As good pet owners, we all take responsibility for the health and well-being of our pets throughout their lives. We continue to do so throughout their illnesses and at the time of their death.

We have designed this information pack in order to try and offer some informative, comprehensive support to our clients during what is often a very difficult time as they come to terms with the fact that they are going to lose/ have lost their beloved pet.

When Is The Time Right?

This is the most common question which owners agonise over for some time as they come to terms with their imminent loss. Knowing when the time is right is undoubtedly an extremely difficult decision. Aspects you should consider include:

Is your pet comfortable?
Does he/she still enjoy their favourite activity?
Is your pet eating?

It is important that you discuss any concerns with the Vet who will be able to advise you accordingly and assist you in making the right decision for your pet. The word ’euthanasia’ may seem a little clinical to you, however it derives from Greek origin meaning ‘good death’. Please try to remember that making the decision to euthanase your sick pet shows the enormous amount of love you have for them, along with an ability to put the care and well-being of your pet before your own thoughts of loss.

Preparing For The Final Appointment

We recognise that many clients would find it beneficial to be aware of what will happen to their pet throughout the final appointment/home visit as ‘fear of the unknown’ can add to the stress you will likely already be experiencing.
In order to try and prepare you, the following will explain the normal course of events for this type of appointment/home visit.

Home or at the Veterinary Surgery?

Please consider whether you would prefer your pet to be euthanased at the surgery or in more familiar surroundings at home. When telephoning the surgery, please advise the Receptionist of your decision and an appropriate place and time will be arranged for you. We will also ensure that an appropriate amount of time is allocated to the appointment so you may discuss any final concerns with the Vet and to ensure you do not feel rushed. Please also consider what your wishes will be with regards to the final arrangements for your pets body. The options are explained later in this leaflet.

The Euthanasia

The Vet will ask you to sign a consent form and he/she may request the assistance of a Veterinary Nurse. They will clip a small amount of fur from your pets’ foreleg in order to locate a vein. The Veterinary Nurse may then assist the Vet with locating a vein. Once a vein has been raised, the Vet will administer the drug to euthanase your pet through a syringe and needle into the vein.

Your pet will very rapidly lose consciousness and be unaware of what is happening. Within a very short space of time, your pet will stop breathing and their heart will then stop beating. Many people are surprised how quickly their pet passes away.

The Vet will remain with you and your pet until the death is confirmed.

It is important that you are aware of some of the natural reactions which may or may not occur once your pet has lost consciousness. These include the following:
Your pet may twitch
Your pet may urinate or defecate
Your pet may appear to ‘gasp.’

Although you may feel concerned about this, please be assured that your pet has already passed away by this point and they are simply natural reflexes which are nothing to be alarmed about.

Sometimes, particularly in pets with poor circulation or in nervous or distressed pets, it can be more difficult to locate a vein in which to administer the drug. The euthanasia may take a little longer in these circumstances and the Vet may advise a sedation prior to euthanasia. You will be kept informed of what is happening. At all times the well-being of your pet will remain top priority and the vets will always do everything they can to ensure the euthanasia goes as smoothly as possible for your pet.
If you would prefer to stay on your own with your pet for a little while afterwards, please inform the Vet who will understand your wishes.

The Final Arrangements For Your Pets’ Body

There are various options available to you following your pets’ passing. Some owners prefer to take their pets home to bury, whilst others choose to have their pet cremated. If you decide on cremation for your pet, you can choose whether your pet has a standard cremation, or a private cremation. With a private cremation, your pet is cremated on their own and their ashes are returned to you in a casket or urn for you to keep, scatter or bury.

If you decide to have your pet cremated, your pet will remain safely at the surgery until collected by Summerleaze Pet Crematorium Ltd. Summerleaze visit the practice twice a week to collect pets for cremation and to return ashes for owners to collect at the surgery. Summerleaze welcome owners to their premises by appointment should you wish to visit the crematorium and memorial garden. (01633 881652 for an appointment.)

Most pet crematoria can arrange for you to take your pet directly to them, some also offer services in memory of your pet, and have memorial gardens. For further details please contact Summerleaze, Newport (01633 881652); or Equine and Pet services, Chedworth (01285 720864). For services elsewhere or further advice contact the association of private pet crematoria (01252 844478).

Following the euthanasia we can keep your pet at the surgery for a while so that you do not have to make an immediate decision. If you opt for this please do let us know what your decision is. If we have not heard from you within a period of time we will send you a letter to gently remind you that we are still awaiting your decision.

Your Bereavement

It is perfectly normal to experience bereavement following the loss of your pet. Feelings you may experience include:

• Shock, numbness
• Searching, anguish and pining for your pet
• Disbelief
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Guilt
• Despair
• Relief

It is very important for your well-being that the grief you experience following the loss of your pet is not dismissed by anyone, especially yourself. Have the courage to grieve for your loss. If you ‘bottle up’ your feelings, your bereavement will not resolve properly and will resurface at some point in the future. The grieving process varies greatly from person to person, as does the amount of time it takes to recover.

Crying is a very normal reaction when you lose a pet and we all understand this at the surgery, so please don’t feel embarrassed if the tears need to fall. The important thing to remember is that if you complete the grieving process properly, you will recover properly and this is surely what your beloved pet would have wanted for you. It is also usually a great help to talk about your experience with a close friend or relative.

Support

Please be assured that there is lots of support out there for you and you should consider free, confidential telephone or email support services as an aid to your recovery. Services provided for you include:
• Pet Bereavement and Support Services (P.B.S.S.) – Run by The Blue Cross and Society Of Companion Animal Studies (S.C.A.S.)
www.bluecross.org.uk
0800 096 6606 (0830am – 0830pm)
pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk
• Cruse Bereavement Care
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
0844 4779400 (Mon-Fri 0930am-5pm)
helpline@cruse.org.uk
• Samaritans
www.samaritans.org/
08457 909090 (24hrs)
jo@samaritans.org
All of the above organisations have trained counsellors who are experienced in helping people who have been bereaved for a whole range of reasons and you should not feel awkward or embarrassed about seeking support from them. They are there to help you.

Pet Loss And Children

A childs’ early experiences of bereavement are carried into adult life so it is vital that their involvement in the decision and the euthanasia of the pet is handled very carefully. There is a book called “Missing My Pet” by Alex Lambert aged 6, which provides practical advice for parents in dealing with their child’s bereavement. It is available at the surgery and costs £4.99. P.B.S.S. (see above) also provide leaflets on this subject.

Literature

Absent Friend – Coping with the loss of your pet by Laura and Martyn Lee. Ringpress Books Ltd 2002.
Death of An Animal Friend produced by Society for Companion Animal Studies (S.C.A.S.) Available from The Blue Cross, Shilton Road, Burford, OX18 4PF.
Goodbye Dear Friend by Virginia Ironside, published by Robson.

Recovery

Once you have completed your grieving process, you will have accepted your loss and feel more able to get on with your life. A common expression is “Letting go.” This is not something that should make you feel guilty or disrespectful towards your late pet, although it is not uncommon to feel this. Some people choose to welcome another pet into their lives fairly quickly, whilst others choose to wait or not have another one at all. Be reassured that should you decide to have another pet, they will not replace the one you have lost, but they will help to fill the huge gap your little beloved one left behind.

We hope you will find this information is helpful but if anything is unclear or you have a specific problem please ask the one of our vets or nurses on your next visit or ring the surgery on 01451 830620 between 8.30am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday.