End of Life Services

End of Life Services

We know that making a decision to say goodbye to a much-loved family member is difficult.  We are here to support you and your family during this time.  Our goal is to give our pet's dignity - in life and in death. 

Whilst we also advocate for and offer palliative care to our pets, we know that for many, it is time to let go.

We know that the experience of euthenasing a pet is unique and individual. 

We will work with you to make this as calm and peaceful for your pet as we can. We are able to do this at our veterinary hospital, either inside or outside (weather permitting), out of normal business hours by prior arrangement or at home (by prior arrangement).  

It is hard to know when the right time is to let go, it is important to acknowledge that the decision to euthenase, from our perspective, is a gift of kindness and love to our pet. 

Dr Liz completed her Certification in Animal Euthenasia in August 2018 through CAETA.

This is her commitment to offering the highest standards in gentle end of life services to all pets.

.Understanding what will happen.

 

Firstly, we light a candle to let others know that there is a last goodbye.

 We will ask that you sign a consent form, and we will confirm with you your after-care wishes.  

We offer cremation - either community cremation (ashes are not returned) and private cremation (through Pets at Peace or Patch and Purr)

It is important to understand the steps involved. 

  • It is our ultimate goal to ensure a gentle death, respecting the pet at all times
  • We will give a medication that will calm the pet, with the goal of them drifting into an anaesthetic state. 
  • We will clip hair away from a front leg and a back leg. 
  • An injection of euthenasia solution is administered, usually intravenously (depending on your pet's physical condition). We will always follow humane acceptable protocols. (COVID 19 PROTOCOLS currently mean that this will occur through an extension tube to ensure you are there with your pet during this process (respecting social distance rules). 
  • Death occurs within a few minutes of this injection.

At this stage, we will perform a thorough assessment to confirm death. 
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