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Hospice & Compassionate Euthanasia

When is the right time to say the final good-bye?

hospice compassionate euthanasia

It is never a simple answer but we emphasize the quality of your pet’s life. Looking at various aspects like pain, appetite, hydration, incontinence, happiness and level of engagement with you, as well as mobility, we can help determine the stage of hospice of your pet and how we can provide better support, at the same time helping you plan for a natural passing or humane euthanasia.

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice care at Blue Sparrow is a team-oriented service dedicated to preserving the human-animal bond by maintaining comfort and quality of life for the terminally ill patient at home. Hospice care is seen as the palliative care of the patient during the final stages of life, until natural heath occurs or until the client elects humane euthanasia. We will assist with evaluating quality of life and the decision-making process to allow for a gentle passage. In order to maximize the benefits of hospice care, it is necessary that family members actively participate in that end of life care.  Your hospice care team will assist with the assessment and treatment of pain and the stages of organ system failure/progressive disease. We do offer packages for hospice care to provide optimal communication and treatment during this difficult time. An excellent online resource for hospice care is the Pet Hospice Journal.

What Is Euthanasia?

In home euthanasia can often make this difficult moment a little easier. Blue Sparrow Holistic is committed to making the process as straightforward and humane as possible. We understand the progression of disease and the discomfort that is usually inevitable. We will assist you with making the best decision for you and your pet. Saying good-bye in your home can be one of the most compassionate things you do for your pet. If your pet is not already receiving hospice care through Blue Sparrow Holistic, we offer a pre-euthanasia consultation if you wish to have your animal evaluated first, discuss the euthanasia process and get assistance with making the right decision prior to proceeding with humane euthanasia in the future. The humane euthanasia appointment includes a brief consultation, sedation/pain medication for your pet, humane euthanasia, transportation for cremation (if elected), and notification given to your family/primary veterinarian of your pet’s passing. In the consultation, the euthanasia process will be explained to you, and we will respect the pace at which you would like to proceed. Please feel free to ask any questions so that you feel comfortable with the process.

What Is Aftercare?

Care for your pet’s remains is a very personal decision but Blue Sparrow Holistic offers three options when considering aftercare:

  • Private Cremation. With this option, your pet is cremated privately at Bubbling Well. Once the cremation process is complete, your pet’s ashes will be returned to Blue Sparrow for scheduled return home to you. You may also choose to have your pet’s ashes returned directly from Bubbling Well to you via UPS. There are a variety of standard and speciality urns to choose from, as well as items in memoriam to help commemorate the life of your companion animal.
  • Communal Cremation. Your pet’s remains are cared for through Bubbling Well, with the ashes scattered in their offsite private gardens in Napa. A small representative amount of ashes are also collected and scattered throughout their Bubbling Well Pet Memorial Park. The Memorial Park can be visited and is a tranquil space to remember your beloved pet.
  • Owner to care for the remains themselves. Whether that be a private arrangement with another pet cremation facility or other burial arrangement (e.g. private pet cemetery), you may elect to keep the remains and see to their final care personally.

Blue Sparrow is here for you and your pets. Contact us if you would like to speak with Dr. Araba about hospice care or compassionate euthanasia services. Also, please visit our Pet Loss Resources page.

All new patients are requested to complete the New Client/Patient Intake form, which is available here.