Common Inquiries
What is the difference between you and a mobile veterinary practice?
I am an in-home euthanasia exclusive practice and have received extra certification in euthanasia best practices through the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy to ensure a peaceful and personalized experience for the pet and family. I will manage all care for your pet from euthanasia to transportation of your pet after the appointment and delivery ashes to your home if requested. Mobile veterinary services manage basic veterinary care for their patients and also provide euthanasia services, but euthanasia is not their main focus. They also care deeply for their patients but may not be able to provide as personalized of a service as I can.
When do I know that it is “time” to put my pet to sleep?
If the answer is 'yes' to most or all these questions, quality of life is compromised, and euthanasia may be the right decision for your pet:
Is my pet refusing food and water?
Does my pet seem uncomfortable? - panting excessively, restless, difficulty breathing.
Does my pet no longer find joy in his or her favorite activity, toy or treat?
Is my pet incontinent and having more accidents in the home?
Does my pet have increasing anxiety or confusion?
Is my pet unable to walk without assistance?
Do the bad days outweigh the good days?
How long will the appointment take?
Most appointments take 30-40 minutes, but every appointment is scheduled for one hour.
What can I expect at the appointment?
I will greet the family and evaluate the pet without causing disruption, a visual exam is often enough to decide if this is the right decision. I will give your pet a sedation injection which will make him/her sleepy and comfortable, then do a paw impression and fur clipping. The final injection is given when the pet is very sleepy and will not feel anything. After your pet has passed, I will give the family time alone to say goodbye. Then, if chosen, I will take the pet with me for cremation services. If your pet is over 20 pounds, I will require your assistance in removing your pet from the home. I encourage owners to escort their pet to the car with me to say their final goodbye.
Will this hurt my pet?
I have taken extra training in pet euthanasia through the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy to ensure a peaceful passing for your pet. I do everything I can to make it as pain-free as possible, but many pets that have a terminal illness are hypersensitive to even the slightest touch, therefore pain responses may be exaggerated. The fact that your pet is in the comfort of home already makes it a much more comfortable experience compared to being in a veterinary hospital.
Please understand, this is a medical procedure so it cannot always be 100% pain free, but the only thing that may cause some discomfort is the first sedation injection. I will adjust care as needed to make it as comfortable as possible. After that, your pet will be very sedate and not feel anything with the final injection.
Can my pet have their medications the day of the appointment?
Please continue to give your pet their medications as prescribed.
Can my pet eat the day of the appointment?
If your pet is still interested in food, yes please let them eat. Although, it is a good idea to make sure they are not completely full by the time of the appointment. I encourage owners to provide a delicious and novel treat for their pets during the sedation injection. It is a great way to distract them from the first injection I need to give, then they are just focused on you and their delicious treat. Some food items owners have provided include pizza, burgers, and chocolate. They can have pretty much anything if it is not a choking hazard.
Where does my pet need to be for the appointment?
Anywhere your pet is most comfortable. Please understand that adjustments may be needed to provide the best care for your pet. My goal is to avoid any discomfort for your pet while maintaining a peaceful feeling in the home.
What do I need to do to prepare for the appointment?
If your pet is still interested in food, have a novel and yummy snack or small meal prepared for when I give the sedation injection.
Please ensure that all family members or friends who want to be there for the pet have arrived before the scheduled appointment time.
Dogs: If your dog is still mobile and able to walk, please allow them to relieve themselves outside before I arrive for the appointment.
Cats: If your kitty is skittish and may hide when I arrive, please place him/her in a bathroom or other small space without hiding spots before I arrive to your home.
Finally, enjoy the time you have with your pet. Use the days leading up the appointment to love them and cherish the time you have together.
Can other pets be present during the appointment?
Other pets can be present if they are not aggressive or disruptive. I do find that most pets seem to pay more attention to me as the new person in the home, which is a distraction from the pet that we want to focus on. If your other pets need to be put away during the appointment, they can say their goodbye’s when I step out of the home after your pet has passed.
How can we get the children involved in saying goodbye?
Having children present at the appointment or not is personal preference and a choice that needs to be made by the parents. Having the children write letters to their pet is a good way to let them say goodbye. We can then send these letters with the pet to be cremated with. Some families will send pictures or flowers with their pet.
Do you accept Care Credit?
No, I do not accept Care Credit. I accept credit card or cash.