When It’s Time…

When it’s time to start considering euthanasia, what steps are involved?

Quality of Life Assessment

First, let’s start with assessing your pet’s quality of life. This may be difficult to do without letting your emotions sway your assessment. Please refer to Veterinary Partner Quality of Life Scale which will help you to numerically grade your pets’ quality of life in an objective way. If you decide that it is time to euthanize your pet, there are more questions to ask yourself:

Should you be present?

This is a very personal decision that must only be made by you. Some people choose to be with their pet as they pass on, and others are not comfortable with that. No matter which option you choose, we will make sure to make their transition is as peaceful and humane as possible.

Body Care Options

Due to Apple Valley city regulations, burying your pet at home is not permitted. However, we do work with an outside cremation company who carry out the cremation services for East Valley Animal Clinic. You may decide that you do not want your pets’ ashes returned to you. Another option is to request to have your pet cremated individually and in those cases, their ashes are returned to you. We have worked with this company for many years and trust in them fully. 

If you choose to have your pet cremated individually, there are different choices as to how you receive your ashes. Your pet will be returned in a wooden "friendship urn" complete with an engraved name plate. The cremation service also offers a wide variety of other urns and keepsakes if you would like to choose something personalized.  If you would like to look at urns, click HERE to view the catalog. 

Websites:

Rainbow Bridge

www.chancesspot.org

www.pet-loss.net

Support Groups:

Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota Pet Loss Support Group

http://aercmn.com/resources/pet-loss/

 Animal Humane Society Pet Loss Support Group 

http://www.animalhumanesociety.org/services/lossofpet/supportgroup

Counselors:

Sid Korpi

Author of Good Grief: Finding Peace after pet loss

Animal Chaplain/Grief counselor

Website:http://www.goodgriefpetloss.com/author.html

Books:

Good Grief: Finding peace after pet loss 

by: Sid Korpi

Coping with sorrow on the loss of your pet 

by: Moira Anderson Allen

When your pet dies: A guide to mourning, remembering and healing 

by: Alan D. Wolfelt PhD

What Is the Euthanasia Process Like?

If you choose to be present for your pets’ euthanasia, we will start by leading you into our comfort room. If you have any questions, this is the time to ask. We will start by having you sign an authorization sheet which also verifies that your pet has not bitten anyone within the last 10 days. At this time, you will also choose your cremation option. After the paperwork is finished, we will then take your pet into the treatment area of the hospital and another technician will place an IV catheter. The IV catheter gives the doctor direct access to your pets’ vein, which is where the injection will be given. While the technicians are placing the IV, we will take care of finances directly in the room so that you don’t have to worry about paying for your bill at a later time. Once the IV catheter is placed, your pet will be brought back into the comfort room with you. At this time you are welcome to spend more time with your pet if you need it. When you are ready, we will send the doctor in. The injection that she will be giving is simply an overdose of an anesthetic that will stop your pets breathing, and eventually their heart. You may choose to stay with your pets’ body for as long as you need to after the process is finished.

MN Pets is a at home euthanasia service that is an alternative to coming into our clinic.  They are available 7 days a week and also evening hours.   You can check out their website for more information.  They also have a lot of great articles to help with euthanasia and grieving.