When at your Home

 

Dr. Kristin and her veterinary technician will arrive at the owner's home as close to the scheduled appointment time as possible.  A phone should be kept nearby in case an unforeseen circumstance should arise where the owner would need to be contacted.

 

There is a little paperwork to take care of prior to moving forward with the euthanasia. This includes the owner's signature for permission to euthanize which also states that their pet has not bitten anyone or any animal in the last 15 days. (This is state law.)

 


 

Dr. Kristin will first administer a combination of a sedative and pain medication just underneath the skin of the pet.  Once the pet is sedated (usually takes 5 to 10 minutes), a catheter is then placed in the pet's frontleg vein. The purpose of placing a catheter is two-fold. First, the euthanasia solution is painful if administered outside of the vein and secondly, the catheter ensures clean access to the vein.

 

When the family is ready, Dr. Kristin then administers the euthanasia solution into the catheterized leg. The euthanasia drug is a concentrated barbiturate solution. The first effect of the euthanasia solution is complete loss of consciousness; within several seconds, the rest of the body's functions will gently slow down and stop.

 

After Dr. Kristin has verified the pet has passed with her stethescope, the family may choose to spend more time wtih their pet. If the family has elected private or group cremation, Dr. Kristin will wrap the pet in linen for transport.