Concord Chapel Animal Hospital
"Caring for Pets and Their People"
This website is currently under construction. Sorry for any inconvenience!
WE NOW HAVE CALL-AHEAD URGENT CARE!
Goodbyes are never easy, especially when they involve our fur babies. The Team at Concord Chapel Animal Hospital is here to assist you and your pet at every stage of your pet's life journey. We provide this guide to help you decide when it's time to say goodbye. This guide also includes information about the euthanasia procedure as well as afterlife care for your pet.
End of Life Care
What to expect when it's time to say goodbye:
When is the right time?
This is the most common question we ask ourselves when deciding to say goodbye. Our pets
cannot tell us when they are hurt, in pain, or don’t feel well. It is up to us, as pet owners, to look
for signs that it may be time to let our furry family members cross the rainbow bridge.
What should I look for?
Pain: Unmanaged chronic pain, flinching, vocalizing, hiding, lethargy.
Mobility Issues: Inability to stand, walk, jump, go outside, or use the litter box without
significant distress.
Appetite/Hydration: Refusal to eat or drink, extreme weight loss, severe dehydration.
Breathing Difficulties: Labored, open-mouth breathing, distress, or panting.
Organ Failure: Advanced kidney disease, heart failure, or other organ systems shutting down.
Incontinence: Inability to control bowels/bladder, leading to sores on their skin.
Neurological Issues: Inability to walk, unresponsive seizures, severe confusion, or disorientation.
Poor Prognosis: Terminal illness (like cancer) where treatment isn't effective or brings more
suffering than benefit.
How do I decide?
Veterinary Assessment: Your vet provides crucial guidance on prognosis, treatment options
(palliative and hospice care), and pain management.
Quality of Life Scale: Use objective tools (e.g., Lap of Love or similar resources) that assess
factors such as pain, appetite, mobility, and happiness to gain a clearer, less subjective view.
Intuition: If you're constantly asking "Is it time?" it's a strong signal to consult your veterinarian
for an objective assessment, as your pet may already be suffering.
What to expect at the time of your appointment:
Arriving at the hospital:
When you arrive at the hospital, your veterinary team will immediately get you and your pet into an exam room. Once you’re in the room, a team member will review costs and afterlife care
options. You may already have established this with a receptionist over the phone, but we like to
confirm your choices and any changes since our last conversation. After you make your choices,
the team will process payment, so you do not need to check out after the procedure.
Administering a sedative:
We administer a sedative to ensure your pet is as comfortable, relaxed, and pain-free as possible. This medication will cause your pet to relax and fall asleep. This will be similar to when they are in a deep sleep at home, they may snore and breathe more deeply. This medication can take effect quickly or gradually over several minutes. In rare cases, we may need to administer
additional sedative medication.
Placing an IV catheter:
Once your pet has been sedated, the medical team will most likely place an IV catheter in your
pet's forearm or back leg. We will shave a small area of fur to better see their veins. Once we
find an appropriate vein, we place the catheter. This is often the most challenging part of the
procedure, as we want to make sure the IV flows smoothly. Age, stress, weight, hydration status,
and the pet's breed can make veins harder to find.
Please let your veterinary team know if you or a family member has a fear of needles or
blood. If this is the case, the medical team can always take your pet to our treatment area
to place the IV catheter. After the catheter is placed, we will bring your pet right back to
you.
We will give you time to visit with your pet before administering the final medication.
Administering the final medication:
Once you are ready, the doctor will enter the room and administer a pink solution into your pet's IV catheter. This is the euthanasia medication that will cause your pet's muscles to completely
relax, leaving the mouth/eyes open. You may see involuntary muscle twitches or loss of urine/bowel control. There may be a final gasp, snort, or reflex-like breath, which can be alarming but does not mean the pet is in pain. Your veterinarian will then check to make sure the
heart is not beating. If heartbeats are heard, additional medication will be given. Once the doctor has confirmed that your pet has passed, you can spend as much alone time as you
need with your pet.
After-Life Care:
At the beginning of your appointment, your veterinary team helped you prepare for your pet's
afterlife care. You can leave the animal hospital when you are ready. You do not need to do anything after your visit. A team member will take care of your pet. We work with a pet cremation service called Trusted Journey. If you have chosen to have your pet's ashes returned to you, Trusted Journey will reach out to you when your pet’s cremains are ready. They will deliver the ashes to your home.
Grief Counseling:
Saying goodbye affects everyone differently. Should you or a family member need assistance or someone to talk to afterward, there are many resources available.
​
LAP of Love Pet Loss Support: Offers free, virtual, coach-led support groups and webinars.
Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline: (607) 218-3607. Staffed by trained veterinary
students. Available Mon-Fri 6-9 p.m. EST, Sat-Sun 12-9 p.m. EST.
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB): Provides online chat rooms and resources
for specialized pet loss.