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Gentle At Home Euthanasia for Your Dog or Cat - What to Expect
From your initial chat with us through to the dedicated aftercare that we provide, we're here with you every step of the way during this difficult time.
You can learn more about what to expect from an at-home visit with Nirvana Vets below.
Booking Your Visit
Once a booking has been made, we will then call you to discuss your pet and answer any questions prior to the visit.
To secure the booking, you will then need to pay the £150 deposit. The deposit can be paid over the phone or we can send you a secure payment link if you prefer.
On the day of the home visit, we will call you when we are 30min away from your house and we will arrive in a private car. We will usually arrive within 30min of the booked time, but we will always call you to let you know of any small changes.
Consultation
When we arrive, we will talk with you about your pet whilst your pet relaxes and discuss their health. We can also answer any questions that you may have and help guide you through decision making if needed. We may also carry out a clinical examination, this may prove especially necessary if your pet hasn't been seen by a vet in a little while, to make sure that euthanasia is appropriate. In some cases, it can be quite clear from the consultation that euthanasia is the kindest thing to do for your pet. However, in other cases it may be less clear. In any case, we will be guided by you from the start of the consultation and we can provide you any guidance if and where it is needed.
During this time we will also talk about the different options for your pet following the visit, such as home burial and cremation options. There will be no rush to make any decisions and in your own time, we can then complete the consent form and take payment.
Sedation
We routinely provide pets with a sedative before they are put to sleep to ensure that the process is as peaceful as possible and to remove any stress or pain that they may be in. For dogs a gentle sedative will be administered into the skin at the back of the neck, just like a vaccine. The sedative enables them to gently fall asleep and will numb any pain that they may currently be experiencing. It usually takes about 10 - 15 minutes for it to fully work as the sedation is very gradual. During this time, we will be completely guided by you and you may wish to have some time alone with your pet and family whilst your pet relaxes. After receiving the sedative, it may be the first time in a while that your pet has felt so comfortable and so this moment is often a relief for both you and your pet.
Euthanasia
When you feel that you are ready, for dogs we usually clip some fur and place a cannula. These are just like what people have when in hospital or when giving blood. We can then attach a drip line to the cannula so that we can be at a distance from you and your pet. We will then inject some saline into the drip line to check that the cannula is in the correct position.
Once you feel that you are ready, we can then administer the euthanasia medication into the drip line. The medication works in a similar way to a general anaesthetic and usually takes less than 1 minute for your pet to pass away. Sometimes your pet may stretch as they are passing away or take some breaths after passing away. It is also normal for pets to occasionally urinate or defecate after passing away but we will have absorptive pads prepared for if this happens.
Aftercare
If you have opted for cremation, we will handle your pet with the utmost care and respect and they will be taken to our chosen crematorium & cemetery in Newquay.
If you opted for an individual cremation then we will call you as soon as your pet has arrived back with us. We will then arrange a time to hand deliver your pet back to you.
Our kind and caring vets are here to talk
Speak with us, for free, advice about your pets gentle goodbye at home
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