Euthanasia

Euthanasia

The Euthansia Experience

  • Consider time of day for appointment scheduling

  • Collect any fees for services prior to euthanasia of pet

  • Prepare the room prior to client arrival if possible

  • Maintain a private area for client and pet

  • Inform the client that the veterinary staff is available for support

  • Ensure the pet is comfortable and presented well to the client

  • Allow time for owner to say goodbye, grieve and regain composure

  • Provide information regarding all available support systems

    • Hotlines

    • Support groups and forums

    • Counselors

Memorialize the Pet

  • Ideas for how to memorialize the pet

    • Urns with ashes

    • Clay paw print

    • Hanging collar on mantle

    • Picture frame with picture and collar

    • Sympathy cards

Post Mortem Care

Set Up For Euthanasia

  • Supplies

    • Hair clippers

    • Alcohol and gauze squares

    • IV catheter

    • IV catheter plug

    • Bandaging tape

    • Vet wrap

    • Catheter flush

    • Sedation drugs

      • Not always needed

    • Euthanasia drug

  • Supplies sometimes needed

    • Tourniquet

    • Muzzle

    • E-collar

    • Extra hands

Patient Preparation for Euthanasia

  • Clip hair

  • Clean skin

  • Place catheter (technician or DVM)

    • Sedation may be given before catheter placement or after or not at all

    • Depends on the situation

  • Tape catheter

  • Flush catheter

  • Present patient to client

  • When client is ready, inject euthanasia solution

  • Listen to heart to ensure death

  • Leave patient with client until client leaves

Post Mortem Care

  • Treat animal with respect

  • Remove any medical devices

    • IV catheter

    • Feeding tubes

    • Bandages

    • Etc

  • Collect any memorabilia for the client

    • Clay paw print

    • Ink paw print

    • Hair clippings

    • Collar

    • Etc

  • Bag and tag

    • Owner name

    • Pet name

    • Weight

  • Place in freezer

  • Crematorium pickup

Cremation Options

  • Communal

    • Pet is cremated along with other pets and ashes are not returned to owner

    • Red tag

  • Partitioned

    • Pet is cremated with other animals but partitions are placed between animals

    • Owners will get ashes, but the ashes may have other pets mixed in

    • Yellow tag

  • Private

    • Only one pet is cremated and ashes are only of that pet

    • Ashes are returned to the owner

    • Green tag

  • Make sure you place the correct tag on the animal’s bag!