End of Life
Euthanasia in Frisco Emergency Pet Care
Emergency hospitals are not like your family veterinarian – our focus is on treating sick or injured pets, whereas your family veterinarian focuses on wellness care. As a result, we see a lot of very sick or critically injured animals, and part of our responsibility is helping pet owners make end of life decisions for their pets and, when necessary, performing euthanasia.
The Euthanasia Process
Euthanasia (Greek for “good death”) is a gentle end to your pet’s suffering and prevention of future suffering. When you arrive at Frisco Emergency Pet Care, here is what you can expect.
Step #1 - The Comfort Room
You and your pet will be taken to a comfortable room, where a technician or veterinary social worker will come to discuss what’s happening with your pet, and whether your pet will be more comfortable with light sedation as an IV catheter is placed. If you have any questions, they will be able to answer them for you.
Step #2 - IV Catheter Placement
When your pet is calm and comfortable, a technician will come to the room to place an intravenous (IV) catheter. This is usually necessary for the veterinarian to administer medications, although this step can be skipped for certain cats.
Step #3 - Paperwork
At some point between the sedative administration and spending some addition time with your pet (Step #4), we will go through some paperwork together. This gives us permission to perform carry out the euthanasia process, and makes sure that we understand your wishes for your pet’s final arrangements. Payment is usually taken at this time, in the same room – this allows you to continue to spend time with your pet.
Step #4 - Spending Some Last Time
At this point, depending on your pet’s condition, you can spend some time saying goodbye. We will never rush you – you summon us with the touch of a button.
Step #5 - Euthanasia
A veterinarian will answer any final questions, and then perform the euthanasia. This is a two-step process. The first medication is an anesthetic induction agent commonly used to prepare patients (human and animal) for surgery. This deeply relaxes your pet, and makes the process much easier for both of you. At this point, if you decide you no longer wish to be present, you have the option to step out. The second medication is also an anesthetic agent, at a very high dose. The entire process generally takes less than 2 minutes.
Step #6 - Final Goodbyes
After we verify that your pet is deceased, we will give you as much time as you need to say your final goodbyes. If we did not make a foam paw print impression for you earlier, we will do that now.
Step #7 - We Do The Rest
When you are ready, you walk out of the dedicated exit door. We will take care of the rest.
Please understand that you do not have to be present for euthanasia. For some people, it is important to be there. Other pet owners do not want this to be their last image of a beloved pet, and do not wish to be present. This is a deeply personal decision, and may be different for different members of your family. We are not here to judge you – we are here to help you through this difficult time.
Final arrangements
How you would like your pet’s remains to be cared for is deeply personal; there is no right or wrong choice.
You have four choices regarding the aftercare of your pet:
- Home burial – we will wrap your pet and place them in a burial box so that you can bury your pet at home. Please be advised that this is only legal outside of incorporated cities. Please also know that this is much more difficult to do correctly than anyone thinks, and we strongly recommend you choose another option.
- Cremation – ToothAcres handles our cremation services for us. They have extensive experience and have been in the area for more than 45 years. Rest assured that they will be respectful, and take proper care of your pet.
- With communal cremation, your pet is cremated with other pets, and these ashes are buried at the crematorium.
- In a private cremation, your pet is cremated by themselves, and their ashes are returned to you (through us).
- Cemetery burial – ToothAcres also has a pet cemetery if you prefer to have your pet buried in a wooden coffin with a headstone.
In-Home Euthanasia
It is outside of the scope of our practice to offer in-home euthanasia services, but there are several practices whose sole purpose is in-home euthanasia. All of these doctors provide compassionate service and will arrange aftercare with you. Please see the following resources:
Compassionate Care Pet Services
Call or text Dr. Fiona McCord @ 469-307-8446.
Dr. McCord has practiced in the Dallas area for more than 30 years and is a certified bereavement counselor. She also offers in-home hospice counseling and care.
Located in Prosper, Dr. Melissa Pearson of Peaceful Pathways for Pets operates a mobile euthanasia service for our area. Call or text 972-965-9541.
Lap of Love is a national practice with multiple locations across the country. We are fortunate to have one here in North Dallas. Call 972-544-7590 for more information.
Loving Goodbyes is located in Frisco. Call Dr. Dolian @ 940-268-6644 or see her website for more information.
Grieving
Grief does not recognize species boundaries – loss is loss – most owners love their pets as family members and grieve for them as family.
The special bond you share with your pet is a treasure, and we respect that. Honoring that bond and helping you through this difficult time is why we have a licensed counselor on staff, available to help you at the time of loss and the period afterwards.
Our social workers host Pet Loss Support Group meetings in our conference room on the first Tuesday of every month, so that pet parents can share their stories, experiences, and feelings with each other and with our counselor.