Saying Goodbye

Dr. Liv
May 4
8 min read

Updated: May 16

What to expect when you bring your pet in for humane euthanasia

While we devote our time to preventative care and healing animals the best we can, a large portion of our job is providing a peaceful passing when pets can no longer be kept comfortable. Though it can be an uncomfortable topic to talk about for some, I think knowing what to expect ahead of time can help people feel better prepared for the day. I do want to point out that what I describe below is specific to our hospital - all veterinarians practice medicine differently and that's okay! I encourage anyone reading to have an open discussion about end of life care with their veterinarian so they have an understanding of the process before the day comes.

Before the Visit

Deciding "when it's time" is a personal decision that should be made with you, your family, and your veterinarian. How do you know what's best?

Talk with your veterinarian. Some of the ailments we see affecting quality of life can be managed with medications or environmental modification to help keep your pet comfortable. If you're worried they may be suffering, but want to be sure of all of your options, the first step is to schedule a physical examination. Sometimes we call these a "quality of life exam". We will discuss their recent history at home as well as perform a physical examination to help identify areas of concern before discussing what your next steps could look like.
Consider their quality of life. Unfortunately, just because a pet eats and drinks doesn't necessarily mean that they are comfortable. Of course if they are not eating or drinking, you should seek veterinary care. But also consider, does your pet still get up to greet you at the door? Do they seek out their toys? Do they show interest when you mention going for a walk or getting in the car? Do they still enjoy being groomed? While older pets may need a bit more rest, they should still show interest in their normal activities. We often use the handout you can find here by The Ohio State University to help provide a more subjective approach to determining quality of life.
Consider how you want to spend their last day together. Does your pet have a favorite place to visit? Do they have specific treats or foods that they like? We recommend spoiling your pet on their last day. Let your family and friends know about your decision so that they can support you and also come say goodbye to your furry family member. Some people schedule a photo shoot so they have lasting memories of their pet. Use this time to reflect on the amazing life you've had together.
Consider how you want to care for their remains. Though emergency situations are obviously unplanned, many end of life decisions can be made ahead of time. Considering how you want to handle their remains ahead of time when emotions aren't so high can help make the day a little easier. We currently offer three options - cremation with ashes returned to you, cremation where ashes are not returned to you, or you can take the remains home to be buried. If you elect to bury any remains, be sure to research local laws and regulations regarding this act and any associated requirements. The fees associated with different options vary by weight - you can always call for an estimate ahead of time so you can make an informed decision with this in mind.
Consider if you want to be present for the process of humane euthanasia or not. This is a very personal decision and it may change in the moment, but considering it ahead of time may make it less stressful when the day comes. There are numerous posts I've seen on social media shaming people for not staying with their pet at the end and I detest these posts. The way that someone experiences and processes death is entirely unique to them. If you are not comfortable being present, that is absolutely okay! We are with your pet the entire time, providing treats and affection to them. You are more than welcome to be there for whichever parts you feel most comfortable for.
Consider a keepsake. As I mentioned above, some owners schedule a photo shoot with their pet. We've seen people commission artwork of their pet to memorialize them as well. When we had to say goodbye to our dog Skjei, we made these salt dough ornaments with his paw print inside. Here at the hospital, we can provide ink paw prints, impression paw prints, and collect fur for you to take home. Some people make jewelry that include cremation ashes. There are many ideas online and artists who provide custom pieces to help you have a part of your pet with you forever.

At the end of the day, you know your pet best. As veterinarians, we are here to help guide you through the decision making process and answer any questions that you may have.

The Process of Humane Euthanasia

Once it has been determined that humane euthanasia is the most appropriate course of action for your pet, a veterinary assistant will come in to go over your options. There is paperwork to complete that clarifies that you are the legal owner of the pet with rights to make medical decisions and that you are at least 18 years of age. We will also confirm that your pet has not bitten anyone within the last 10 days, as there are special circumstances regarding rabies that need to be considered if this is the case. Our assistants will also confirm how you wish to have the remains cared for after euthanasia. They may ask if you want to be present or not - again, this is entirely up to you and your comfort level.

Next, we will place an intravenous (IV) catheter. The medications for euthanasia are administered into the vein and having an IV in place helps to reduce the number of pokes we need to make. It also provides us access so that you can hold your pet through the procedure if you wish to. We often will take your pet to treatment or ask you to step out of the room while our licensed veterinary technicians place the IV. This is for pet comfort and safety - we need to be able to gently and properly restrain them while placing an IV. Some of these pets are uncomfortable and try to bite, not because they are mean, but because they don't feel well. To avoid risk of owners getting bitten on accident, we will perform this part of the process away from you.

If pets are very nervous or painful, we may administer injectable sedation prior to placing an IV so we don't stress them. Typically this injection takes about 10-15 minutes to take effect and we have them rest with you during this time. Once they are sleepy, we will come in to place the IV.

Once placed, you're welcome to spend as much time as you need with your pet. When you're as ready as you're going to be, the veterinarian will come in to discuss the process with you and confirm if you are comfortable being present throughout. Typically we use two medications for this procedure. The first is an injectable sedative. This is the same medication that we use for surgery; it is very rapid acting and pets are entirely unaware of anything going on around them. Some owners decide to leave at this point because the pet is unaware of their surroundings - it is entirely up to you and what you're comfortable with. The second medication is the final injection; this is also rapid acting and typically has taken full effect by the time we are done injecting. I always want owners to be prepared that after passing, many pets do not close their eyes and may lose control of their bowels. If they have a condition that causes fluid build up in the chest, such as congestive heart failure, it is possible that fluid could come out the nose or mouth. Generally, the process looks like the pet is just going to sleep. The veterinarian will then listen to your pet and confirm that they are not longer with us.

Once your pet has passed, you're more than welcome to take some time with them to say goodbye. For pets who are having their remains cremated, ashes are typically returned within 1-2 weeks. If you have decided to take your pet's remains home, we will take out the IV and bring them out to your car for you.

If at any point during the procedure you have any questions at all, you can always ask your veterinarian.

Grief After the Loss of a Pet

Experiencing the loss of a pet is profound. We know the importance of the human animal bond. We recommend leaning on your friends and family for support. Creating a memorial of some sort, whether it is a shadow box or a space in your garden, can help to process these complex emotions. If you have other pets in the home, focus on spending time with them, both to help yourself as well as to help them adjust to the change.

We've had many owners report a sense of guilt associated with humane euthanasia. While this is common, we encourage owners to view this process as ending suffering. Some owners feel relief after a pet has passed - many of these pets require extensive care and monitoring at home. It can feel like a weight is lifted from your shoulders after they are no longer with us, and that's okay too.

Working through these complex emotions can be overwhelming. We strongly recommend reaching out to a licensed medical professional for support during difficult times. Our pets are a part of our family and this loss can feel overwhelming, but you're not alone.

Below are some frequently asked questions we received. Still not getting the answers you need? Give us a call! (607) 656-4285

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you come to my house to perform humane euthanasia?

At this time, we do not perform any services at home due to our small staff size. We hope to offer this in the future, but cannot accommodate at this time. There are some veterinarians in the area that perform this service and we can provide their contact information if you give us a call.

Can we perform the euthanasia outside or in my car?

Why can't I be in the room when you place the IV?

Can I bring my other pet?

Should my child be present for the process?