End of Life Care in North Richland Hills

When the quality of your pet’s life seems to be fading, you will face one of life’s most difficult decisions. The Veterinarian and staff at Cornerstone Animal Hospital will be there with you and your pet with lots of empathy and support and will help you gain courage and comfort and also help you to decide if the time for the final decision has really arrived.

Your pet will be treated with the dignity and honor he/she deserves as a member of the family. Because we form such a strong bond with our companion animals, the end of a pet’s life can be a devastating experience. Everyone on the Cornerstone staff knows firsthand the grief and hurt you may be experiencing, and we will make sure you feel as comfortable as possible during this tough time.

How to make the final decision
Many a time some of the symptoms or behavioral changes in your beloved pets make you to think is it time to put him/her to sleep. The most common signs that prompt you to think that the final decision need to be made imminently in an older pet are the following

    -Considerable weight loss over long period or on a fast pace
    -Unable to stand or need help/support to move around
    -Chronic pain not amenable to pain medications or other medical therapy
    -Not interested in eating or drinking
    -Loosing bowel or urinary control
    -Cognitive disorders- do not respond to the master or show abnormal age–related behavior
    -The pet is appearing to be suffering due to various other reasons

We can help with the Decision
In certain situations, the pet owner may not be able to make the right judgement due to emotional reasons or not fully understanding the medical or ethical validity of the decision. Also you may want to be doubly sure that the final decision is made appropriately and at the right time without the pet suffering from pain or other discomfort. The Veterinarian at Cornerstone Animal Hospital can be trusted in helping you make the right decision. The Veterinary doctor at this hospital do not encourage putting down a pet without valid reasons. The doctor and staff are well known for demonstrating genuine empathy to each pet parent and each pet and in giving a helping hand in making that transition of your pet very smooth and the most comforting experience you ever had.

Sedation
In order to make sure that your pet has a smooth and comfortable transition, every pet will receive sedation/anesthesia prior to euthanasia. Since every pet is different, we have several different types of sedation and anesthesia so that we can choose the right protocol for your situation. Most of the time, sedation will help make your pet very sleepy, but awake. Either way, they are pain free and very comfortable in your arms. Every pet will have an Intravenous catheter placed to facilitate when injecting the sedation.

Will my pet feel pain?
At Cornerstone Animal Hospital, we make sure that your pet will be relaxed and pain-free before and during the procedure. Pain medications may also be administered in addition to the sedation.

What will happen to my pet during the injection?
Since your pet will be already anesthetized, he/she will drift to sleep within few seconds of starting the IV injection. We use a heavy overdose of the anesthetic agent which will cause your pets heart to stop. He/she will pass away within seconds after the injection is given. The veterinarian will listen to your pet after the euthanasia injection has been given and will let you know when your pet has passed away.

Grieving Time
Losing a pet is similar to losing a family member. We understand that it is not an easy experience and that grieving is necessary. Everyone is different in their grieving process and we encourage families to allow everyone in the family to grieve differently. You may take your time to grieve the special relationship you had with your pet. Some people spend more time with their pet than extended family members and friends, so treat the loss accordingly.

After Care
At Cornerstone Animal Hospital, we understand that the life you shared with your companion is special and therefore we take care of the remains of your loved companion in an honorable manner. The options of after-care range from communal cremation, private cremation with ashes returned in an urn/box of your choice, or you can take care of the body by yourself. In order to cherish the sweet memories of sharing your life with the pet companion, Cornerstone Animal Hospital provide several pet memorial options. We can arrange your beloved pet’s paw prints on a clay or metal necklace with glass beads that contain the ashes. We will ensure that your pet’s memory lives on.

For more information on pet hospice care, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (817) 514-8387.