Euthanasia Technique Protocol Guideline Learn Perform Train

How do we veterinarians make euthanasia more comfortable?

When pet owners face the agonizing conflict about when to euthanize their cherished pet, we can make time to:

Advise clients about when to euthanize and be very specific
Perform euthanasias in the privacy and comfort of home
Sedate pets SQ with smallest possible needle (25g or insulin)

When counseling clients about when to euthanize, it’s not always helpful to say, “You’ll know when it’s time.” or “Wait until they stop eating.” It is often much more complicated than that. Many pet owners need individual discussion about their specific situation. My lists for signs of suffering and quality of life can help you to be more specific in a way that helps to support the client. (Click articles on bottom right section of this website.)

It’s common for people to wait too long to euthanize their pet because pain and suffering are shown in very subtle ways. Animals are designed to hide their pain. This makes it difficult to know: Are they suffering? Are they painful?

When we spend extra time supporting and instructing our clients during the euthanasia decision-making process:

These pet owners learn about subtle signs of suffering.
They then gain clarity.
With clarity, they now can move forward to the euthanasia procedure with a little more confidence.

Please read the signs of suffering list and quality of life checklist on our website (bottom right section). Some veterinarians find this wording helpful and thus can advise clients more effectively.

Two things that clients need from you the most regarding euthanasia:

REASSURANCE that they are doing the right thing
REASSURANCE that you will be there for them during their time of need

You certainly have my permission and are welcome to copy anything on our website for handouts for your clients and for informing other veterinarians.

And now a little about Pet Loss At Home, a growing and respected national network of compassionate veterinarians dedicated to providing private pet euthanasia in the comfort of home. Our gentle veterinarians place a high priority on being available and responsive during a client’s time of need. We spend a lot of time counseling and supporting the client during the process of deciding when is the right time to euthanize. And we are ready and available to come to the home when it is time to proceed with the euthanasia.

Referring to Pet Loss At Home is an option for veterinary clinics who understand the importance of home euthanasia but ocassionally struggle with availability. We are specialty mobile veterinarians who are quickly available during times when you are not. Our understanding veterinarians are passionate about the importance of private home euthanasia service. Each one is hand-selected and carefully trained by me, Dr. Karen Twyning, DVM, founder of Pet Loss At Home. I have +10 years of full-time home euthanasia experience and have helped over 3,000 families say goodbye in the comfort of home.

I’ve written two helpful booklets: one for pet owners and one for veterinarians. My immense amount of real-life, situational knowledge about home euthanasia is invaluable, thus I have dedicated the rest of my career to training veterinarians on how to counsel distressed pet owners about quality of life, signs of suffering, when to euthanize, and then when the time comes, how to perform home euthanasia gracefully.

The Art of Home Euthanasia $9.99 Immediate Download/Print Yourself/27 pages
- Learn euthanasia tips such as:
  - Amazing relaxation of adding alpha-2 + Ace to Telazol
  - Intra-renal option in deeply anesthetized cats with weak veins that keep blowing
  - Using tiny insulin needle SQ slow pulse one unit at a time in cats and small dogs, 25g SQ for larger
  - How to keep the home clean
  - How to transport for cremation
  - How to work alone
- Please click here to purchase The Art of Home Euthanasia for Veterinarians

Euthanasia Guidebook for Pet Owners $9.99 Immediate Download/Print Yourself/16 pages
- Read online flip-book version for FREE:
  - The Euthanasia Decision
  - Euthanasia: The Last Loving Gift
  - End-of-Life Situations
  - Signs of Suffering
  - Quality of Life Factors
  - Prepare for the Procedure
  - Cope with Pet Loss
- Please click here to preview, read free online flip-book version, and/or purchase Euthanasia Guidebook for Pet Owners

Some of My Missions…

Encourage veterinary clinics to routinely offer & perform home euthanasia themselves or refer or both
Educate veterinarians about quality of life counseling and home euthanasia techniques
Spread the word to pet owners about the option of private pet euthanasia in the comfort of home
Support pet owners with quality of life and signs of suffering information
Help families with the decision for when to euthanize
Provide effective grief support resources after pet loss

If you are a veterinarian interested in partnering with Pet Loss At Home to provide private pet euthanasia in the comfort of home, please email DrKaren@PetLossAtHome.com. Click here to submit your email address, city, and reasons why you would be a good match for us.