Euthanasia Appointment FAQs
If you don’t see your question below, please contact us!
- Electronically sign the consent form and hit send before my arrival. You may want to consider pre-payment using the links found in your confirmation email as well.
- If possible, please clear a parking space for a large SUV at the start of your arrival window as close as possible to your door if I am taking your pet for aftercare.
- Please make sure that everyone that will be present (virtually and in person) during our experience is aware of this window and available during the arrival window. This is because when I arrive and we discuss the process, everyone should be aware of what is going to happen before we start.
- Think about where you would like your pet’s memory to be (their farewell space). This can be a certain room, your yard, on your bed, or wherever is the most meaningful and comfortable place for your family. You will always have the option to have them in your arms or lap wherever we are.
- If there are special toys or comfort items that you would like close to your pet during their good-bye, have them in your farewell space.
- If your pet still has an appetite, have some special food ready to feed in your farewell space. Anything goes – I have seen some spectacular final nibbles like steak, chocolate, and even beer!
- Even if you don’t feel like eating, please make sure you have at least a snack before my arrival. Grieving is more exhausting than you think, and hypoglycemia will make you feel even more run down and shaky.
- Think about if you want any music playing or have any poems or letters you want to read to your pet during your farewell, and have them cued up and close by in your farewell space.
- Have plenty of tissues and perhaps some water for your family in your designated farewell space.
- If there are any family members joining us virtually, make sure to have something to prop your camera on during your farewell so your hands can be free to love on your pet. Making sure your device is fully charged (or plugged in during the farewell) is important, too.
- If someone can not be present during our appointment but wants their voice heard or face to be seen by your pet, consider having them record a voice memo or a video to have you play for them at the appointment while your pet is about to rest.
- I will bring potty pads to ensure your house stays as clean as possible. Some families still elect to have extra potty pads or towels down before my arrival as added insurance.
If your pet still has an appetite, please feel free to feed them whatever goodies their heart desires. Medications will never interfere with the drugs I will administer, so please continue to give them if well tolerated and helpful. If your pet is on any anti-anxiety medications for veterinary visits, please give them a double dose 1-2 hours before my arrival (only if it is not stressful for you or your pet).
Please let Dr. Jeni know upon booking or arrival if you have been supplementing your pet with any CBD products, as these pets have been found to build up a tolerance to certain medications I may administer and I will want to adjust my doses accordingly.
If someone can not be present during our appointment but wants their voice heard or face to be seen by your pet, consider having them record a voice memo or a video to have you play for them at the appointment while your pet is about to rest.
Ah, the age-old question. There is no one size fits all answer to this, as maturity and personalities differ. Based on my experience (only as a mother and veterinarian, I am not a child psychologist), babies and kids under the age of 4 don’t really understand what is going on because they don’t have a concept of death. They will certainly miss their pet as a playmate, and pick up on the emotions of grieving adults. They may ask you for days and months to come where your pet is as they grapple with the permanence of their absence from their life. Age 5-9 is when I think most kids will start to understand death as permanent, and if they are mature enough, you may want to give them the option to be present for their final good-bye. It would be a good idea to have a trusted friend be available to take care of anyone 6 and under, in case they change their mind, so you can still be present for your pet’s farewell.
I think mature children should always be told the truth and be given the choice on if they want to be present or not. I will always explain what will happen using age appropriate and non-secular words and concepts. We will always separate your pet’s last memory (going to sleep peacefully) from their last breath, so there is a period of time we can check in with your child and see if they still want to be in the room for the final breath. (I adore children, especially more so now because mine are teenagers and are growing up way too fast. If I didn’t get into veterinary school, my “back-up” career was pediatric cardiology).