For When The Time Comes

When we lose our pets, we are losing a member of our family. Sometimes it may be sudden or unexpected, or it may be pre- arranged with your vet following deterioration of your pet’s health due to illness or ongoing medical conditions.

This blog is intended to help you understand the process when the time comes. It explains processes and choices, so that you can make the best selections for you and your pet, allowing them to have a dignified farewell.

The Euthanasia Process

Euthanasia can be performed at our veterinary hospital, or at one of our branch surgeries. The aim is to make your pet as comfortable as possible – you are welcome to bring a favourite bed or blanket from home, or we can provide one for you. Your pet will be examined by one of our veterinary surgeons and they will answer any questions you may have about what happens next. You will be asked to sign a consent form before we proceed – we understand this can be upsetting, but this legal document is required to confirm your wishes. You can remain with your pet for the process, in fact this is encouraged. However, if you wish to leave that is fine too – it is a very personal decision and we want you and your pet to be as comfortable as possible to minimise stress during this difficult time.

As an injection is required, your pet may be taken to another area for us to place an intravenous catheter. This makes access easier and is less stressful for your pet during the injection itself. If a catheter is not placed, then a small area on the leg will be clipped and cleaned with surgical spirit. A nurse will be present to hold your pet’s leg and raise a vein before introducing the needle for their injection.  If your pet becomes stressed, it may be necessary to give some sedation to help calm them.

The injection will deliver an overdose of an anaesthetic drug, and the rapid effects will mean your pet will quickly go to sleep. They will be unaware of anything happening around them. Breathing will slow down and stop, and the heart will also stop. The vet will use a stethoscope to listen to their chest to confirm your pet has passed.  Sometimes there are small movements even after your pets has passed, and you may see the chest or body move or twitch. They may also pass urine and/or faeces; this is normal as the body relaxes. When you are ready, your pet will be prepared for you to take home, or for collection by the pet crematorium

After Care for Your Pet

There are a few options to consider, when deciding what you would like for you and your pet after they have passed.

Home Burial

Your pet can be taken home if you wish for burial.

If you are planning to prepare a burial site at home then it is important to allow a suitable depth. We would recommend approximately 3-4 feet for a small cat or dog, for anything larger this should be increased to 6-8 feet. The area can be covered with large stones to make a rockery, or a tree or shrub could be planted above.  This will prevent interference from other animals while also making a small memorial area.

Cremation

Milton Keynes Veterinary Group enlist the services of Pet Cremation Services (PCS) for our cremations. Their team are caring and compassionate, and you can contact them or us time with any cremation queries. Their direct contact details are:

Pet Cremation Services (PCS)
West Lodge Farm, West Haddon Road, Guilsborough, Northamptonshire, NN6 8QR
Tel: 01604 740864     Email: enquiries@pcsonline.org.uk

There are two choices available for cremation – these are communal or individual cremation.

Communal Cremation

Your pet will be cremated along with other pets.

No ashes will be returned to you with this choice. Rather, ashes from communal cremations are buried in a memorial garden at the crematorium, and visits to the garden are encouraged by the Pet Crematorium. The cost for this is less than that of an individual cremation.

Individual Cremation

You can opt to have your pet cremated individually.

As the name suggests, your pet will be cremated alone and all the ashes will be returned to you in a casket or urn of your choice. You can either then keep these ashes, or scatter them somewhere appropriate for you and your family. Ashes are normally returned to the practice, and we will telephone you as soon as they are ready to collect. Prices and options available for caskets can be discussed prior to or during your appointment.

The crematorium also offer the option to attend the cremation of your pet when they are to be individually cremated.  Should you wish to do so, please mention to the vet during your appointment so that we can inform the crematorium. They will then contact you directly to make arrangements for this

Making Memories

There are a number of ways that you can make or have tributes to your pet.

Ink or Foam paw and nose prints can be made at the surgery for a small additional cost, or fur clippings can be requested. Please ask us during your consultation.

Memory boxes give you an opportunity to put memories of your pet into one place. Find your favourite pictures of them, their favourite toy, collar or name tag as well as paw prints and other special items

Remembrance gardens can be placed in a special area, plant some favourite flowers to remember your pet by or add in some garden ornaments.  This area could also be used to bury or scatter ashes if wishing to do so

Supporting Children Through Pet Loss

The bond between children and pets can be a deep one, and often they will consider pets in the same way as a best friend or sibling. A parent’s natural reaction is to try and shield our children from the loss of a pet.

There is often a strong temptation to hide the truth or tell a white lie when a pet has passed away or when the time comes for euthanasia, and while it is always best to tell the truth, this should be done using age-appropriate information and wording.  The term ‘putting to sleep’, while common, should be avoided as this can be confusing for children as they may question when their pet is then going to wake up.

An additional consideration is whether to allow children to be present for the euthanasia process. In the end, this will be down to personal preference and there is no right or wrong. Talk through the process if you can with the children, and they can help you decide – it is important not to force them to be there if they do not want to be.

Children will grieve, and it is okay to show and allow yourself to grieve around them. This will help them understand it is okay to be upset following the loss of a pet or someone that has gone. It helps them to understand that dying is a normal part of living.

More information with useful recommendations for children’s literature can be found on the Compassion Understood website www.compassionunderstood.com

Helping Pets Through Loss of a Companion

When we lose a member of our furry family, it is common to see behaviour changes in other pets in the home. They can pick up on the emotions and stress within the home, and the family dynamic may change. It is thought that pets can grieve following loss, although this is not yet fully understood.

Any remaining pets may cry, or look for their deceased friend. They might wander more or be generally unsettled as they get used to their new situation at home.

Other common signs may be toileting accidents and/or a change in appetite.

The best approach is to continue with your routine as much as possible – keep feeding times and walks (if appropriate) to the same schedule they are used to. In time they will adjust and their behaviour should return to normal.

If refusal to eat becomes a problem, or you are concerned at any point about changes in your pet’s behaviour, then we recommend making an appointment with one of our vets for a check.

Useful Contacts

www.compassionunderstood.com

Alternatively, you can call our main hospital at Walnut Tree and ask to speak to our Registered Veterinary Nurse Maria Coleman or Client Care Advisor Cathy Hayward, both have completed courses in pet bereavement support.