Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Sad request for suggestions: Vets who make housecalls? (euthanasia)
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November 22, 2008 at 6:01 am #588791
goodgracesParticipantOur beloved Jack (the cat) is rapidly reaching his final days in this world. He’s nearly 17 and has had a fine life. We made the wrenching decision 4 years ago to make him an outdoor-only cat after a freak minor accident rendered him totally incontinent. He survived the transition and, until recently, seemed to still have an acceptable quality of life. We have a heated cat house for him on the porch and live in a quiet community with little traffic. In the summers he loved to lie outside in my south-facing garden, under some branches in the sun. He is the most gentle, good-natured, sweet kitty you’ll ever know. Always purrs and “stands” up to greet you, beseeching you to pet him. Were he not such a swell guy, we never would have put up with the years of pee stains that “decorate” our front porch. While unpleasant, we couldn’t rationalize putting him down because of the mess.
A year ago he lost his lifelong companion, our other elder cat, Clever. We thought Jack could never survive without him, but he surprised us. And over the past summer we were glad to find him every day lounging about contentedly in the yard.
Now, though, he just seems woefully impaired and sad. It seems cruel to perpetuate what has very quickly come to seem like a diminished life. It’s cold out, even despite the warm house he has. He can barely see, and walking is much more of an effort than it used to be. He’s lost so much weight (although his appetite remains strong).
Even so — making this so much more painful — he still L.O.V.E.S being petted and seems to live for the tiny crumbs of attention our busy, kid- and other-animal-full household can give him.
So we need to say goodbye and help him along to his next life. We can’t bear taking him to a vet’s office. Can anyone recommend vet who will make a house call?
Ugh, I’m SO OFTEN NOT SURE that “to love and to have lost is better than ne’er to have loved at all.”
Thanks everyone.
November 22, 2008 at 6:41 am #647836
celeste17ParticipantI am so sorry you are having to deal with this. I have had to put one kitty down due to ill health and had one die in front of me. We have been dealing with Lein Animal Clinic on Alaska st and I am not sure if they due house calls but maybe they can recommend someone to you. Keep good thoughts and let us know if there is anything we can do.
November 22, 2008 at 6:42 am #647837
jissyParticipantGoodgraces — SO SORRY!!!! I just had to put my old girl down in August as well and unfort. I still feel awful in that I waited too long, she just went downhill really fast….. I had an appt. at the vet to get her all checked out and I ended up going in early to put her down b/c she just wasn’t even going to make it until her appt. time that particular day. It seemed she failed in about 2 days.
Anyway, A friend of mine who does pet care once upon a time gave me some resources for a person to come in-home so the pet can go in their own home. I can’t find them at the moment but will drop an email asap to see if I can get them again.
And I agree, the loved and lost thing really isn’t believable on some days!
November 22, 2008 at 6:47 am #647838
mellaw6565MemberGoodGraces – I’m so sorry that you are going through this. We are in the same boat – our oldest dog of 15 is in kidney failure and doesn’t have more than a few weeks to go. It sure is hard to lose them after so long – I brought her home in my jacket pocket when she was 7 weeks old.
My vet has come to my home in the past, but I’m not sure if that is something they do as a regular practice or if it’s something special they do for established patients only. In any case, we use Burien Vet Hospital 242-1290.
Your pet will be on the other side of the rainbow bridge waiting for you:) http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm
November 22, 2008 at 6:58 am #647839
HunterGParticipantGoodgraces my heart goes out to you. I’ll ask around and see what I can find out.
November 22, 2008 at 7:00 am #647840
HunterGParticipantNovember 22, 2008 at 7:58 am #647841
guidosmomMemberLien will come to your house. I didn’t have them come to my house, because I wasn’t 100% certain at the time I would put my old big dog down, even though I really felt I needed to. I did use Lien however. They were WONDERFUL, kind, very supportive, and thought in the best interest of the animal the entire time. I never would have been able to do it otherwise. I am so sorry. It sounds like your kitty had a wonderful life!
November 22, 2008 at 8:59 am #647842
AimParticipantI suspect that Animal Clinic of Roxbury will come to your house. He’s an old-school vet who is incredibly personable. Dr deGuzman’s in the office until noon on Saturdays and his son Conrad answers the phones. (206) 935-0864
November 22, 2008 at 9:38 am #647843
homedkParticipantI’m so sorry; I know how painful this situation can be… I don’t have a veterinarian that makes house calls to recommend, but do have some words of advice/caution.
When our dog was nearing the end of his life, we also looked for a veterinarian that could come to the house. Our regular veterinarian was quite far away & we wanted to spare our dog the stress of another trip to the vet.
When I made that difficult call (in tears) to a veterinarian that advertised that she specialized in at-home services including euthanasia, I wasn’t prepared for what followed. She questioned me extensively about whether the dog was mine, my motivation for deciding to have him euthanized,& about my veterinarian’s diagnosis & treatment.
She then launched into a monologue about herself & how she was trying to build a full-service business but people like me kept calling her & asking her to put animals down. She complained about how that was so hard on her… showing absolutely no empathy for my situation. I was shocked when I hung up the phone.
We ended up taking our dog for one final trip to his regular vet that day; our vet & his staff were wonderful & we felt good afterwards about our decision. If I was in the same situation now, I would start by talking with my own veterinarian. If he/she couldn’t do a house call, perhaps they could help smooth the process somehow.
Hope this is helpful. Best of luck to you.
November 22, 2008 at 4:17 pm #647844
TammiWSMemberI’m so sorry to hear about your kitty. I have used Lien for over 10 years and when in a similar spot 8 years ago, they came to my house and lovingly helped us with Misha. It is simply because of that kindness and willingness to understand I didnt want her last time spent be in a Vet clinic that I have since had them provide care for my other kitties.
I would definately call them.
Take care….
November 22, 2008 at 5:10 pm #647845
Synergy3kMemberHi Goodgraces,
I don’t have any advice for you, but just wanted to say that you and your special guy are in my thoughts. Our pets are part of the family and it’s so hard when it’s time for them to move on. Take care
November 22, 2008 at 5:47 pm #647846
RainyDay1235MemberNovember 22, 2008 at 6:13 pm #647847
cjboffoliParticipantgoodgraces: I feel for you. The times when I’ve lost cats have been among the very worst in my life. On the bright side, it sounds like he has had a good long life and by doing this, as much as it will pain you, it will relieve him of his declining quality of life. Please do loop back to the Forums if you can to let us know how everything goes.
November 22, 2008 at 6:25 pm #647848
LenaParticipantJeff Parke is very kind and compassionate. I have had many of my clients have him come for euthanasias and I highly recommend him. I think he is M-F. Most vet clinics will make house calls but only if the animal is already a patient at the clinic. If you have taken him somewhere is west seattle I would try them first.
November 22, 2008 at 6:34 pm #647849
goodgracesParticipantOh wow, everyone I’m floored by the outpouring of support and concern from folks here. What a fabulous community. Thank you all SO much. I appreciate your help more than I can express.
November 22, 2008 at 7:00 pm #647850
miwsParticipantgoodgraces, my thoughts are with you too.
homedk, sorry you had to go through such circumstances. Although it just adds to the difficulty in dealing with an extremely painful situation when the pet parent is dealing with a heartbreaking situation and decision, I can kind of understand the portion about a vet asking about motivations, and confirming pet ownership, only from a liability standpoint in this litigation happy time we are in. But, to go on further about how much of a burden it was on her as a vet, was heartless, unproffesional, and completely uncalled for.
Mike
November 22, 2008 at 7:07 pm #647851
mellaw6565MemberI’d like to piggyback on this thread and ask for recommendations for pet cremations. I will be needing that service soon. Previously I’ve always buried my pets, but after moving and leaving some behind I’ve decided to cremate this time.
November 22, 2008 at 8:01 pm #647852
IrukandjiParticipantI’d second Dr. Jeff Parke. He comes to the house for both well pet and dying pet care. Last year we had him come out to euthanize our old cat, Skidmark. He is respectful, gentle and factual. He took her to be cremated and scattered in an orchard.
November 22, 2008 at 8:12 pm #647853
JoBParticipantgoodgraces…
from my heart to yours…
i too have lost loved pets… and know how difficult the decision can be.
i wish only the best for you and your cat…
November 22, 2008 at 8:23 pm #647854
JLMemberI’m very sorry to hear about your beloved cat. I used the services of Dr. Mikel Oswalt at (206)232-6205. I had gotten her number from my regular vet and I would highly recommend her. To answer another question from someone else I have had all 3 of my pets cremated at Aerowood Animal Hospital at (425)746-6557. The Human Society also does cremation but it is done in groups where as my vet can do individual cremations.
November 22, 2008 at 8:39 pm #647855
mellaw6565MemberYes – individual cremation is what we wanted. Was it expensive?
November 22, 2008 at 9:44 pm #647856
JLMemberThe private cremation is based on your pets weight. So my 65lb dog cost $174. This included the cremation and the wood box. I hear the wood box is nice, I haven’t been able to remove the box from the original packing box for any of my 3 cremated pets. So I haven’t seen them. If I remember correctly my little rabbit (tiny netherland dwarf) cost around $40. The cost for the house call for the euthanasia was $55 for the house call, $40 for the pain med (based on weight) and $135 for the euthanasia (again based on weight) for a total of $228. I had to deliver my pet to the vet after the euthanasia for the cremation. The gal I used for the euthanasia would deliver to the Human Society for a “group cremtaion” but not to a private vet.
November 24, 2008 at 4:02 pm #647857
hammerheadParticipantI have been thru several euthan in my time. Having it done at your house is the best thing you can do, although never easy. LIEN animal clinic hands down. Animal clinic of Roxbury never use them.
Mot GOOD vets will give a sedative then at YOUR resquest will give the pink stuff.
If you are able and are OPEN to spirits or souls however you want to put it. IT truly is a gift to see the spirit go to heaven.
All my cremations are in my garden.
November 24, 2008 at 6:22 pm #647858
jissyParticipantgoodgraces — sorry I didn’t get back sooner, all the out-laws arrived this weekend for the holiday. My friend also said LIEN came to his home which has been noted several times here.
And I second hammerhead’s recommendation to stay with your animal — I didn’t the first time thinking I couldn’t handle it and sincerely regret it — have been present the last 2 times and although it’s incredible hard, well worth it to be with them at the end.
December 3, 2008 at 3:36 am #647859
banglesMemberDr. Laura Monahan at Island Cats was amazing for us if you have not found anyone. She was gentle, sincere and just so kind and came right out to our house at the scheduled time. Tough day. My heart goes out to you. We did this one year ago this very week just after arriving in Seattle. She encouraged me to hold him and speak to him while she did it. She was so careful and didn’t even use alcohol on his paw since apparently, the smell bothers cats. She left with him wrapped up in a special shawl and took him for cremation. The whole thing pretty much sucked, but all things considered, I highly recommend her. Best of luck, our thoughts will be with you.
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