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Pet Euthanasia

We understand how special your pet is to you and your family, and saying goodbye is one of the hardest decisions a pet parent can make. Yet, in certain situations, cat and dog euthanasia is the most humane choice you can make for your best friend. It offers them a dignified and peaceful passing, as well as an end to suffering.

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Northfield Veterinary Hospital

At Northfield Veterinary Hospital, we’re committed to being your veterinarian for life, offering guidance through the good times and the bad.

KNOWING WHEN IT’S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
Deciding when your pet is ready to say goodbye can be a difficult choice. Our pets cannot tell us when they are ready to pass on, but evaluating their quality of life can help us in our decision. If their quality of life has deteriorated and they no longer seem to be themselves, it may be time.

Some ways to measure your pet’s quality of life include:

  • A dramatic decrease in their appetite
  • Sleeping throughout most of the day
  • Hiding more often and avoiding social interaction
  • No interest in activities they used to enjoy like playing, going for walks, getting treats, etc.
  • Difficulty standing up, walking, and lying down
  • Seem to be in constant pain despite taking medication
  • Unable to control their bladder and/or bowels

If you notice any of these, please make an appointment with us. We can assess your pet’s health and try to make changes to their medications or offer laser therapy to help ease their discomfort. Once our efforts stop having a positive effect, we’ll help guide you in your next decision.

IS EUTHANASIA PAINFUL FOR MY PET?
Your pet’s comfort is of utmost importance to us. We take care to avoid anything that will stress your pet or cause them pain. The euthanasia process causes no pain to your pet and allows them to pass with dignity. When you arrive for your appointment, we’ll take you to a quiet private room and give you and your family as much time as you need with your beloved companion. Then, when you are ready, our veterinarians will administer a sedative that puts them into a deep sleep. Once they are completely asleep, we administer the euthanasia injection, which acts very quickly. Your pet will feel no stress or pain and will pass on peacefully.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR PET’S REMAINS
To avoid difficult decisions on the day of your pet’s euthanasia procedure, we recommend making after-care arrangements ahead of time. After-care options can include private cremation, group cremation, as well as keepsakes to remember your pet by such as clay paw prints, customized urns, etc. Should you have any questions or need some guidance in this decision, please don’t hesitate to ask.