End of Life Care
Our staff members are also pet owners and they understand the difficulty of losing a cherished pet. Our doctors do everything possible to help you through this decision. They are available to talk to you about the euthanasia process before you come in for the service, so you know what to expect.
Grief for the impending loss of your pet is complicated by the need to make difficult, often painful, decisions. You may ask yourself, how much treatment should I pursue? At what point will treatment cause more trauma than relief? Can I provide the care needed to keep my pet comfortable? At what point, if any, should I consider euthanasia?
Sometimes circumstances don't give you time to ask such questions. An unexpected illness or injury might give you minutes or hours. Whenever possible, it is ideal to develop a plan, taking into consideration three basic issues:
When should you consider euthanasia? When your pet is ill, this may be the last question you want to think about. Our veterinarians can provide you with information about your pet's problem that can help you form a plan. For example, you may decide to seriously consider euthanasia if: your pet refuses to eat or drink for a certain period of time, is in pain despite medication, or has difficulty urinating/defecating in a normal manner. By defining a decision point in advance, you place boundaries on the suffering your pet is likely to endure. To help determine your pet's Quality of Life, click here: Quality of Life Scale
Will you be there? This is a very personal issue. This is not a decision to be made lightly or based on someone else's choice. Many feel that the pet's well-being is the most important consideration. If you believe your pet will feel more comfortable or secure in your presence, you may decide to stay. On the other hand, if you're concerned that your own reaction and grief may disturb the pet more than the process itself, you may prefer to leave. Typically, your pet is given a sedative prior to euthanasia. Some pet owners choose to stay through the sedation and leave before the euthanasia.
What will you do next? The worst time to decide what to do with your pet's remains is at the last minute. It's far better to begin discussing options in advance. We offer several options:
If you have questions about humane euthanasia, please call us at 937-372-6391
Grief for the impending loss of your pet is complicated by the need to make difficult, often painful, decisions. You may ask yourself, how much treatment should I pursue? At what point will treatment cause more trauma than relief? Can I provide the care needed to keep my pet comfortable? At what point, if any, should I consider euthanasia?
Sometimes circumstances don't give you time to ask such questions. An unexpected illness or injury might give you minutes or hours. Whenever possible, it is ideal to develop a plan, taking into consideration three basic issues:
When should you consider euthanasia? When your pet is ill, this may be the last question you want to think about. Our veterinarians can provide you with information about your pet's problem that can help you form a plan. For example, you may decide to seriously consider euthanasia if: your pet refuses to eat or drink for a certain period of time, is in pain despite medication, or has difficulty urinating/defecating in a normal manner. By defining a decision point in advance, you place boundaries on the suffering your pet is likely to endure. To help determine your pet's Quality of Life, click here: Quality of Life Scale
Will you be there? This is a very personal issue. This is not a decision to be made lightly or based on someone else's choice. Many feel that the pet's well-being is the most important consideration. If you believe your pet will feel more comfortable or secure in your presence, you may decide to stay. On the other hand, if you're concerned that your own reaction and grief may disturb the pet more than the process itself, you may prefer to leave. Typically, your pet is given a sedative prior to euthanasia. Some pet owners choose to stay through the sedation and leave before the euthanasia.
What will you do next? The worst time to decide what to do with your pet's remains is at the last minute. It's far better to begin discussing options in advance. We offer several options:
- You may take your pet home for a private burial.
- We can help you arrange private cremation for your pet with its ashes returned to you in either a faux wooden urn with nameplate or a pretty tin. We have examples of these at the clinic.
- We can handle your pet's remains for you, which involves a communal cremation. Your pet is cremated and the ashes are spread at Pet Cremation Service's Memorial Garden.
- Common burial or private burial through Pines Pet Cemetery, Lebanon, Ohio. You are responsible for arranging payment and transporting your pet to Pines Pet Cemetery.
If you have questions about humane euthanasia, please call us at 937-372-6391