It is always painful to face the loss of a beloved companion. We, too, have grieved the loss of our pets and we do understand how painful the loss can be.

Terminal diseases can often be managed to allow the pet to share precious additional weeks or months with their family. Some owners want to fight disease aggressively, even when the outlook is grim. Other owners feel it is best to let their pet go sooner if they know the disease is terminal and  especially when they have seen the “light go out” of their pet’s eyes and have already tried recommended treatments to relieve the suffering. Only you can know what is right for your pet.

In veterinary medicine, our objective is to treat illness when a pet has a reasonable likelihood of recovery and a good quality of life. When treatment of underlying disease is not possible (or not likely to result in significant improvement), our objective is to relieve suffering. Relief of suffering can be achieved through hospice care or euthanasia.

Hospice Care

During the course of a terminal illness, there usually comes some point where the owners and doctors agree that the most loving thing to do is to prevent more suffering. Sometimes, we can gain additional time with your pet through “hospice” care aimed at preventing pain or suffering, while accepting the terminal nature of the disease and  not putting the pet through any additional procedures, tests, or treatments that may induce additional stress or pain. During this “hospice” period, treatments including pain medications, fluid administration, and other medications or treatment can help your pet end his life with dignity, comfort, and happy times.

Euthanasia

If the time comes when the owners and veterinarian agree that there is no realistic hope for a good quality of life for the pet because the pet is suffering and is no longer responding to supportive care, the final act of caring you can make for your pet is often to let him go with euthanasia. If euthanasia is out of the question for you, more aggressive hospice care including strong pain relievers and possibly sedatives to ensure maximum relief from suffering may be needed.

At times, the only way to relieve suffering is euthanasia. The euthanasia process is painless. The pet is sedated and then receives an overdose of an anesthetic — so he feels no pain but simply and peacefully dies in his sleep, with a loving presence — you or a nurse — by his side and wishing him a peaceful journey. You may remain with your pet for as long as you wish.

We can arrange for cremation of your pet or you can take him home to bury him.

We do everything within our power to make euthanasia as peaceful and dignified as possible for both you and your pet.

Aftercare Services

We offer cremation and burial services through a local company, Pet Rest. They offer many services including, but not limited to:

* Cremation with or without return of ashes

* Burial in a local pet cemetery

*Specialty urns, jewelry and caskets

Please visit their website for more information.   Pet Rest Carolina

Grief

We naturally grieve the loss of a beloved pet, just as we grieve other losses in life. This loss can hit some people very hard. It is natural to feel very sad for several days and to continue to feel sad at times for many weeks or months. After some time, your sadness may lessen only to return more strongly some many months later, often around an anniversary of the death, holidays, or other stressful times. This is all perfectly normal but can be very painful.

Everyone is different and there are no “right ways” to deal with loss — just the right ways for you.  Whatever coping techniques (family support, talking, exercise, prayer, time, etc.) help you deal with other losses in life can help you now.

For some people, a new pet can be a healthy distraction, a happy reminder of former puppy or kitten days with their lost pet and can even ease the pain of loss with new happy times. Other people can’t bear the thought of a new pet for many months and do better to wait for a while before making a new commitment to a pet. Trust your own judgment about when is the right time for a new pet.

If you feel overwhelmed with grief or just cannot seem to get back to your “normal self”, do not hesitate to reach out for more help from family, friends, a grief support network or a professional grief counselor or therapist.  We can provide you with information on local support groups, counselors, and phone centers.