Grief for the impending loss of your pet is complicated by the need to make difficult, often painful decisions. You may ask yourself how much treatment should I pursue? At what point will treatment cause more trauma than relief? Can I provide the care needed to keep my pet comfortable? At what point, if any, should I consider euthanasia?

Sometimes circumstances don?t give you time to ask such questions. An unexpected illness or injury might give you minutes. Whenever possible, it is ideal to develop a plan, taking into consideration basic issues:

• When should you consider euthanasia? When your pet is ill, this may be the last question you want to think about. Yet, it is an important question that needs to be considered. Our veterinarians can provide you with information on your pet?s problem that can help you form your plan. For example, you may decide to seriously consider euthanasia when your pet refuses to eat or drink for a certain period of time, is in pain despite medication, or has difficulty urinating/defecating in a normal manner. Does your pet have a "quality of life?"  By defining a ?decision point? in advance, you place boundaries on the suffering your pet is likely to endure.
• How is my pet euthasized?  Euthanasia is a peaceful and painfree procedure consisting of 2 injections.  When you decide you are ready, our veterinarian will administor an injection of TTD (a sedation cocktail consisting of Telezol, Torbutrol and DexDomitor).  This will relax your pet and place them in a deep sleep.  The next injection is a euthansia solution called SleepAway.  This is administored into the vein and stops the heart.  The time between the 2 injections depends of you.  Some people want time inbetween and some do not.  The decision is always yours. 
• Will you be there? This is a very personal issue. This is not a decision to be made lightly or based on someone else?s choices. Many feel that the pet?s well-being is the most important consideration.  We do encourage clients to remain with their pets but some just can not emotionally accept the decision and choose to step out.  There is never a right or wrong decision, it is personal and strickly your decision.
• What will you do next? The worst time to decide what to do with your pet?s remains is at the last minute. It?s far better to begin discussing options in advance. At Lanoka Oaks Veterinary Center, we offer three options:
  1. You may take your pet home for a private burial.
  2. We can arrange a private cremation through Abbey Glen with your pet's ashes returned to you.
  3. We can have Abbey Glen pick up your pet for a group or communal cremation.  Their ashes are then memorialized in Laffeyette, NJ.

Special thanks to Moira Anderson Allen, whose article on euthanasia was used to compile this information.

Our staff members are also pet owners and, therefore, they understand the bond between humans and animals and the difficulty of losing a cherished pet. Our staff does everything possible to help you through this decision and is available to talk to you about the euthanasia process before you come in for the service, so that you understand what to expect.  We also offer a Petloss Support Group.