Losing a pet is a delicate situation, and we understand the difficulty in having to make that final decision. Our veterinarians are skilled in assessing pain management and also make certain that the process of putting your pet to sleep is carried out in a humane manner.

Pet owners are welcome to be in the room as their pet passes. Pets are sedated prior to administering the euthanasia solution to help ease any pain or anxiety they may have. The final injection is a chemical that mimics an overdose of anesthesia, allowing your pet to fall into an eternal sleep. As it enters the bloodstream, the chemical targets the brain and heart, first preventing nerves from sensing pain, then gradually stopping the heart from beating.

While the decision to euthanize is difficult, it is important for a pet owner to consider the pet’s suffering before their own. In circumstances where putting your pet to sleep offers them relief from physical anguish, ending their suffering can be the best decision you can make for your pet.

Common reasons for euthanasia: 

• Behavioral problems that cannot be corrected
• Illness that would cause suffering if the pet were kept alive
• Inability to afford involved medical procedures
• Organ damage that cannot be repaired
• Rabies
• Terminal illness

What happens after euthanasia?
After putting your pet to sleep, you can decide to take your pet home with you, have your pet cremated with the ashes returned to you, cremated with no ashes returned or buried on site at the pet cemetery. If you would like a better idea of the services offered by the pet cemetery we work with, their phone number and website are below. They offer a wide variety of urn and grave marker options and are very helpful and friendly to work with.
Rush Inter Pet Inc. 
(585)533-1685
http://www.rushinterpetcemetery.com/

No matter what you decide to do, don’t feel pressured to choose one option or another; choose the option that is best for you. Some pet owners feel that an urn with their pet’s remains helps the grieving process. Others think leaving the pet with the vet is easier for them emotionally. Because your pet has peacefully passed, it is now your decision to do what is best for you.

The bereavement process is different for every pet owner. Some only take a couple days for mourning while others take months. It is completely normal to mourn the loss of your pet, and you should never feel obligated to put a time limit on what is the “right” amount of time.

If you have any questions about the process of putting a pet to sleep, or want to schedule an appointment to see if it would be beneficial for your pet’s condition, contact our office at your convenience.