Losing a beloved pet is a difficult and emotional experience. At 1mquotes, we understand the importance of ensuring a peaceful and stress-free environment for your furry friend during their final moments. That’s why we offer in-home pet euthanasia services, allowing your pet to remain in a familiar and comfortable setting surrounded by loved ones. In this article, we will provide you with valuable tips on how to prepare for an in-home euthanasia visit, reducing stress for both you and your pet.
Preparing for your visit: Reducing stress for fearful and anxious pets
We strive to make our home visits as stress-free as possible. By keeping your pet at home, they can remain in a familiar environment surrounded by family. This avoids potential triggers for anxiety such as traveling in the car, going into a clinic, or being exposed to the smells and sounds of other animals. However, even in a home environment, some animals may still experience nervousness or fear. Here are some suggestions to help minimize stress:
Pre-Visit Sedation Kit
Pets that are likely to be anxious and/or in pain may benefit from a “sedation kit.” This kit contains prescription medication that can be used before the visit. We typically recommend a combination of gabapentin, clonidine, and trazodone for dogs, and gabapentin +/- trazodone for cats. These medications have both anti-anxiety and sedative effects, and gabapentin also acts as a pain reliever.
To effectively use the sedation kit, we recommend giving a dose of the medication(s) the night before the visit, and again 2-3 hours ahead of the appointment. If there is enough time before the visit, we suggest doing a trial dose of the medications in advance to assess efficacy, determine the optimal dose and timing, and identify any potential side effects. It’s important to note that most animals tolerate these medications very well, but some may be more sensitive to the sedative effects than others. Sedated pets may become wobbly, so it’s crucial to keep them away from stairs or uneven surfaces.
Pre-Visit Supplements
For pets with mild anxiety, a naturally-derived product may be sufficient to reduce stress. These products can also be used in combination with the sedation kit or prescription medication for pets with more significant anxiety. Examples of naturally-derived supplements include Vetoquinol Zylkene Behavior Support Capsules, Rescue Remedy Pet, and VetriScience Composure Chews. These products are available over-the-counter from pet pharmacies and some pet supply stores. Additionally, lavender in a diffuser or applied to a bandana or blanket may have a calming effect on some pets.
Preparing the Space
We can typically work wherever your pet is most comfortable, but it’s ideal to choose an area that is easily accessible and free of loud noises. Classical music or white noise can sometimes help reduce anxiety in pets. Cats often prefer a warm location, so ensure their surroundings are cozy. If your pet prefers to hide, you can provide a pet bed or resting spot in a quiet part of the house with minimal traffic, or an open carrier or box lined with a blanket. The resting spot should be easy for your pet to enter and exit on their own, granting them the freedom to change locations if desired, and access to food and water.
Pheromone diffusers or sprays can also be used in the home to provide anti-anxiety effects. Adaptil is a synthetic calming pheromone for dogs, and Feliway is a synthetic calming pheromone for cats. These diffusers can be plugged into rooms where your pet spends most of their time, at least 24-48 hours before the visit. Alternatively, the spray versions of Adaptil or Feliway can be applied to blankets, bedding, or furniture. Allow them to dry for 15 minutes before your pet interacts with the sprayed item. You can re-spray the pheromones every 4-5 hours as needed.
During the Visit
To ensure a more relaxed environment during the visit, we recommend the following:
- Treat distraction: If your pet is still eating, have plenty of their favorite treats nearby. This can help distract them when we give the sedative injection.
- Pre-injection medication: For some pets, we may recommend applying a gel medication to their gums for anxiety relief and sedative effects before any injections. The need for this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
- Gentle handling and interaction: If your pet is extremely anxious, it’s often helpful for us to avoid direct eye contact and give them space before and after the sedative injection. When handling your pet, we strive to avoid sensitive areas. Please inform us if your pet is painful in certain parts of their body, as this may affect where we administer the sedative injection. Additionally, let us know if your pet has any tendencies to nip, bite, or scratch when scared or in pain, so that we can adjust our approach accordingly.
At 1mquotes, we are committed to providing compassionate and personalized in-home pet euthanasia services. We understand the pain of saying goodbye to a cherished companion, and our goal is to ensure a peaceful and dignified farewell. If you need more information or would like to schedule a visit, please visit our website 1mquotes.
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