What IS at home euthanasia?
At home euthanasia is a gift. When the timing is right, we can offer our pets the comfort of their own home to pass peacefully. No cold exam table, scary sounds or smells from a hospital; just the people that they love and the spaces they are used to.
Our Approach
Dr. Ben uses the modern technique of a multi-drug protocol. A first injection is given in the muscle or just under the skin which provides pain relief and deep sedation, a “blissful sleep.” For many pets, the most comfort they have felt in some time will come after this first shot, and it isn’t uncommon for them to relax completely and even snore. The second injection, which contains an anesthetic, is commonly given through the vein but sometimes will be given into an organ if venous access is difficult. Because of the first injection, they will not even feel the needle prick from the second injection. The overdose of anesthetic drug causes their brain to shut down, their body to slow down and the heart to stop, while they are deeply anesthetized and unaware. This assures their passing is calm, dignified and completely free of pain or anxiety.
For pets who experience fear of strangers or aggression towards them, there are many medications we can have owners administer before the visit or at the beginning of it to reduce their anxiety and allow us to safely approach.
What to prepare for (what may happen)
Involuntary body movements: Long deep breaths, or fast breaths followed by long deep breaths
Muscle twitching under sedation or localized muscle twitches (lips, eyelids) after the pet passes
Release of bodily fluids (from the mouth, the bladder and sometimes from the rectum). This normally happens a few minutes after death but can occur under sedation.
Eyes remaining open (eyes closing at death is a Hollywood myth but this is shocking to many people)
What Happens Afterwards?
Dr. Ben will make some keepsakes (like a clay paw print or a vial of hair) and either take your pet with him (swaddled in a blanket or on a stretcher) for transport to the crematory; or leave their body with the family if desired.
If you would like their ashes returned, they can be mailed to you or picked up from our partner crematory. They will come back in a lovely box with their name on it.