How Do You Know When It's Time
Deciding when it’s time to say goodbye to a beloved pet is an incredibly difficult and deeply personal decision. It can be helpful to consider several factors to assess your pet’s quality of life and whether they are experiencing more suffering than joy. This includes pain and discomfort, loss of interest in activities, loss of appetite, mobility issues, incontinence, withdrawl or disorientation, changes in behavior such as aggression or anxiety, disease progression, and frequent or unmanageable vet visits. Trust your instincts as well. You know your pet better than anyone else. If you feel that your pet is suffering and is no longer able to enjoy their life, it’s important to take that feeling seriously.
The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center has excellent resources through their "Honoring The Bond" program including a chart to help you better objectively visualize the quality of life of your pet.
If you're unsure whether it's the right time for your pet, we encourage you to schedule a Quality of Life Visit with one of our veterinarians. During this visit, we can assess your pet’s health, discuss their overall well-being, and provide you with resources to help evaluate their quality of life, so you can make informed decisions to keep them comfortable as long as possible.
What To Expect During the Visit
When you call to schedule your appointment, our customer care representatives can go over the cremation options we offer, ensuring you have time to make an informed decision before your visit or you may wait until the appointment to decide. When you arrive with your pet, you will be escorted by a team member to a private room. This team member will help to take care of all the final details so that you may focus on spending quality time with your beloved pet. When these details are complete, a veterinary assistant or veterinary technician will prep your pet with an IV catheter and you will have time alone with your pet before the veterinarian comes in.
To make this experience as comforting as possible, we have entrusted our patients afterlife care to Trusted Journey. Once your pet’s remains and any memorial items are sent for cremation, the typical turnaround time for their return is 7 to 10 days. When your pet’s remains are back with us, a team member will contact you to let you know they have safely arrived. Trusted Journey will return your pet’s remains in the urn you selected, along with any memorial items you requested and a certificate confirming that Trusted Journey performed the cremation service.
Grief Support
Losing a pet can be incredibly painful, as they are not just animals but beloved members of the family. The grief you feel is real, and it’s important to acknowledge and honor the depth of that loss. Everyone processes grief differently, but here are some tips and suggestions for coping with the emotional pain of pet loss:
- Allow yourself to grieve
- Create rituals or memorials to honor their memory
- Give yourself time and practice self-compassion
- Cherish the good times
- Find support and reach out to others
Some local resources for grieving pet owner's include:
Chicago Veterinary Medical Association pet loss grief support hotline 630-325-1600
Hinsdale Humane Society hosts a pet loss grief support group 630-323-5630In Home Euthanasia
While our hospital is always here to provide compassionate end of life care, we also understand some clients may prefer in-home pet euthanasia. This option allows your pet to remain in the comfort of their own environment. The following services are available in our area.
Peaceful Endings In Home Euthanasia (Fear Free Certified)
Faithful Friends In Home Euthanasia