Deciding when your pet may need hospice care or euthanasia is a very personal decision. Our team is here to help and make this process as smooth as possible. Our goal is to provide a peaceful and dignified experience for your beloved family pet where they are most comfortable — in your home.
What to Expect
Dr. Kristine Haroldson arrives at your appointment location within 10-15 minutes of the scheduled appointment time. If not received prior to your appointment, Dr. Haroldson walks you through completing any remaining forms including the euthanasia release and making payment before the appointment begins.
Dr. Haroldson starts by administering a sedation medication into one of your pet’s back legs very similar to how they would receive a vaccine (If your pet is painful in the hips/hind limbs please let us know so that we can adjust where this injection is given). This sedation medication can sting a little, it is the only thing your pet will feel during the process. Sedation takes full effect in about 5-20 minutes. This medication can occasionally make a pet nauseous and cause an episode of vomiting. For this initial injection, you will need to help restrain your pet – usually you can be holding your pet or petting their head during this to distract them from the injection. If your pet normally receives medications to decrease anxiety prior to veterinary visits it would be beneficial for you to give these medications prior to the in home euthanasia as well.
Once sedated, your pet appears to be sleeping but usually their eyes remain open as they are actually anesthetized. For this reason, Dr. Haroldson encourages your family to say the majority of your goodbyes prior to or immediately after the sedation is given. You can continue to touch and talk to your pet throughout the procedure, but they will not be attentive after the sedation medication is effective. If your pet is taking more towards the longer end of the time frame, it can seem like longer than it is – you may notice that Dr. Haroldson is checking her watch as she is keeping track of the time since giving the sedation injection. The goal with this medication is to take away any sensation so that your pet will not feel any of the rest of the procedure. In large pets, sometimes their eyes may still be aware but Dr. Haroldson will check for any sensation response prior to giving the final injection. In smaller dogs, cats and exotics the pet will be completely asleep before proceeding. For this reason, sometimes a second sedation injection may be needed.
Once the pet is asleep an under pad is placed under them to catch any bodily fluids released during the process. Next, Dr. Haroldson administers the euthanasia solution into a vein in larger dogs (usually in a back leg) or internal organ such as the heart in smaller pets. The euthanasia solution is a concentrated anesthetic that is overdosed and stops the heart. This process typically takes 2-5 minutes but can sometimes take up to 15 minutes. Dr. Haroldson then listens to the heart and confirms your pet has passed.
Important Notes:
- As your pet passes away, muscles relax and potentially cause your pet to pass urine or stool.
- Your pet’s eyes will remain open — they do not usually stay closed even with us assisting the eyelids.
- Nerves can continue to fire after the heart stops beating, causing muscles including the diaphragm to move and pulse. This can give the appearance that your pet is still living and can happen multiple times after your pet has passed.
After your pet passes away, you and your family are welcome to take as much time as you need with your pet. When you have said your goodbyes, Dr. Haroldson makes a paw print keepsake and facilitates transportation of your pet to the crematorium.
For private cremation, ashes will be returned to you either through your primary vet clinic (if agreed) or through other arrangements.
Anyone is welcome to come and go during the process. We can usually accommodate the pet being where ever they are comfortable as long as they are accessible. This can be on your lap or in their favorite spot, indoor or outdoor (weather permitting). If you have other pets, you are welcome to have them out during the process unless they are going to cause you or your pet the appointment is for increased anxiety and stress. If the sibling pet is very active and not calm it can make the appointment smoother if they are separated in another area during the appointment. You will have time to let the separated pet see their sibling prior to it being transported if you wish.