From a hospice vet: Should I Plan Ahead For My Pet’s Final Farewell?
The short answer is yes.
The long answer is that it depends upon your goals for you and your pet for when they reach the end of their journey.
Of course, we cannot control everything when it comes to this stage of life. Planning ahead, however, is a way to relieve some of the future anxiety and stress so that when the time comes, you will be better equipped to put all of your focus and love into the time spent with your best furry friend.
When should you begin thinking about this? You may have recently received concerning news about your pet from your veterinarian. Or perhaps you are recognizing signs that your pet may be approaching the end of life, whether that may be within the coming days or farther out into the future. As difficult as it might be, this is an ideal time to reach out to your primary veterinarian or local in-home hospice veterinarian to begin the discussion regarding euthanasia or natural death. As a veterinarian who focuses on end-of-life care, I promise you that we are here to help you and that we care deeply about how you will say goodbye to your pet. The end of a pet’s life is special and significant, and we believe that this part of life deserves the same amount of love and care as any other stage of life.
So, let’s get to some of the benefits that can come when we allow ourselves to consider what may be coming and use it to work on creating the most quality and loving experience possible for our pets, our families, and ourselves.
#1 Address Fears And Concerns Ahead Of Time
Waiting until the “heat of the moment” to ask questions and voice concerns can lead to a great deal of anxiety and stress in the middle of an already sad and stressful moment. This may be especially true for families who have never before experienced pet loss. The thought of euthanasia may be terrifying. You may wonder if it’s going to look scary or if your pet will be in pain during the during the process. How will your vet take care of you and your pet? What will happen afterward? You may fear waking up to find your pet deceased from a natural death. What will your pet look like? What will you do? Who will you call?
These fears and concerns can be eased through advanced discussion with your primary vet or in-home hospice veterinarian. Having answers to your specific questions and worries well before the time comes can be comforting and reassuring.
#2 Avoid Stressful Emergency Situations
Planning in advance may help you to avoid emergency situations and midnight trips to the emergency clinic. Knowing the signs and symptoms to watch for, and having a plan, can allow you to be more proactive and lead you to contact your veterinarian sooner rather than later. This becomes especially important if you are hoping for home euthanasia for your pet. In the event that an emergency situation does arise, you will have discussed a plan with your veterinarian and may reduce some of the possible chaos simply by having a plan of action in place. I also personally believe in creating an at-home emergency plan tailored to your pet’s illness. For example, for pets with an illnesses that may experience rapid decline, such as with a splenic tumor, families can be educated and empowered in advance to treat their pet for sudden pain or other severe symptoms right away at home. This can provide pain relief and stress relief for your pet while waiting for a housecall veterinarian or while on the journey to your veterinary clinic.
#3 Plan Out Comfort Care Measures
In considering the disease processes that your pet may be going though, you may learn that there are more treatment options available than you initially believed. Integrative Hospice Care (Comfort Care) means focusing on strategies for alleviating symptoms, even when we know that there is no cure for the actual underlying disease. A variety of medications or supplements for pain, nausea, appetite enhancement, anxiety, or other symptoms are available and may be of benefit to your pet. Therapies in the realm of physical medicine such as acupuncture, laser therapy, massage, or exercises may be an option for your pet as well. A combination of these approaches may enhance quality of life, or potentially even slow down disease processes, for some increment of time prior to the end of life. Ensuring that your pet is comfortable is of the highest priority.
#4 Avoid Regrets About Misspent Time
Consider the time left with your pet and work to avoid regrets about misspent time. This can be as simple and special as sharing an ice cream or a cheeseburger or taking a day off work to spend together on the couch. Or this could be as elaborate as a road trip to a favorite location. You may also consider modifying favorite activities so that your pet may still participate. For example, if your pet can no longer go for walks, perhaps you can put them in a stroller or wagon and get them out and about for fresh air, smells, and scenery. If your pet can no longer chase the ball, perhaps you can roll it to them or provide puzzle toys to keep them active and busy.
#5 Plan for How You Want Your Pet to Experience their Goodbye
Most families can agree that they would like to avoid an emergency and avoid unnecessary stress for their pet. But during such an overwhelming time, it may be difficult to know where to start. In these cases, it can be beneficial and wise to set up a Quality of Life discussion with your primary vet or in-home hospice vet. This type of visit is not a typical vet visit and centers around end-of-life issues, decision making, and the human-animal bond with your pet. It is intended to give you unhurried, non-judgemental space to explore facets of your pet’s health from a physical, emotional, and social standpoint that may affect their daily quality of life. This discussion also allows for planning and preparation for how we may help you achieve your goals and wishes for your pet at the end of their journey.
Furthermore, if your goal is for your pet to be able to pass at home, whether with euthanasia or natural death, it is always wise to discuss a visit and plan with your housecall veterinarian with advanced notice if at all possible. Even a days advanced notice can be of great benefit. As much as we desire to help every pet in their time of need, it is heartbreaking when the schedule is full, and families have to be turned away or scheduled at a later time than is ideal.
#6 Plan for How *You* Would Like to Experience Your Pet’s Goodbye
Many families find much comfort and relief in learning that they can plan for their beloved pet’s passing right at home with the option of home euthanasia. Families may choose the setting such as a favorite bed, couch, under the familiar tree in the backyard, or even a local park. Families may choose to have music playing or may read poems or passages or may choose a silent setting. Some families even choose a “typical day” setting with the TV on in the background as this is the most comforting scenario for them. There are many opportunities to create a deeply personal goodbye at home. Alternatively, you may prefer the clinic setting. Some veterinary clinics do offer dedicated rooms with separate entrances to provide a non-clinical feel. These are great questions to ask in advance.
#7 Plan for Memorialization of Your Pet
Consider the variety of ways that you may want to memorialize your pet before and after humane euthanasia or natural passing. You may consider a DIY photo shoot or even hiring a professional photographer to capture a few more special photos of you and your pet together. Perhaps a painting or drawing from a local artist would be meaningful to you. There are a variety of clay paw impressions that you may interest you. You may be interested in looking at options for paw print jewelry. Tattoos are yet another way for people to pay tribute to a special pet. There are many novel ideas out there to explore.
#8 Plan for Your Pet’s Aftercare
Planning your pet’s aftercare (body care after euthanasia or natural death) is a very personal and individual decision. Many families choose cremation for their pet. Planning in advance can allow you time to consider if you would or would not wish for your pet’s ashes to be returned to you. If you do elect to have ashes returned, you may consider what you might do with the ashes. You may choose a special engraved urn or other container that speaks to you to hold the ashes. Alternatively, spreading your pet’s ashes over a favorite location may feel right to you. Lastly, depending upon location, some families have the option to plan for home burial or burial at a local pet cemetery.
We know that the idea of planning ahead for your pet’s final goodbye is not an easy task. Grief often begins well before your faithful friend is actually gone and losing a beloved pet can be one of the hardest things we have to experience in life. It is our mission to support, guide, and help you in any way that we can in order to make the ending of your pet’s story as beautiful and peaceful as possible.
