At-Home Euthanasia

We know that euthanasia appointments can be urgent, however, if time allows, it is important to take some time to think about any arrangements you would like to make. Some examples of decisions might include which family members or friends would like to be present, any special family or religious ceremonies you would like to have arranged, and the desired location of your pet’s passing. You may want to take or gather photos, poems, and other mementos that will be part of the tribute to your pet. If you know other family members cannot be present for the euthanasia, make plans to have them say goodbye ahead of time. For family/friends that cannot be physically present, virtual attendance is another option.

We believe our clients should have the right to choose where their beloved pets are going to be cremated or buried (following local laws). Most crematoriums will allow a tour so that you will feel more comfortable having your pet cremated or buried there. Decisions such as which crematory company you prefer, whether you would like to arrange communal cremation (no ashes returned), a private cremation (with ashes returned), pet cemetery burial, or if you would prefer to bury your pet at home. You should also consider whether you will schedule the crematory to come pick up your pet from your home or if you plan on taking your pet to the crematory yourself. You will need to contact the crematory of your choice to schedule transportation. It is recommended that you schedule the crematory to arrive 1 or more hours past the euthanasia appointment time to give you ample time with your beloved pet. You can choose your memorial items during the call, or it can wait a few days so you can process your grief. To make this process easier, our doctor will provide you with a list of crematories that she is familiar with that offer a wide variety of services including transportation.

When the day comes, you will want to choose a quiet place for the procedure where you and your pet will feel most comfortable. You may choose a favorite room, a special place in the house, or even somewhere quiet outdoors. Really, any place that is comfortable for you and your pet is an acceptable location. A common question that is asked is whether other pets and/or children should be present. Even the youngest child can be present during the euthanasia or view the pet’s body to say goodbye after if they have been well prepared and have a good support system provided by the adults in their life. Openness, honesty, and sensitivity are important as it is often a child’s first experience with death. If the parents are comfortable having them there, children should be asked if they want to be present. In our experiences, some do, but others want to be part of the goodbyes and then choose to leave before the actual procedure. The following website has excellent resources to help children through the grieving process: https://www.veterinarywisdom.com/kids-and-grief. Other pets in the household may also be present. It is not uncommon for another pet to act depressed or “lost” when their housemate is suddenly missing. It seems there is more understanding when they can see and smell the body of their friend. Dogs and cats have been known to search the house for days when not allowed to say goodbye.

When our doctor arrives, they will confirm with you that you have planned for your pet’s after-care.  You will need to sign a euthanasia authorization form if a digital form was not completed. This form gives our doctor your permission to perform the procedure and states that your pet has not recently been bitten (for rabies law purposes). It is usually best if we take care of the charges at the beginning of the appointment as well so that you may then focus completely on your pet.

Payment may be made with cash, check, or credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express) using Square. An estimate of charges can be provided prior to our arrival. Fees are based on the euthanasia charge and possibly some travel fees if you are located outside of our service area. Please note that we do not provide services to aggressive pets due to our doctor’s physical limitations.

Our doctor may recommend preparing a nice snack plate of absolutely anything your pet wants if your pet is still enjoying food. Sometimes even the smell of food can help. This is a distraction technique to help your pet when our doctor administers the first injection which is a combination of anesthetic and pain medications. This injection is given beneath the skin or into the muscle to help your pet relax, provide comfort, and ensure no unnecessary stress or pain.

Once your pet is in a state of deep sleep/unconsciousness and you said your final goodbyes, the doctor will inject an overdose of a powerful anesthetic using the vascular system. This product works by traveling to the brain. The brain will then tell the body to shut down in stages. There is no “mental” awareness or pain when this happens. You will notice that their breathing will stop first, and the heart will stop second. Although your pet will be sedated and in a deep, pain-free sleep before this occurs, you may continue to comfort and touch your friend throughout the entire procedure. Your pet will remain sedated/unconscious during this injection and will not feel any pain or discomfort whatsoever.

Once our doctor has confirmed that your pet has transitioned peacefully, you may continue to spend as much time as you need with them. Dr. Hudspeth will discuss with you what to expect from her in the next few days and then quietly take her leave.

In most cases, once the pet is sedated and even after death, their eyes usually remain open, even if someone tries to close them. Although euthanasia solution induces rapid clinical death, more primitive areas of the brain can sometimes continue stimulating basic reflex activities. For example, the pet may breathe more rapidly, take a few very deep breaths, have muscle tremors, or very rarely even have jerking-type motions. Your pet may release their bowels or bladder at the end of the euthanasia procedure. We will provide a pad to place beneath your pet to help prevent any soiling. These sights can sometimes be startling or disturbing to watch, but the pet does not feel any discomfort and has often already passed away. In most cases, however, the process is quite smooth, and pets simply fall asleep, eventually passing away very quietly.

Remember, it is perfectly normal to cry, be sad, and experience all the emotions associated with losing an important family member. Everyone grieves differently, but you should be prepared to enlist the support of your family and friends during this difficult time. If you need additional help, please refer to the pet loss support resources on our website and in our grief packet– and remember, you are not alone! If you have any questions, need help, or just want to talk, please feel free to call us at 832-856-1617 or e-mail us at caringhandspethospice@gmail.com.

For many people, making a small “memorial table” with items that help you remember your pet’s happy days will help immensely, particularly for children. You may also write a memorial about your pet in the “Pet Memorials” section of our website or Facebook Page.