What Can I Expect During My At-Home Euthanasia Visit?
This is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make for our loved one. It is a loving and compassionate decision. Thank you for choosing and trusting us to bring our expect medical, technical and loving skills to provide this beautiful goodbye for your pet.
What Can You Expect?
Prior to our arrival: You can still give your pet his or her regular medications & food. You can even spoil your pet and give foods they have never had before. (We just ask that you refrain from giving toxic things like chocolate until we are on our way).
Once we arrive, we will address any additional questions or concerns, and review the process. We will make sure everyone feels as ready as possible to continue. There is never any rush.
During the appointment:
Feel free to have your pet surrounded by favorite bedding, toys and loved ones. Some pets even have favorite music or a TV show that they like in the background. Once your pet is as settled as possible, a profound sedative medication will be given under the skin to help calm anxiety and relieve pain. This typically takes maximum effect in 5-10 minutes. Some pets will complain a bit when this medication is administered, but this reaction passes quickly. Of course, you can hold and talk to your pet while they become very sleepy and relaxed.
Once your pet is relaxed, you can continue to talk to and cuddle while we prepare to administer the euthanasia medication. This is most commonly administered into a vein after clipping a small amount of fur and placing a small, temporary IV catheter. Your pet will be soundly sleeping at this point and will not feel any discomfort. Once your pet passes, our doctor will confirm by listening to the chest with a stethoscope. Many families wish to have some time alone with their pet once they pass, so we will ask you what is best. There is never any rush. Remember that the grief experience is quite different for everyone. If any family members decide to come and go from the room during appointment, this is okay.
Aftercare:
It is helpful to have a plan for aftercare of your pet in place before our visit. We are happy to discuss options if you have not already made your decisions. If you have chosen a cremation package, we will handle the private transport of your pet to crematorium and make all desired arrangements for the options you have chosen with your family. Your pet will be respectfully placed on a stretcher or basket with blankets and carefully taken to our vehicle where a beautiful memorial garden awaits them. We encourage and love pallbearers to be involved. In some cases, we will require pallbearers depending on weight. Your pet will be handled with the most care and compassion from us and from our wonderful crematory family. We all love you and your pet.
If you have chosen a burial method: this is completely legal. The county has certain requirements which can be found here: Home burials for companion pets.
We look forward to helping your family during this difficult time. Please let us know if you have any questions.
We are here for you.
Dr. Elisa & Crystal
Other things to consider prior to the arrival of vet team:
For our safety and yours, including your pet, please remember to secure other dogs during the appointment, prior to our arrival. This eliminates initial excitement and stress for your pet, as well as protects your other pets from our medical supplies.
Appointment window:
Please understand that we are helping more than one family on any given day. We cannot predict traffic, driving distances, and the duration of time each family desires for their appointment. We provide a 2-hour arrival window that begins at the start of your appointment time to accommodate the unpredictability that comes with a mobile business. We do our best to provide a text or notification with a closer estimated time of arrival when we are on our way. Please ensure that all family members and friends attending the appointment are present at beginning of appointment window.
Parking:
When we will be transporting your pet after appointment, please free a space for us to park in your driveway or apartment complex before we arrive.
Payment:
If paying with a credit or debit card, please understand that your card will be charged prior to our arrival the day of your appointment, via the payment method entered during scheduling. If paying with cash, please have exact change ready. Please make checks payable to Forever Companion. Payment is collected prior to or at the beginning of the appointment before services begin.
Cancellation policy:
If you or your pet are not quite ready for us to come, then please cancel with as much notice as possible. There are no fees for cancellations as we know how unpredictable this can be.