For many people the anticipatory grief and fear that they may feel as they watch their beloved pet in decline can be overwhelming. How we let our friends pass can impact massively on the feelings that follow as we continue to grieve. In offering euthanasia at home I work to honour the human-animal bond at this important time. Together we strive for a good death for your companion and the comfort that can bring.
We will always talk first. I can take referrals from your registered veterinary practice when you and your veterinary surgeon have decided the time has come to let your pet pass. Or you may approach me direct with your concerns for your pet. I can talk through your companion’s quality of life and comfort levels and if an appointment is made for euthanasia at home I can then contact your veterinarian if your pet has been under primary care. I will always take the time to ensure that the decision to euthanise your companion has been fully informed and all treatment options considered. I know that oftentimes there are many reasons that contribute to that decision, not all of them medical, but I want that conversation to be had ahead of the euthanasia at home consult, when emotions may be running high. For this reason I do not offer online booking. Please follow this link Quality of Life assessment for resources that I hope will be of help.
The decision to euthanise will always be yours to make but I can respectfully decline to carry out the euthanasia procedure if I feel it is not appropriate and the decision not fully informed. I will assess the many factors involved. I do not lean towards treating regardless but, if your pet has not been under veterinary care, I want you to be fully aware of all options for end of life care so we all can be certain that the decision is correct for all concerned, with the least regrets to follow. On the rare occasions I may respectfully decline to carry out the procedure I will advise and direct you to appropriate ongoing veterinary care.
If you can, plan this appointment for your companion and your family. For years in practice I struggled to understand my owners who pre-booked euthanasia appointments in advance. Why would you do that? Isn’t that being really hard on yourself? But I have come to learn that the best passing will be one that is made on a ‘better’ day. Our companions often have a rather beautiful swansong-we see a flicker before the flame goes out. The least comforting euthanasia consult is one performed as an emergency, when there has been a sudden decline. I want to pre-empt this. We are not stealing good days, rather we are stealing a lot of bad days by pre-planning. Having said that crises do happen. I will do my best to help you in an emergency, but please be aware that I visit with only two, rarely three, families a day (and sometimes travel further afield). Sometimes it is just not possible to provide euthanasia at home if the need is immediate-if this is the case I will refer you back to your primary care vet for more urgent care.
