Pet bereavement and end of life care

Seeing your beloved companion’s health decline is always hard and making the decision to let them go may be one of the hardest you will ever have to make. We want you to know that you are not alone. Our veterinary and reception teams have undergone specific pet bereavement training and are here to support you and your pet throughout this journey.

Alpha Vets can provide the dignified and compassionate end of life care your pet needs in our practice or at your home.

Talk to us about end of life care

When the time comes…

Sadly, most pets don’t pass away naturally in their sleep. Instead, it is the responsibility of the owner to make this life-ending decision on their behalf and knowing when is the right time can feel extremely difficult.

Common questions we get asked about pet euthanasia:

• How will I know when is the right time?
• What will happen during the procedure?
• Should I stay with my pet?
• Should I let other pets or my children be there?
• What will happen after?

In some cases it will have become obvious that your pet’s life is drawing to a close, or perhaps they are suffering due to an injury or illness, which has impacted their quality of life. The final decision ultimately lies with you. However, our team has the experience and knowledge to offer you advice, explain your pet’s condition and what they will be experiencing, and answer any questions you might have. At Alpha Vets in Teddington, we believe that choosing to have your pet euthanised is the kindest thing you can do for them if they are suffering.

Personalised end of life care

At Alpha Vets, we will provide a compassionate, personalised, and affordable service to support your pet and you. Our team can help you make your beloved pet’s last days as happy and carefree as possible; this may include medication, therapy, monitoring, and visits to suit your specific situation.

You can book an appointment with a member of our end of life care team to talk about your pet’s situation ahead of time. Talking about the options available to you and making decisions in advance can help to ease some of the worry and distress you may feel as the day gets nearer.  This can be face to face, over the phone or via video, or you can email us your questions if you find that easier.

We can help you with:

• Timing
• Location (at home or at the practice)
• Who would like to be present
• How you would like the entire process to be
• Options for burial or cremation of your loved one

We can also help with how you would like to remember your pet, and provide emotional support for you after they have gone.

Pet cremation services – dignity & care for all pets

At the Alpha Veterinary Surgery, your pet will always be treated with the care and dignity they deserve. We use a trusted pet cremation service, who will also care for your pet in this way. If you have any concerns about your ageing companion or a sudden change in your pet’s health, call us for advice on 0208 943 2303.

Commemorating your pet

Finding ways to commemorate the wonderful times you and your pet shared can help with the grieving process. If you decide that you would like to have your pet’s ashes returned to keep or scatter, you can choose from a lovely range of caskets, urns, and other tributes. If you wish, a lock of hair can be clipped for you to treasure. For pets buried at home, a shrub or flowers to mark the spot can be a lovely reminder. Ask our team for more information.

Further pet bereavement support

• The Blue Cross has a bereavement service, accessible 365 days a year www.bluecross.org.uk – their telephone number is 0800 096606.
• A sensitive pet bereavement website, The Ralph Site, offers advice on dealing with the loss of your pet and offers owners a chance to share their stories if they so wish – www.theralphsite.com
• For children, we often recommend a lovely book called Missing my Pet, written by a vet and her son Alex, who was 6 years old when his dog, Star, died. Other books on this topic are available from online retailers.

Contact us about our services for pet bereavement in Teddington