The following is collected information gathered for the sole purpose to help our clients and families with end-of-life questions. We took an oath to “do no harm”. Our intent is to help you and your family make informed decisions and to assist you in carrying out your wishes.
It is always painful to face the loss of a beloved companion. We, too, have grieved the loss of our pets and do understand how painful the loss can be.
In veterinary medicine, our objective is to treat illness when a pet has a reasonable likelihood of recovery and a good quality of life. When treatment of underlying disease is not possible (or not likely to result in significant improvement), our objective is to relieve suffering. Relief of suffering can be achieved through hospice care or euthanasia.
At times, the only way to relieve suffering is euthanasia. For a pet-lover, no decision is more difficult than authorizing euthanasia. Please, discuss euthanasia options frankly with your veterinarian.
The euthanasia process with a Scott Lake Veterinary Center veterinarian is painless. Many pet owners choose to spend the final moments with their pets. If you would like to be with your friend, the veterinarian may or may not prepare the pet briefly in another room. If you should choose this, you should know the intravenous drug does not cause any pain. The pet is sedated after you are ready to proceed. Once the medication takes effect your pet will then receive an overdose of an anesthetic — he or she feels no pain but simply and quietly passes away with your loving presence by his side wishing him a peaceful journey.
You might wish to stroke your pet’s head and talk gently as the drug is administered. You may remain with your pet for as long as you wish. Some pet owners choose not to witness the procedure at all and prefer instead to say a last ‘good-bye’ just before their companion passes on. In these circumstances, a nurse technician remains with your pet until they pass away.