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HOSPICE CARE AND HOME EUTHANASIA

Caring for a sick pet at the end stages of their life is never easy. I am dedicated to helping you to maintain your pets' quality of life and comfort when they are geriatric or have a life-limiting illness. If the time comes when your pet’s quality of life is no longer there, I can help by providing gentle and peaceful euthanasia in the comfort of your home.

 

Hospice care is focused on providing comfort for your pet and palliative care, not a cure for their condition. This is an appropriate choice for care when further treatment of their condition has been declined.

I am trained in acupuncture and spinal manipulation therapies which both offer non-invasive treatments to provide pain relief and supportive care for many illnesses.

 

Hospice care may include:
 

  • Educating your family about care and expectations

  • Pain recognition and management 

  • Wound care

  • Fluid therapy/hydration support

  • Nutritional support

  • Oral and injectable medications

  • Alternative therapies such as herbs, supplements, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation

  • Quality of life assessment
     

The following are signs that your pet’s quality of life is diminishing. If your pet’s condition is not medically manageable, you may need to consider humane euthanasia if they are experiencing:

 

  • Pain – dogs and cats are very good at hiding their pain, so it is important to watch for subtle changes like difficulty standing, muscle tremors, fast breathing, excessive panting, hunched stance, difficulty resting comfortably, or behavioral changes

  • Loss of appetite

  • Loss of bladder and bowel control

  • Inability to stand or walk

  • Life-limiting illness such as cancer or organ failure which is unresponsive to treatment, or you are unable to afford treatment

  • Loss of enjoyment of their daily life – think of the top 5 things that your pet enjoys doing each day, and the things that distinguish them an individual. It may be going for daily walks, chasing a laser toy or squirrels, playing with a favorite toy, or curling up on your lap. When your pet is unable to do the majority of these things, you may need to carefully consider their quality of life. 

In-home euthanasia is a gentle, compassionate, and peaceful way to say goodbye to your companion. Being at home where your pet is most comfortable, and surrounded by family and loved ones allows for a meaningful way to celebrate the life of your pet, and allow you and your family to grieve privately.

 

The process begins with the administration of a mixture of medications that provide anxiety relief and sedation. This causes them to fall deeply asleep, so they do not experience any anxiety or discomfort. The final injection is an overdose of anesthesia given through a vein into the bloodstream. This is a painless process that causes your pet to relax further, and gently fall asleep.

 

Aftercare of the body may involve burial at home, group cremation where no ashes are returned, or private cremation where ashes are returned to you.

 

Please click here for pricing information for Hospice Care and In-home Euthanasia.


Services are available to residents in the greater Milwaukee area.

 

Contact me with questions, or to schedule an appointment.

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