End of Life Care
Hospice and Palliative Care
We believe that palliative care and hospice are important aspects of veterinary medicine. Our goals are to support all caregivers and improve the comfort and overall quality of life of your pet, through their last few months, weeks or even days. We can help ensure your beloved pet remains comfortable and peaceful through their end of life journey.
Humane Termination of Life (Euthanasia) and Aftercare Services
Sadly, there comes a time in every pet’s life when they no longer have a good quality of life and we need to intervene, this may include palliative and hospice care or humane termination of life. If you are concerned that your pet’s quality of life is declining or feel it is time to say goodbye to your loyal companion please call us. We can assess their overall health and quality of life, and discuss potential options for your beloved pet. We can help support you with your decision making process, as you consider what is best for your family and your beloved companion.
What happens during euthanasia?
At Angus Veterinary Clinic, we will do everything in our power to provide your beloved pet the most peaceful and dignified passing. Each euthanasia is an individual process and all families have their own preferences on how they would like it carried out. Typically, we will start by administering sedation to help eliminate stress and discomfort. Then we will place an intravenous catheter into their vein and secure it with some bandaging. Once all family members have had a chance to say their final goodbyes Dr. Knobel will administer a medication that puts them into a deep sleep, which they will not wake from. You can rest assured that your pet will not feel any pain when the euthanasia medicine is administered. During the entire process, you and your family may remain with your pet.
Euthanasia Payment?
At Angus Veterinary Clinic, we try to ensure that your beloved pet is the primary focus during the process. Completing the necessary administrative tasks including payment before the appointment allows the focus to shift to your beloved pet and remain with them during the process. Payment and aftercare services can be made over the phone in advance or upon arrival at the appointment. Payment can also be made at the end if that is preferred, however, the other administrative tasks will still have to be completed prior.
Do you offer pet bereavement support service?
There is no right or wrong way to process the loss of your beloved companion. Whether or not you were anticipating the end of their life, nothing fully prepares you for how you might respond in the moment. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone during the process.
At Angus Veterinary Clinic we are happy to provide counselling in regard to your pet’s quality of life and help with end of life decisions, but we typically refer bereavement counselling to the professionals who specialize in this field. Should you require grief counselling after the loss of your animal companion, please feel free to call our clinic and we can put you in touch with someone who can help.
Animal Chaplaincy
Find an Animal Chaplain: https://www.findanimalchaplain.com/
Grief Resources
Pet Loss Hotlines
Gateway Pet Compassion Care Line 1-855-245-8214
Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph 1-519-824-4120 x53694
Pet loss support groups
Ontario Pet Loss: https://ontariopetloss.org/
Online Communities and Grief/Bereavement Resources
Coping with the Loss of a Pet: https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/grief/coping-with-losing-a-pet
Pets at Peace: https://www.petsatpeace.ca/grief-resources/
Helen Goldberg – Pet Loss Counselling: https://www.petlosscounselling.net/
Books
Pragmatic Mom: Top 10 Books for Kids: https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2012/02/top-10-best-coping-with-loss-of-pets-childrens-picture-books-and-giveaway/
Aftercare services
Cremation is a wonderful and flexible way to celebrate and memorialize the life of your beloved pet. Cremated remains can be buried, kept in an indoor or outdoor urn, or commemorated in jewelry or keepsake items. Cremation services are provided by Gateway Pet Memorial, they offer communal and individual cremation services, as well as other memorial products. To view additional memorial products that we can provide for you through Gateway Pet Memorial, please visit www.gatewaypetmemorial.com.
Communal Cremation
With communal cremation, your pet is gently placed into the crematory together with other pets. Ashes will not be returned to you, they will be placed in a grave in a group plot in one of Gateway Pet Memorial’s registered pet cemeteries.
Individual Cremation
Individual cremation provides you with the opportunity to keep your pet’s cremated remains as a permanent and personal keepsake. Your beloved pet is placed into the crematory and separated from the other pets with partitions. Your beloved pet’s cremated remains will be returned in your choice urn, along with a certificate of cremation, authenticating that your pet was cremated at Gateway Pet Memorial.