The end of life is always a difficult time for you and your pet.
When medicine and surgery can no longer relieve your pet, euthanasia sometimes becomes the best option for putting an end to its pain and distress.
Our emergency vets are increasingly called upon to provide medicalised end-of-life care directly in the owner's home. Our teams can provide you with all the information you need at 016 1394 0942
Throughout your pet's life, you've always done your utmost to ensure its well-being and give it the best possible life. When his last days come, you'll be at his side.
More and more of you want your pet to be cared for right up to the end, in a reassuring and soothing environment.
Your pet is part of your family and deserves to spend his last moments there, surrounded by his loved ones and in his own home.
By calling on our home vets, you can offer your pet a dignified and serene end to life. By choosing home euthanasia for your pet, you will be offering it :
The end of your pet's life is an unpredictable moment, but one that can be anticipated. The question of timing quickly becomes crucial.
At all times, your regular vet is the best person to advise you on whether veterinary medicine can still help and relieve your sick pet.
In emergency situations, if your vet is not available, our emergency call centre teams are there to help.
If your pet is seriously ill or injured, here are some factors that may help you decide whether euthanasia is an option to consider:
When the home vet comes to euthanise your pet, priority is given to its comfort and yours.
Thanks to a complete range of equipment, we systematically follow these steps:
At every stage of the process, our vet can answer your questions and explain the procedures to come. Don't hesitate to ask.
Although financial considerations are not a priority at this difficult time, we would like to give you an idea of the approximate cost of euthanasia at home:
In total, having your pet euthanised at home costs between £350 and £500, depending on the size of your pet and your location in London.
Please note that the cost of euthanasia may vary from one animal to another and also depends on the drug protocol used by the vet.
In addition to the vet's fees, you can also add the cost of taking care of your pet's remains. The most commonly chosen option is cremation of the body.
Once the vet has finished euthanising your pet, you will need to make arrangements for the management of its body.
Be careful: once the lethal injection has been given, the sphincters relax and body fluids (usually urine) may spill out.
Make sure you have towels ready to absorb any leaks.
Yes, you can bury your pet without needing prior authorisation, but you must observe certain hygiene measures to avoid soil contamination [1].
For the vast majority of families, the bodies of deceased pets will be entrusted to a crematorium in London. These professionals offer two types of cremation service for your pet:
If your cat is at the end of its life, we can euthanise it at home.
There are no additional constraints to euthanasia for cats. Your pet will always be anaesthetised beforehand, for his or her comfort and that of our vet.
Cats may be euthanised for the following reasons:
Some cats at the end of their lives are severely dehydrated. Intravenous injection of the lethal product may be more complicated. In 90% of cases, the veterinary surgeon manages to find a suitable route. In the most complex cases, it may be necessary to find another route.
Euthanising your dog at home is an end-of-life option worth considering, as it offers so many advantages for you and your pet at the end of life.
More often than not, animals at the end of their lives are difficult to transport due to their severely deteriorated state of health. Pain can be a barrier to moving your dog. The same applies to medium-sized to large dogs (over 60lbs), which are heavy and complicated to move.
In practice, you can have your dog euthanised at home by calling on our home vets in London and the surrounding area.
Dogs can be euthanised at home for the following reasons
The whole process of euthanasia at home takes between 30 and 45 minutes, depending mainly on the sedation phase of your pet. Whatever the conditions, our veterinary surgeon will take the time needed to guarantee your pet a dignified and peaceful end to life.
During euthanasia, your pet may experience reactions during the anaesthetic phase and after the lethal injection. These reactions are similar to respiratory spasms, linked to the gradual cessation of breathing. Don't worry, as soon as the anaesthetic is injected, your pet will be unconscious and will no longer feel any pain.
To best prepare for your pet's euthanasia at home, you can set up a quiet, hushed area that is easily accessible to our vet. You should also have cloths available to absorb any body fluids that may spill out once your pet is gone.
Following the euthanasia of your pet, you can request an individual cremation. You can then receive his ashes within a maximum of 15 days after his death.