Loss of a Pet: Knowing When It's Time to Say Goodbye
Paws-down, our pets are fully-fledged family members. Unfortunately, they live much shorter lives than we do, and at some point, we face the difficult, yet compassionate decision to say goodbye. Euthanasia limits suffering at the end of life and allows a beloved pet to pass away peacefully.
At Signature Veterinary Services, we understand how difficult it can be to face these end-of-life decisions. We’re highly experienced in treating aging and terminal pets; we will support you throughout every step of the process with the best interests of your pet and your family at heart.
How Do You Know When the Time for Euthanasia Has Come?
When a pet is diagnosed with a terminal illness, has been critically injured, and/or has developed quality of life concerns associated with aging, veterinarians shift the treatment approach from curative to comfort care. Comfort care (also called palliative care) focuses on managing or alleviating a pet’s pain to preserve quality of life and limit suffering during the final months, weeks, or days.
When we’re no longer able to ensure comfort or maintain some quality of life with palliative care, it becomes time to consider euthanasia. Signs that palliative care is no longer effective include uncontrolled pain, loss of appetite, withdrawal from the family, difficulty breathing, and/or extremely limited mobility.
We understand the challenges surrounding end-of-life decisions, including rapid changes in a pet’s condition. We encourage pet owners to stay in contact with our team for ongoing guidance and offer at home and virtual quality of life assessments to assist in this process.
End of Life Care in the Comfort of Your Home
Taking a trip to the veterinary clinic can be stressful, even on the best of days. When your pet’s nearing his or her final moments, the veterinary clinic is the last place your pet and your family want to be. At Signature Veterinary Services, our mobile team is fully equipped to provide quality of life assessments and end of life care in the comfort of your home. While nothing can eliminate the heartbreak of saying goodbye, having the ability to do so in your own home, where your pet and family will be most comfortable and relaxed, tremendously eases the stress.
To learn more about end of life care with Signature Veterinary Services, we welcome you to contact us today.
