End of Life Care
I am here to make sure that the final moments with your beloved companion are as intimate and stress-free as possible
Our pets love us unconditionally their entire lives, the last gift we can give them is to allow them to cross to rainbow bridge before they are suffering, with dignity.
Perhaps the hardest decision you will have to make in your pet’s life is when to euthanise. We would all prefer that our pets pass away peacefully in their sleep and pain free. It is a choice we never want to make. Unfortunately there are times when disease processes and discomfort do not allow for a peaceful death. Euthanasia is a gift that can be used to spare suffering in our beloved companions.
Grieving is a private, intimate, process. It is understandable that you would prefer to be in the privacy of your own home rather than a place of business when it comes to saying goodbye.
Euthanasia at home may also be preferred when your pet is unable to or has difficulty moving, your pet gets anxious or fearful at the veterinary clinic, you want to lay with your pet on their favourite bed, the couch or under their favourite tree with them on your lap as they pass peacefully.
What to expect
To begin the euthanasia, a mild sedation may be given to your pet upon request. This will allow the pet to be relaxed and sleepy.
Once the pet is sedated and resting, and you and your family are comfortable, the vet will place an intravenous catheter/cannula. This allows access to the vein. Once placed you can choose to hold your pet, sit or lay next or choose to be absent during the final stage. The final stage is the administration of euthanasia solution via the catheter. This is what stops the pet’s heart from beating and is painless.
Generally, your pet will experience a peaceful passing within 30 seconds of the intravenous administration.
There is no one-size-fits-all method when it comes to euthanasia. If, for any reason, using an intravenous catheter would prove too distressing, the vet can discuss an alternate method. The vet’s goal is to find the option of administering euthanasia that is best suited to the pet.
Many pets can react to receiving the euthanasia medication in different ways. Some keep their eyes open; others will take what seems like a deep, final breath; and sometimes they may urinate or defecate due to the relaxation of all muscles. This can be startling to some owners, but the pet isn't in pain. Your vet is there to guide you through the process and make sure you are aware and comfortable on the journey with you.
Depending on your wishes for aftercare after the euthanasia, we can take the pet into our care and organise individual cremation. Once the cremation has been completed, we will call you on your pet’s return. To learn more about pet cremation, please refer to our providers Cherished Memories & Eden Hills.