Pet Euthanasia & Support for End-of-Life Care
At Animal Medical Hospital & Urgent Care, we are also pet owners, which means we truly understand your bonds with your furry friends. And we know better than anyone that how difficult it is to lose a cherished pet.
In addition to the difficulty of witnessing your pet nearing the end of life, there are also many complicated decisions you must make.
Sometimes euthanasia is the most humane option for a pet nearing end of life, but it is one of the most difficult decisions to make as a pet owner.
When Should You Consider Euthanasia?
Our veterinarians can provide you with information on your pet’s situation that can help you form your plan. If your pet no longer has a good quality of life, it might be time to consider this as an option. This often occurs when a pet refuses to eat or drink for a certain period of time, is in constant pain, or has difficulty urinating/defecating in a normal manner.
The Euthanasia Procedure
We understand that this process is different for everyone, and we want you to proceed in whatever way brings you the most comfort and peace. If you believe your pet will feel more comfortable or secure in your presence, you are welcome to stay for the entirety of the procedure. Some people prefer to stay away, which is also perfectly acceptable. We want you to do whatever feels right to you.
Aftercare
We understand that further decisions feel extremely difficult after the euthanasia procedure, so we recommend discussing options in advance. At Animal Medical Hospital & Urgent Care, we offer three aftercare options:
- You can take your pet home for a private burial.
- We can help you arrange a private cremation for your pet with its ashes returned to you.
- We can handle your pet’s remains for you, which involves a communal cremation.
Please remember that our staff does everything possible to help you through this difficult time.
We will see both our regular clients and new clients for the procedure. However, when we see a new client for this service, we must spend time talking about the pet’s condition with the owner and evaluating the pet’s overall health. If it is possible, please call ahead to either schedule an appointment for euthanasia or to let us know you are on your way in so that we can be prepared for your arrival.