Our Euthanasia Procedure
We understand that saying goodbye to your beloved pet is an incredibly emotional and difficult time. We are here to support you through this process and make it as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Here’s what to expect:
1. Arrival:
When you arrive, you can stay in your car and call reception to let us know you have arrived. Alternatively, you can come into reception, and we will escort you to a quiet room if one is available.
2. Discussion with the Vet:
The vet will discuss the process with you and may take the patient through to our patient prep area for a few moments to insert a small catheter into your pet’s foreleg with the assistance of a veterinary nurse. This is to ensure everything goes smoothly and with minimal stress.
3. Consent Forms:
We will need you to sign a consent form. We will explain what you are signing and discuss payment, cremation options, and any other concerns you may have.
We will ask you if you would like any of the following:
- Would you like to take your dogs collar/lead home with you?
- Would you like us to prepare a paw print?
- Would you like us to prepare a lock of their hair?
4. During the Procedure:
You can choose to stay with your pet or leave the room if you prefer. We will administer an overdose of an anaesthetic agent to ensure your pet passes peacefully. The vet will then use a stethoscope to confirm that there is no longer a heartbeat. Unfortunately, our pets have different types of eyelids than humans, so their eyes usually do not close when they die, and it is very difficult to close them. Therefore, it is likely that your pet’s eyes will remain open.
In some cases, pets may pass urine or faeces. This happens because, when they become unconscious, all their muscles relax, including those controlling the bladder and bowels. Sometimes, your pet may take what looks like deep breaths or gasps at the end. This often occurs after their heart has stopped beating and is a reflex known as “agonal breathing.” It can look alarming, but please rest assured that your pet is not aware of it is simply a natural reflex response.
5. Sedation
Occasionally, injections can be problematic. Most pets don't have a strong reaction to injections, but if your pet is particularly sensitive, it's a good idea to talk to the vet beforehand. They might suggest applying a numbing cream to the leg or giving your pet a mild sedative to help them relax. However, both options can extend the process, and sedation can lower blood pressure, making it harder to find a vein. There are pros and cons to each approach, so it's important to discuss them with the vet.
6. Becoming Upset
As vets, we have seen hundreds of pet owners go through this process, and many of us have been through it ourselves. We know how upsetting it is, and we expect you to be emotional. We don’t think any less of you if you cry, or if you don’t – we know that everyone deals with things in different ways, and that it is devastating to lose a friend in any circumstances.
7. Cremation Options
We use a company called Cambridge Pet Crematorium. They offer both communal and private cremations. A communal cremation means your pet will be cremated alongside others, and a symbolic amount of each communal cremation’s ashes finds a resting place at the crematoriums Gardens of Remembrance in Cambridge. You will not get your pet’s ashes back with this option.
We also offer a private cremation services for your pet, ensuring they are cremated individually, and you receive their ashes. A variety of caskets are available to suit different preferences and budgets (please refer to the table below).
Once your pet’s ashes are ready for collection, we will notify you. As this service incurs significant costs, we kindly request that you settle your account balance before collecting the ashes.
Please note:
- Prices in red include the cremation, casket/supplement fee, and the cost of euthanasia.
- Prices in black cover only the cremation and casket/supplement fee.
Additional fees for sedation, home visits, and paw prints will apply.
8. Fees
Payment is not required on the day of the appointment. An invoice will be sent 5-10 days afterward. If you choose a private cremation, you can also pay when collecting the ashes.
We are happy to provide an estimate of costs upon request prior to your appointment.
Please note that we cannot release ashes until payment has been received.
9. Home Visits
We offer home visits with sufficient notice, as a vet accompanied by a nurse will be away from the practice. While we generally schedule home visits in the afternoons, we cannot guarantee a specific arrival time due to practice commitments. Home visits can be costly, so we will provide you with an estimate beforehand.
If we are unable to offer a home visit, we will provide you with the contact details of local vets that specialise in home visits for euthanasia.
10. Support
We know this is a very sad and difficult time. Support is available through the following pet bereavement contacts:
Please reach out if you have any questions or need further assistance. We are here to help you during this difficult time.
Stamford Veterinary Centre
Tele: (01780) 763180
Email: enquiries@stamfordvets.co.uk