What happens at an in-home consultation?
A home consultation can help to assess quality of life, address disease challenges, explain the natural dying process, and discuss the best care for an animal loved one who is transitioning. A consult offers a comfortable space for pet parents to express their primary concerns and provide an opportunity for specific questions. After a consultation, we may administer medication and fluids, if necessary. We will prescribe medications, give recommendations for home care, provide families with a detailed hospice report including recommendations for how to prepare for euthanasia. We will give specific signs to look for to know when it's time.
Comfort Kit- Depending on your pet's condition, we may leave a comfort kit. A comfort kit may include pain medication to be given by the pet parent in case of a crisis or while waiting for help to arrive.
If we feel it is time to help your pet with a peaceful passing, we will discuss this option in detail and explain why quality of life indicates a gentle euthanasia.
We recommend scheduling a home consultation prior to euthanasia (if possible) to help you navigate difficult decisions and challenges regarding your pet's end of life experience. If your pet is starting to show signs of decline, we recommend scheduling a home consult. Signs that your pet is in need of a visit from a veterinarian may include:
difficulty getting up/lying down, needing assistance with stairs, steps or posturing to urinate or defecate, slipping and falling, experiencing incontinence (urinary or fecal), not acting themselves or appearing confused, getting lost around the house, staring at walls, increased anxiety, restlessness at night or during the day, inability to get comfortable lying down, disinterest in walks, shows less interest in their favorite things, isn't eating as well as they once did, sleeping more, medication is not keeping them comfortable, or having been given a terminal, poor or grave prognosis.
Comfort Kit- Depending on your pet's condition, we may leave a comfort kit. A comfort kit may include pain medication to be given by the pet parent in case of a crisis or while waiting for help to arrive.
If we feel it is time to help your pet with a peaceful passing, we will discuss this option in detail and explain why quality of life indicates a gentle euthanasia.
We recommend scheduling a home consultation prior to euthanasia (if possible) to help you navigate difficult decisions and challenges regarding your pet's end of life experience. If your pet is starting to show signs of decline, we recommend scheduling a home consult. Signs that your pet is in need of a visit from a veterinarian may include:
difficulty getting up/lying down, needing assistance with stairs, steps or posturing to urinate or defecate, slipping and falling, experiencing incontinence (urinary or fecal), not acting themselves or appearing confused, getting lost around the house, staring at walls, increased anxiety, restlessness at night or during the day, inability to get comfortable lying down, disinterest in walks, shows less interest in their favorite things, isn't eating as well as they once did, sleeping more, medication is not keeping them comfortable, or having been given a terminal, poor or grave prognosis.
What happens at an in-home euthanasia?
This is a peaceful service that can be experienced by all ages, family and friends that are comfortable with the steps explained in detail here.
First, we recommend giving your pet a comfortable and quiet place to relax and lie down, where family, friends and other bonded pets can be near your pet if they wish to be present. Many families wish to have the visit take place outside, on the grass, on a favorite blanket, a soft bed, the couch or the floor. Our goal is to gather around a spot where your pet is going to be relaxed and as comfortable as possible.
Next, we will be giving an injection of sedation medication under the skin that will help your pet get to a deep relaxed state. This is the only part your pet may feel. Some pets enjoy getting their favorite treat during this injection to distract them from feeling the poke. If you feel your pet may react and/or need a distraction, have a treat (or even an ice cream or cheeseburger) plan ready. Your pet will begin to feel sleepy and should be lying down in a deep state of sedation in about 5-10 minutes after the injection. Most animals keep their eyes open during deep sedation, this is normal.
Next, we will give an injection that will help your pet pass on. We will let you know when your pet is ready for this injection. This injection is painless. Most animals will pass away within a few minutes after this injection. Every pet is different in regards to how long it will take them to pass on, so we will give your pet as much time as they need. Most pets will keep their eyes open after passing away, this is normal.
Once your pet has passed on, we will step away for a few moments to prepare our vehicle and gather a blanket, basket, or stretcher to help transport your pet to the vehicle. You are welcome to send along your pets favorite blanket, toy or special bed. We will then take your pet with us after the visit. We may need assistance from a family member with carrying your pet to the vehicle.
After our visit, your pet will be safely and respectfully transported to the crematory for cremation. The crematorium services are provided by Midwest Cremation Service in Anoka, Minnesota.
You may wish to have your pet privately cremated. A private cremation is where your pet's ashes are returned to you in a wooden urn.
Alternatively, you may wish to have your pet communally cremated. A communal cremation is where your pet's ashes are not returned to you.
You may wish to receive a clay paw print impression which would be hand delivered along with your pet's ashes.
You can also handle all after-care arrangements yourself such as burial or taking your pet to a crematory yourself.
Our pets are very intuitive about our energy and can easily sense our emotions. Be kind to yourself and open to the emotions that come to you during this visit. Your pet may look to you for comfort and understanding, and this is a time for comforting them and showing compassion before their journey.
First, we recommend giving your pet a comfortable and quiet place to relax and lie down, where family, friends and other bonded pets can be near your pet if they wish to be present. Many families wish to have the visit take place outside, on the grass, on a favorite blanket, a soft bed, the couch or the floor. Our goal is to gather around a spot where your pet is going to be relaxed and as comfortable as possible.
Next, we will be giving an injection of sedation medication under the skin that will help your pet get to a deep relaxed state. This is the only part your pet may feel. Some pets enjoy getting their favorite treat during this injection to distract them from feeling the poke. If you feel your pet may react and/or need a distraction, have a treat (or even an ice cream or cheeseburger) plan ready. Your pet will begin to feel sleepy and should be lying down in a deep state of sedation in about 5-10 minutes after the injection. Most animals keep their eyes open during deep sedation, this is normal.
Next, we will give an injection that will help your pet pass on. We will let you know when your pet is ready for this injection. This injection is painless. Most animals will pass away within a few minutes after this injection. Every pet is different in regards to how long it will take them to pass on, so we will give your pet as much time as they need. Most pets will keep their eyes open after passing away, this is normal.
Once your pet has passed on, we will step away for a few moments to prepare our vehicle and gather a blanket, basket, or stretcher to help transport your pet to the vehicle. You are welcome to send along your pets favorite blanket, toy or special bed. We will then take your pet with us after the visit. We may need assistance from a family member with carrying your pet to the vehicle.
After our visit, your pet will be safely and respectfully transported to the crematory for cremation. The crematorium services are provided by Midwest Cremation Service in Anoka, Minnesota.
You may wish to have your pet privately cremated. A private cremation is where your pet's ashes are returned to you in a wooden urn.
Alternatively, you may wish to have your pet communally cremated. A communal cremation is where your pet's ashes are not returned to you.
You may wish to receive a clay paw print impression which would be hand delivered along with your pet's ashes.
You can also handle all after-care arrangements yourself such as burial or taking your pet to a crematory yourself.
Our pets are very intuitive about our energy and can easily sense our emotions. Be kind to yourself and open to the emotions that come to you during this visit. Your pet may look to you for comfort and understanding, and this is a time for comforting them and showing compassion before their journey.
