What happens during a pet's euthanasia appointment

If your dog or cat has arrived to a point where his or her body is frail and there is nothing that more that can be medically done, your vet may suggest to schedule a euthanasia appointment. As sad as scheduling this appointment may be, you also may have questions about what happens exactly and what to expect.

These doubts are certainly founded, as a loving and caring owner you want to know what will happen that day so you can better deal with it all when that final day arrives.

Having worked at an animal hospital I have seen my fair share of euthanasia procedures. If this is the first time you will have your pet euthanized, you may want to learn more about the procedure and you may understandably have questions that perhaps you do not feel comfortable asking your veterinarian.

I can help to clarify what happens and how.

First of all, scheduling a euthanasia appointment is a bit different than from scheduling a normal appointment. At most vet hospitals, special time slots are reserved for euthanasia appointments only. These are usually the very first appointments of the day or the latest in the evening.

You may be asked then if you want to be there during the procedure. If not, you can drop off your pet at any time during the day. The vet will euthanize the pet when he has a free moment during the day or at the end of the day. If you decide to stay, then you will be given those specially reserved slots mentioned above..

This is done both for the owner's/pet's and veterinarian's convenience. At special scheduled times, there are no other clients and no other pets. This is a form of respect for the owner that at that time may be emotional and not feel comfortable being in the presence of others.

Your pet will not be disturbed by other pets. This is very important as very sick animals are very vulnerable from strong emotions and stress. Your pet will get the quiet ambiance it ultimately deserves.

The veterinarian will not be rushed or under any pressure. There are no other clients waiting or emergency appointments coming. You will be allowed to take your time in saying goodbye to your pet.

Once the appointment time has been set, the receptionist will ask you if you want your pet cremated or if you will have it buried. If you want your pet buried you may do so, however, make sure to ask your local municipality if you are allowed to bury your pet in your yard. Special restrictions may apply.

If you choose to have your pet cremated you may choose between a private cremation or a communal cremation. Private cremations take place when your pet is cremated on its own and the ashes are returned to you in an urn. In communal cremation the pet is cremated with other pets and usually the ashes are spread in a pet cemetery.

Usually, a private cremation costs more. Both euthanasia and cremation services have higher charges the more your pet weighs. Ask for prices if finances are a concern.

Some owners may have doubts on what happens to their pet's body if they choose a communal cremation. They may fear the body may be given to a research lab and experimented on. This is a myth hard to get over.

I can say from experience, that all the pets that were offered communal cremation where directly sent to be cremated along with others. The cremation services used to come every Tuesday to pick up the bodies. I had to personally sign a confirmation form that he actually came to pick them up.

After deciding how the body is disposed, you may be asked if your pet has bitten or scratched anybody in the past 10 days. As horrible as this question may sound at a difficult moment such as scheduling a euthanasia, this is required by Rabie's law. If your pet did indeed scratch, it must undergo a Rabies test.

Once the appointment is made, it is important to make arrangements to have a driver accompany you. You may not expect it, but many times owners are overwhelmed by emotions as they drive themselves to and back from the hospital. This can be dangerous and may be the perfect ingredient for an accident. Please give this option consideration. I have seen the most composed owners break down in tears and call somebody to pick them up because they were unable to drive.

When the day arrives, you will be taken into a room and given forms to sign. Most forms state that you authorize the procedure and that you are the legal owner. Other forms are confirming the form of disposal you have selected. Please be aware that if you selected communal cremation you will NOT get the ashes back. Finally you will sign a form stating your pet has not bitten or scratched in the past 10 days.

Payment is usually done upfront however, some owners may be too emotional and in those cases some hospitals will send the bill.

Most hospitals will allow owners to spend some time with their friend alone before the vet will arrive. A blanket on the floor may be placed for large animals or a small blanket may be placed on the examination table for the pet's comfort.

Once the veterinarian arrives, he may ask if you want your pet to be given sedatives. This applies mostly for pets that are particularly anxious or in pain. Such sedatives may take about 15 minutes to take fully effect. An area in the pet's front forearm will be shaved then to allow either a catheter or a needle to directly inject the solution.

The euthanasia solution is given a very bright color so veterinarians will never mistakenly confuse this solution with any other injectable solution. The most common solution consists of pentobarbital, a liquid barbiturate injected commonly during surgery. This will be however, an overdose amount, allowing the dog or cat to drift into an anesthesia like sleep, that will ultimately halt the breathing and cause cardiac arrest.

Because this solution has an anesthetic effect, the pet will be unconscious and pain free. The barbiturate will depresse the central nervous system causing to pet to sleep thus the terminology to put a "pet to sleep".

This solution is injected into a vein. The only pain the pet will feel is indeed the needle. The solution acts pretty quickly: most pets will take a deep breath and die within 10 seconds, just as a person going under during surgery. The vet wil then monitor with the stethoscope the presence of a heart beat, he will confirm then when the pet has passed to "better life'.

In some cases, the pet may have some involuntary muscle twitches or may urinate or defecate. These are just automatic nerve reflexes. The eyes will likely stay open. These are very important aspects to consider as these may be disconcerting to the unaware owner, for this reason most pet owners should be warned before hand.

You will then be left alone with your pet if you wish. If your pet will be buried the staff may put your pet in a large black bag for you. If you opted for cremation, once you leave, the pet's body will be wrapped in a black bag stored in a big freezer until the cremation services arrive to pick up.

It usually takes an average of a week to 10 days then for the ashes to return. Most hospitals will call once the remains arrive. Urns will vary in size depending on how large your pet was.

The euthanasia procedure is never an easy procedure. Even as a staff member, I often found myself in tears as I said goodbye to pets that have been long time patients. I hope that knowing what to expect has somehow answered your questions and prepared you at least for what to expect. I offer my deepest sympathies hoping that one day, we may all reunite with our furry friends over the "Rainbow bridge".