Euthanasia

The very definition of euthanasia is the act of painlessly causing death. It is without a doubt one of the hardest things a pet owner can be faced with. The truth is that our pets do not go quietly into the night. They are not gone in an instant by a stroke or a heart attack. Our pets die primarily of congestive heart failure, organ failure, cancer and a variety of other illnesses that may involve weeks of lingering in pain and agony.  We are very fortunate to be able to cut short this time of pain for our pets.

When the time comes that your pet needs this assistance, we hope to give you some  strength  and comfort.  We will ask you if you would like to be present. Many owners prefer this but it is not required if it is too upsetting.  Your pet will be given a very strong sedative. Their breathing will be slowed, the heart will remain beating and the eyes will stay somewhat open. All of our pets keep their eyes open even during general anesthesia. At this time your pet will feel nothing. If you choose to remain, the doctor will administer an IV drug that will stop the heart in a few minutes. The heart will stop beating and after listening with a stethoscope, the doctor will tell you of your pet’s passing.  Of course you may stay with your pet alone at this time.

Some of our clients will take their pet’s body home for burial. This is particularly true for small pocket pets and birds. We offer cremation with and without the return of your pet’s ashes. A variety of different colored urns are available. Within about a week the urns are returned to our office. You may have your pet’s name engraved on a brass plaque on the urn. You may also compose up to three short lines additionally that can be engraved on the plaque. For example, when Dr. Murphy’s Doberman Jesse died of cancer her plaque read:
“Jesse. The best dog on the planet”

Euthanasia is a difficult service that we will make available for you anytime that you request during office hours. We realize that this is a very difficult time for the whole family and we will do everything we can to support you.