Pet Euthanasia
We understand that you want your pet to have the very best, from the moment you first bring him or her home, until your cat or dog’s final moments. At Companion Animal Health & Rehabilitation Center, we do everything we can to help you give your pet the very best life. When the time comes for you to make more difficult decisions regarding euthanasia which will provide comfort and dignity during your pet’s last moments, Dr. Knox and the rest of our staff will be right there beside you to compassionately guide you and your beloved pet every step of the way.
How to Know When End of Life Care or Euthanasia Is the Right Choice for a Pet
It’s never easy to make an end of life decision for a pet. Sometimes, however, recovery isn’t possible for a sick, injured, or elderly pet. Part of the responsibility of caring for a pet is making tough decisions to relieve a pet’s suffering at the end.
If your pet is in a terminal situation, Dr. Knox will work with you to determine whether palliative care is possible. This is end of life care that’s geared toward maintaining a pet’s comfort and quality of life, rather than curing a medical issue. With end of life care, we’ll provide your pet with treatments to maintain nutrition, hydration, body temperature, mobility, and to relieve pain. As long as your pet remains comfortable and is not suffering, palliative care is an acceptable choice.
If a pet’s pain becomes difficult to manage or the pet stops eating and drinking, it might be time to consider euthanasia in order to provide your pet with compassionate relief. Dr. Knox can discuss the process and your pet’s condition to help guide through making this decision.
What to Expect During a Euthanasia Procedure
Pet owners are always welcome to stay with pets to offer additional comfort throughout the process. The procedure is performed in a comfortable and quiet environment to minimize stress for your pet. During euthanasia, an overdose of anesthetic is administered through an IV, which allows pets to pass peacefully without pain.
We're Always Here for You and Your Pets
At Companion Animal Health & Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Knox and our entire staff are always here to offer you and your pets supportive and compassionate care — no matter what stage of life they’re in. If you have any questions or concerns regarding end of life care for your pet, we welcome you to contact our office or to schedule an appointment.
