Pet End of Life Care in Bloomfield Hills
When pets reach the end of their lives, whether it’s from a long life or an untimely terminal illness, it’s important to give them the comfort and care they deserve. At DePorre Veterinary Hospital, we offer end of life pet care including hospice care and cat and dog euthanasia. Our team of compassionate pet lovers is here to walk with you on this journey. We help you decide what is right for your pet and when it may be time to say goodbye.
Hospice Care
Hospice care for pets aims to make them as comfortable as possible so they can maintain their quality of life. Our pain management services include traditional medication, laser therapy, acupuncture, and herbal therapy, so your pet has a range of options. To determine the best options for your pet, please schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians
While hospice care is often effective, there are instances when it simply is not enough to maintain your pet’s quality of life. When they are in unrelenting discomfort and struggle to get around and perform basic tasks such as eating and eliminating, it may be time to consider euthanasia.
Cat and Dog Euthanasia
No one wants to say goodbye to a beloved companion, but sometimes it is the most humane thing to do. When your pet is no longer themselves and they struggle every day with pain and immobility, cat and dog euthanasia becomes an appropriate option. Our staff are here to walk you through an assessment of your pet’s condition, so you don’t have to make this hard decision on your own. We’ll evaluate their quality of life together and discuss any other options for end of life pet care. If your pet’s suffering outweighs any hospice care, we’ll decide on pet euthanasia.
A euthanasia procedure is peaceful and dignified for your pet. We administer the euthanasia in our hospital, and you are welcome to stay with your pet or leave the room if you prefer. The medicine works very quickly and your pet will not feel a thing. After the procedure, it’s best to have plans already in place for their after-care, whether burial or cremation. Please discuss these options with your family, and plan ahead so you don’t have to worry about the details on the day.
Pet Euthanasia at DePorre Veterinary Hospital
When is it time to consider euthanasia for my pet?
I really think it comes down to knowing your pet and recognizing when you start seeing changes that make you question whether your pet's quality of life is still what you want it to be. That can present very differently, and it can also show up differently in cats versus dogs.
If you're having these conversations with your veterinarian, sometimes there's a specific medical diagnosis that helps you prepare because you know it's eventually going to force an end-of-life decision. Sometimes that can help you get ready a little bit. Other times, it's just normal aging, and you're starting to see changes at home that make you concerned about what your pet's quality of life is looking like.
How do cats and dogs show end-of-life changes differently?
I do think dogs and cats typically present differently, and that can make things more challenging. With cats, we often see them stop eating, hide more, and show changes that make it clear they're just not quite themselves. Cats are really, really good at hiding things, so I think sometimes they manage longer and seem okay until things suddenly take a turn. Because they're so good at keeping discomfort hidden, it can come as a bigger surprise for owners when they seem fine and then, all of a sudden, stop eating. And when cats stop eating, they often just stop eating. That obviously raises concern about whether this is something medically treatable or whether it's their way of telling us that their quality of life isn't good, they don't feel well, and they're having discomfort.
With dogs, I think it's often a little easier to see. They tend to wear their emotions on their sleeve a bit more. Certainly, changes in appetite matter, but with dogs, we also have a lot of conversations about mobility as they get older. Sometimes they can't do the stairs, chase the ball, or do some of the things they've always loved. So, at a big-picture level, I think it's really about asking what they love to do and whether they're still able to do those things.
How can you evaluate your pet's quality of life?
I always encourage clients to make a list of the things they know their cat or dog loves to do. Whether that's barking at the mailman or rubbing against you while you're eating breakfast, those little routines matter. Cats may come between your legs, rub up against you, or mark their scent on things. If you start seeing changes in those behaviors, it can help to have something objective to look at and say, "Okay, I have concerns that this is affecting their quality of life, and maybe their quality of life isn't what I want for them."
That's when it may be time to have a conversation with your veterinarian. Do we need to have an end-of-life discussion? Are we doing the best we can to manage discomfort or other medical issues? We really want to do what's best for your pet, and most owners want exactly that. Sometimes there are medications or other things we can do to make them more comfortable. It just needs to be a conversation because every pet is a little different, and they each show declining quality of life in their own way.
What can you expect during the euthanasia process for your pet?
In my 21 years of practice, euthanasia has come a long way for the better, which is great. We use a lot of medications now to make this as smooth a process as possible for the pet and for you and your family, because nobody wants their last memory of their pet to be them struggling or stressed. We want to make this as peaceful as we can.
A lot of times, we start by giving an injection of medication just underneath the skin to help them relax. With both cats and dogs, we still place an IV catheter to give the final injection, which is what stops the heart. But my goal is for every patient to be as relaxed and stress-free as possible, even for that IV catheter placement. We've all had a blood draw or IV catheter at some point, and there is a little poke involved. So, if we can avoid them getting worked up or stressed, we want to do that.
Most of the time, that initial injection will almost fully sedate them so they are completely relaxed. Then we place the IV catheter and give the final injection. We typically explain every step along the way so people know what to expect. For some pets, we'll even have owners give a medication at home ahead of time just to help them relax before they even walk in the door. Again, the goal is to make this as smooth and low-stress as possible for your pet and for your family during a very difficult decision.
Is there an emotional adjustment after you euthanize a pet?
Emotionally, you should expect grief, and it's okay to recognize that this is a major loss. You're losing an important part of your family, and it's normal to feel that deeply. It's hard to say goodbye. I think a lot of people struggle most with making the decision because we all ask ourselves whether we're doing the right thing. That's where it helps to go back to what I mentioned earlier and make things a little more objective. What are the signs that tell me my cat or dog is not feeling well and doesn't have a good quality of life? When there are more things they no longer do than things they still enjoy, that often means it's time to consider making a decision.
If you've worked through that and you know you're making the right decision, then I think it's important to allow yourself to be vulnerable and accept how hard it's going to be. Even when it's the right decision, it's still heartbreaking. You're losing a part of your family. You're losing a companion who may have been with you through difficult times. That sense of loss is normal.
Afterward, be prepared for an adjustment period. Especially for owners who are providing a lot of end-of-life care, it can be hard when that routine suddenly stops. I've had clients making meals three or four times a day, giving medications around the clock, and doing intense nursing care. When their pet is gone, their brain still expects them to get up and do those things. So there is a grieving process afterward, too, even when you've made the best decision for them. That doesn't mean it was the wrong decision. It's just part of natural grief. I always encourage clients to let themselves grieve, because when people try to push past the loss too quickly, they often struggle longer and second-guess themselves. These are important members of your family, and it's okay for their loss to have a big impact.
Can family members or children be present for your pet's euthanasia?
We always welcome family members who want to come in for the process and say goodbye to your cat or dog. Depending on children's ages, I usually try to have a conversation about that. I generally don't encourage very young children, or even some pre-teens, to be present because it can be hard for them to understand the decision-making process. Sometimes, having their last memory of the pet be after they've passed may not be the best memory for them.
Usually, I tell clients that they know their children best, and we will respect whatever decision they make. I've had families of six to eight people all crowded in the room, surrounding their cat or dog, and that's okay. We encourage whatever is going to help your family most and make the experience as meaningful and comforting as possible.
Do you have to stay with your pet until the end?
I always explain the process so people know what to expect, because being there until the end is not right for everyone. Some people want to say their goodbyes, remember their pet as they were, and then leave. I always try to comfort clients by saying that even if you're not there, I will be there. My technician will be there. We will stay with your pet the whole time.
Your pet is the number one priority. Even if you're not present, we continue the process right away. Your pet is not going to be left waiting while something else happens. The process for your pet will be the same. They'll receive medication to completely relax them, we'll place an IV catheter, and then we'll give the final injection. It really comes down to what each person feels is best for them emotionally.
Can you bring another pet to say goodbye to a pet being euthanized?
Sometimes people want to bring another pet with them. I see that more with dogs than cats, since bringing a cat in a carrier is often more stressful. I do have clients who ask whether they can bring their other dog, and I usually talk through what would be best for them and their family.
I don't think it's a bad idea, especially if the dogs are very close, to let the other dog come in after the euthanasia so they can smell the pet that has passed away. My only concern with having another dog there for the entire process is that I don't want that other dog to become a distraction and take away from your time saying goodbye. Once we sedate the pet, place the catheter, and begin the final injections, it's a very short window. That's good for your cat or dog, but it does happen quickly. I don't want someone distracted and then feeling like they didn't get the time they needed.
If you want to bring your other dog, I usually suggest leaving them in the car and then bringing them in afterward if you'd like. Sometimes I think that helps. I do think pets can sense when another pet is gone, even if they don't come in and smell them directly. But for some people, it brings comfort knowing the other pet had a chance to be aware, too.
What are the options for aftercare for my pet's remains?
There are a few different options for aftercare. We work with a local cremation company and have for more than 15 years. They do a great job and treat these pets with the same respect you would want for any member of your family. Most people in our area choose cremation, mainly because burial options are more limited. There are a couple of local places that offer burial and pet cemeteries, and some clients do choose that, but cremation is the most common option.
If you choose cremation, the next decision is whether you want your pet's ashes returned. That's a personal preference. Some people want the ashes back so they can bury them, scatter them in a special place, or keep them in an urn or keepsake. Other people don't feel they need that, and that's okay too.
In addition to cremation or burial, we also offer a complimentary paw print. It's a clay impression of your cat or dog's paw with their name on it, and it's another keepsake. Some people don't want the ashes but do want the paw print. Some want both. It's simply another option we offer to help provide comfort during the grieving process.
Can you schedule an end-of-life consultation?
You can always make an appointment to have a conversation with one of our veterinarians as an end-of-life consultation. Sometimes it's helpful just to come in and talk. I've even had people come in without the pet, especially if it's a pet I've already been managing for other medical conditions. It's a good opportunity to have a face-to-face conversation and talk through questions like: How do we know if this dog or cat is suffering? What are they still doing? What have they stopped doing? What does all of that mean?
Hopefully, we can help guide that process a little bit. Even if you're not ready to make a decision that day, it's still part of coming to the right decision for your cat or dog. I always tell people that once it's done, we can't take it back, so you want to feel confident that it's the right choice. We're always happy to talk through that, and making an appointment just for that conversation is welcome anytime.
I know this is a really difficult topic to talk about. Nobody wants to think about having to say goodbye to their cat or dog. We like to focus on keeping them as healthy as possible for as long as possible. But this is an important conversation, and I think being prepared and asking questions can help when that difficult decision has to be made.
Here for You and Your Pet
We pride ourselves on caring for pets throughout their lifetime, even though that sometimes means making the hard decisions with you. When the time comes to consider end of life pet care, know that you can trust the team at DePorre Veterinary Hospital to be there when you need us.
Contact us at (248) 609-1625 for more information.