End of Life Care and Cat & Dog Euthanasia in Arab
The end of a pet’s life can come in many different ways, whether a terminal illness, a chronic condition that can no longer be managed, or simply a ripe old age. Regardless of your pet’s condition, the end is never an easy thing to accept. At Arab Veterinary Hospital, we help families in the Guntersville, Decatur, and Cullman areas address end of life care for pets. We offer both palliative and hospice care services as well as cat & dog euthanasia. Call us at (256) 586-3183
Managing Your Pet’s Quality of Life
There are two types of end of life care for pets that help to manage quality of life. One is palliative care, which involves making your pet comfortable while they are undergoing treatment for their illness or condition. The other is hospice care, which involves making your pet comfortable when treatment is suspended. Both of these usually involve pain medications, supplements, or therapies such as laser therapy and they help manage your pet’s pain so that their quality of life remains stable.
Making the Decision for Euthanasia
While it is one of the hardest decisions any pet owner has to make, animal euthanasia can also be the most humane option. When your pet’s quality of life has deteriorated so much so that hospice care is no longer helping them with their pain and mobility, euthanasia is the next step. It is important for owners to put their pet’s suffering above their own. While it is hard to say goodbye, it is also very hard to watch a pet suffer.
Our Comfort Room
Throughout your decision, the team at Arab Veterinary Hospital is always here to walk you through all the options and talk with you about the animal euthanasia procedure. We can perform this procedure in out Comfort Room which we designed to offer you privacy. There is a private door for entering and exiting. When we come to administer the euthanasia, you may either stay or step out if you prefer. The euthanasia happens very quickly and acts as an anesthetic. It blocks pain signals, sedates your pet into a deep sleep, and the heart ceases to beat.
After-Care Options
After the procedure, you will need to have plans in place for what to do with your pet’s remains. Cremation or burial are both options, and it depends on your family's preference. Please have your after-care plans arranged prior to your pet’s scheduled euthanasia. Saying goodbye is very difficult, it is helpful to have the final plans made in advance.
Should you need to discuss any element of end of life care for pets, please call our compassionate team at (256) 586-3183 and we can help you through this difficult time.