EUTHANASIA

When is it time?
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     The decision about euthanasia of a much-loved pet may be the most difficult decision one makes.  What ever your decision, it must be one you can look back on knowing you made the best choice for your loved one.

   When trying to make this big decision, you can ask yourself several questions:
                     
                             Is my pet eating?  A quality of life cannot be maintained without a somewhat normal food consumption but eating cannot be the only observation used to determine happiness.

                            Is my pet comfortable?  Your pet should be free of pain, cramps, aches or even the psychological pain that comes from the development of incontinence in an animal who has been housebroken for an entire lifetime or the pet that can no longer climb the stairs to be with the family.

      Does my pet still enjoy its favorite activities?  Maybe your pet is not chasing balls or bouncing up the stairs anymore but he should be able to sleep comfortably, enjoy being with the family, etc.  A pet with a good quality of life doesn't usually change personalities or activities drastically.

It is common to  hope that your pet will quietly, peacefully die at home while asleep.  Unfortunately this is a very rare occurrence.  Making the decision over your love ones life will probably be the hardest decision you will have to make.  No one wants to live with the pain of not having your best friend with you.  We will try to help you make the best decision for the well-being of your pet.  Euthanasia can be an unselfish way to end suffering.

When you are considering euthanasia, discuss it with your veterinarian before making a decision. Write down your questions and concerns.  Take notes as you get the answers.  Try not to rely on on your memory to make sense of the information later.  This is a stressful time and it is easy to get confused or forget information or options.  Try not to make this decision alone.  We are a resource for you, please use us.  Some conditions are more treatable than you may believe and some conditions have few if any options. 

Do you want to be with your pet during the euthanasia process?
This is a very personal question.  For some people, remembering their pet alive is easier than the memory of the euthanasia.  Others want to be present to try to provide comfort to their pet at the time.  If you wish to be present, your pet will be taken, very briefly, to have an intravenous catheter placed.  He or she will then be brought back to you.  The reason for this is so that you can be at your pet's head to pet or hold without a staff member in the way.  The staff nurse would have to hold off the vein for the venipuncture otherwise. 

How is the procedure performed?
First, an exam will be performed so that the veterinarian can ensure that euthanasia is warranted.  Convenience euthanasia are not performed at Little Neck Animal Hospital. A document must then be signed authorizing the doctor to perform the euthanasia.  This form also states that your pet has not bitten anyone within the last fifteen (15) days.  Payment is usually done prior to the procedure to allow you more privacy afterwards.  An anesthetic medication will be injected directly into the vein/catheter.  This medication quickly causes your pet to fall asleep.  This sleep rapidly deepens past the level of normal anesthesia and death comes peacefully.  Just like people, some animals will twitch, gasp or pass urine or stool after they have passed on.  They will also not close their eyes. While these acts are considered normal after death reflexes, we understand that they can be quite upsetting to an owner if they are not prepared for them. 

What happens to my pet afterwards?
There are a few options available for the care of your pet's remains.
     Cremation is a common choice.  We can help you make the arrangements.  We work closely with Pet Cremation Services of Virginia Beach.  If you desire, your pet's ashes can be returned to you.  There are many companies in addition to Pet Cremation Services that offer decorative urns, containers and even jewelry in which to store your pet's remains.
      
You can have your pet buried at a pet cemetery.  Garden of the Pines is a local pet cemetery that can help you with private burial concerns. Burial at home is not allowed within our area due to contamination of ground water, possible future sale of property and the potentially for contagious disease.

An autopsy (called necropsy for animals) is available if you have unanswered questions about your pet's condition.  Please discuss this with us if you have any questions or concerns.

What about you and your family?
Grief is a natural part of pet loss.  Don't be embarrassed about your sadness. Our pets are special members of our families and this can be a time of profound loss.  It is important to realize that death is a natural part of life and that your love will continue.  Your special memories of your pet will bring you both smiles and tears.  Do not hesitate to get help with your feelings about loosing your special pet.

Most veterinary school have Pet Loss support Programs.  Many with toll free telephone members where you can talk to a friend or a trained counselor.  In addition, the following on-line areas may be helpful:

www.petloss.com
www.in-memory-of-pets.com/pet-loss.htm

                                

                                  The Rainbow Bridge

             Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.  When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.  There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.  There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.  All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.  Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.  The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
           They all run and play together but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.  His bright eyes are intent.  His eager body quivers.  Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.  You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.  The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.  Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together......

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