Mobile Vet Care: Euthanasia

In-Home Euthanasia

Euthanasia literally means “good death.”  It involves a gentle, pain-free death chosen for reasons of mercy.  Dr. Matt is often asked how he can do this part of his job.  While it is a sad time for all involved, he feels that it is an honour and privilege to be present at the end of a pet’s life. His goal is to help ease their transition and to guide the family through this difficult time.

When is the Right Time for Euthanasia?

Deciding when to end your pet’s life is a very stressful process. Others in your life will often have opinions and well-meaning advice to offer, which can make you feel even worse. It is important to remember that this is a uniquely personal decision, and each family and pet will have different circumstances. Ultimately, you are best equipped to make that decision for your pet.

Sometimes it can be useful to have the advice of a professional when facing the possibility of euthanasia. If you feel this is the case, you can contact Dr. Matt to schedule a consult. He will discuss your pet’s disease trajectory, help you determine your pet’s quality of life, and work through the decision-making process with you. This also allows you and your pet to become familiar with Dr. Matt ahead of time to discuss the euthanasia process, and aftercare options, and to help determine if it is time to say goodbye.

Generally, when there are more bad days than good days or the bad days are much worse, you need to be thinking about saying goodbye. Sometimes this means pain can no longer be controlled adequately. It may be that your pet can no longer enjoy the things that make them happy such as walks and playing.  For more help in determining your pet’s quality of life, print out the Quality of Life Scale and review it regularly as things change with your pet’s condition. To help determine if your pet is in pain, see Common Signs of Pain in Dogs and Cats.

What to Expect During a Home Euthanasia Visit:

Home euthanasia is a peaceful process that takes place in the comfort of your pet’s familiar surroundings. Dr. Matt will treat your family and pet with compassion and respect to provide a gentle transition without struggle or fear. Prior to his visit, Dr. Matt will call to book your appointment, answer any questions you have, and discuss options for aftercare of your pet’s body. During this call, he can also give you an idea of the costs involved and make payment arrangements.

When Dr. Matt arrives at your home have your pet in the area you have decided upon. Before the euthanasia, you will need to sign a paper stating that you are the lawful owner of the pet, that they have not bitten anyone in the last 14 days, and that you permit Dr. Matt to perform the euthanasia. Unless it has been handled in advance, payment will also be taken at this time so that the remainder of the visit can be devoted to you and your pet. (If you wish to pay by credit card you have the option of paying ahead of the visit through Square Up.)

When all are ready, Dr. Matt will give your pet an injection of a sedative with a pain reliever. They may feel a bit of a pinch or sting just as with regular injections, but this only lasts for a moment and some pets do not feel it at all. It will usually take anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes for the sedative to take full effect, enabling them to enter a deep state of relaxation and sleep without pain. Once the sedative has taken full effect and you are ready, Dr. Matt will give the euthanasia injection into a vein, usually in one of the legs, or sometimes in the abdomen. This final injection is essentially a large dose of anesthesia and is completely pain-free. The pet quickly and gently enters a deep sleep and then the breathing and heart stop. Sometimes after an animal has died there is a bit of movement of the muscles (twitching), and stool or urine may be passed. Your pet’s eyes will likely remain open after passing - this is normal. These things can sometimes be upsetting for the family but rest assured the pet is completely unaware after the initial sedative. 

If you have arranged for Dr. Matt to cremate your pet’s remains he will take the body with him after you have had enough time to say goodbye. 

Body Aftercare

Dr. Matt encourages you to think ahead about how you wish to take care of your pet’s physical remains. It is easier to make these decisions when you are not overwhelmed with grief. Below is a list of options available to you:

Burial: Some people prefer to bury their pets at home. This can be a nice option if you have children and can aid in the closure process. Not all towns permit burial on private property so you will need to check with your specific jurisdiction or homeowners’ association regarding regulations. Burial at a pet cemetery is another option. 

Private Cremation: With this option, your pet is cremated in an individual chamber and their ashes (cremains) are returned to you in a traditional wooden urn with a brass nameplate. Dr. Matt can assist you by taking your pet’s body with him after you say goodbye. The cremains are usually ready within 7-10 days. 

Communal Cremation: This option is a non-private cremation where your pet is cremated with other animals. This is the least expensive option for the care of your pet’s remains and in no way denigrates his memory or dignity. Dr. Matt can still assist you by taking your pet’s remains with him after you say goodbye.

Memorial Pet Products

Memorial pet keepsakes are available at Gateway Pet Memorial.