End of Life

Euthanasia in Frisco Emergency Pet Care

Emergency hospitals are not like your family veterinarian – our focus is on treating sick or injured pets, whereas your family veterinarian focuses on wellness care. As a result, we see a lot of very sick or critically injured animals, and part of our responsibility is helping pet owners make end of life decisions for their pets and, when necessary, performing euthanasia.

The Euthanasia Process

Euthanasia (Greek for “good death”) is a gentle end to your pet’s suffering and prevention of future suffering. When you arrive at Frisco Emergency Pet Care, here is what you can expect. 

Step #1

You and your pet will be taken to a comfortable room, where a technician or veterinary social worker will come to discuss what’s happening with your pet, and whether your pet will be more comfortable with light sedation as an IV catheter is placed.  If you have any questions, they will be able to answer them for you.

Step #2

When your pet is calm and comfortable, a technician will come to the room to place a catheter.  This is necessary for the veterinarian to be able to administer medications directly into your pet’s vein.

Step #3

While the catheter is being placed the paperwork is done. This includes permission a form that also indicates your final arrangement. The payment is processed at this time. This allows you to focus on your pet during and after the procedure. This is an emotional time, and we want to make this as easy as possible for you.  If you have any special requests, please let us know.

Step #4

Following placement of the catheter, you can spend as much time visiting as you would like. A call button is provided for you to let us know when you are ready for the next step.

Step #5

A veterinarian will answer any final questions, and then perform the euthanasia. This is a two-step process.  The first medication is an anesthetic induction agent commonly used to prepare patients (human and animal) for surgery. This deeply relaxes your pet, and makes the process much easier for both of you. At this point, if you decide you no longer wish to be present, you have the option to step out. The second medication is also an anesthetic agent, at a very high dose. The entire process generally takes less than 2 minutes.

Step #6

After we verify that your pet is deceased, we will give you as much time as you need to say your final goodbyes.

Step #7

When you are ready, you walk out of the dedicated exit door. We will take care of the rest.

Please understand that you do not have to be present for euthanasia. For some people, it is important to be there. Other pet owners do not want this to be their last image of a beloved pet, and do not wish to be present. This is a deeply personal decision, and may be different for different members of your family. We are not here to judge you – we are here to help you through this difficult time.

Final arrangements

How you would like your pet’s remains to be cared for is deeply personal; there is no right or wrong choice.

You have four choices regarding the aftercare of your pet:

  1. Home burial – we will wrap your pet and place them in a burial box so that you can bury your pet at home. Please be advised that this is only legal outside of incorporated cities. Please also know that this is much more difficult to do correctly than anyone thinks, and we strongly recommend you choose another option.
  2. Cremation – ToothAcres handles our cremation services for us. They have extensive experience and have been in the area for more than 45 years. Rest assured that they will be respectful, and take proper care of your pet.
    • With communal cremation, your pet is cremated with other pets, and these ashes are buried at the crematorium.
    • In a private cremation, your pet is cremated by themselves, and their ashes are returned to you (through us).
  3. Cemetery burial – ToothAcres also has a pet cemetery if you prefer to have your pet buried in a wooden coffin with a headstone.

In-Home Euthanasia

It is outside of the scope of our practice to offer in-home euthanasia services, but there are several practices whose sole purpose is in-home euthanasia. All of these doctors provide compassionate service and will arrange aftercare with you. Please see the following resources:

Compassionate Care Pet Services

Call or text Dr. Fiona McCord @ 469-307-8446.

Dr. McCord has practiced in the Dallas area for more than 30 years and is a certified bereavement counselor. She also offers in-home hospice counseling and care.

Located in Prosper, Dr. Melissa Pearson of Peaceful Pathways for Pets operates a mobile euthanasia service for our area. Call or text 972-965-9541.

Lap of Love is a national practice with multiple locations across the country. We are fortunate to have one here in North Dallas. Call 972-544-7590 for more information.

Loving Goodbyes is located in Frisco. Call Dr. Dolian @ 940-268-6644 or see her website for more information.

Grieving

Grief does not recognize species boundaries – loss is loss – most owners love their pets as family members and grieve for them as family.

The special bond you share with your pet is a treasure, and we respect that. Honoring that bond and helping you through this difficult time is why we have a licensed counselor on staff, available to help you at the time of loss and the period afterwards.

We hold pet loss support group meetings in our conference room on the first Tuesday of every month, so that pet parents can share their stories, experiences, and feelings with each other and with our counselor.