It is a privilege to help you at this most difficult time.
Please expect the euthanasia consult to take about an hour. This may be a slightly longer process than you have experienced before. A lot of families wish their friend would pass in their sleep and this is exactly what I will be helping your pet to do, gently easing them in to sleep before assisting them to pass. My priority will always be to their experience and my visit tailored to their needs and preferences. In doing so I hope to provide a gentle experience for the whole family. You may be present with your pet, or not, moving to another place on your property at the start or part way through the procedure if wished. Some families even choose to leave the property. The choice will always be yours. Anyone who tells you you must stay is entirely wrong. It is not about that last hour; it is all about what has gone before. And some caregivers cannot stay-we do not know everyone’s backstories. You may have had a bad experience before which makes you fearful; there may be links between the pet and a deceased relative. If you choose not to stay I will still be gentle and slow and love on them and fuss them as if they were my own. If you would like a quick experience, because that feels more comfortable to you, I understand-it can be hard to sit with those thoughts and feelings. In that instance I will determine this when we talk through an appointment over the telephone and I will refer you to an alternative service provider.
I follow the American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines for the euthanasia consult as I firmly believe this offers the best for you and your pet. I will always use three steps to bring comfort to your pet’s passing: sedation with analgesia, anaesthesia with analgesia, then the medication to help them to pass. Sedation is most often by injection under the skin-no different to how we administer a vaccine. Occasionally, if I feel it better for your pet, I may give this sedation gently in to the muscle over their lower back or thigh. If you feel your pet may be very anxious or sensitive to touch I can discuss in advance dispensing oral medication, either from your primary care vet or more usually dispensed by myself, to be given on the day of the appointment to put your pet in a relaxed state even ahead of the sedation. I will ask questions to determine if this would be appropriate-it is important that I have an open discussion about this and your pet’s preferences as I am far better placed to help my patients who may be more reactive to strangers or touch if I can talk this through in advance. Sometimes I find owners, understandably, try to minimise their pet’s likes and dislikes. I know I can do this with my own dog. Please be honest in letting me know their preferences-it helps me to help your pet in the best way. For dogs who may be reactive to people unfamiliar to them I also offer to bring a little portable surveillance device. This means I can safely monitor your pet going in to a slumber from oral sedation without even coming in to the property, giving you support all the while. This removes any worries your pet may have at my presence. I will also ask if there is any area especially sore for your pet, or any area they dislike being touched. Please remember that if your companion reacts at all to administration of the initial sedation (and some, rarely, will be feeling a little more delicate at this time) it is always followed by a period where I discretely withdraw to observe. This lets you have quiet time with your friend whilst they become sleepy. You can fuss them and feed them as wished. This can be a treasured time. A lot of caregivers comment that this is the first time in a while where their pet has truly been able to relax because of their health condition. Or if your pet could be a bit aloof at times, this allows for closeness.
After 10 minutes I will move to give your pet an anaesthetic, again by injection. Dogs are often deeply asleep at this point, cats calm and sleepy. I will wait a further 10 quiet minutes with your friend whilst they ease in to a deep and comfortable slumber before I ask permission to move forwards and help them to pass. I will do this only when you feel as ready as you ever can be.
I will always talk you through the procedure unless asked not to. I hope I am good at understanding how much or how little you might want me to communicate on the day. If observed, I will talk you through the patterns of natural dying-the changes in breathing, the little gentle movements. No passing is the same-all pets are individuals and in that respect a passing is similar to being born. I understand what I see and I will make sure you do too. None of it is scary when you understand. I recognise that many people are anxious because what is a natural process is no longer familiar to us. I can explain so you can feel at ease.
If you wish to know more about what to expect beyond this point please read the following page.
I will let you know when your pet has passed. At this point you can have all the time you need. If you have chosen to have a keepsake made, I can arrange this. If you want time to sit with your friend, please take that time. If you want me gone to start your grieving, I understand. I will follow your cues.