Pet EuthansiaRancho San Carlos Pet Clinic

What is Euthanasia and What Happens?

Euthanasia is the act of ending an animal’s life in a painless way to prevent unnecessary suffering. Sedatives and/or pain medication may be given to allow your pet to relax into a deep level of sedation. An intravenous catheter may be placed to administer the euthanasia medication. This is an overdose of an anesthetic. Your pet will fall completely asleep, then pass. After your pet has passed, their eyes may fall open rather than closed. There may also be body reflexes, such as a twitch or final breath. These are signs of the body letting go; they are not painful, nor are they a part of conscious thought. Pets will often urinate or defecate as the body relaxes.

Euthanasia Services

This is a difficult time in the best of circumstances. We know that many of the area hospitals and emergency facilities are not allowing people to be with their pets for euthanasia. In order to provide this service for you and your loved one and allow you to be together, we have made some accommodations. We have an outdoor tent with open sides and seating where you can be together. Your pet will enter the hospital for placement of an IV catheter. This is attached to a long line so that you may be close to your pet, and our doctor will be a social distance space apart. The area will be cleaned between families. We do require all persons to wear masks. We respectfully request that children are not present and that you limit the number of people who are present with our staff. You may take time prior to say goodbye as a group, then have one or two people present with the doctor. We find this private outdoor space to be preferable for many families, but if you would like to be inside or the weather is not cooperating, then indoor arrangements can be made. These precautions are taken for the health and safety of you and our staff.

Aftercare Services

We offer two types of cremation services: individual cremation with the return of ashes and communal cremation with ashes spread at sea. Cremation services are provided by West Coast Pet Memorial Services, a trusted facility that treats our patients with dignity and respect. With the individual cremation option, the ashes are returned to our hospital in approximately two weeks. A clay paw print is included, and an ink paw print may be requested. If you would prefer to use another pet cremation service, you’re welcome to arrange with them to pick up your pet’s body after the euthanasia. If you would like to bury your pet’s body, please verify the legality based on your city’s ordinances.

How Did We Handle Euthanasia During COVID?

Saying goodbye is never easy, but it can be even harder when you don’t get to be with your pet. Unfortunately, our local emergency hospitals and some of our area hospitals were not able to provide a safe space for clients and pets. Here at Rancho San Carlos Pet Clinic, we created an outdoor rainbow room for privacy while still being outside. With clients now routinely coming inside, we have returned to performing euthanasia inside the building. If you require any special arrangements, do not hesitate to ask.