Home • Veterinary Services • Hospice / Euthanasia
We know you want to give your pet the very best quality of life for as long as possible. But there may be a timewhen your pet is facing a serious illness, injury or trauma. We understand that making a decision about hospice care or euthanasia for your pet can be a very difficult decision, and we are here to guide you through the process.
We understand no one wants to decide prematurely, but on the other hand, no one wants to wait too long. Many owners express a wish for their pets to simply go peacefully at home when it’s ‘their time.’ Sadly, very few pets pass peacefully and quietly on their own, and often have been suffering for some time before they finally die.
How do you know when your pet’s time has come? First, we discuss medical diagnosis and prognosis. Helping you create the best quality of life depending upon your pet’s prognosis and minimizing any pain your pet may be feeling is our main goal. We look at a combination of quality of life for the pet, and what’s best for you and your family. Quality of life is different for each pet and each family, but the simple standards are eating, drinking, and regularly urinating and defecating. The next standard is individual for each pet – can they be left alone, are they still excited about that car ride, are they resting comfortably and in normal places, or do they still want to play with their favorite toys? Appropriate therapeutic and pain medications may be recommended, along with special diets and safe living accommodations.
When the day has come to finally euthanize your pet, you will bring your pet to Creature Comfort Animal Clinic. You can elect to be present or not for any or all, this is a very personal decision and we will respect your wishes entirely. We may ask for the invoice to be settled prior to performing the euthanasia so that once it’s done you can sit with your pet as long as you’d like and leave discreetly without any interference from us.
First, a heavy sedative will be given to your pet to allow your pet to relax. Your pet will fall asleep and will be unaware of any pain or stress. Sometimes a catheter is placed in your pet, but not always. An intravascular injection will be given to your pet with the euthanasia solution. This drug will very quickly stop brain function, and then ultimately cardiac function.
You have the option to take your pet’s body home and bury it or have it cremated. You will be able to choose a clay paw print of your pet prior to cremation if you’d like and will be able to choose an urn. You can request a group cremation where your pet is cremated with other pets and you do NOT receive ashes back, or you can request a private cremation where your pet is cremated privately and you DO receive their ashes back.
We try and make this process as peaceful as possible for you and your pet.
