The word “euthanasia” is Greek in origin, meaning “a good death”. This is exactly what we aim to give our animal companions when their quality of life wanes and suffering can no longer be mitigated. It is our opinion that euthanasia can be a very kind and merciful gift to our pets when their “time” has come, even though saying goodbye is incredibly difficult.
From start to finish, you can expect an in-home euthanasia appointment to take roughly 30-60 minutes. The process will begin when our veterinarian arrives at your home. The euthanasia procedure can take place wherever you and your pet are most comfortable. This can be their bed, the couch, backyard or even in your arms! We encourage offering your pet a favorite last meal and having family members – both human and other pets – close. We are happy to provide blankets, tissues and potty pads so you can focus solely on your companion.
Once everybody is settled in and comfortable, your pet will receive a small shot of a sedative and painkiller to help them further relax and fall asleep. This injection is generally given under the skin, just like a regular vaccine. Although the medication may sting slightly in some cases, it is usually tolerated well if your pet has done well with shots in the past. The sedative will usually take 5-10 minutes to take full effect on average, but your pet will likely start to feel the effects within a couple of minutes. As the medication slowly takes effect, you can expect your pet to gradually lower their head and fall into a gentle sleep. Once your companion is relaxed, a second medication will then be given to put your pet to sleep permanently. This medication is an overdose of an anesthetic and is most commonly given through an IV line placed in one of your pet’s leg veins. In this case, a tourniquet will gently be placed on your pet’s leg to help their vein become more visible, and a small amount of hair may be clipped away from their vein (many people find this hair clipping to be a great keepsake!) However, IV access may be difficult in some pets due to dehydration, low blood pressure, edema (fluid build-up) or complications from other diseases such as heart, kidney or liver failure that may make veins more fragile. Based on your pet’s individual condition, the medication may be given by a different route, such as a vein in their abdomen. Regardless of the route chosen, we will ensure your pet is at rest and will not feel any pain or undue stress. Much like if your pet was going to sleep for a surgery, this second anesthetic medication will be given very slowly and will make your pet fall into an even deeper sleep. After losing complete consciousness, you may notice a few slow, deep breathes before their breathing stops altogether. Their heartbeat will then slow down and eventually stop as well.
Once your pet’s breathing has ceased, we will confirm death by listening for the absence of a heartbeat with a stethoscope. You may notice several changes to your pet’s body after death. As all of their muscles relax, they may urinate or defecate, especially when their body is moved. A potty pad will be placed under your pet to minimize any mess from this natural occurrence. As your pet’s body goes to sleep, it is also not uncommon for them to take a final reflexive breath or two. Small muscle twitches can also take place – these are involuntary and may happen even after your pet’s heart has stopped. Lastly, your pet’s eyes may stay partially or fully open. Some people may find this unsettling – we can permanently close your pet’s eyes if you wish.
After the euthanasia procedure is complete, we are happy to make a complimentary claw paw print as a keepsake to remember your friend. Once made, this paw print will be placed in a protective bag and will need to be baked in the oven to harden. For baking instructions, please visit our Body Aftercare page.
You may bury your pet or opt to have them cremated through our partners at Lasting Paws Pet Memorial Services in Johnstown, CO. Alternatively, you may also opt for an aquamation for your companion through our partners at Guardian Pet Aquamation in Loveland, CO. If opting for our cremation/aquamation service, we will take care of transporting your pet’s body for you. We are happy to give you and your family a few minutes of privacy with your companion beforehand to say all the goodbyes you need. A stretcher will be provided to help move larger pets. Although we are capable of moving most animals ourselves, a second set of hands is appreciated for larger pets.
For more information on body aftercare, click here.
