We Understand.
Euthanasia is one of the most important decisions we make in caring for our beloved animal companions. It is not easy. It should be right, peaceful, and loving. Dr. Parish recognizes the emotional challenges and strives to create a calm environment for her patients and their family. She focuses on discussion, explanation, and allowing as much decision-making time as necessary to process emotions and thoughts, and to start to say good bye.
It is incredibly difficult to know when we should give our sweet pets the final gift of a peaceful passing. You will always be the one that knows your pet best but Dr. Parish can help guide you through hospice care and quality of life assessment. She will be direct in explaining your pets medical situation and try to help interpret how your pet may be feeling.
Often, the decision to euthanize may be sudden and feel traumatic. But sometimes, we may be able to assess and plan for their end of life care. Our pet may give us weeks or months to say good bye, make decisions, and prepare ourselves. Things to consider are care of body, memorialization, in home or in clinic procedure, family/friends/pets to be involved, and timing (Friday procedure to have the weekend, request a day off work, etc).
Grieving Process is Very Complex. This is a multi-stage healing process. You may feel guilt or anger as well as sadness. There are many resources to help you through this most difficult experience.
Saying Goodbye.
Dr. Parish often schedules house calls for in home euthanasia. In-home procedures can be much more relaxed, less clinical. The family is open to grieve and the pet is comfortable in it’s own space. This also allows other family pets to say goodbye.
Whether in clinic or in your home, Dr. Parish and her team is happy to have the whole family at the appointment, loves to have favorite toys, snacks, and blankets with your pet, and enjoys listening to the beautiful stories of your pets’ life.
Gooding Vet welcomes whatever will bring you and your pet a little comfort during this most difficult experience. Sometimes that’s a toast to a life well-lived or a small ceremony to honor their gift of companionship. Dr. Parish always tries to make sure you have space to hold or lay next to your pet as they take their final breaths. She will give you as much time as you need to say good bye before removing them for care of body.
THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION
Assessing Quality of Life
Life at Home.
- Can my pet take care of themself still? Can they take themself outside to go potty whenever they feel the need, rest comfortably, posture to poop and pee, eat a full meal …
- Does my pet enjoy their life? Do they still play, engage with owners and housemates, go places …
- Does my pet have an untreatable medical condition?
- Has my pet stopped responding to medical treatment?
- If I were in my pet’s situation, how would I feel?
EXPLANATION OF EUTHANASIA – The Medical Procedure.
Euthanasia is a medically assisted death. The procedure involves an overdose of anesthesia. That is why we think it is so peaceful for them. As we start to inject the drug into the vein, it almost immediately causes unconsciousness (like during surgery).
The patient cannot feel anything, is not aware of anything. As the drug continues to be injected in the vein, it will shut down the patient’s brain which shuts down their body. Death happens very quickly after this -usually seconds, less than a minute.
After an animal dies, it’s body has to release the energy and reflexes stored in the tissues. The patient may gasp or vocalize, take weird breaths, stretch out their limbs, loose their bowels. This is all very normal and necessary although it can be traumatizing to observe. Remember, they are already gone and not experiencing any of this. After an animal has passed, their eyes remain open. This is just normal anatomy. It may take up to 5 minutes for all of the energy and reflexes to release.
PERSONALIZED KEEPSAKES
Care of Body and Memorialization
Never Forgotten.
There are now many options available to care for and memorialize a beloved pet’s body. Dr. Parish has chosen to partner with Never Forgotten Crematorium in Kuna, ID.
Never Forgotten is a small, family run pet crematorium. Dr. Parish met the owners and toured the facility. She feels they truly understand how much she cares about her patients and the importance of respectful memorialization.
Decisions for care of body and memorialization can be made days/weeks/months before the procedure, at the time of euthanasia, or we can hold on to your pet’s body to give you time to decide.
The Grieving Process
Grief is a complex process that involves an incredible number of emotions. Everyone
experiences grief differently. There is no right or wrong way to feel after losing a pet.
Please treat yourself with care and kindness during this difficult time.
Resources
Reach out to your friends, family, and health care provider if you are struggling to
process the loss of your beloved pet.
The tide recedes but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down but gentle warmth still lingers on the land.
The music stops yet echoes on in sweet soulful refrains.
For every joy that passes something beautiful remains.
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement is a non-profit organization focused on supporting all those who are grieving the loss of a beloved pet: APLB.org
World by the Tail library of articles and links to grief counselors: VeterinaryWisdom.com
Lap of Love provides grief courses and one-on-one support sessions with a grief counselor: LapofLove.com
Pet Compassion Careline from Gateway provides 24/7 grief support with trained pet grief counselors: PetParentGriefSupport.com
The Pet Loss Support Page is a conglomeration of non-professional links and services associated with pet loss: Pet-Loss.net
Rainbows Bridge is a non-professional, virtual memorial home and grief support community: RainbowsBridge.com