Hospice Care and Euthanasia

Hospice Care

Providing a good quality of life to our patients is paramount in the field of veterinary medicine. As our pets age they can develop chronic health issues that can slowly decrease their quality of life. Many of these problems, like pain from arthritis or cancer, can be managed for a time to help maintain a pet’s happy and content day to day life at home. We at Dr. Sam’s Veterinary House Calls strive to help our older patients enjoy their later years comfortably. We believe in-home visits for older pets can be the first step toward helping with their quality of life; they don’t have to struggle to get in and out of the car or sit in a waiting room full of strange smells and sounds. In-home treatment can be more consistent and less stressful for your cat or dog. Your companion’s happiness is our highest priority.

Euthanasia

When our cats and dogs no longer respond to medical intervention, a veterinarian’s goal is to to make their remaining days as comfortable as possible. However, despite our best efforts at pain management and environmental modifications, our dogs and cats might not respond to our treatments and recommendations.

While it is never an easy decision to make, we often need to help our patients make their final journey in a caring and compassionate way. Here at Dr. Sam’s, we are able to perform humane euthanasia in the privacy of the patient’s home, in both a familiar and comforting environment. Once it is established that euthanasia is the best choice, we discuss the process with our client in detail so that all parties know what to expect and feel comfortable with the decision.

Our process is carried out in two steps. We first, and most importantly, sedate the patient. The sedation is similar to anesthesia, so the cat or dog is relaxed and unaware, and does not feel pain or discomfort during the entire process. After a few minutes, we administer the euthanasia solution. Once the solution is given, the patient’s heartbeat and breathing will quickly stop. We want to make this a peaceful and loving procedure, and do our best to respect all our client’s wishes. You may hold your pet during the process if you wish, or simply be near. Your preferences are important to us, so please feel free to share your feelings with us.

We also provide a complimentary paw print and hair clipping to serve as a keepsake. Upon the owner’s request, cremation services are available. If a private cremation is selected, Dr. Sam’s staff will personally return your pet’s ashes to you.