At home pet euthanasia (white)

[weezycom]

Dr. Steve Cohen is an at-home vet. His surgical office is off Pickett Road in Fairfax (across the street from the Lifetime Fitness gym).

[Carlingtonian]

Thanks for all the good info on here; we hope our pup has many years left, but he's older, so you can't help but think of these things.

I don't care what ArlCo says, I'm gonna plant him in the ground out back when he croaks. It's what he'd want.

[Dazed&Confused]

I have had two cats euthanized at home and various other pets over my lifetime euthanized at the vet. I would NEVER do it at home again. It was far more stressful for the animals. One vet (and this was a "mobile" vet) botched the procedure so badly that she missed getting the full dose of solution into the vein and my cat suffered under the bed for half an hour before he died. Looking back, that was so much worse than taking him to the vet. He was frightened and in pain in his own "safe place" and there was nothing I could do to help him. Again, please forgive me, Zachary.

[TullyApplebottom]

Originally Posted by Dazed&Confused

I have had two cats euthanized at home and various other pets over my lifetime euthanized at the vet. I would NEVER do it at home again. It was far more stressful for the animals. One vet (and this was a "mobile" vet) botched the procedure so badly that she missed getting the full dose of solution into the vein and my cat suffered under the bed for half an hour before he died. Looking back, that was so much worse than taking him to the vet. He was frightened and in pain in his own "safe place" and there was nothing I could do to help him. Again, please forgive me, Zachary.

Oh, gosh, this just made me cry to read it! Poor Zachary!

I will definitely research the at-home thing more so I'm prepared when the time comes. As heartbreaking as it is for you, thank you for sharing your experience. I never would have thought...

I'm sure your Zachary has forgiven you. The nice thing about animals is that they are so quick to forgive. I'm sure he knows that you loved him very much.

Truly, my heart breaks for you both. I am so sorry.

[ACWhite]

Dazed&Confused,

I am so sorry as well.

Euthanasia is a very sad and difficult experience even when the vet does it perfectly, and the animal slips peacefully away in your arms. It is so much harder when it happens as you described. As Tully said, I am sure your Zachary forgave you and loved you. Thanks for posting.

[ACWhite]

Originally Posted by Carlingtonian

Thanks for all the good info on here; we hope our pup has many years left, but he's older, so you can't help but think of these things.

I don't care what ArlCo says, I'm gonna plant him in the ground out back when he croaks. It's what he'd want.

C, I don't think Arlington forbids pet burials. Where are you reading this?

[msjack]

I had my cat put to sleep at home about 2 years ago. I used Companion Paws Mobile Veterinary Service and they were great but I don't believe they go to Springfield. It was one of the hardest decisions I had to make and I am somewhat glad I did it at home, but not sure if I would do it at home again. I'm not sure I would have done it if I had to have taken her somewhere. As I knew it was time, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. So with them coming, it gave me the push I needed. As I'm sure this could happen at the vets office as well, but it took a a minute or two to find the vein, while my poor Cici was crying out in pain. It broke my heart, but I think it was because she was dehydrated. After that it was very, very quick which I was so thankful for. The one thing with having them do it at home, was I felt rushed to give her to them (I was having her cremated), as I didn't know what their schedule was like. They didn't rush me, but I didn't feel like I could take all the time I needed like you may be able to do at a vets office if you're in one of their exam rooms. About what to do with your pet, we've always cremated them. The vet that came to my home and the other vets we've used have always taken care of it for us.

[Denton56]

Originally Posted by jillabean

Does anyone know of vets in the area (mainly the Springfield area) that do in-home pet euthanasia. It's nothing my dog needs right now, this very day... but she's getting older and she seems to be having a harder and harder time just getting around--sometimes I have to carry her up and down the steps. It crossed my mind that probably in the next couple of years (if not sooner), she will have to be euthanized. But she's so terrified of the vet's office that I would hate her last few moments to be in total fear. I am just planning ahead so that when that stressful time comes, I already have information handy. Thanks!

We had a dog just like that last fall. He was 15 and it was time to let him go. We called our vet and they did it at home for an extra fee. We're nowhere near Springfield, but I bet your vet offers the same service. It made a bad situation better, for all of us. They also removed the body, out of our view, after we said our good byes. We got the ashes back later, and a paw print impression. It was so difficult, but would have been so much worse if we had get our big, scared, guy into the vet's office.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by ACWhite

C, I don't think Arlington forbids pet burials. Where are you reading this?

AC, I don't remember, but I coulda sworn I read it somewhere. Could be wrong. At any rate, it would be neither the first nor last ArlCo Politburo regulation I ignore!

[ab123]

My cat died while I lived in an apartment in Montgomery County. Growing up, my family also buried our pets in the backyard. So midst all the shock and sadness of losing my cat, I was also stressing out about what to him. It's definitely good to plan ahead.

I took him to the county humane society, and they took care of the body (presumably group cremation) for only $5. I don't know if the Northern Virginia county shelters offer the same service but would be worth researching.