Saying Goodbye to Your Pet: Hospice and Euthanasia

Saying goodbye to your pet is often one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. Everyone dreads hearing those words: “There is nothing more we can do.” When those words are spoken by your vet, you have some hard decisions to make. Keeping your pet alive or opting immediately for euthanasia is a choice that only you can make.

What is Hospice?

Veterinary hospice is very similar to the hospice that the healthcare industry uses for human patients. The primary purpose of veterinary hospice is to keep your pet as comfortable as possible for however long is necessary. You may want to keep your pet comfortable and put off euthanasia so that a family member can get home to say goodbye. You may want to allow your pet to die naturally rather than euthanizing them. Or, you may want to keep your pet comfortable for a period of time until you euthanize them on a predetermined date.

When you place your pet in hospice care, the vet will do everything they can to make your pet comfortable. Pain medications and other treatments for symptom management are the primary focus of this treatment. Most vets will also spend time supporting the family in whatever way they need.

When You Have to Say Goodbye

You may decide that your pet no longer needs to be in pain and suffering, and as such you want to have them euthanized. Choosing the right vet to handle this delicate process is important. You want to make sure that the vet that euthanizes your pet makes the experience as painless as possible for both you and your pet.

If you have an aging or terminally ill pet, contact us today for more information about how we can help. We can go over your options with you and help you determine the best option for your pet. Contact us today.