End of Life Pet Care in Melbourne
Saying goodbye is one of the hardest parts of welcoming a pet into our lives.
Compassionate end of life vet services
We understand how hard it can be to make the decision, and that grieving can start long before the final farewell. If it would help, come and talk to us and ask any questions you have as the time approaches.
If you feel your pet is “not quite ready”, there may be some medication for keeping them comfortable until the time comes.
We take pride in giving our patients a respectful and dignified passing, and in giving you the time and space to say goodbye.
End of life pet care
We are here to guide and support you every step of the way, no matter the species.
End of life care for dogs
Our care plan focuses on managing pain, maintaining quality of life, and addressing any symptoms that cause discomfort.
Management may include medication, dietary adjustments, gentle exercise, and regular veterinary check-ins.
The goal is to help your dog feel as comfortable and loved as possible during this time.
End of life care for cats
Cats require similar care to dogs at the end of life, with attention to pain management, hydration, nutrition, and comfort.
We tailor care plans to your cat’s specific needs, helping them stay peaceful and pain-free.
Regular assessments allow us to adjust care as needed to maintain their quality of life.
Other species
We also provide compassionate end-of-life care and euthanasia for other pets, including rabbits, guinea pigs, and more.
While the specific needs can vary slightly depending on the species, the principles remain the same: ensuring comfort, dignity, and a peaceful transition.
Our experienced team will explain the process and support you and your pet throughout.
FAQs
Saying goodbye is the hardest part of sharing our lives with pets. Making the decision to let them go is a selfless act of love and respect but it’s never easy.
After a lifetime of companionship and unconditional love, we owe it to them to ensure they don’t suffer unnecessarily when they are nearing the end.
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Quality of life is everything, and there comes a time where this has become little to nothing in their day to day lives.
Sleeping all the time, no longer interacting with family members the way they used to, lack of interest in the things they used to love - these can be signs that they have “had enough”.
Every animal is different, and you know your pet better than anyone so you will be the best judge of their quality of life and how they’re feeling.
We are here to support you with this decision making. Reach out to our team if you’d like to discuss whether the time might be right.
When the time comes, we will bring you into a quiet room, and the vet will be able to answer any questions you have. If the decision has not been firmly made we can discuss this too. Family members, including fellow pets, are welcome to be present.
We will ask you to sign a consent form, and then we will place an IV (intravenous) catheter so we have access to a vein. This is usually done with a vet and a nurse.
When everyone is ready, we will give your pet a sedative injection to make them sleepy and then follow with the final injection. This is very similar to an anaesthetic and your pet will pass away peacefully.
Our aim is to minimise anxiety as much as possible. If your pet is particularly anxious we may give them a sedative before placing the IV catheter.
Should you have any concerns about your pet’s anxiety, please don’t hesitate to discuss them with us.
There are three options available, and the choice is entirely yours. If you decide on cremation, we will coordinate with the cremation company to have your pet collected directly from the clinic.
The options are:
- Home burial - if you have suitable outdoor space and wish to keep them close. It’s important to check local regulations regarding pet burial on private property to ensure compliance with any rules or restrictions.
- Communal Cremation (ashes not returned to you) - their ashes will be scattered in a woodland at the pet crematorium
- Individual Cremation (ashes returned to you) - they will be individually cremated and their ashes will be returned to you, in your choice of scatter pouch, box or urn. This takes 1-2 weeks and we will call you to let you know they are ready for collection from the clinic.
For more details on cremation options, visit Bamganie Pet Memorials.
We also offer keepsakes such as paw prints and fur clippings. Please feel free to ask us for more details.
Yes. We don’t have a dedicated home visit team at Northside Vets, but if euthanasia at home is what you would prefer, then we will do our utmost to find time for one of our vets and nurses to come to you.
The additional for a home visit is from $120. Please give us a call to discuss further.
This depends on the size of your pet and your chosen options afterwards.
- Euthanasia procedure - from $200
- Shared cremation (ashes not returned) - $110
- Individual cremation (ashes returned to you) - from $450 depending on choice of box or urn.
Losing a beloved pet is very difficult. If you, or family members need some support, here are some places to find help:
- Forever In My Heart Pet Loss Counselling
- Rest Your Paws Grief Counselling
Honour your pet with our help
Contact us and we can help provide end-of-life pet care that provides all the love, respect and dignity they deserve.
Call us today
