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Pet Euthanasia- you’ve got options. Help from Road to Home

By Eric Forrest on April 20, 2016

Euthanasia is often a necessary practice that pet owners must be informed about. When your family pet is beyond the point of recovery and its quality of life is suffering greatly, it’s your responsibility to decide what’s best for your animal as it makes its way toward the Rainbow Bridge.

Euthanasia the peaceful ending of an animal’s life utilizing an anesthetic overdose. Euthanasia should be considered when a meaningful recovery is not available or when an animal is suffering.

It’s sometimes a difficult subject to even think about, let alone actually going through the process of seeing the end of your animal’s life. Hopefully, with the following information, you’ll have an easier time of it. Knowing what to do when the end comes can bring comfort. The unknown is hard to deal with. Many will tell you that the routine, steps, and processes involved have helped them deal with loss. The hardest part is figuring out what to do after your pet is gone- we’ll tell you where to look for help on that, too.

We’ve consulted five businesses, organizations that help pet owners through the process. From how to know when it’s time to what you need to manage grief, we hope to cover a large portion of the process here. Read, share, ask questions- this series is meant to be helpful and informative. Just know there are many choices to make, but many professionals out there to help you along the way as well. We’ll put some of them side-by-side here so you can decide which path to travel.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”

-Thomas Campbell

This week, we’ve already brought you advice and suggestions on what to do when the time comes to decide on your pet’s quality of life. The Nebraska Humane Society, Furry Friends Refuge, and Dr. Everson of the Pet Clinic have all answered questions on the issue. Now, read what Road to Home, an Omaha-based team of brothers who may be able to provide you with the services you desire at the end of your pet’s life, has to say about euthanasia. Given this advice, the advice given before, and the advice given from Paws to Angels that is forthcoming, we hope you can make an educated and fitting decision concerning your big decision.

Q: At what point should you consider euthanasia for your pet? Are there a certain number of measures or a checklist one can consult when deciding that it is (or isn’t) time?

A: We have a video on the Blog page of our website, Humane Decision for Pet Euthanasia, that discusses some of the key aspects of when the time is right for euthanasia. There is also a written blog to accompany the vlog, that you can access clicking the Title (Dr. Adam Carter: Humane Decision for Pet Euthanasia). There are links in the body of the blog that take you to additional information which may help with this difficult decision. One specifically links to a Quality of LIfe Scale that many of our client will use when they are undecided. We ultimately recommend that the client make the decision in coordination with their veterinarian and then contact us when they are ready.

Q: Describe the process clinically.

A: We have a video on the Blog page of our website, Dr. Adam Carter: Process of Humane Pet Euthanasia, and an additional video that discusses the drugs that we use during the procedure, Dr. Adam Carter: Discussion on Drugs Used in Humane Pet Euthanasia, that will walk the client through the process of euthanasia while we are at the home. There are written blogs in association with each of the videos that discuss the matter in more detail. They can be accessed by clicking the title to the video and the blog will drop down.

Q: What can you do with your pet’s remains?

A: We work with the NE Humane Society for general cremation and their division, Rainbow Bridge, for private cremation. Our clients are also welcome to make their own arrangements or work with any other aftercare provider as long as they are willing to work out the details with that provider (payment/transportation/pick-up/drop off, etc.).

Q: What can you do to manage grief after your animal is gone?

A: We direct clients to the Private Pet Cremation page of the NE Humane society website, where they can get information on attending Pet Loss Support Group sessions along with other pet owners who have gone through the loss of a pet. They also have the resources and the experience to direct owners along the correct path if they should need additional help.

Q: Where can pet owners have euthanasia services performed? Grief counseling access available where?

A: We provide service to clients in the comfort of their home, or in any other private setting where they and their pet are most comfortable. We have performed services on the farm, outside, or wherever the pet’s “favorite” place happens to be.

Q: What are the differences in practices from one place to another?

A: We have developed our own process that is structured off of current industry best practices, in combination with continual adjustments from over 10 years of veterinary experience, to provide the best experience we can for the pets and their family.

Through our research and by hearing from Road to Home (plus the four other groups that’ll we’ll feature in this series), we can honestly and objectively say your first stop when addressing the initial questions about this time in your pet’s life should be your family veterinarian. Hopefully, with sound advice, introspection, and a close look into all options, you’ll be able to make the best decision for yourself and your furry friend. Road to Home may be the best place for you and your pet’s needs.

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