[Rescued]

We have a beagle mix (adult rescue) that we've had for 14 years, and he was estimated to be a year old when we got him.

He has severe arthritis, blind, deaf, the whole gamut. Has been on 1-2x daily tramadol for over a year. He walks around in the house in circles, ears always back, tail hasn't wagged in months. This is going to be the one of the hardest things my dad has ever done- he LOVES this dog.

It's time. He wouldn't eat this morning and he just slipped on our wood floors while all the other dogs were playing and started growling and snapping (at nothing, we grabbed all the other dogs and made them stop moving). We live on slab and so we have no steps for him to climb to get outside. I have no idea how we would transport him to the vets pain free (lifting to get in the car, he always hated the vets office, ect)

Has anyone ever had their vet come to their house to euthanize? Was it something you would do again? Is it even possible?

Thanks for any suggestions I just really want his exit out to be as pain free and peaceful as possible.

 

[Leah00]

We don't have vets in our area who do this, but I've always thought that it would be my choice if I could do it that way. The dog can be comfortable in it's own home with familiar smells and calmer. We unfortunately have had 3 dogs put to sleep in just a little over a year (they were all seniors that we got when we first got married) and the hardest part was seeing how scared they were. Ah...and I'm gonna cry.

 

[Willowy]

If you can find a vet who does it, I think it's the best. Start calling around. I'm sorry you have to go through this .

 

[Rescued]

I'll call tomorrow and ask our regular vet and if she doesn't my good friends dad is a vet and might be willing.

This is Spencer in his better years. I'm young (still in undergrad) so this will be the first family dog I've been present at an euth for. As long as the vet is competent there isnt a risk of something happening that you would need to be in a vets office for, right? Obviously they won't be doing a heartstick or anything but that was my only concern.

 

[mashlee08]

As a Vet tech who has been to home euths before, I would recommend it 100%.
It is so much better for all involved, my vet would give the pet a light sedative before, so that they can go and fall asleep in their favorite spot in the house or wherever.
I find it much easier for me also that it seems the animal just goes to sleep. We always hang round for a little to check all vital signs are gone then leave the client in peace.
I am so sorry you have to go through this.

 

[Abbylynn]

I just want to say I am sorry that you have to go through this. Prayers go out to all of you.

 

[Keechak]

We had an old dog when I was about 5 years old that had a severe degenerative back problem. It was an 80-90 pound dog and it couldn't even sit up one day. I remember my mom and dad calling the vet to come out and have him put down where he was laying. this was 20 years ago so I don't know how common it is now.

 

[Rescued]

thank you everyone.

It's weird just because this was "my" first dog. We had a rescued GSP and my parents figured we should add another. Apparently I wanted a beagle (I swear I've always wanted a Lab but whatever, I was in second grade and dont remember) and since the internet didnt exist then, they looked in the paper, found spencer- "beagle mix, free to good home"

The people show up and could not be more eager to drop him off. I'm all excited about "MY" new dog and of course he was less than enthusiastic- what dog enjoys an 8 year old only child that wants to be a vet and show dogs when they grow up??? We had a contentious relationship to say the least, and he bonded to my dad. Toby is who I really consider my first dog.

I found out a few years ago that the couple was getting rid of him because he growled at their new baby and toddler. It's STILL a running joke in the family. "Free to good home? Growls at kids? PERFECT. Our daughter will love him!"

Poor spencer. Euth is such a hard decision to make.

 

[5 s corral]

Just wanted to let you know i am thinking of you
yes if you can find a vet to do it at home that would be better for all

 

[spanielorbust]

I'm sorry you are having to go through this.

We had our old girl put down in our home, on her favorite bed, last summer. She hated going to vet's offices. I highly recommend euthanasia at home if you can arrange it.

SOB

 

[TwistedOliver]

I'm so sorry.
We had our big lab/retriever put down at home last September. The vet (who was absolutely wonderful) gave him a sedative and he fell asleep on my wifes' lap before the lethal injection. The last thing he knew was one of the things he enjoyed the most in life and that is a great gift to give a great dog. I had to take his body to another vet clinic to be cremated and that was the most difficult part for me. I had called ahead and kept it together well until I got into the lobby and tried to tell the receptionist why I was there. I couldnt get the words out for about 3 minutes. Big tough guy standing there all choked up and crying..poor receptionist! My final goodbye was laying him on the floor in a back room wrapped up in an old sheet and walking away. From the time he was a pup I never walked away without him following at my heels. So, I would recomend home euthanasia but plan the burial/cremation and check to see if they can take him out of your home if you can't bury him yourself.

I feel for you right now.

 

[Pawzk9]

IF the dog's body is still functioning pretty well and he has a good circulatory system, at home would probably be easier on everyone. I would have sworn I would never have a "heart stick" done, but the last dog I had euthanized had very low blood pressure, and from multiple seizure episodes, most of his veins were not usable. When they couldn't even get the jugular, we decided it would be less stressful to have him under with gas and do a heart stick than to continue fishing for a useable vein (And the vet who did him, I know to be very good)

 

[Niraya]

I'm sorry you're going through this and you're in my thoughts!

We had the vet come to the house for my Pyrenees. It was too much to ask of her to go into the car and get out (she was impossible for me to lift by myself). So they came to the house and she went while laying in my lap - on our bed that we moved into the living room (it was very difficult to get up and down steps and to jump on the bed) for the last few months with her family around her.

 

[Max and Me]

I am so sorry that you are going through this.

I have had some of my dogs PTS at home. It saved the dogs and me the stress of going into the vets office. Instead they passed peacefully at home lying in my lap being petted.

 

[tirluc]

i have always had my kids privately cremated and have their ashes....if they are euth'd at home, how does this work? does the vet take them w/ after and have it done or is it up to the owner to have a place to have it done or what.....

 

[wvasko]

Did not read all replies, but have had dogs PTSed at home, I loved it as there is no better way to go for a dog than at home. Not so easy now to find Vets nowadays that will come to home.

 

[ben00x]

A friend of mine had to put her rott down last fall and had a vet come to her house to do it. They just let the dog lay on her favorite spot on the couch while everyone said their goodbyes and then gave her the anesthesia. Afterward, they covered her and carried her out on a little stretcher and took her away (my friend was having her cremated).

My condolences for you and your family. Hopefully you can find a vet that will come to your house. I think it would be more peaceful for the dog, as he won't have to be in some weird smelling vet clinic.

 

[Niraya]

i have always had my kids privately cremated and have their ashes....if they are euth'd at home, how does this work? does the vet take them w/ after and have it done or is it up to the owner to have a place to have it done or what.....

They take the dog after and you can either let them send the dog to be cremated at their place they work with or you can choose a place of your own if you have one. At least that's how it was for us.

 

[tirluc]

ok, thanx....not that i am looking at having to think about it for QUITE a while, yet....my oldest is only 8....but i have wondered b/4 about it.....

 

[DJEtzel]

At a shelter where I've worked we've had vets come in to euthanize dogs there, obviously it's a different story at a shelter, but it was much more comfortable on the dogs & these vets will do it for average clients also. We've had to do it due to aggression & illness, and I have been present there for one. It's a lot nicer than an exam room, that's for sure.