End of Life Care: Cat and Dog Euthanasia Big Rapids, MI
The end of a pet's life is never easy. Such a difficult time deserves nurturing care, not only for your pet, but for yourself. Riversbend Animal Hospital is here to walk with owners through this process and help you make the best decision for your beloved pet. Cat and dog euthanasia is always a challenging decision, but you do not have to make it alone.
Contact our veterinary practice at (231) 796-3507 if you have any questions.
Knowing It's Time
One of the most important factors to take into account when considering pet euthanasia is your pet's quality of life. We define quality of life in many different ways. However, it tends to focus on your pet's overall comfort (both physically and mentally) and your beliefs as their owner. Quality of life for pets is defined differently than quality of life for us.
Factors that help determine quality of life are as follows:
- Pain
- Anxiety and fearfulness
- Type and aggression of disease
- Individual personality
- Your beliefs as the owner
Pet End-of-Life and After-Care
At Riversbend, your pet's comfort in their final moments is our priority. We strive to provide the best quality of care and comfort with a low-stress, calm environment. We ease your pet into a peaceful state and accommodate you in any way we can, whether you want to be a part of the procedure or would prefer to wait. Euthanasia means "good death," and we want to get as close to that definition as we can. Once your pet has passed, we work with Noah's Pet Cemetery to see to the after-care. For any specific requests, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Some Things to Keep in Mind
If you have other pets in your family, their behavior may change with the loss of their friend. Just as you grieve, animals grieve, too. A bit of lethargy or sullenness on the part of another pet is not untoward or unexpected. Be patient. Everyone grieves differently.
For any other questions or concerns about pet euthanasia, or just a chance to talk to someone about this challenging time, give us a call today at (231) 796-3507.
