When the time comes to say good-bye to your companion there are many decisions that need to be made. Below are some of the things you may wish to consider:

  • Do you want your companion euthanised at home or in the veterinary clinic? Veterinarians and technologists from Shamrock Veterinary Clinic will travel for house calls.
  • Is there a special place that you wish to bury your pet?
  • Shamrock offers cremation services through Family Pet Services in Victoria. Your companion will be cremated with the option of having the ashes returned to you. If you choose to have your pet's ashes returned, be aware that the cremation is done so that you receive only your companion's ashes. Multiple animals are not cremated at the same time if ashes are to be returned. If you wish to spread your companion's ashes in a special place, please let us know and a cardboard urn that is easily opened will be used. If you wish to keep the ashes, they are returned in a securely sealed mahogany box.
  • Does your pet have a favourite toy or bed that you would like them to be cremated or buried with? (Unfortunately metal from collars or leashes cannot go to the crematorium.)
  • Do you want save a piece of hair from your pet or a special collar?
  • Would you like to take care of the invoice before the procedure?
  • Would you like to exit through the back door rather than the front office if your pet is euthanised in our clinic?

When the time has arrived for euthanasia to be performed, please don’t hesitate to ask questions. Each euthanasia is different as each animal is an individual, but the following procedure is typical:

  1. The veterinarian (and usually technologist) enters the room.
  2. An area is shaved, and a catheter or needle is placed into the underlying blood vessel. If the veterinarian is not confident with the placement of the needle, they will try again. Although it may be hard to see your companion be poked more than once for this last procedure, if the euthanasia solution leaks out of the blood vessel, it does sting.
  3. The veterinarian will ask if you are ready, and then the injection is done slowly over a 5-10 second period. The euthanasia solution is a very concentrated anesthetic – essentially your pet will become anesthetized and then will receive enough of the drug to cause the heart to stop. It doesn’t usually take more than 30 seconds or so for the solution to work.
  4. The veterinarian will listen for the heartbeat to stop. Your companion will relax, and lay peacefully.
  5. Please stay with your companion long as you like.

Some of the following things may occur during or after the euthanasia, and they are considered normal:

  • urination or defecation as the muscles relax
  • a few seconds of excitation as the brain receives the anesthetic – foot paddling or vocalizing
  • muscle twitching
  • short, quick breaths

If we are caring for your companion's remains, the body will be stored in a designated deep freeze in the clinic until Al from Family Pet Services arrives. Al usually is here every 1 to 2 weeks. If your pet's ashes are to be returned, Al usually brings them with him on the next trip.

For more information to help you and your family deal with this difficult decision, please read our Winter 2004 newsletter.

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