The Ultimate Act of Love “Pet Euthanasia”

How to know when is time to say goodbye 

Pets enrich our daily lives so much that is hard to imagine life without them. Enjoying the fun and blissful moments together is just as important as responsible parenting and when our beloved furry friends come to their senior years, is important to be prepared to provide them with the best care to fit their needs as they age and become ill. Nobody knows your pet better than you so it’s important to understand how to assess the quality of life of your pet in order to ensure their comfort and well-being as they age. Recognising the signs to determine it may be time to consider pet euthanasia for your beloved dog or cat can be a difficult decision, but it can mean difference between a peaceful assisted passing or a traumatic painful event.

Ten signs that your pet may no longer be enjoying a good quality of life:

• Persistent pain that is not relieved by medication, even when painkillers are given in higher doses. 
• Loss of appetite or an unwillingness to eat and drink, which may lead to weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration.
• Chronic vomiting or diarrhea that does not improve with treatment and that causes the pet to become weak or lethargic.
• Difficulty breathing, panting, or shortness of breath, even when resting or in a comfortable environment.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control, causing distress to the pet and impacting its quality of life.
• Lack of interest in activities that the pet once enjoyed, such as playing, socializing, or exploring.
• Persistent and uncontrollable seizures or convulsions, causing the pet to suffer and potentially injuring itself.
• Inability to stand or walk unaided, leading to a loss of mobility and independence.
• Development of tumors or other progressive diseases that cause significant discomfort, pain, or disability.
• Behavioral changes such as anxiety, restlessness, or aggression that cannot be treated effectively and that impact the pet’s quality of life.

Always seek advice from a veterinarian

As much as you know your pet, their habits, likes and dislikes, it’s important to have guidance from a veterinarian who can provide medical expertise and help assessing the needs of your senior pet. A vet team can help determining your pet’s overall health and quality of life, provide professional advice on treatment options, potential outcomes and provide a realistic prognosis. A vet professional can also provide pre euthanasia guidance and discuss options for end-of-life care, such as hospice care or palliative care, which can help alleviate suffering and improve your pet’s comfort and quality of life during their final days. Finally, a veterinarian can also discuss aftercare options such as burial, water cremation or traditional cremation and offer support and resources for coping with the loss of their pet.

Pet Euthanasia in the comfort of your own home or at the vet clinic?

Euthanasia is a compassionate and humane way to relieve suffering in pets that are terminally ill or experiencing a significant decline in their quality of life. Making the decision to say goodbye your furry family member can be difficult, but it is important to remember that it is a selfless act of love. By allowing your pet to rest peacefully, you are freeing them from any further suffering and giving them the gift of a peaceful passing

Euthanasia can be carried out at home or at the vet clinic. Both choices have their advantages and disadvantages, and it ultimately depends on your preferences and your pet’s needs. Express your wishes to your vet ahead of time to ensure your needs are met when the time comes.

In home pet euthanasia

In home euthanasia is a compassionate and humane way to say goodbye to your beloved pet in your own house in the comfort of familiar surroundings. It involves having a licensed veterinarian come to your own home to perform the euthanasia procedure. In home euthanasia can provide a peaceful and stress-free environment for both your fur babies and you, allowing you to say your final goodbyes in the comfort of your own home without the added stress of traveling to a veterinary clinic.

Pros of home euthanasia:

Comfort: Home euthanasia can provide a more comfortable and familiar environment for the pet, as it is surrounded by its own bed, toys, and family.

Reduced anxiety: Some pets may experience anxiety or fear when visiting a veterinary clinic, so peaceful home euthanasia can be less stressful for them.

Convenience: Home euthanasia allows for flexibility in scheduling and eliminates the need to transport the pet to a clinic.

Privacy: Home euthanasia allows for intimacy with private and familiar surroundings during the pet’s last moment

Cons of home euthanasia

Limited resources: Some veterinary equipment and medications may not be available in a home setting, which could impact the quality of care for the pet.

Emotional stress: Some pet owners may find it emotionally difficult to witness the euthanasia process in a familiar setting.

Increased cost: Home euthanasia may be more expensive than euthanasia at a veterinary clinic due to the additional cost of travel, equipment, and the veterinarian’s time.

Availability: Not all veterinarians offer home euthanasia services, so it may be challenging to find a veterinarian who can provide this service.

Vet clinic pet euthanasia

It involves bringing your fur baby to your preferred vet practice to be euthanised. This option can sometimes save you travelling fees charged by mobile vets but it also means you transporting your ill or senior pet which can prove sometimes challenging depending on your pet size and condition.

Pros of vet euthanasia

Full equipment: Veterinarians have access to a vet team as well as all the necessary equipment and extra medications in case they are needed.

Availability: Euthanasia services are more widely available at veterinary clinics.

Cost: The prices for vet euthanasia are relatively less costly that home euthanasia.

Cons of vet euthanasia

Anxiety: Some pets may experience anxiety or fear in a clinical setting, which could lead to a less peaceful passing.

Lack of privacy: Some pet owners may prefer a more private and intimate setting during their pet’s final moments.

Transport: Travelling from your home to the vet with a senior or sick pet can prove quite difficult to manage, especially if there are mobility issues or physical discomfort.

The appointment

The consent

Whether you decide vet or at home euthanasia , the vet will typically start by asking questions about your pet’s health and behavior to ensure that euthanasia is the best option. If the vet agrees that euthanasia is necessary, they will explain you the process and ask for your consent.

The medication

The vet will then prepare your pet cleaning and shaving the area where the needle will be inserted and placing an intravenous catheter in one of their veins. This allows for easier and more controlled administration of the euthanasia solution.

Once the catheter is in place, the vet will administer a sedative to the pet to help them relax and feel more comfortable. This may be given orally or through the catheter.

After the pet is sedated, the vet will administer the euthanasia solution, which is typically a combination of a barbiturate drug and a muscle relaxant. This solution is injected through the catheter, and it works quickly to stop the pet’s heart and breathing.

Confirming the pet ‘s passing

After administering the euthanasia medication, the vet will typically wait a few minutes to confirm that the pet has passed away. They will typically check for the absence of vital signs such as a heartbeat and breathing. Veterinarians may also use additional methods to confirm that the animal has passed, such as checking for a lack of reflexes or pupil dilation.

After the pet has passed away, the vet typically offer you some time alone with your pet to say goodbye. You cam then choose to take your pet’s remains with you or arrange for cremation or burial through the vet.

It’s important to note that every veterinary clinic or hospital may have their own specific procedures and protocols for euthanasia, and these may vary depending on the type of pet and the circumstances surrounding their euthanasia.

Dealing with guilt

“It is natural to consider what could have been done differently, but to dwell on blame is not constructive. Guilt and uncertainty are probably two of the most common emotions that people experience after the death of their pet. You may find yourself thinking continuously about what you perceive you could have, should have, or would have done to prevent or postpone your pet’s death.

Some suggestions for coping with guilt include:

• Be truthful with yourself about why you feel guilty
• Write a letter to your pet expressing feelings you may be struggling with.
• Do a reality check. Most people assume that if they had done something differently, the outcome would have been better. It’s just as likely, however, that if you had done things differently, the outcome would have been the same.
• Remember that you are human. No one is perfect. Accepting your imperfections will aid you in working through your emotions.
• Remember that all living things die. There is not always an answer to why bad things happen and you do not have to find someone (yourself or others) or something to blame. Realize that sometimes you are powerless and that you cannot control everything that happens to your loved ones. What you can control is how you choose to respond to the events that happen in your life.
• Talk to a trusted friend about your thoughts and feelings of guilt. Expressing your concerns in a safe and supportive environment can help you examine your emotions from a different perspective

Aftercare and funeral techniques explained

When your best friends passes away , your world will break apart. Simple things will be hard to accomplish let alone the decision on how to farewell and memorialise them in a gentle and dignified way. Knowing your options ahead of time is key to make informed decisions when choosing a highly recommended aftercare provider that can offer a respectful and caring service that is aligned with your values and that can provide seamless process and support to your family during a difficult time. Ultimately, the decision of how to handle your pet’s remains after death is a personal one, and should be based on what feels right for your pet and your family.

Home burial

Home burial involves burying your pet on your property. Before choosing this option, it is important to check local laws and regulations to ensure that home burial is permitted in your area. Additionally, it is important to consider factors such as the depth of the burial site, the potential for contamination of groundwater, and the risk of wildlife disturbance. If you are unsure about these factors, it may be best to consult with a veterinarian or local council.

Cementery Burial

Pet cemeteries offer individual plots for pet burial, or may offer communal burial areas where multiple pets are buried together. In some cases, pet cemeteries may also offer burial packages with memorial services that can cost up to $1200 with a casket. and lawn ceabove-ground mausoleums or niches for pet remains. Pet cemeteries offer a permanent burial place for your pet that you can continue to visit.

Traditional flame cremation

Pet flame cremation involves the process of reducing the remains of your beloved pet to bone fragments and ashes through high-temperature incineration and combustion chemical reaction using LPG gas or propane. Your pet’s body is placed inside a special chamber, called a cremation chamber or retort, where it is subjected to temperatures ranging from 760*C to 982*C degrees Celsius. The intense heat and flames reduce organic matter to ash and bone fragments that are then placed in a memorial urn and returned to your family.

Gentle water cremation

/Pet water cremation AKA aquacremation is the latest technology in the pet funeral industry. This innovative method is not only safe and gentle with fur babies but also kind to the planet. The whole process involves reducing the remains of your beloved pet through a water based method that combines 95% water, 5% potassium salts, 96*C and a gentle water flow to replicate the natural process of decomposition at an accelerated rate. Your pet’s body undergoes the same process as if it was buried but instead of taking months or years, it will only take 20 hours. At the end of the process, your pet bone structure remains intact due to the high content of an inorganic mineral that gives them the strength. these are dried and processed into a very fine white/tan powder that is then returned to families.

Pure Souls approach to end of life care

We truly understand and celebrate the animal-human connection. Animals make our world a more interesting place and the ones we bring home, quickly steal our hearts making difficult to image life without them. Our team will guide you with excellent service and a smooth process to navigate the difficult time of losing your pet. Offering you a gentle and calm farewell for your loved one and facilitating ways for you to find positive inspiration like planting a tree honouring your pet’s life. This simple yet profound gift to nature and future generations is a meaningful contribution to the cycle of life that aids in turning a time of sadness into one of hope and growth. Get a quote