Euthanasia

The veterinary surgeon is assisted by one of the nursing team.

If your pet is distressed or upset, the vet can give a mild sedative first to relax them.

The vet will place an intravenous catheter into one of your pet’s legs.

The vet will attach a long drip line to the catheter. This will allow the vet to administer the medication from an appropriate distance giving you the opportunity to cuddle your pet whilst they go to sleep.

The vet will administer an overdose of a drug, similar to an anaesthetic, which will put your pet into a deep and permanent sleep.

When we are ready to administer the anaesthetic injection, we will tell you. Some owners wish to stay with their pet during the entire procedure whilst others feel unable to stay – it is your choice.

When you, your pet and we are ready we will administer the anaesthetic – you can have as much contact with your pet as you need some owners want to hold, cuddle and kiss their friend goodbye whilst for others it is enough to be present.

It is important not to feel embarrassed with displays of emotion. You are saying goodbye to your best friend you will feel sad and grieving is a normal and expected part of saying goodbye.

We want you to know that your pet’s eyes will not close. Some animals can take several gasp’s, these can be distressing if you are not expecting them but they are only reflexes at this point your pet will have passed away.

Once the veterinary surgeon has confirmed the death of your pet you can choose to leave straight away or to stay and spend some time with them.

The decision to put your pet to sleep will be yours and whilst that is a terrible burden it is a sad consequence of being a responsible pet owner. If your pet’s quality of life is deteriorating and they are suffering despite your best efforts, you may find the kindest option is to put your pet to sleep. It is a very difficult decision; you want to spend as long as possible with your friend, but you want to make the right decision for them and not yourself. A good quality of life not quantity of life is what should be remembered when considering if it is time to say goodbye.

It is better to think ahead and plan for your pet's passing as this will give you the opportunity to think clearly about what you want, and if it is a family pet, the wishes of family members including children. Leaving decision-making to the last moment, when emotions are heightened and grief is involved, may be difficult.

Thinking about your pet's passing beforehand will allow you to make clearer decisions. It is a good idea to write your wishes down in a plan so you don't forget anything at a more stressful time. You can alter and revise your plan at any time.

There are a number of things to consider before the time comes:

• Where would you like your pet to pass away (your home, the vets)?
• Who will be there when the time comes?
• When do you want to say goodbye?
• What afterlife body care option (burial, communal cremation or individual cremation)?

You will hopefully have some time to consider all options available to you and your pet and come to an informed decision, we always recommend you talk to family and friends and consult your vet as part of this process.

This is also a difficult decision. There are several options available to you:

• You can take your pet home to bury
• You can arrange your pet’s cremation with a pet crematorium.
• You can arrange to have your pet buried at a pet cemetery.

You can leave your pet with us and we can make all the cremation arrangements; within this choice there are several options available to you:

• Your pet’s body is collected and cremated but the ashes are not returned to you.
• Your pet’s body is collected and cremated individually and the ashes are returned for you to keep/scatter

If you wish to explore this service additional options such as choice of casket/scatter tube can be discussed.

All are personal choices that should be considered ahead of the appointment.