I can provide help in arranging for care of your pet after euthanasia. A discussion of euthanasia after care is one that ideally has been undertaken some time before euthanasia is performed. If it has not been discussed before, it will be discussed at that time. Cremations are generally performed at Gateway Pet Memorial Service in North Surrey.

Gateway offers a variety of services and options that some people might be interested in. I encourage those interested to look at their website prior to the visit gatewaypetmemorial.com . In addition to cremation services, they offer a viewing service and number of related products, such as specialty urns and other memorials or keepsakes. They also provide information that may help those grieving the loss of pets on their website.

Quality of life is the focus of this practice. How it is attained varies with each pet as it relates to their specific medical issues and history as well as their personality and behaviour. We will discuss and address the family’s needs, abilities and desires to provide care for their pet. There are often many options that can be discussed once we review the available information.

When a reasonable quality of life cannot be managed, euthanasia is an appropriate consideration to avoid ongoing distress and discomfort. It is a difficult decision to make, but we believe it to be a very reasonable choice.

We no longer offer palliative and hospice care home visits.

As pets approach the end of their lives, they often have many of the same infirmities that people have. Palliative and hospice care is appropriate for some pets when they have health issues that affect their day to day living. They are often associated with age but not necessarily so. Families may call us during this time to help prepare for the euthanasia.

In palliative care, the goal is not to cure but to support the pet and family to help maintain an acceptable quality of life. There may be a number of options that can be offered in palliative care. Some problems are treated easily and some require more support over time to maintain comfort. Comfort is very important. Diagnostic testing is still available as needed, but we can be more selective about how we choose to pursue testing in that it needs to have a reasonable chance of creating a positive benefit for the pet. Palliative care can be rather simple for some pets and more complicated for others. There may be a number of options on how we can support your friend. Regular ongoing visits are a necessary part of palliation to help maintain a good QOL (quality of life) and to adjust care over time. Optimal care may still require some visits with a veterinarian.

It can be very helpful to arrange access to relevant medical records. Whenever possible, please speak with your family veterinarian (or Emergency veterinarian) and request that a copy of recent and pertinent medical records of your pet is emailed to us for review in advance of the appointment. Also, let us know if there is a significant change in your pet’s condition, particularly if there is a significant degree of deterioration.

Make sure your pet is confined to an area where there is no chance of being able to hide in an area that you can’t access. Please have your pet’s medications available for review, with the last times they were given. A list of allergies to food and medications is also helpful for examination appointments.

As a mobile service, appointment times are “approximate” as each appointment may be longer or shorter than the next and traffic can significantly impact on travel time, especially during “rush-hour”. However, I do my best to make myself available. General hours of availability are Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM. I often can provide some evening and weekend hours depending on work and personal obligations.

I do not provide general emergency services, though I would always do my best to respond to urgent calls for end of life care patients. As a solo practitioner, I do not have assistants generally and the limited materials I carry are appropriate to the nature of my practice. I do not provide regular veterinary services. However, if it is truly an emergency and I cannot respond in a timely way, please have your pet seen by your regular veterinarian or an animal emergency facility. It is important and could be very helpful for you to have nearby ER clinic phone numbers and addresses close at hand. Preparing for a future emergency will make it less stressful and ensure that your pet is taken care of.

Important information to have in an emergency includes having a list of all medications, the dosages and times. A list of food and medication allergies is also advised for all pet owners.

Appointments are often available within 2-3 days (and sometimes sooner), depending on the time of the week and patient load. When travelling and at appointments, I do not answer the phone. I will respond to texts, emails and voicemails as soon as I am able to. If you feel that your pet is in distress and I do not respond quickly, see your family veterinarian or an animal emergency service as quickly as possible.

Breathing difficulty: An issue that cannot wait is difficulty breathing (also called “dyspnea”). If your pet is breathing with difficulty, it can be very distressed and frightened. Excess restraint can lead to evasive behaviour as well as defensive biting or scratching. Be careful with handling.

Dogs with a persistent respiratory rates over 40 breaths per minute with increased effort to breathe is not safely sustainable if it persists. Note that a dog’s panting is a normal thing for them. However, panting with marked anxiety may also suggest distress. When you are in doubt, it is important to check it out.

Cats breathing with a rate over 30-40 breaths per minute is also elevated. As in dogs, an important feature is whether they are also breathing with increased effort. They will often adopt a crouching posture with their head out straight and their elbows out somewhat when they are working harder to breathe. They may breathe with an open mouth and they may also flare nostrils when they inhale. They will often fight if they are restrained and can bite or scratch.

Respiratory distress in cats and dogs can be life threatening and needs immediate assistance at an Emergency Clinic; it is not typically a disorder easily treated at home.

Whenever there are significant breathing difficulty issues present, have your pet seen at an emergency hospital as soon as possible.

Home euthanasia is appropriate for many pets but when a dog or cat is in respiratory distress, the option of a “calm home euthanasia” may be very unlikely to impossible. Take your pet to your regular veterinarian or to an emergency hospital as soon as possible. Take great care with handling for their safety as well as yourselves.

Physical wounds or fractures: These injuries require immediate assistance as well. I am not equipped or staffed for these types of injuries and for the care they will need.

Whenever you are in any doubt about whether you need to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, it is time to see the veterinarian.

Fees vary according to the services provided. General fees are as follow, but may be adjusted in some circumstances:

Travel and After-hour Fees: Travel costs include transport to the pet crematorium,  Gateway Pet Memorial Service,  located in North Surrey. Travel to home visits in outlying areas such as Langley , Mission, Abbotsford areas may have an additional travel fee.

Quality of Life Consultation:  We no longer offer Quality of Life assessments. Many family veterinarians will provide assessments, support and treatment needed though the palliation/hospice phase of a pet’s disease. We rely on the family veterinarian’s medical records along with telephone consultations with the families during the time  prior to the euthanasia.  This includes a review of past medical records, preferably before the home visit. We also offer resources such as quality of life guides and pain scales for at home use.

Euthanasia fees:  These fees are dependent on size . GST is additional. Please contact us for further details.

After care: After the euthanasia is completed, we will transfer your pet to Gateway Pet Memorial located at 9346 193 St Surrey, BC.  Families wishing return of their pet’s ashes receive a private cremation. Communal cremations are for families that do not wish return of their pet’s ashes. GST is added to all fees.

Some families may be interested in memorial keepsakes or services. Visit gatewaypetmemorial.com website for information on what they offer.

GST and PST will be charged on all services as appropriate.