Can you come to my home to evaluate my pet for this process?
Do you offer any help with bereavement?
Should my children be present?
How far in advance should we schedule our appointment?
Do you perform these services on weekends or holidays?
What if my pet has already passed away? Can you help with aftercare?
What is the process like?
Dr. Holland’s most important goal is provide comfort, both in terms of ending suffering of a beloved pet without physical discomfort or fear, and also your family’s comfort in knowing you are making the best decision possible. From the time our mobile veterinarian enters your home, the experience will be calm and relaxed. It is a good idea to have your pet in a familiar location that he or she loves – maybe on a favorite blanket or bed.
The euthanasia is two-step process. A sedative is administered first so your pet is essentially in a deep sleep – no more pain and no anxiety. Only after your pet is fully sedated our doctor place an intravenous catheter to allow a smooth administration of the euthanasia solution, which painlessly stops the heart. In some cases, due to the health condition of your pet, an intravenous catheter may not be possible and an alternative administration method must be used. Our veteriarians will go over any details that may pertain to your pet’s specific health condition. The process is peaceful, and you will not be rushed to say your goodbyes. Our services are private and personalized for you, we allow as much time as you need.
We use the highest level of care for the procedure and our standards are modeled after the American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines. We place an intravenous catheter when medicaly possible. This is a more time consuming procedure but we are committed to the highest standard of care.
If you have chosen for us to handle your aftercare, our doctor will then personally transport your pet and see to it that your pet makes a safe journey. Our mobile veterinarian will take your pet directly to the crematorium. Dr. Holland has personally vetted her partners to make sure they have the same high standards of care that she does.
Our doctors will be glad to explain further details of this process if you like over the phone during your initial call or if you would like to schedule a pre-euthanasia at home consultation to go over the details, just let us know.
Do you provide aftercare?
Yes. There are several options for aftercare for you to choose from.
- If you want, we can leave your pet with you to care for afterwards. Be advised that some city ordinances, such as in Raleigh or Durham, may prohibit your from burying your pet inside city limits.
- We can take your pet for you and make arrangements with our pet cremation service to have your pet privately cremated and the ashes returned to your primary care veterinarian within 7 business days. They can also be made available for pick up at the crematory office in Raleigh at no charge, or mailed back to your home for an additional fee.
- We can take your pet for you and make arrangements with our pet cremation service for a communal cremation with no return of ashes to you, we will provide a clay paw imprint keepsake.
Dr. Holland has taken the time to meet with her providers and has ensured that they meet the same high standards of care as her own practice. One of the advantages of having us handle your aftercare is that you don’t have to worry about the added stress of making sure everything is taken care of. Our doctors will personally handle the coordination, make scheduling arrangements and monitor the process. However, if you would like to make your own aftercare arrangements, please let us know and we can offer suggestions. See our services page for more information on our Care Levels.
Can you come to my home to evaluate my pet for this process?
Yes. One of our mobile geriatric pet specialist can visit you and your pet for assessment and give you her professional opinion to help you decide if it is time to help your cat or dog to go to sleep peacefully at home. Our doctors can also evaluate for pet hospice. Please see our services page for more information. We offer phone consultations if you would rather discuss the situation over the phone prior to services.
Do you offer any help with bereavement?
Dr. Holland is the only mobile veterinarian specializing in euthanasia house calls in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary who has been trained by Dr. Wallace Sife, Ph.D. of The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement. Dr. Holland has seen to it that both Dr. Crowell and Fenlason have been trained with this same knowledge. She can provide bereavement guidance to you prior to her appointment at your home and afterwards if you so desire. Our mobile veterinarians will spend as much time with you as necessary. We offer this service under all of our Care Level packages. Our services are not rushed, we are not a volume practice. Additionally, our doctors will leave you with resources after you appointment that can help you and your family during this time. For more information about The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement please visit http://aplb.org
What is veterinary home hospice?
Veterinary home hospice is an option for a pet owner who is facing a terminal diagnosis or their pet has reached an advanced age and needs assistance in maintaining a comfort level. Our mobile veterinarians will evaluate your pet and offer a care plan that is designed to help your pet remain comfortable during this time. If you so choose, our doctors will speak to your regular veterinarian about your pet’s condition and diagnosis so that a customized care plan can be established for your pet. Pet hospice is not about curing, instead, its about maintaining your pet’s dignity and comfort through the end of their life. In some cases, pet hospice can be an alternative to putting your pet to sleep.
Home pet hospice may include: fluid therapy, pain management and nutritional guidance. Our mobile veterinarians will spend time with you and help you understand what to expect and crisis management techniques. Our home pet hospice programs are customized for you and may include only one visit to establish the care plan or regular visits to help with the administration of therapies or medications. Home pet hospice may be considered as an alternative to home euthanasia as well. Some will choose this option for a natural transition which allows for the pet’s comfort in their own home surrounded by their family.
Should my children be present?
Obviously this will be the choice of the parents and a lot will have to do with the age of your child, however, it has been shown that children will benefit from dealing with this process directly. Include children in the decision making process and let them decide if they would like to be present.
Dr. Wallace Sife, Ph.D. writes in his book The Loss of a Pet, “Treat the death of a pet with understanding, love, and care allowing the child to benefit from your example and strength.”
Should other pets be present?
Our house call veterinarians will discuss this with you as it varies, but in many cases it can be beneficial and offer support.
How far in advance should we schedule our appointment?
It is preferred to give at least 24 hours notice, but we understand that there are situations that may become more urgent unexpectedly. It has been our experience that establishing an early relationship with our office is preferred so that you learn about our schedule and be comfortable with the process. If your pet has recently been given a terminal diagnosis, it is best to call so that you may plan for end-of-life care. Our phone is answered Monday-Saturday 9:00 am- 5:00 pm. We often do answer the phones later than this, but calling before 5:00 pm guarantees a phone call back the same day. We are not an emergency service, if you are having an emergency, our office can give you contact information for your area. Please call for your phone consultation to discuss your pet’s specific situation. When scheduling a deposit is required to hold the appointment.
Do you perform these services on weekends or holidays?
Our mobile veterinarians may be available on weekends and holidays for hospice and euthanasia appointments, depending on their schedule. Please call us to discuss your individual situation.
Please give us a call at 919-600-1841.
What if my pet has already passed away? Can you help with aftercare?
Yes. Our mobile veterinarians are glad to be able to assist you. Charges will vary by pet size and aftercare option.
How do we start the process?
First give us a call; our intake specialist will get some preliminary information from you about your pet.