New 'Green' Accreditation Lanes Vets achieves iiE status
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Euthanasia
When it's time to say goodbye
The following information is designed to help prepare and guide you through the euthanasia process. Some of the information might be upsetting to read, but please remember that we aim for the procedure to be peaceful and pain-free for your pet.
Before your appointment
There are various options for cremation and payment before your appointment. Most people choose to have these discussions beforehand so that they are able to focus on saying their goodbyes without having to think about other difficult decisions. Please don’t be afraid to contact us with any questions beforehand. If you would like to, you can advise us of your choices before your appointment and pay over the phone – ensuring the appointment is focused on you and your pet.
If your pet gets very stressed on veterinary visits there is the option for anti-anxiety medications to be given at home before your appointment. Please let the reception staff know as soon as possible if you would like this and we will organise these medications for you to collect.
During your appoinment
On arrival to the practice, you are welcome to wait in your car if you would prefer. Please let the reception staff know when you arrive. The vet will be with you as quickly as possible and will go over the process with you. The injection is routinely given into the vein, often with a cannula placed first. If your pet is very old or frail, or if they have had a sedative which may affect their circulation, the vet may inject into another area of the body. Wherever possible we will allow you to stay with them if you would prefer.
Whether or not to stay during the procedure is your choice and no matter what you decide your pet will be treated with dignity and respect at every stage of the procedure.
You will be asked to sign a consent form to show you understand what will happen, and which gives your permission for the vet to go ahead. The injection is an anaesthetic, deliberately given in a larger than normal dose to stop the heart. As with all anaesthetics, your pet will first start to feel sleepy and then peacefully fall unconscious within a few seconds. After a short time, their breathing and heart will stop, and the vet will check your pet using a stethoscope.
After they pass away, your pet’s eyes may stay open. As everything relaxes, they can sometimes empty their bladder or bowels. This is very normal and nothing to be worried about. Their muscles might twitch or tremor and occasionally they may give a few deep gasping sounds. This can be alarming if you are not expecting it, but it is a normal reflex reaction – your pet has already passed away and they aren’t in pain or distress.
After you have said goodbye
At Lanes Vets we can provide ink paw prints and hair clippings that we will prepare at the practice. If you would like these to be provided, please let us know.
There are several options for what can happen afterwards and there is no right answer – it’s a very personal decision.
- Home burial – in the event you have private land and would like to bury your pet at home we recommend a grave at least 1m deep.
- Communal cremation – your pet will be cremated alongside other loved pets. With this type of cremation, it is not possible to have your pets ashes back.
- Individual cremation – if you would like your pet’s ashes returned we can organise for an individual cremation.
You do have the option of transporting your pet to a crematorium of your choice. We use PCS in Leyland and you are welcome to transport your pet yourself if you would like to.
Please note that if you would prefer us to visit you at home we will do our best to facilitate this. Please contact the practice to discuss.
Below is a link to the Blue Cross bereavement support site: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss
