Euthanasia and Pet Loss
Euthanasia and Pet Loss
Unfortunately our pets get in accidents, contract diseases, and have illnesses that threaten their lives. They also grow old. When you have done all you can for your pet, you face the decision to either make them as comfortable as you can until their life ends naturally, or to end their suffering with euthanasia. Here are some questions to help you as you struggle with that decision:
When your pet is suffering or has a severely diminished quality of life and you decide it is time to euthanize, you are doing what you believe is best for your pet. It is a difficult decision to make. Once you have decided it is time, there are choices available for you so you can make the euthanasia as special and as soothing as possible. Whenever possible, try to make your choices in advance.
What you can expect during the procedure
Doctor will start by giving your pet a sedative injection to reduce stress and relax them. He may need to shave a little window of hair off the leg in order to access the vein. It will take about 10 minutes for the sedative to work. Then he will administer the euthanasia injected into the vein. Your pet will pet pass immediately, and painlessly. The Doctor will then examine your pet to make sure he has passed. You may notice involuntary twitches, or release of bladder and bowels. These are normal once your pet has passed and are not inidicators that your pet is in pain or stress.
Decide who, if anyone, will be present during the procedure
If you would like to be present for the euthanasia we would need to set up an appointment time, preferably when the office is not busy and you will not have to wait. We know this is a very difficult thing to go through and want to help you through it as best we can. You may choose to be present for the entire procedure, or you may choose to be present up until the time Doctor is ready to administer the euthanasia injection. Still you may choose to wait in the waiting area until the procedure is completed. Once your pet has passed you may spend as much time with them as you need.
You are welcome to have anyone with you that you want. They may go into the exam room with you or wait for you in the waiting area. Children may be present if you feel they are old enough and mature enough to handle it. If you will be alone, consider asking a friend or another family member to drive you home.
You also have the option of saying all your goodbyes at home and dropping off your pet for euthanasia. We understand you may want to remember your pet in their better moments at home. Please be assured that if you drop off your pet you are not abandoning them. We will take good care of them and attend to the euthanasia as soon as possible. They will not be permitted to lay in a cage all day.
We will try accomodate reasonable requests concerning euthanasia. The process can be done outside on a blanket in our yard, or in the back of your vehicle.
Be sure to ask any questions you may have. There are no "stupid" or silly questions. This is your pet, your family member, and we are here to be of service to you and to your pet.
Options on how to handle your pet's remains
ONe option is to take them home for burial. You may want to bury your pet with a special blanket, or in a special box. A grave should be a minimum of 3 feet deep to keep the remains from being dug up by children or other animals. Be sure to check local laws.
Another option is to have your pet cremated. For an individual cremation your pet's cremains will be returned to you in a very nice container or there are urns available. For a group cremation your pet's cremains will be interred at Pet Rest, a family owned and operated facility in Ossian, IN (20 miles south of Fort Wayne). Their pet cemetary (for interring group cremation remains) has a lake, flower gardens and evergreens, creating a perfect resting place for your pet. Each garden is identified with a yearly marker to enable you to locate the site in which your pet rests. They welcome visits to the cemetary by appointment. Please call our office for additional information or you can visit their website at www.petrestinc.com . There are various urns, memorials, and other products available.
Check the local phone book for additional listings of pet cemetaries and crematories. Field of Sleep Pet Memorial Park is just outside Auburn, IN and their phone number is (260) 475-5870. Pet Cremation Center in Fort Wayne offers only individual cremations and their phone number is (260) 482-6139.
Autopsy
If your pet died suddenly and the cause is unknown, you may want to have an autopsy done. An autopsy needs to be performed as soon after death as possible. Twelve hours after death the tissue samples could be questionable. If, however, the animal is kept cold (ie: put in a freezer) the tissues may be ok up to 24 hours after death.
Saying Goodbye and / or Memorializing Your Pet
Everyone needs to say goodbye in their own way. You may choose to do it at home where you can take your time and have the opportunity to give some last caring attention to your pet as you say farewell to them. Each member of your family may want a few minutes alone with your pet. Friends may even want to stop by and say goodbye. You can take a final picture of your pet, of your family with your pet.
The grief you feel at the loss of your pet is normal. Your pet brought a lot of happiness and good times to you and your family. Remembering them in a special way helps you to move through the grief process.
There are many ways to honor your pet and the relationship you shared.
Children and Pet Loss
The death of a pet may be a child's first experience with death. Do not be afraid to face it with them as there are life lessons you can teach them. Be honest with them, telling them what is appropriate for their age.
Children 5 years of age and under tend to see death as a temporary state. Someone is dead for a little bit and then they come back to life.
Children 5 to 9 years old begin to understand the permanence of death, but do not think it happens to all living things.
At about age 10 children have the emotional and mental ability to understand the finality of death and what that means.
Using words your child can understand, explain to them the condition of your pet. They need to understand that this is a natural process and they did not do anything to cause their pet to be this way. Reassure them that they took good care of and loved the pet. Explain what is going to happen to the pet. Euthanasia is a quick, gentle death. The Doctor will give the pet an injection that will make them unconscious and their breathing and heart will stop. Avoid the phrase, "put to sleep" as it might cause misunderstanding and terror in small children. A better phrase is "helped to die."
Discuss with your child what will be done with their pet's body. This will help them understand the reality of death and give them involvement in an important family decision.
Children need to move through the grief process. Talk to them about their feelings and help them deal with them. Be open about your own sadness so they will know they are ok to feel as they do and feel more at ease to talk about it. Encourage them to be creative and write a story, a song, or make a scrapbook about their pet. Talk with them about how good it has been for their pet to have been a part of your family and how they will always have memories of their pet.
Be sensitive to the needs of your child when deciding to get a new pet. Children can feel like they are betraying the deceased pet by loving a new pet. They may also misunderstand that if a pet can be easily replaced so might they.
Surviving Pets
Pets are aware when another pet in the household is gone. They grieve for the missing pet, too. You can ease their stress by giving them special, individualized attention at this time. They may wimper, their appetite may decrease, they may walk around looking for the deceased pet. Be patient and undertanding with them and know this is not a good time to introduce a new pet into the household.
Questions you may have
The doctor and staff can discuss the euthanasia procedure with you and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to ask any questions or voice any concerns you may have. We also have a lending library of books that may help you or your children deal with the death of a pet.
Resources for Pet Loss and Bereavement:
Meets the 1st Thursday of every month
from 7:30pm - 8:30pm
at 222 N. Thomas Road in Fort Wayne, IN
Please call 260-432-5031 for more information
Their website is http://www.pawsandremember.com/support/grief/
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Dear Ones,
We have gathered here today to express our love for our faithful friend and companion, (Name), as we lay (him/her) to rest. We thank God, the Creator of all life, for the years we were privileged to enjoy our friend, and for the happy memories (he/she) gave us. Each of us can recall some loveable way (he/she) endeared (himself/herself) to us. (Pause for moments of reminiscence) These happy memories should gladden our hearts for many years. (Name) has fulfilled the purpose for which God gave (him/her) to our family. (He/she) shared our laughter and our tears, our moods and our meals, our walks and our talks. Now, from grateful hearts, we give (him/her) back to God who gave (him/her) to us to love and cherish. Rest in peace, little friend. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us (Name) to love and care for. Now that (his/her) life among us is over, we give (him/her) back to You, who gave (him/her) life and breath. We are grateful for all (his/her) endearing traits, and for the ways (he/she) brought happiness into our home and laughter into our lives. Grant us pleasant memories of this dear friend who shared our family life and gave us happy years. Good-bye, faithful friend. Amen. |