Gentle In Home Euthanasia
Euthanasia is the act by which a pets life is ended so as to stop any further suffering. The term being “being put to sleep” is often used, but it is more than just a sleep state. The ultimate goal of euthanasia is to cause the death of a pet who is suffering or whose quality of life is poor. It is not a decision to be taken lightly, and most owners realize this and agonize over the decision. Often pet owners will put off the act of euthanizing their pet for many reasons. Some owners can not stand to lose their pet for any reason. Some owners hope that the animal will die at home peacefully. Some for religious reasons.
What one must ask them selves is if they are delaying euthanasia for selfish reasons. We do not want to lose our pet who has been our friend, our child, our baby. But we must consider their welfare first. Quality of life is more important than the state of life itself. It is a difficult decision, probably one of the most difficult we must undertake in our life.
I often ask the question “are we keeping the pet alive for the owner, or for the animal.” I will try to help you with the decision on whether it is time to euthanize your pet or if we can improve their quality of life through some medical or surgical intervention. I can not in most cases tell you that you should or must euthanize your pet.. In a few cases, where the pet is agonal (in extreme pain or dying slowly before our eyes) I will tell you that we should euthanize the pet rather than let it die a painful death. I will attempt to give you all the information so that you can make the right decision.
Sometimes the owners feel the need to euthanize their pet do to financial considerations, or because they can not keep the pet any longer. Again I will help the best I can to offer you options, so that we do not have to end an animal’s life for these reasons. There are often alternative treatments that can be attempted before euthanasia is chosen. Sometimes we can make an animal comfortable in its last days or hours. Call me and lets discuss the situation, I might be able to help. I am always ready to help and answer any questions you may have.
I will not euthanize any animal if the animal is health or I feel that the animal has a chance and think that the animal can be treated in some way, or there are other options available. Sometimes the owner must present their case as to why they feel I should euthanize their pet. The only reason for which I will euthanize a healthy animal is if the animal is a danger to humans. Only if I agree will I euthanize the pet.
Euthanasia can be done in a number of places. Some places will do for free, such as humane organizations. Veterinary hospitals can do the same, but costs are involved. In home gentle euthanasia is an option for some who wish to have their animal euthanized in their home environment with less stress.
In home gentle euthanasia by Dr. Rosaly is a more expensive form of euthanasia. The reason for this is many. My costs are higher since I come to your home, it is something that takes time, and I must pay a technician to come to assist in the euthanasia and transport the pet after the euthanasia. I must pay the crematory and the drugs and supplies that I use are expensive. So in most cases I will advise owners to try the other locations for lower costs.
After we have a consult (free consult via phone) and you and I have decided that a euthanasia visit is warranted, we will make an appointment. I will often ask for records from previous vets indicating what disease conditions exist and what has been tried. If I agree with all then we will euthanize your pet. Paper work will be filled out giving permission to euthanize the pet, and information on cremation will be given.
The procedure to euthanize your pet is as follows. We will set up an appointment in advance and I will contact a assistant. When the assistant and I arrive, I will give a exam to the animal and decide if euthanasia is warranted. At that point the tech and I will attempt to place a intravenous catheter in a vein. The reason for the catheter is that it makes the whole procedure more humane and less stressful. The next step would be the injection of a general anesthetic. Within a few a seconds the pet will be in a anesthetic sleep and feels nothing. The second injection will be the euthanasia solution. This solution is a barbiturate overdose. The brain stops first, followed by the heart. Sometimes a spontaneous breath may occur, but the pet feels nothing. I will then check all vital signs and let you know that all is done, and the pet is at peace.
Once the euthanasia is complete, the owner has three options. We can transport the pet to a location where he/she will be picked up by the crematory. You will have two choices on cremation. The first choice is ashes will be returned to you. The second choice is that the pet will be cremated and you will not receive the ashes. The third choice is that you keep your pets’ body and do as you see fit.
The costs for the house call/ euthananasia visit is variable, as is the cost of cremation. These costs will be described below:
House call euthanasia cat or small dogs up to 40 pounds will be $300.
Pets 40 to 90 pounds will be $350
Pets 90 to 140 pounds will be $400
Pets greater than 140 pounds will be $450
Cremation costs depend on weight and if ashes are returned or not.
No cremation costs if we do not remove the animal from the home.
CREMATION COSTS:
|
|
| WEIGHT |
NO ASH RETURN |
ASHES RETURNED |
| 1 TO 24 LBS |
$100 |
$250 |
| 24 TO 49 LBS |
$150 |
$300 |
| 50 TO 74 LBS |
$175 |
$325 |
| 75 TO 99 LBS |
$200 |
$350 |
| 100 TO 124 LBS |
$225 |
$375 |
| 125 TO 149 LBS |
$250 |
$400 |
| 150 TO 200 LBS |
$325 |
$475 |
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