At the End of Life

Our pets represent family, friends, support, companionship, love, affection and trust all rolled into one. No matter what kind of animal we have, their breed, shape or size, our pets are a way of life and mean the world to us. From dwarf hamsters, to Great Danes, our pets have a big place in our hearts.

Allowing a pet into your life, and enjoying all they can bring is a huge responsibility which starts from the day we bring them into our homes, to the day every pet owner dreads where we have to say goodbye.

Nightingale Vets is a small, independent vets, lovingly created by Dr Emily Nightingale, with a special devotion to supporting the special relationship you share with the animals in your life. As a veterinary surgeon of two decades experience, Dr Emily has been privileged to offer the highest standards of care through all the life stages of her patients.

This information is designed as a resource to turn to as you face the loss of your beloved pet, so you can find support in making these difficult decisions, when the time comes.

How will I know when the time is right?

As a responsible and caring pet owner you are in the privileged position of knowing your pet better than anybody else. Most of us would hope that our beloved pet would drift away peacefully at home, but unfortunately this is rarely the case. In most circumstances we need to intervene to prevent suffering and preserve the dignity of our special companions.

Together with the care and guidance of our compassionate pet professional team, we can help you to plan for the next steps in caring for your pet right until the end.

Final Journey Planning

We offer a bespoke and carefully curated planning service where, together with you, we help plan the farewell you would like to have for your pet. This service we offer is a complete approach, where we take care of all the aspects of the end of life of your pet.

This involves arranging a meeting with a member of our professional team, either at the practice or in your home, to have a gentle discussion about your wishes before the event itself. During this appointment we are able to advise and guide you with regard to the many options that are available, including the choices available to you for aftercare, including cremation, burial, and memorial services.

As your pet becomes in need of palliative care, we will be there for you to make sure you never feel alone with the decision making. When the time to say farewell draws near, we will help you make choices about timing, to make sure your pet is laid to rest at an appropriate point, making sure their comfort and dignity are supported at every step and you and your family will have us to lean on.

Can I be there when it happens?

At Nightingale Vets we welcome owners to stay with their pets in their final moments if they feel able to. Although many people feel uncertain of what to expect, we make sure we explain everything in as much detail as you need, allowing you to be as prepared as possible and enabling to stay with your pet if you can.

Whether in the home, or at the practice, saying goodbye is hard to bear for those your pet leaves behind. Staying with your beloved pet as they are laid to rest, holding them in love, stroking them and talking to them softly as they peacefully slip away in the way you’d planned for, can help your grieving process and your recovery. Others would rather leave their pets in the care of our experienced and understanding staff- we’re here to support you whatever your choices are.

What is Euthanasia?

Euthanasia (otherwise known as laying to rest, putting to sleep or putting an animal down) is usually performed to end suffering and pain that cannot be cured or adequately managed allowing our pets to end their lives with dignity.

Dr Emily will take time to get to know you and your pet whilst you are under our wings, and we will be able to support you in your decision making, allowing you to make well informed choices regarding treatment options and you can trust us to recommend euthanasia at the right time for your pet.

We tend to use a combination of drugs that make your pet really comfortable and sleepy, prior to laying them to rest. Euthanasia is then usually performed once the pet is really relaxed, comfortable and dozing gently. An injection is given which causes them to lose consciousness and drift away and shortly after the heart stops beating. Dr Emily then makes an assessment, using a stethoscope and checks for specific signs to confirm that the euthanasia is complete, and will then tell you that your pet is now at peace.

I'm worried I'll get upset…

It is very natural to be very upset at this time, and for a long time afterwards. Remember this is a process that every pet owner has to go through, and we are on standby to provide boxes of tissues, reassurance and supportive hugs and cups of tea as needed. Please don't feel embarrassed or worried that you might get upset. It is completely normal when going through such a difficult and heartbreaking time and we do understand.

You are not alone and we are here for you.

Children and losing pets

Children are incredibly perceptive and it is important to be as honest as you can with them. We believe in being open with children throughout the life stages of our pets and this includes euthanasia. It is entirely your choice should you wish to involve your child in the decision making, although the act of euthanasia is something that most people will agree is best witnessed by adults. We have resources available for you to explore with your children which we include as part of our Final Journey Planning Service.

What happens afterwards?

Once it has been communicated to you that your pet has passed, it is very normal to feel a huge wave of overwhelming emotion. It can be very hard to think straight or make decisions, so having a Final Journey plan means the practicalities of the next steps following laying your pet to rest, are taken care of in advance.

We work closely with two independent, family owned and compassionately run pet crematoria both of whom our team have personally visited and found to be a very beautiful and fitting place for your pet's last journey, where our patients are treated with great respect and dignity.

In accordance with your wishes laid out in your pet’s Final Journey Plan we will take care of everything.

We take care of the arrangements regarding all aspects of your pet’s final journey.

You may choose communal cremation where your pet is cremated together with other pets, or individual cremation where your pet is cremated separately in order for their ashes to be returned to you by the next day. The options for this will be explained during your pet’s Final Journey Planning appointment.

Bereavement Support

We can recommend many different types of support when you are facing the loss of your pet should you feel it appropriate. We work with pet bereavement counsellors and can give you information on how to contact them. There are also many websites and support groups for pet bereavement.

We have qualified Mental Health First Aiders on our team at Nightingale Vets to help support you too.

All the staff at Nightingale Vets are pet owners themselves and have all experienced the heartbreak and difficult decisions that must be made towards the end of an animal's life. We are here for you and your pet, throughout their lives and especially when the time comes.

Should you be facing the loss of your pet, and would like more information about the services we offer, then please do feel encouraged to contact us. Discussing the steps involved with saying goodbye to your beloved pet, and making use of our Final Journey Planning isn’t easy, but we hope that with the right support and the creation of a space in which to plan ahead, we can help you navigate the difficult terrain of pet loss in a kind, understanding and helpful way.

Please contact us and our experienced and kind team will be able to help you.

You can email devoted@nightingalevets.co.uk or call us on 01473 598 398.