Dr. Burroughs will arrive and introduce herself to everyone. She usually takes a few minutes to greet your pet so that he/she is comfortable with her in the home. She will then finish paperwork and accept payment. She then spends some time going over the process with your family and answering any questions you have about the appointment.
The in home euthanasia appointment has two steps. The first step is that your pet will receive sedation. This is an injection, given just under the skin (or subcutaneously). Dr. Burroughs will combine a pain medication, an anti-anxiety medication and sedatives into a single injection given with a very tiny needle. It is very rare for a pet to even notice this step. If your pet is still eating, please have some favorite treats ready at the appointment to offer while Dr. Burroughs is giving the sedative injection.
Once your pet has received sedation, it will take about 5-10 minutes for him/her to fall into a deep sleep. These are the same medications used right before surgery, so pets feel very relaxed and pain free while falling asleep. During this time, you can snuggle with your pet, talk to him or her, or do whatever feels right to you. Dr. Burroughs will remain in the home while your pet gets sleepy, just so she can keep an eye on how the medications are working and make adjustments if needed. She usually works on the clay paw print during this time and gets the second medication and other supplies ready.
Once your pet appears asleep, Dr. Burroughs will place a potty pad under him/her and check their sedation level by pressing in between their toes and tickling their ear. Lack of response to these stimuli confirms deep sedation. The second step is placing the intravenous catheter that is necessary for the second and final medication. Dr. Burroughs will place the catheter in one of your pet’s legs. She will prepare the site by clipping a small area of fur on the leg. Once the catheter is in place, Dr. Burroughs will let you know that she is starting to give the final medication. It usually takes a minute or two to administer the medication. Dr. Burroughs will then listen to your pet with her stethoscope and confirm that your pet has passed. If Dr. Burroughs is taking your pet with her for cremation, she then exits the home to give your family some time and privacy. Most families need 5-15 minutes and she will ask you to wave at her when you are ready. (If you have planned a home burial for your pet, Dr. Burroughs will make the clay paw print and get a fur clipping as soon as your pet passes and then she will leave to allow you to continue with home burial.)
When Dr. Burroughs comes back into the home, she will finish the clay paw print by pressing your pet’s paw into the clay. She will also clip some fur if you’d like. Then she will move your pet over onto a stretcher (dogs over 20lbs) or into a basket (small dogs and cats) for transport. She uses soft blankets to cover your pet. For dogs over 45lbs, she will need someone to help her carry the pet out to her car using handles on the stretcher. Companah crematorium picks up from us to continue with private or communal cremation as arranged.
Please note that additional paw prints can be ordered from the crematorium for $25 each. They will also do ink paw prints or nose prints for $10 each. Please let Dr. Burroughs know if you would like to add these memorials at the beginning of the appointment. Sometimes people ask if she can make additional memorials (such as clay paw prints or ink prints) in the home. Unfortunately, there is not usually time for extra memorials at the home and these will need to be purchased from the crematorium. Another option would be for folks to make their own additional memorials prior to Dr. Burroughs’ arrival for the appointment.
Same Day In Home Euthanasia Services in Raleigh
