What to Expect at an In-Home End-of-Life Visit
Dear Friends, our hearts truly go out to you as you navigate this difficult time in your pet family member’s journey. We know how difficult it is to make the decision to say goodbye.
It is our hope that this document will help you understand what happens during an in-home end-of-life visit, and that it will help you feel at peace with the decisions that you make. Please take your time with this information as it can be a lot to process. We are here to help; please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns, or if you require more support.
Preparing for our Visit
Please download our guide on preparing for the euthanasia.
Our Philosophy and Family-Centred Approach
We respect your choices and wishes for how you would like to say goodbye, and it is our hope to create a safe space for you in your time of grief. Please let us know if you have any special wishes for your pet’s transition process and whether you would like to discuss incorporating any ceremonial, religious, spiritual, energy-work or memorial elements to honour your pet and the love you share with them.
At any point during the process, if you have questions, concerns, or would like to change the way things are being done, we always welcome your input. At any point, you may request some time alone with your pet.
Meeting Your Family & Getting Prepared
When we first arrive, we will sit down together to meet and have a discussion about your pet and your family’s wishes. We will walk you through all the steps of the process in person, giving ample opportunity for any questions or concerns you may have.
At this time we can help move your pet to any location or position that you are wanting them to be in. You are welcome to remain right next to them through the whole process.
Helping Them Feel Peaceful and Pain-Free
Next, with your consent, we give an injection into the muscle that contains a strong sedative and a strong painkiller. This injection takes about one second and most animals tolerate it quite well. When possible, if they are still eating, we will give them treats - and of course plenty of affection - while they receive the injection to make it as pleasant as possible for them.
This sedation injection takes about 5 to 10 minutes to take effect. Once it has reached its full effect, your pet will be in a fairly deep sleep.
With your pet sleeping comfortably, and when you are ready, we next place an intravenous (IV) catheter into the pet’s leg. This is a small tube that allows us to give medications directly into a vein, which makes the process very smooth and painless.
When It’s Time to Say Goodbye
Once the catheter has been placed, we are on your timeline, and if there are any last things you would like to say or do, this is the ideal time. We always offer to step away for a few minutes at this point, to allow you space for a private goodbye, if you so wish.
When you are ready, and with your permission, we then administer two injections through the IV catheter. The first injection is a stronger sedative - the same kind that is used to put people to sleep for surgery. This deepens your pet’s sedation to a level where they will no longer be able to respond or feel anything. The second injection is an overdose of another very potent sedative; this injection causes the heart and breathing to stop, typically within 1 to 2 minutes or less.
A Peaceful and Pain-Free Transition
Most often, we will not outwardly see any major changes to your pet as they transition from being sedated to a deep sleep, and then subsequently to the point where their heart stops. Often they will remain in the same position with quiet, slow breathing, and no reactivity to outside events.
Sometimes your pet may make a movement or a sound as the body is shutting down, as there can be some electrical activity in the brain or nerves as they stop working. We find these types of movements quite rare with the three stage medication protocol we use. Most patients will urinate and have a bowel movement when they pass away; this is normal. It is also normal for their eyes to remain open.
Once we have seen that the pet has become quiet and their breathing has stopped, we will use our stethoscope to listen for a heartbeat. When we confirm that the heart has stopped, we are confirming that the pet has died. At this time, you may wish for some space to grieve privately, and again, we will offer to step of the room/home as you wish.
After Your Pet Has Passed
If you are keeping the body for burial, we will leave as soon as you are ready for us to do so. If we will be bringing the body with us for aftercare, we will wrap the pet up in a blanket, and sling if necessary, to bring them to our car, where we have prepared a bed for them. You are most welcome to carry your pet, or help us carry your pet, as you wish.
Once you are ready, we say goodbye to your family, and we bring the pet to be cremated by Gateway Pet Memorial (https://www.gatewaypetmemorial.com). You will have options to have the pet’s ashes returned to you in the urn or box of your choice, or not at all.
Your Grief Matters 💖
The grief we feel after the loss of a pet family member can be quite deep and feel very heavy. Please reach out if you are struggling and we can help connect you to help. Many pet loss support resources can be found online; here are just a few:
https://ottawahumane.ca/your-pet/pet-loss-support-groups/
https://www.pet-loss.net/resources/Canada.shtml
https://www.rainbowsbridge.com
https://chancesspot.org/pet-loss-support/index.php
https://www.petlosscounselling.net
https://pettrust.uoguelph.ca/petlossresources
