Putting your pet to sleep peacefully at home
Making the decision of putting your pet to sleep when the time comes is a very hard and agonising one for any pet family. However, it is often the kindest, most loving choice you can make if your pet is not recovering from a chronic illness, aged, or if your pet is unable to manage even the basic needs so their happiness is diminished.
How do you know it is time?
Pets with diseases such as cancer and liver or kidney damage may cause your pet to be in severe pain, unable to manage daily activities, lethargic, and often refusing to eat at all. In these cases, Our team at V2H can offer a Quality of Life appointment to examine your beloved pet to assess their quality of life to understand if a recovery is possible or if euthanasia is a kinder option.
It is a good idea for your own peace of mind to either take your pet to a vet for assessment or have Vets2Home come out to your home for a Quality of Life appointment if you feel your pet cannot make a full recovery rather than taking an individual decision. Quality of life is determined by several factors, we have a ‘Quality of Life Check List’ that you can download located on the home page of our website to help you with this. At Vets2Home, we have an expert team of vets who will be able to examine your pet and assess your pet’s quality of life. Please reach out to us in any case you need help with your pet.
The gentle at-home euthanasia procedure
Our special, two-step euthanasia procedure is a customised procedure developed by Dr. Suzen Gregersen from years of end-of-life experience. We come to your home and in a peaceful place, on your lap, on the couch, or in your pet’s favourite sunny spot, we give a quick, gentle first sedation to the back of your pet’s neck that they will barely feel. Once that dose is administered your pet will feel sleepy and drift off to sleep peacefully after 5 – 10 minutes. This is a good time for family to gather around to say goodbye. Once the family is ready, one of our trusted vets will administer the final injection which your beloved pet will not feel at all and they will pass over the rainbow bridge.
Is the euthanasia procedure a painful one?
The pet experiences no pain at all during our customised procedure. There might be some involuntary muscle movements after the final euthanasia dose is administered. Sometimes, your pet might lose its bowel and urine control when the muscles relax which is perfectly natural.
You may choose to be with your pet during this gentle two-step procedure or if you don’t, you can see your pet after the procedure is completed. You will need to book an appointment in advance to schedule the procedure. We will do our best to come to you when you feel ready.
What to expect after gentle euthanasia?
Your pet’s burial or cremation will be discussed with you when you speak with us on your booking call and we will provide the best options for your wishes. You may choose an at-home burial, individual cremation, or group cremation. We recommend the highly, independently accredited, Chestnut Lodge located in East Grinstead and we can organise the arrangements for you. We will take your pet and look after them very carefully and respectfully until Chestnut Lodge can pick them up for cremation and then we will return your beloved pet’s ashes to your usual vets. If you wish to add your pet’s photo and story to our pet memorial wall, you’re more than welcome to do so.
How much does euthanasia at home cost?
The cost of putting your pet to sleep varies depending upon your area, your urgency, and the type and weight of the pet you have. You may check out our prices and fees here.
We make sure that your beloved pet is handled with the utmost care and attention at all times – in life and after their life has passed. We know how valuable, treasured, and loved your pet is by you and Vets2Home always strives to maintain the highest standard and level quality of services that your pet deserves. We have hundreds of reviews online as a testimony to the quality of our service.