What to expect during a home visit for euthanasia

Sedative Injection

Once everyone is ready, I will give your dog a sedative shot, (usually under the skin or into the muscle of one of the rear legs) to help your pet relax and prevent any unnecessary stress, pain, or struggling during the final injection. This shot is a light anesthetic and will allow your dog to go into a very deep sleep prior to the final injection. This first injection is a combination of tranquilizers and pain medications. Although the injection is no more painful than a typical vaccination, some dogs may be upset at getting a shot. However, this is over very quickly and your dog will gradually fall into a very deep sleep within about 5-10 minutes. You may want/need to hold your dog during this injection, so we will keep the interaction as brief as possible. Afterward, I will step away to maintain as much social distance as is practical.

As your dog is falling asleep, you should feel free to continue to comfort and talk to her/him. Once your dog is in a deep sleep, the eyes may remain open, there may be changes in the breathing pattern, or occasionally slight twitching of the muscles (especially the feet and face). Sometimes, the tongue may begin to relax and loll from the mouth.

Although the process is usually very smooth and comfortable for your dog, very rarely, there can be unexpected reactions to this initial injection such as vomiting or muscle movements similar to a seizure. Regardless of any of these reactions, your pet will be in a very deep sleep (actually a light anesthesia) and will be unaware of anything that is happening. In any event, before we proceed, I will test your dog's reflexes to be sure that s/he is in a very deep sleep and unable to feel any discomfort.

Final Injection

Once your pet is ready and you have said your final good-byes, I will inject an overdose of a very powerful anesthetic (a euthanasia solution). Once given, this last shot will allow the heart and respiration to stop, fairly quickly, usually within a few minutes. I generally give the final injection into an organ within the chest or abdominal cavity. This avoids the need to clip the fur or place a catheter, and allows me to step away so that you can be with your pet as s/he passes, if so desired. Your pet will remain unconscious during this injection and will not feel any pain or discomfort whatsoever. Over the next few minutes, your pet will simply stop breathing quietly and peacefully. Rarely, pets may take a few final very deep breaths, have slight muscle twitching, or stretch the legs out, but again, there is no conscious perception or pain during the passing.

After the Procedure

Once you are ready, I will come back to confirm that the heart and breathing have stopped. If you've elected to have me take care of the body (See aftercare options), I will excuse myself to give you some additional time alone with your pet (if desired). Once you are ready, I will return and we can place your pet's body into a covered plastic carrier with a comfy fleece blanket. We can then transport your pet out to my vehicle for transfer to the pet crematory. If you would like to have your pet wrapped in something special, carry the pet yourself, or have other special requests, please let me know and we will try to accommodate your wishes. If you have a large dog, I may need some assistance in bringing the carrier to my car.

Return of Ashes

If you have requested that your dog be cremated with the ashes returned to you, these will be ready in approximately 2 weeks. Depending on the option that you have selected, Bubbling Well will ship the ashes to you via UPS or will email/call to let you know the ashes are ready for pickup (be sure to check your email’s “junk folder”, in case the notification ends up there). At any time, you can contact them directly for an update on the cremation process and timing.

Final Thoughts

Remember, it is perfectly normal to cry, be sad, and experience all the emotions associated with losing an important family member. Everyone grieves differently, but you should be prepared to enlist the support of your family and friends during this difficult time. If you need additional help, I can provide some information on and referrals for pet loss support - you are not alone! If you have any questions, need help, or just want to talk, please feel free to call or e-mail me directly.