Making this decision is never easy, and you’ll second guess yourself, not want to be selfish, yet want to hang onto them forever. We’ve been through it many times with our own pets, and it does not get easier.
In terms of cost, the fee for travel and euthanasia is based on your location. It’s $290 for the general Belleville/ O’Fallon area. There may be an additional $20 charge for evenings/weekends. Let us know where you live and we’ll tell you an exact price.
We always sedate first with an injection of a sedative. We give it under the skin, like a vaccine, and not in the muscle, so most pets do not notice it or react in any way. Depending on how dehydrated/sick the pet is, it takes 5-15 minutes for them to become sedated. This gives you time to spend with them as they gradually get sleepy, and it is not an all-at-once thing.
Once they are completely sedated, they are under general anesthesia (just like for surgery). The veterinarian will then get access to a vein and give an IV injection of another anesthetic drug, but this is an overdose. The pet goes deeper under anesthesia and their heart stops. This usually takes a minute or two.
We have an article on what to expect during the euthanasia process. It might not be a particularly enjoyable read, but many owners have thanked me for it. Knowing what to expect makes it less daunting:
Afterwards, we can take the pet with us for cremation. If you choose to have them cremated privately and have your pet’s ashes returned to you, the cost depends on weight of the pet. We have urns available on our website, if you are interested: https://metroeasthomevetcare.
Or you may choose to have them cremated and not have the ashes returned to you, which typically is $85- $105, depending on size. Either way, we will make a paw print on paper cardstock and mail it to you. Some people choose to bury them on their property, and that is fine as well. If you’d like an exact price, simply let us know your pet’s approximate weight and your wishes.
Please let me know if you have any further questions. We are happy to help you however we can to get through this very crappy time.