End of Life Pet Care
A difficult decision.
When a pet’s quality of life deteriorates to the point where it experiences more bad days than good days, you may be faced with the difficult decision regarding whether to choose euthanasia.
In the same way we provide compassionate care for pets in their early days, we’re prepared to support you and provide end-of-life care for them during their last. As partners in your pet’s health, we’ll make sure you’re informed about all potential treatment options before you make a decision. We understand that making that kind of choice is never easy, but we promise to be there every step of the way.
Should you decide euthanasia is the right choice for your pet, we’ll prepare you for the process and answer any questions you may have about what’s going to happen. We hope you’ll find some comfort in knowing our humane methods will ensure your pet is laid to rest peacefully.
In-Home Euthanasia
Sometimes when our beloved animals become old and frail we have to make the difficult decision to let them go with dignity and comfort. Animal Care Roy is proud to offer at-home euthanasia to help make this difficult time a little bit easier.
What to Expect
Most vets generally give a sedative before euthanasia, to help calm and relax the animal. During this time you can pet and comfort your animal and say goodbyes. After the patient is relaxed and you are ready, the veterinarian will give a medication intravenously through one of your animal's legs. They will begin to relax and within a few minutes, their heart will stop. After your animal passes often their eyes will not close. They may take a few deep breaths or experience small twitches throughout their body. They may urinate or defecate, this is normal. This procedure is not painful.
How it Works
The euthanasia medication used is generally a seizure medication called pentobarbital. In large quantities, this medication quickly works to shut down the heart and brain functions. It is generally given intravenously through one of the patient's legs.
How do I make an appointment?
To schedule an At-Home Euthanasia, you will need to call our Roy clinic (801-825-9701) where one of our receptionists can help accommodate your request.
How much notice do you need?
A 72-hour notice is preferred, but we do our best to accommodate same-day appointments.
What do I need to do to prepare?
Make time for your family to say goodbye and provide a comfortable place for your animal during the procedure where they can feel safe and loved. If you have small children discuss with them beforehand what is going to happen to their furry friend.
After calling to schedule an appointment, you will need to come into the clinic to fill out paperwork and take care of the payment before the procedure. At this time we can discuss aftercare options with you and answer any questions you may have regarding euthanasia.
Should my other pets be there?
Other animals in the house are welcome to be present.
Should my children be present?
This is a very emotional time for families and their beloved pets, if you wish to have your children present you can do so, but we ultimately leave that decision up to you.
What are my options for my pet after euthanasia?
We provide a courtesy aftercare with our at-home euthanasias, we also offer private cremations and personalized poly-resin paw prints upon request.
* You also can bury your animal at home.
*If our clinic is providing aftercare for your animal, you may be asked to assist the doctor in getting the animal into the vehicle for transportation.
Coping with Pet Loss
Pets are family and losing them comes with the same grief as any other loss. If you’re struggling with grief following the loss of your pet, remember to:
- Give yourself time to mourn and cry
- Do your best to stick to your regular routine
- Talk about your feelings with family, friends, or even our hospital staff
- Memorialize your pet in a way that’s special to you
You can use these resources if you need additional support:
Please reach out to us if there’s anything we can do for you.
West Haven (801) 731-8181 | Roy (801) 825-9701 | Clearfield (801) 776-4507
