When It’s Time To Say Goodbye

Compassionate end of life care.

When It’s Time To Say Goodbye

Compassionate end of life care.

Saying goodbye to a long time friend is painful. We are all pet owners at Shuler Veterinary Clinic. We truly understand the bond between animals and humans and the difficulty involved in the loss of a loved pet.

Anxiety about end-of-life decisions is normal. Having a plan before the crisis will help minimize stress. Shuler Veterinary Clinic offers a trained staff to discuss options with you. Our veterinary hospital staff members are animal lovers and understand the emotional attachment you have for your pet and the companionship they provide. When the discussion of humane euthanasia needs to be addressed, clients often ask questions like: “Is my pet suffering?”, “How do I know this is the right time?”, “Have we done all we can do for them?”

The loss of a pet affects each person differently. We are always here to advise and comfort you during this time of transition.

A wonderful website to visit is the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, providing all family members totally free assistance in dealing with your loss.

FAQs

When should I consider euthanasia?

Our veterinarians will carefully consider many factors before such a decision is made. Among these include the pet’s diagnosis and subsequent prognosis, the stage of declining health, amount of pain they are experiencing, loss of interest in a daily routine, loss of bowel control, loss of appetite, and inability to groom or move. The overall quality of the pet’s life is a big consideration.

Download the Grey Muzzle Quality of Life Calendar App to easily journal your pet’s days on your phone.

Where should the procedure be performed?

During this very emotional time, Shuler Veterinary Clinic offers two options. For our established clients, we can perform an in-house service so that you and your pet can be in familiar, secluded surroundings. Equally as common is the in-office option where the passing is in a controlled setting surrounded by comforting and supportive staff. This is a personal decision and needs to be considered as part of the planning process if possible.

Should I be present for the procedure?

We provide a pain-free, peaceful passing. A sedative is given to the patient so they can relax and enter a sleep state before the final injection is administered. You may choose to stay during the whole process or exit after the pet has gone to sleep but before the passing. Our staff will remain with and monitor your pet through the peaceful transition, always attentive to the patient’s and client’s needs.

What afterlife care services are offered?

You may bring your deceased pet home with you for a private burial or we can make arrangements for burial services. Shuler Veterinary Clinic has a professional relationship with Pet Rest Cemetery and Cremation Service. They offer private or communal cremation services with or without the ashes returned to the owner, depending on your choice. They also offer a variety of funerary products and plots at Pet Rest Cemetery.

COVID-19 Update

Dear Friends,

We would like to thank you for your continued patience and cooperation during our modified way of doing things for the COVID-19 pandemic. The love shared between pets and their families is an everlasting bond. We are grateful to be a part of protecting that bond.

As we all move forward together, everybody’s safety remains our top priority coupled with providing your pets the best care that they deserve.

There will continue to be the option of Valet veterinary curbside care throughout for your preferred comfort level. (see bottom of page).

FOR THOSE WANTING TO ACCOMPANY THEIR PET INSIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT

🡺 In accordance with the following guidelines, you may accompany your pet into the building for select purposes.

🡺 Limit one person per appointment. This helps control the amount of people in the building at any given time.

🡺 We will need to ask COVID-19 exposure questions. Have you been exposed to our personally had COVID symptoms or testing in the past 10 days? For the safety of all, it will be necessary to participate in curbside care if you answer “yes” to any of these questions.

🡺 Wearing a mask will be required of you, and we will also wear masks. Please provide your own clean mask. Proper use of the mask includes coverage of the nose and mouth. We realize there are many variations of face coverings be used. As a medical facility, we require a surgical mask or similarly designed mask that securely covers the face. Bandana's, gators, and other loose fitting coverings aren't approved in our office. We can give you a mask if you need one.

🡺 Please call when you arrive and then remain in your vehicle. To control social distancing and traffic safety in our small parking lot, it is very important that you remain in your vehicle. We will call you when it is your turn to enter. You will be shown directly to the exam room so that we can keep the lobby empty.

🡺 As your appointment begins, we appreciate your cooperation in social distancing inside the exam room as much as the space allows. Please remain seated for the duration of the appointment. Our staff will handle your pet during the entire appointment.

🡺 Normally we would perform as much of your pets care in the exam room with you as possible. However, to keep exposure times limited, the vet tech and the veterinarian will consult with you in the exam room but your pet will be taken to the treatment area for care. We promise not to keep your pet away from you any longer than necessary.

🡺 The doctor will come see you in the exam room and talk about your pets care plan.

🡺 When the visit is concluded, payment and paperwork will be conducted in the exam room and then you’ll be able to exit the building.

🡺 There are some basic pet care needs that will continue to be provided curbside only (i.e. a toenail trim or similar). Also, pets being dropped off with us will be managed via curbside.

CONTINUATION OF EXISTING PROTOCOLS

🡺 Our “Vet Valet” curbside service will continue as an option. Call us when you arrive and we will come to your car to receive your pet, bring it in for care, communicate with you by phone and return your pet to your car. Our contact with you in person will be limited in order to reduce exposure. Please note that our team members are unable to spend time with you outside beyond the time to retrieve or return your pet. All communication will be by phone so please have a charged cell phone with you and be available to answer when we call.

🡺 Teleconsults with live video chat are still available for select issues. If this interests you, please ask us for details on meeting with the doctor remotely.

🡺 Contactless pickup of items only (i.e. prescriptions, food, etc.) will continue to be paid for by phone and then set on a table outside our door so that we can maintain a closed lobby.

🡺 Enjoy the convenience of home delivery by ordering from our website.

Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital

Shuler Vet Clinic

As an animal hospital, our routine protocols for cleaning and sanitation were already strong. However, we have further enhanced them to ensure everyone’s safety. We are committed to cleaning all surfaces in the exam room between each person. This includes door handles, chairs, and every other surface possible.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your pets best life!