What to expect
Once you have made the decision to humanely euthanize, there are a few other decisions that you will need to consider. Please remember that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to help your pet in this difficult time. Our staff at Logue's TLC Pet Hospital will do our best to honor your wishes and treat both you and your pet with dignity during this difficult appointment. Please reach out to us if you have questions or concerns.
Is prior sedation needed?
Sedation may limit stress and anxiety for both you and your pet. Every pet parent wants their pets euthanasia to be peaceful and gentle, much like falling asleep. It is important to be aware that most pets will not close their eyes. Some may release body fluids, vocalize and/or make a final gasp, and/or have muscle contractions. Sedating your pet beforehand allows their body to relax, alleviating the above responses and easing the transition into death.
Should I stay with my pet for the procedure?
This is a very personal decision and there is no wrong answer. Some pet parents simply cannot watch as their pet dies. Whether you decide to stay until the very end or choose to hold onto precious memories of the past, this decision needs to be made by you and your family and there is no wrong way to help your pet cross over. We will make every effort to accommodate your requests on these final moments. Please be assured that if you find you are not able to stay with your pet for any reason, they will not be alone. Our doctors and technicians believe that humane euthanasia is an act of love and will treat your pet with the care and respect they deserve in their final moments.
How is the procedure performed?
Once you have checked in with the front desk they will confirm your appointment, sedation, if you choose to be present, and aftercare. At this time, if there are no additional questions or concerns, the front desk staff will have you sign the Euthanasia & Body Care Authorization form. This form is required to legally allow us to euthanize your pet and relay your wishes for the care of their body afterwards. Your charges and payment transaction will be done prior to the procedure so you will not have to make payment decisions following a highly emotional appointment.
After the proper paperwork and forms have been completed you will be placed in an exam room with your pet. A technician will come in to confirm your wishes, explain the euthanasia process, and answer any questions. If you have chosen to have your pet sedated, the technician will administer the sedative with an injection into the muscle (using a hind leg/thigh). The technician may recommend that the sedation be administered in our treatment area because it does sting briefly, and we want to make this appointment as peaceful as we can for you. The sedative takes 10-15 minutes to take effect and we encourage you to use this time to spend a few special moments with your pet. If you have decided not to use sedation, you can take some time with your pet and let us know when you are ready by opening your exam room door.
Once you are ready, Dr. Logue will come into the exam room with your technician. The technician will hold your pet on the exam table, and we encourage you to stand at your pets head during the procedure. The euthanasia solution is injected directly into your pets vein. We typically use a front leg for dogs and a back leg for cats. The procedure itself is very fast. Once the solution is completely injected the heart stops within a matter of seconds. Dr. Logue will confirm your pets’ heart has stopped by listening with a stethoscope. You are welcome to remain in the exam room with your pet as long as needed to say a final goodbye.
If you are taking your pet home for burial, your technician will come in and gently place your pet in a burial box and offer to carry them out to your vehicle. If you are having your pet cremated, you will leave your pet in the exam room as you exit. Once you have left the exam room the technician will prepare your pet for cremation. Your pet will be identified with a computer-generated barcode that allows Trusted Journey to access the body care instructions your technician entered in our clinics web portal. Once your pet has been clearly identified they will be gently placed in a body bag for Trusted Journey to pick up on their next scheduled date. With private cremations Trusted Journey will return your pets’ ashes to our office, typically within 10-14 days.
After the proper paperwork and forms have been completed you will be placed in an exam room with your pet. A technician will come in to confirm your wishes, explain the euthanasia process, and answer any questions. If you have chosen to have your pet sedated, the technician will administer the sedative with an injection into the muscle (using a hind leg/thigh). The technician may recommend that the sedation be administered in our treatment area because it does sting briefly, and we want to make this appointment as peaceful as we can for you. The sedative takes 10-15 minutes to take effect and we encourage you to use this time to spend a few special moments with your pet. If you have decided not to use sedation, you can take some time with your pet and let us know when you are ready by opening your exam room door.
Once you are ready, Dr. Logue will come into the exam room with your technician. The technician will hold your pet on the exam table, and we encourage you to stand at your pets head during the procedure. The euthanasia solution is injected directly into your pets vein. We typically use a front leg for dogs and a back leg for cats. The procedure itself is very fast. Once the solution is completely injected the heart stops within a matter of seconds. Dr. Logue will confirm your pets’ heart has stopped by listening with a stethoscope. You are welcome to remain in the exam room with your pet as long as needed to say a final goodbye.
If you are taking your pet home for burial, your technician will come in and gently place your pet in a burial box and offer to carry them out to your vehicle. If you are having your pet cremated, you will leave your pet in the exam room as you exit. Once you have left the exam room the technician will prepare your pet for cremation. Your pet will be identified with a computer-generated barcode that allows Trusted Journey to access the body care instructions your technician entered in our clinics web portal. Once your pet has been clearly identified they will be gently placed in a body bag for Trusted Journey to pick up on their next scheduled date. With private cremations Trusted Journey will return your pets’ ashes to our office, typically within 10-14 days.
Please do not hesitate to ask one of our staff members if you have any questions or concerns. We understand this is an emotional time and can be upsetting and confusing. We are here to help you and your family navigate this difficult time with your pet.
