Understanding what happens during a pet euthanasia appointment

If you decide the time has come, a vet or a nurse will explain the whole process of putting your pet asleep. If your pet is suffering your vet may advise you to euthanise him/her immediately, or if it is not urgent an appointment can be scheduled so that you and your family can spend more time with them before saying goodbye.

Make time for your entire family to say goodbye. If you have children, explain what's happening in advance to help them prepare for the loss of their friend.

If your pet is in the hospital, you can come before and during the euthanasia to be with your pet if you wish.

The actual process of putting a pet to sleep is painless and involves the injection of an anaesthetic overdose. This is usually given into a vein, just as a normal anaesthetic would be. Pets quickly fall asleep and usually pass away while the injection is still being given.

We can place a cannula, usually into the front leg, to make this process as simple and stress-free as possible or administer the anaesthetic. Sometimes, it is hard to get access to a vein, for example, if your pet doesn't like to be held, in such cases we may give a sedation to your pet to help them relax.

Some pets will not move at all after they have been put to sleep, but it is perfectly normal to see some muscle movement or even something that looks like deep breathes for a few minutes after they have passed away. This is not a sign of life but just automatic muscle movements that can continue for a few minutes after death – it is not a reason for worry or concern. We always make sure that a pet has passed away by feeling the pulse, listening to the heart and checking reflexes.

This decision is very personal, some owners wish to stay until the end and have some time with their pet after they have passed, while some others wish to leave before the process begins.

Many pet owners like to bring family members to the appointment at this sad moment for comfort and closure. Sometimes even children wish to come to say goodbye, it is always advisable to explain to them beforehand what is going to happen.

There are several options to consider after a pet has been put to sleep.

• It is possible to take the pet home after it has been put to sleep for burial in the garden.

• If this is not an option, then the pet can stay with us, and we can arrange cremation at a pet crematorium. Usually, pets are cremated together (communal cremation).

• It is also possible for us to arrange an individual cremation at the crematorium. In this case the pet is cremated on its own and the ashes are returned – usually in a wooden casket with a name plate – for the owner to collect at the surgery or in a card box with the ashes to scatter.

Some owners prefer to make their own arrangements with a pet crematorium or pet cemetery.

It is always best to discuss and pay the costs for the whole procedure beforehand, so when the moment comes, it is possible to concentrate only on your pet. You'll find our End of Life Care costs here.

Pet grieving support resources

Here are some resources which you may find useful in coping with the loss of a pet:

• Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS), Freephone 0800 096 6606

• PDSA National Collection of Pet Memories, Freephone 0300 3737 226

• Cat's Protection Paws to Listen free and confidential grief support service, Freephone 0800 024 94 94