Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is heart-wrenching. Oh, how we wish our furry companions could forever greet us at the door. Or snuggle next to us on the couch after a long day and ultimately provide us unconditional love when we need it most. Our pets will forever live in our hearts. But that does not take away the grief we experience when we say our final goodbye. This article is intended to give pet families a general idea of what to expect when you schedule an in-home euthanasia for your loved one.
“The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief – But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love.”
– Hillary Stanton Zunin
Preparing for the Appointment
Before your veterinarian arrives, they may call you to confirm certain details of your appointment. Details include your pet’s name, weight, recent medical history, and your choices for cremation or burial, and keepsakes. These details may also be covered when the veterinarian arrives at your home.
When your veterinarian arrives, they will spend time getting to know your beloved pet. For the most part, euthanasia can be performed anywhere at your home. This could be a special room, under a certain tree, or even in your car. Talk to your veterinarian about where you’d like the appointment to take place. Other considerations you might want to address are the presence of children, other pets, etc.
Explanation
Your veterinarian will first explain the process from start to finish. We encourage pet families to seek clarification or ask for the veterinarian to repeat anything unclear. When we experience grief or other intense emotions, sometimes our ability to process information is challenged. Please feel free to speak up if you are confused or need information at any point during your appointment. Your veterinarian is there to address your concerns.
Sedation
Your veterinarian will first administer sedation either under the skin or into the muscle. This is similar to how vaccines are given. If your pet is still eating, this is a great time to offer them a special treat (even chocolate) to distract them from that little poke. Your pet’s sedation cocktail is a powerful combination of pain medications and sedatives that will allow your pet to slip into a deep and pain-free sleep in about 10-15 minutes.
Every pet is unique and if yours needs extra sedation to fall completely asleep, your veterinarian has everything they need. Once your pet is sleeping peacefully, your veterinarian will assess the depth of their sedation. This is often done by firmly squeezing your pet’s toes and toenails. When your pet no longer responds to that stimulation, we know their sedation is very deep. They are no longer feeling their body and they are ready to make their peaceful transition.
Administering Euthanasia Medication
Your pet’s euthanasia medication will be given into a vein. As a result, an area of fur may be clipped from your pet’s leg and the area will be prepped. Your veterinarian may have to try more than one spot to find a suitable vein to deliver the euthanasia medication. Rest assured that your pet will not be aware of this. Nor will they be feeling anything at all. If your beloved pet is a cat, her euthanasia medication may be given to the kidney or liver. Our feline sedation protocol provides a surgical plane of anesthesia. Thus, your cat will not experience any sensation regardless of where her euthanasia solution is given. Euthanasia medication is essentially an overdose of anesthesia (a barbiturate) which starts to work as it’s being given. It goes to work anesthetizing the brain completely first. Which in turn, brings the heart and lungs to a stop. This process is gentle and completely pain-free for your pet. They will pass away in their sleep.
Time Alone with Your Pet
Your veterinarian will confirm that your pet has passed by listening to their heart. Then they will return to their vehicle to give you privacy. When you are ready, let your veterinarian know and they will return with a stretcher or basket and tuck your pet in with a blanket. Depending on your pet’s weight, it may be necessary for someone in the home to help your veterinarian carry your pet. If your pet is very small and you would like to carry them yourself to the veterinarian’s car, let your veterinarian know as we are always accommodating. There is also zero expectation to carry your pet if it’s not right for you.
This is Your Time and We are Here to Serve You
Your veterinarian understands that while every family is different, it’s very likely you will be feeling intense emotion on this day. For many people, saying goodbye to a pet might be the greatest loss of their lifetime. A recent survey found that 68% of Americans report that the loss of a pet was harder than the loss of a human loved one. Please don’t feel embarrassed or apologize for expressing grief during your pet’s appointment. Your veterinarian will do their utmost to support you while they make your pet’s peaceful transition a priority. If you find that you need support after your pet has passed, our team has an on-staff Grief Support Specialist and your first counseling session with her is complimentary.
Thank you for trusting Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice. It is our honor and privilege to serve you during this difficult time.
Written by: Dr. Mavi Graves, Caring Pathways Veterinarian in Colorado
Dr. Mavi moved back to CO to attend vet school at CSU. While at CSU, she served as a manager of the student volunteer pet hospice program and that’s when she discovered end-of-life care as her veterinary calling. Dr. Mavi feels that the end-of-life journey is an incredibly sacred and meaningful time to serve pet families. She feels strongly about the importance of letting pets pass away at home.
It is an honor to facilitate gentle and peaceful euthanasia experiences. As a result, Dr. Mavi earned her Fear-Free Certification. She is also working towards acupuncture certification.
