like someone to visit you at your home, this may be arranged if circumstances allow. A vet and a nurse will attend you.
What will it happen?
Before saying goodbye one of our team will provide you with a consent form that gives us permission to perform the euthanasia. We will briefly remove your pet to place an IV (intravenous) catheter, which allows us to administer the anaesthetic directly into the vein. The anaesthetic allow your pet to feel like they are falling asleep. The injection works within a couple of seconds, but some pets may take minutes to pass away. Your pet will lose consciousness before their heart stops. The vet will check that your pets’ heart has stopped and will tell you. After the heart has stopped your pet might sharply inhale, muscles may twitch, but all these signs are reflexes.
What happens afterward?
You normally have 3 options:
- You may take the body home to bury at home
- We arrange for Pet Funeral Services (Pet Funeral Services – We are here to help! – YouTube) to collect your pets body and they can be individually cremated and the ashes can be returned to you.
- We can send your pet to be communally cremated
If you are unsure whether your pet has a good quality of life, then have a look at this questionnaire to help you assess the wellbeing of your pet. (HowDoIKnowWhen.pdf (osu.edu) )
What can I expect after saying goodbye?
Please remember that deciding to euthanase a pet can be a very difficult and traumatic decision. Sometimes the decision is planned and other times although we make the decision, we feel that we did not have any options. We are here for you and we want to help you deal with the loss of a best friend. We know that you have questions, and many people do, so please call us if you need to talk about what has happened. Sometimes walking into the vet, gives you feelings of anxiety or grief and this is a normal response for any traumatic event.
It is also normal to go through the process of grief. You may experience feelings of confusion, depression, anger, denial or guilt. These are all normal feelings, for more information about grief and emetions, please click here. (Grief from pet loss (theralphsite.com))