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What to expect during an in-home pet euthanasia
When the Vet arrives, they will call ahead from the gate or drive to confirm our arrival, and to confirm it is safe for us to enter your property.
We will introduce ourselves, explain the process and answer any questions you might have. From here the team will then seek verbal consent to provide your pet with some sedation. This will relaxe them in just a few minutes and they will likely doze off to sleep.
During this time you can embrace your pet and let them know you are there, and we may work through some administrative steps with you, if not already completed online.
Once the sedation has taken affect, the team will place an IV catheter. There is no rush, and you may wish to take some time at this point to talk to and cuddle your pet.
When you are ready to say your final good bye, your pet will be given two injections, the first is a medication which will ensure they are sleeping peacefully. Once asleep they will be given a second medication, which painlessly causes the heart to stop. Your Vet will wait for a short time before confirming your animal has passed away. We will then give you some time to say your final goodbye.
The final resting place for your pet is up to you. We can assist you in making those arrangements.
How do I know when the time comes?
Making the decision to let your pet go can be extremely difficult. Our priority is that quality of life is considered above all else. There are tools that you can utilise to support you to make this decision.
Keep a journal of the good days and bad days so that you don’t forget. This can help you to judge whether your pet is still having more good days than bad days overall.
Think about their five favourite things, these might be going for a walk, a swim or simply sitting up to watch the world go by. A helpful gauge can be to keep track of how many of your pets favourite things are they still able to do.
Coping with Companion Animal Loss
Grief is a natural response to loss, and it can affect every part of our life. Attachments formed with animals can be every bit as significant as those created with humans.
Recovering from companion animal loss requires us to recognise life changes and find ways to manage these changes. These adaptations may include increasing self-care and seeking social support from people who are compassionate and understand the significance of the relationship without judgment.
When grieving, it can be easy to neglect our own needs. Taking the time to look after yourself can make a big difference in your ability to function on a day-to-day basis and in the long term.
Grief Australia provide a long list of suggestions for how to get through difficult times. Don’t be afraid to seek professional support from a bereavement counsellor, psychologist, general practitioner or other professional service, such as as Lifeline and Beyond Blue. We are happy to recommend Madonna from Bee yourself counselling, who provides grief counselling for pet owners in Townsville.