Martin's Mobile Veterinary Services

Barrie ON
Barrie, ON L4M 7G3

(705)790-4112

www.martinsmobilevet.com

In-Home Euthanasia

 

sleeping cat

Dr. Martin believes in a loving, peaceful, gentle passing for your pet.

Euthanasia is the most difficult decision we make for our pets.   At Martin’s Mobile Veterinary Services our goal is to make the process as peaceful as possible.  Our approach is to allow your pet to pass away in the same way most of us would prefer to go:  peacefully, while sleeping.

Our approach is unique in that your pet will be given sedative and anti-anxiety medications that will make them drift peacefully into unconsciousness before the final injections are given.

 

The Pet-Parenting Journey 

 

Saying goodbye to a furry family member is by far the most difficult part of being a pet-parent. Still, it’s something that is an inevitable part of the journey; because their lives are shorter than ours it means we’re with them through every stage of life, from playful puppies and kittens into the golden years and beyond. 

The prospect of euthanizing a pet can bring up a lot of questions and uncertainty. For some, it may even be their first close experience with the death of a loved one. This can be scary and heartbreaking all at the same time.

 

Euthanasia is Not Giving Up

 

It’s normal to feel anxiety when making end-of-life decisions about your pet. This is something most people struggle with, and the process can often bring up feelings of guilt. It’s very important to remember, however, that having your pet euthanized humanely is not “giving up”, rather it’s the kindest, most compassionate gift you can give them.

When used appropriately, euthanasia is meant to alleviate physical pain and suffering for the pet, and emotional suffering that can affect the entire family.

  

When is the Right Time to Say Goodbye?

 

The question we are asked far more often than any other is “when is the right time to say goodbye?”  While there are some tools we use to help assess a pet’s quality of life, we’ve come to believe there really is no single “right” answer to this question.

When a pet is seriously ill or injured, there is a subjective time window that opens, within which euthanasia is an appropriate treatment decision. That window may be very short, for example with a pet who has just suffered severe trauma, or it could be many months in length, as is the case with many chronic diseases.

 

The Process - Step by Step

 

For many, using a mobile veterinary service in order to say goodbye at home where a pet is most comfortable can make a challenging time just a little more bearable. We are aware that saying goodbye is the last loving thing you will do for your pet, so we do all that we can to help ease the process. If there are any special requests, please don’t hesitate to ask, we will do our best to accommodate them.

Arrival

We take the time to get to know you and your pet, and to make sure all of your questions are answered before moving forward with the procedure. Martin’s Mobile accepts e-transfer payment prior to arrival as it allows for a quiet and discreet exit once your pet has passed.

Sedation

Once all family members are ready, we will give your pet an injection of a sedative to make them very sleepy and unaware. This sedation is injected into their muscle, and usually takes 5 - 15 minutes to reach peak effect. You’re welcome to stay by your pet’s side as they fall asleep, and for the rest of the procedure as well.

Euthanasia

After your pet is adequately sedated, medications will be administered to allow your pet to pass away peacefully. Their experience will be the same as falling asleep under anesthesia. Sometimes, we may need to place an intravenous catheter before giving the final injections.

We will of course be sure to make sure you are ready to proceed before this injection is given, and we’ll also listen for your pet’s heartbeat afterwards to make sure they have passed.

  

Aftercare

 

While some pet-parents elect to bury their pet on their own property, the majority of clients elect to have their pet cremated. Our partner, Gateway Pet Memorial, is always very respectful and transparent in their work with our patients.

If you choose to use this cremation service, we will bring your pet’s remains with us, and will make sure they arrive safely at their destination. You’ll have the option to choose between communal cremation and private cremation, and you can also choose from a number of memorial products online, in the comfort of your home. If you do select private cremation and/or any memorial products we will deliver them to your door when they are ready.

 

What Happens Next?

 

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet can be one of the most difficult things you will experience, and sometimes it can be difficult to find someone who understands this. Our partner, Gateway Pet Memorial, not only provides special ways to memorialize your pet, but is also a good support with their Gateway Pet Compassion Careline. This is a 24/7 telephone grief support service manned by grief counselling professionals.

Grief is a healthy and normal response to loss, and many of our clients find that a little extra support can help them through this difficult time. To that effect, the following are all good resources: