euthanasia in the home (euthanize, clinic, how, vets)

Gailblaze · 03-20-2008, 09:23 PM

I just got word from my brother and sister-in-law that their dog Mattie had to be put down this morning. Mattie was a great girl, an old girl at 15, but she had a great life. They found a local vet who came to their house to euthanize the dog. We recently had to do the same and found it very peaceful not to have to drag the dog to the vet's clinic. Often older dogs are too ill or it's very difficult to get them into a vehicle to make that final trip. Also, the emotions are so deep that it's hard to feel at home in the clinical setting. If anyone is facing this decision now or in the near future, please consider finding a vet in your area that will come to your home for your pet's passing. This is never an easy decision. In fact it's the hardest decision you could be faced with even if the time is absolutely there and you know it. I hope euthanasia in the home becomes much more available and sought after. You can ask for a private cremation, they will bring the remains to you so you have them forever. It may not be for everyone, but we found it comforting for Casey to be able to go right here in his home. Please say a prayer for Mattie tonight.

Honeycrisp · 03-21-2008, 06:32 AM

Will do and my condolences on Mattie's passing as well as Casey's, it has to be very comforting and it's nice you have a sensitive vet who's willing to go out of his way, something to definitely consider when the time comes, hopefully more and more vets in the future will be open to this option, it has to be so much easier on the dog and its owners. Again, Im very sorry...

mdtoaz · 03-21-2008, 11:21 AM

My parents have a vet that will do that, and I think that it is much more peaceful for the pet. As you said, it's a horrible decision to have to make in any case, but at least this way the stress of the vet visit can be avoided.

Sorry for your brother and sister-in-law's loss.

Amazonchix · 03-21-2008, 01:10 PM

Your furry babies are in our thoughts. Thanks for sharing. If that ever becomes a situation that we have to go through...we will make sure to find a vet to come to our home.

b. frank · 03-21-2008, 01:29 PM

I have 2 dogs who are both around 10 years old and I plan on doing this too (one day a long time from now!). We did this with our cat once (not ourselves - a vet did it), and it wasn't the best experience because she "woke up" a bit in the middle of it, and I am a little terrified of that happening to my dogs. Has anyone had a bad experience with this type of euthanasia for dogs (60-80 pounds)?
Regardless, at home surrounded by family is the best way for them to go in my opinion.

nanwalt3 · 03-21-2008, 03:04 PM

Thanks for your info and so sorry for their loss and yours too. I wasn't aware that vets would come to your home, but it would be a much more peaceful surrounding for the pet.
I've got a 13 and 14 yr. old and I dread that day arriving. I know that if something happens to 1 the other one will be totally lost, because they've been best friends for almost 13 yrs., but I feel its only fair to your best friend to make the decision to stop their suffering.
Thanks again and take care of your new pup too, which I'm sure you're doing.

jhmoonstar · 05-05-2008, 10:44 PM

Our huskies, whom turned 19yrs old in April, won their battle with cancers 2 years ago but 1 of them has had 2 surgeries, in the last 5 weeks, to remove a cancerous tumor from his mouth and its now spread and surgery in no longer an option due to his age. It could be anytime now, though he is doing great right now...

I had never heard of home euthanasia until a co-worked told me about it today. I am going to call our vet tomorrow and ask if they offer this service because my husband is absolutly torn up about having to bring our dog in to the vet office, if he doesn't pass away in his sleep. My husband adopted them at 8 weeks is the best father to them, obviously since they are 19yrs old brothers, and the thought of losing them is killing him so I am researching and reading articles daily to help ease his, and our childrens, pain.

fjtee · 05-08-2008, 10:01 PM

Hi. I didn't even know that was an option. My boxer is only 5, so I hope to have many more years with him. But, if and when it comes to that, I'll definitely look into doing it at home. Thanks for letting us all know about that.

movin'on · 05-10-2008, 06:11 PM

I was recently in this situation and it was a very real possibility I was going to have to put my baby to sleep. I did locate two vets, one of whom does this exclusively in her practice (I can't imagine having your entire practice being about euthanasia). At any rate, I now know who can provide this service (although I am hoping this is YEARS off as my baby is only 8 years old and a small dog). He pulled through three surgeries in ten days and is one tough little guy.

At any rate, my heart just really goes out to anyone who is facing this decision. I now know how truly heart wrenching it is.

Padgett2 · 05-10-2008, 06:31 PM

Any vet that makes house calls can handle this. It's not a complicated thing to do. If you have a favorite vet, and he won't come to the house, ask if he knows someone that does.

We had one done at home. Fix up a nice bed in the garage, or under a favorite tree. Then go into the house until it's done. I understand fully how much having to take one to the office can be. Letting one die a natural death isn't always good either. Suffering can take a long time.