Helping Elsa – a Walkthrough “a Never Routine” Appointment

Listening to Elsa’s heart and lung sounds as she is getting sleepy and starting to feel comfortable .

Elsa receives her second injection – which is the anesthesia that helped her cross over in a deep peaceful sleep.

So, a very kind client /turned friend of mine likes to take a LOT of photos…. and I mean a LOT ( you will see). So I thought this would be a great opportunity to walk through what an in home consultation and euthanasia appointment is like. Now, please keep in mind, every single appointment is different. There is no routine or formula to follow. My only goals, each and every time, is to do everything I can to make sure my patient is comfortable, free of stress and free of pain. There are no rules, in fact I like to break a lot of rules by carrying chocolate donuts for my patients, or lately it has been Girl Scout cookies and bacon treats.

I try to arrive quietly, the doorbell can often be upsetting so I try to avoid ringing the doorbell at all costs. I like to sit and chat and I usually prefer the floor. I like to be closer to my patients, so I can observe them while we all talk about what has been going on. There is a LOT of information that I can gather, simply by watching them in their home, their posture, their interactions, how they move, how they breathe etc….

Should our discussions,  about quality of life, show that we are balancing that very fine line between struggling and suffering, our attention will turn on getting our sweet patient as comfortable as possible. I strongly believe that the ideal way to pass is in our sleep at home. As a pet parent myself, I have spent many nights hoping my senior terminal fur kid would pass in his sleep , free of pain and struggle. With that in mind, this is what I want for ALL of my patients. I will give a ” cocktail” of feel good drugs. This is a mix of pain meds, anti-anxiety meds, muscle relaxants and sedatives. Each cocktail is different and tailored to my patients specific needs. I give this medication much like a vaccine is given. Under the skin with a small needle. This is where the chocolate donuts, kitty gravy food or cookies come in handy. Often something yummy if they are still eating or a warm reassuring touch from ” Mom” or ” Dad” is all that is needed to serve as a positive distraction to make the brief injection, stress free and minimal and often unnoticed.

Once this medication is on board, I want my patients to gradually get comfortable and when they are free of pain and anxiety, they can slowly ease into a comfortable sleep. Often this is in their favorite spot, in the arms of their family, or simply where they decided they wanted to relax.

If my families consent, I LOVE making clay impressions of my patient’s paws. I like to make these when they are sleeping. I want it to be a memory of ” LIFE” and I also want to use it as a way to see how comfortable they are. Most of my fur kids ( mine included), hate when we mess with their feet. Thus if we are able to make an impression and they stay in a comfortable sleep:  I am given the reassurance that they have enough pain medication on board. I also will bring a little diaper pad. I want my patient’s to keep their dignity and it is not uncommon for us to leak or urinate passively under heavy sedation or when we pass.

It is only when we confirm our fur kid is completely comfortable that we will consider giving the second medication. This second medication is a type of anesthesia. It helps the brain slip away first. It is when they have crossed over mentally, will the rest of their body slow down and slip away.

My patient’s will slip away, while in a deep comfortable sleep. Many families have commented how their fur baby still looks asleep. I know the moment is surreal….My attention now turns to my patient’s devoted family…. I am here to offer support in any way I can….