24-Hour Gentle and Dignified Euthanasia - at Home:
The decision to
euthanize one's pet- or to end a friend's life- is never an easy one for a pet
owner. It is often accompanied by much grief, anxiety and even guilt at the
thought of saying goodbye to one's highly valued and often long time companion.
We know this very well indeed; being very devoted and even multiple pet
owners ourselves.
Euthanasia is a
responsibility we take seriously and reverently. We see it as a privilege for
us to be included in a time where final moments are spent with a beloved friend
and true life companion.
We feel - after
having conducted more than 500 peaceful home euthanasias these past 3 years - that
we are extremely experienced in compassionately relieving our patients- your
highly valued pet- from discomfort, what ever it may be, and offer to you a
chance to give your furry companion a dignified and caring goodbye, at peace in
the comfort and un-hurried privacy of your own home.
We see this as
a dignified last farewell that any loved one- or just living- creature really
should be entitled to if at all possible.
Our patients hereby
most deservedly, aren't required to spend their last moments frightened or
distressed in a scary, unfamiliar hospital environment after an often stressful-
or painful- last journey. Rather, they spend their last moments in the arms of
those they love, on their favourite bed, blanket or lap and in safe, familiar surroundings.
These final
moments together are precious and we go a very long way to make sure those
moments are as calm and gentle as possible- for everyone involved- as we know
indeed that everyone is unique and has different, individual needs.
(See below
how a home euthanasia is actually carried out by our caring expert team).
After: When your pet is deceased, we
make sure you find the arrangement you feel most comfortable with; whether it's
that we gently take your deceased pet with us to the crematorium, with other
deceased pets or maybe leave him/her for you to find a suitable, favourite
sunny spot in the garden or we can even make private arrangements with the
crematorium for returning the ashes in a nice wooden casket with a name plate,
in a simple scatter box or even for burial- which ever suits your last wishes
for your pets earthly remains the best!
In short- you
make the choice that suits your wishes and situation best and we make sure it
is all taken off your shoulders- so you can make the most of these last
dear moments with your pet- with as few other worries as possible!
If need be we
can even arrange for - and have done a number of times- a referral to a
bereavement counsellor, as we ourselves have learned through our years in this
world, that parting with a truly loved one- human or non-human- is a time of severe
distress and heart wrenching trauma for many people for a very, very long time
after. It's the dreaded unavoidable price for a long, happy life with a pet-
however difficult we know it can be at these times- for everyone of us unavoidably
having gone through it at some point.
For our 24 hour/7 days/365 nights a year
devoted in-home euthanasia line- or whether to just
have a informal chat about your worries with our caring Vet-On-Duty or to make
an actual final arrangement- please call:
24 HOUR Mobile: 07962 423 567
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How
is Euthanasia actually carried out and what happens?
Before we carry out euthanasia, you will always be asked to sign a
consent form. At this time you can discuss whether you would like to be present
or not during the euthanasia.
We will also discuss which method suits your
pet and your wishes best as there are several ways it can be carried out,
depending on your wishes, your pet's personality and his or her possible
illness. We will of course advice you from our vast experience in what will
make it the most peaceful and gentle -for both your pet and you.
Almost all the euthanasias we have conducted
have been extremely gentle, quick and un-stressful to all parties involved. We
are proud to say we always seem to surprise pet owners in just how nice the
whole experience was - even given the sadness of the circumstances (see below for some
of the many testimonials/cards we are grateful for to have received the past 3
years!)
We
usually advice one of the two options listed below for a as gentle and peaceful
euthanasia as possible:
1. With
sedation first: For a very gentle and slow induction suited for very nervous,
anxious or aggressive pets or animals in much pain.
The sedation is a painless injection in the
back of the neck much like giving a vaccination and it will make your pet
sleepy - on average within 15-20 minutes- in which time you can sit holding and
stroking your pet. After your pet is fully asleep we give the actual
euthanizing injection as described below.
2. Without
sedation: This is an extremely quick method and also usually quite peaceful
and painless way to end your pet's struggles. It is best suited for very calm,
placid animals that don't mind being given treatment (i/v injection) by a vet
(not many animals usually fall in this category - but far more will be eligible
for this when they are kept at home).
Procedure: We will start by shaving a small patch
of fur on your pet's front leg to enable an injection in the vein (i/v
injection). In some very sick, dehydrated or old animals the vein may have
collapsed and therefore be difficult to locate so the injection may be given painlessly
in another area of the body such as a back leg (dogs) or down the side (cats).
To enable the delicate i/v injection in the
leg, the nurse will have to hold the leg to raise the vein for the vet, while
you can hold his/her head and talk to your pet so he/she hardly notices the
injection with the overdose of a sleeping medication (barbiturate) being given.
Already within 5-10 seconds you pet will feel
very sleepy and lie down- if not already. The breathing and heartbeat stops
almost immediately and once your pet has lost consciousness it is natural to
maybe take a few deep breaths, or even a few gasps.
Occasionally a brief twitch or small muscle
spasm can occur after death- for up to 20 minutes even. This is perfectly
normal and should not be taken as " a sign of life". As the body relaxes so does the
bladder (and sometimes bowel) which we are fully prepared for and will take
care of.
Your pet's eyes will remain open and sometime he
will even slightly stick his tongue out as if to have one last say! The vet
will then check for a heartbeat, reflexes and pulses before putting your pet
into sleeping position- as that is exactly how he will look once deceased- as
if he is just resting peacefully.
Remember
the most important thing: Your pet will hardly
feel this last injection and just feel overwhelmed with tiredness- in his
favourite spot at home with his favourite people surrounding him. Isn't that a
truely lovely and dignified way to end a life??
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A very thoughtful poem was donated to
us by Mr. Brown, Ditchling, after we visited "Spot", his 15 year old blue roan
Cocker Spaniel in July this year:
"If It
Should Be….."
If it should be that I grow frail and
weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep;
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad- I understand,
Don't let your grief then stay your
hand;
For this day more than the rest,
Your love and friendship stand the
test.
We've had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears;
You'd not want me to suffer so,
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me to the end;
And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see
It is kindness you do to me;
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been
saved.
Don't grieve that it should be you,
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close- we two these
years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
(Please refer to our "links" page for dealing with pet
bereavement)
TESTIMONIALS - COMING
SOON!!
