Pet Euthanasia and end of life support.

End of life care is the hardest part of being a responsible pet owner. Our compassionate team can help you navigate the emotions and questions involved in pet euthanasia. Call us on 94983000 or make a booking to discuss an end of life plan that is best for you and your pet’s quality of life.

Frequently asked questions 

When is the right time to euthanise my pet?

For almost every pet it is difficult to know exactly when is the right time to say goodbye. There are some signs and changes that may help with this decision, including:

• If your pet is unable to walk to and from areas required for eating, drinking or toileting.
• If your pet is no longer eating or drinking.
• If your pet is in obvious pain or discomfort.
• If your pet’s pain and discomfort is not-responsive to veterinarian prescribed medications.
• If behaviour changes have occurred that make your pet cautious of family members or extremely lethargic.

If you aren’t sure if now is the right time for pet euthanasia, please make an appointment to see one of our vets online here or call us for advice on 9498 3000. We know how hard making the decision to say goodbye can be and are here to help every step of the way. 

What happens during Euthanasia?

When euthanasia has been decided the following steps will normally take place. There may be some changes to these steps depending on your pet’s individual needs and condition:

• A sedative drug is given by injection to relieve your pet’s stress and discomfort. This ensures that the remaining steps in the euthanasia process go smoothly. There will be some time after this point to ensure the sedation has taken effect.
• An intravenous catheter (also known as a cannula) is placed in one of your pet’s legs to facilitate access to the veins.
• A barbiturate anaesthetic is then injected using the catheter, which will take  place over a few seconds.
• The anaesthetic painlessly causes your pet’s heart and lungs to stop working, allowing their life to come to a gentle and humane end. 
• The vet will then check your pet’s vital signs using a stethoscope to ensure the euthanasia process has been completed.

Do I need to be present during the procedure?

It is quite common for some pet owners to say goodbye before their pet’s final moments. At Gordon Vet we make sure to go through the process with you step-by-step so you can decide whether you would like to stay or not. At no point should you have feelings of guilt for either decision. Our staff will always treat your pet with kindness and respect throughout the euthanasia process, as we know how special they are to you.

Can my pet be euthanised at home?

Home pet euthanasia is available at Gordon Vet Hospital. This service gives you and your pet the opportunity to have their final moments in a comfortable space where most of the memories they have with you have been made. It also means that all family members can be present in a private and supportive environment, if they choose to be present.

A home visit can be organised by calling us on 9498 3000. We are usually able to accommodate you and your pet on most days of the week. Depending on timing and availability we may be able to have your preferred vet perform the home visit, to put both you and your pet at ease.

If you are not burying your pet at home we can arrange to take them back to Gordon Vet Hospital to arrange other options for their remains (see below in “What are the options for my pet’s remains”).

These are some of the suburbs we provide house visit euthanasia services for:

• Gordon
• Pymble
• Killara
• Lindfield
• Turramurra
• St Ives
• North Ryde
• Macquarie Park
• Marsfield
• Roseville
• Wahroonga
• Warrawee

If you are outside these areas please feel free to contact us and we can try and make arrangements based on your location.

What are the options for my pet’s remains?

A gentle and dignified farewell is what we all want for our pet.

Burying your pet at home is not always possible due to council regulations or your own housing arrangements, but a range of different cremation options are available.

If you do not wish to keep your pet’s ashes, a standard cremation service may be suitable. Many pet owners prefer to keep only photos and memories of their pet. A standard cremation is a respectful and environmentally conscious option where your pet’s remains are cremated but the ashes are not returned. We have been working with our preferred pet crematorium for many years and we assure you that your pet is cremated in a dignified and humane manner.

If you would prefer the ashes of your pet to be returned we also offer private cremation. In this case your pets remains are cremated independently and the ashes are returned. If you decide on this option you have the choice of a range of vessels for your pet’s ashes. This includes a variety of urns and wooden vessels, as well as environmentally friendly scatter tubes that allows you to thoughtfully distribute your pet’s ashes.