End of Life Pet Care
We are here to help in every stage of your pet’s life.
"The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief. But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love." – Hilary Stanton Zunin
The decision to put your pet to peace is one of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make during your pet’s lifetime.
We are here to help. What can you expect at Springboro Veterinary Hospital? Although each decision is very personal and very different, you will usually experience a process like the following:
Consultation about “Is it time?”
If timing is optimal, it is important to come into the hospital and discuss your pet’s condition. The doctors and staff can help you with your decision. We have seen pets live years after a consultation with a little extra quality of life-focused care.
But if the timing is more urgent, the doctors will consult with you on what is best for your pet going forward.
This is a good time to discuss whether you want to take your pet home after being put to peace or have your pet buried or cremated. We will try to lay out all of your options. We use Faithful Companion for burial and cremation. We love this company. They have a form you will need to fill out before they will pick up your pet at our office. Click here to learn more.
Appointment to have your pet put to peace
These are priority appointments for us. We like to set these appointments as the last appointment in the morning or the last appointment in the evening when we don’t have as many clients in the hospital, giving your pet a more peaceful experience.
In-hospital candle burning on final appointment
When the final appointment arrives, we light a candle in the lobby to alert others that a precious fur baby will be put to peace.
You will be given as much time with your pet as you need.
You may be present with your pet the entire time, or you can say your loving goodbye and depart. It is a very personal decision. We will support whatever you need.
The doctors will discuss what you would like to do with the body of your pet after being at peace. You can ask as many questions as you want. We will try to lay out all of your options. We use Faithful Companion for burial and cremation. We love this company.
The doctors will discuss the procedure in depth, so you know what is happening at all times. Your pet will be given a tranquilizer. It takes about 10 minutes for the tranquilizer to work. Your pet slowly goes to sleep. This a great time to say your final goodbye. After the tranquilizer takes hold, your pet will no longer know you are there. They will be very comfortable. This is a good time to leave if you decide that it is more comfortable for you. Please understand you are welcome to stay, too.
Finally, your pet will be injected intravenously with medication that will stop their heart. They will not feel anything due to the tranquilizers.
You can stay with your pet as long as you need to.
When you are ready to go, you might need to fill out some paperwork if you are having your pet buried or cremated by Faithful Companion. It is helpful to have this done prior to your appointment. Faithful Companion picks up your pet the same day.
Faiithful Companion Pet Cremation Services
Faithful Companion is dedicated to helping all families find closure in a very difficult time.
Your pet will be treated with the same dignity and respect that all family members deserve. Whatever your needs may be, they will help you through this difficult time in your life.
Click here to learn more about Faithful Companion.
Grieving for your pet
Grieving for your pet is hard, we know. They truly are our family. There are many resources to help you through your grief.
Hospice Resources
- Paws Into Grace Hospice Guide
- What is Hospice? Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
- Quality of Life Journal Tools
After they are Gone
- Our Crematory Services
- Cremation Glass Jewelry
- Pet Loss Help
- Online Support for Adults and Children
Books
- Saying Goodbye to the Pet you Love: Lori Greene, PhD and Jacquelyn Landis, New Harbinger Publications, 2002
- Coping with the Loss of a Pet: Christina M. Lemieux, Wallace R. Clark, 1992
For Children:
- Dog Heaven: Cynthia Rylant (they also have Cat Heaven)
- I’ll Always Love You: Hans Wilheim
- Paw Prints in the Stars: A Farewell and Journal for a Beloved Pet: Warren Hanson
Online Support
- Pet Loss Chat
- Pet Loss Forum
- UPenn PA Pet Grief Support and Social Services
Pet Loss Hotlines and Helpline
- ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Grief Counseling Line: 877-GRIEF-10
- Iams (P&G) Pet Loss Support Line: 888-332-7738 (open Mon-Fri 9 am – 6 pm ET
FAQ
How will I know when it is time?
While there is not an exact indicator of when it’s time, there are signs you can look for to help you decide when it might be best to put your pet to sleep, or as Dr. Chip says, “put them to peace.” Loss of appetite is an indicator to factor in, along with a lack of mobility. We also need to be very aware of pain. Often, older pets are on pain medications, and they will stop working as well. I weighed all of these and asked myself, “Is Carly having more bad days than good days?” Another way of looking at this is, “Has my pet had its last good day?” Watching for these signs and answering these questions will help you decide if it is time. As the Lap of Love hospice veterinarians say, “It is better to decide a week too early than a day too late.” While we are deciding what to do, every pet has the opportunity to the best medical care and pain relief. When these options are no longer considered and euthanasia has been decided upon, then our pets deserve a dignified end of life process, from saying goodbye, to the actual procedure, to burial. This is a great tool developed by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Can I bring my pet home after?
Absolutely.
Can I stay the entire time?
Yes. This is completely up to you.
Is there a separate charge at the office?
Yes, there will be an office call as well as a procedure fee (please call our office for price).
How long will my pet be there after?
Faithful Companion picks up within two hours.
When will my per be returned?
Faithful Companion returns cremains within 24 to 48 hours.
Please reach out to us at (937) 748-1378 if there’s anything we can do for you.
