Purton Veterinary Group ¦ Swindon Vets

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Bereavement

Our pets are members of the family, each with their unique personality and place in our lives. Losing them is never easy and in many cases unexpected, leaving us feeling sad and alone. Unfortunately we often have to take the difficult decision on their behalf and this leads to conflict with the love and trust we share with them. Feeling a sense of guilt or betrayal is normal, especially if they do not appear to be in obvious distress or discomfort at the time. Many medical conditions lead to discomfort that can be subtle and difficult to detect, as your pet has good days and bad days, unable to communicate clearly about the problem. Euthanasia is a final act of kindness, a chance to prevent suffering at the end.

Knowing when the time has come is not always straight forward, but always comes down to quality of life. We recommend you come in and talk through the options with us. There may be treatment you were unaware of or we may be able to manage any discomfort for a time. Whatever the decision we are here to help.

The procedure (euthanasia) itself is painless and quick, feeling no more than a small scratch from a needle and seconds later as the injection takes effect, a deep sleep from which they do not wake. This can be done at the surgery or at home.

If you need some support during this difficult time there are people who can listen and help us through the grieving process. You can find their contact details here.

Pet memorials can be a helpful and comforting way of remembering and commemorating the life your pet. A memorial to your pet will serve as a lasting testament to the unique bond you shared. We encourage you to create an online pet memorial page for your sadly missed pet, where you can write and share happy memories alongside a picture of them. It allows us to look back and remember in the years to come.