Made me stop and think...

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

When we had our dog PTS some years ago the vet arranged for us to go at the end of surgery hours.
Bonnie was already at the vets, she had been there for a few days.

The vet was really good and allowed us to spend alot of time with her before she went to the Bridge, We didnt feel rushed at all.
There was my Mum and Dad, Me, my Brother, my Sister and my Grandfather there !!!
My Mum sat in the cage with Bonnie, holding her while she was PTS.
The vet and staff were so nice. They sent a card a few days later.

[Desley (booktigger)]

That must have been an awful situation for the people to be in, i can't imagine having to do that. My vets have occasionally kept people waiting, and used the vet nurses room for situations like this, and I have used their back door at times when I haven't been able to face going through reception (I have also been allowed to either pay in advance or get a bill - I personally prefer paying in advance, it was awful getting the bill for that through the door a week later). If I know for definite what is going to happen, I ask for the latest appointment, so I am not rushed, and dont have to face people, my vets are good at giving me 'special' appointments (right at the end, when tehy dont normally book people in).

[blackcat]

I think you can only make the best decision with the available information. If it seemed appropriate at the time, it probably was. Many people keep an animal going for far too long, it is not kind to the animal, it is just selfishness on the part of the owner - an unwillingness to part or a cowardice about being responsible for such a difficult choice.

[lilycat]

My problem is hanging on to the idea that I could've done more for Mavey, or that I had her pts too soon. I wish I'd had the vet come out to her but I could hardly think straight at the time...when I was on the phone to make the appointment the nurse at the vets could hardly understand me, I was just sobbing my heart out.

No matter what, there'll always be that thought that maybe something more could've been done for her.

I still miss the old girl terribly. 

[blackcat]

when it has been something that could be anticipated I have had it done at home as less stress for the cat. In Claudies case I was hoping it was something that could be dealt with. I knew, from the symptoms it was either cancer or leukemia, but had hoped it could be treated. But he had gone into total liver failure by the time we got there and nothing could be done... In some ways it was a blessing as it saved me having to make decisions about the amount of treatment I would subject him to, but in others it was a total shock. You know how you unreasonably cling to the idea it will all work out somehow .....................................

[Millys Mum]

Poor people  i agree about the seperate room thing, im not sure what my surgery does as iv had my boys done at home.

[lilycat]

When I took Mavey to the vet to be pts, I started sobbing as soon as the vet came out and asked me to take her through - there was no-one else in the waiting room but I couldn't have held it together even if there had been  .

It would be fantastic if vets had a secluded, comfortable area where people could wait with their pet on these occasions an maybe even have the little one pts in there instead of a cold, clinical area.

In future though, when I find myself in that situation again, I'll arrange a home visit....it's upsetting just thinking about it 

[Mark]

I think the vet next door takes people out the back way. I have often seen vets or nurses out there with people. I try not to look as I often seen the cremation van etc out there.

[blackcat]

my vet in Queensland only had a partitioned off area with walls that did not reach the ceiling, and no way to leave that was not through reception. I hate being seen crying, and when Claudius had to be euthanased I was aware, even through my pain, that every word, every sound could be heard by people in reception. It is hard when all you really want to do is let rip with really gut-wrenching sobs, but can not because of social constraints. I do think that surgeries should have at least one room where that option can be dealt with ...

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I think it depends on the building though - not all have a spare room.  I know my vets just has the reception area (which is small), 2 consulting rooms, operating rooms and the "ward" (can't think of the right word but I'm sure you know what I mean!   It's not a purpose built surgery but a converted house.  When Magpie died there was only me there because it was out of hours so I didnt' have to sit in the waiting room or anything.  But I would imagine it is difficult for some practices to find a quiet place during surgery hours.

[puddypaws]

Our vet is very good.  They let me go in at the end of surgery with Sid when he had to be PTS so there was only us there.  They made a cuppa for us and sat and talked about him for a while.  The next day they sent a condolence card.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I agree, I think vets should care more for the owners at times like these and have a room at the back and a way out..............they must have one but dont think to use it!

When I brought Kocka home I had to carry her through all the people waiting and it was not a good experience. 

[Tiggy's Mum]

How awful for the cat and it's poor owners    It's a shame the nurse couldn't have taken them into a side room to go over the details, when I had to have Tiggy put to sleep the vets let me go out the back door as I was distraught (still don't know how I managed to drive home  ) and I couldn't bare the thought of people looking at me balling my eyes out carrying her empty carrier 

[suzi]

Poor wee soul. 

When I left the vets the couple were still sitting with the vet nurse upset so i never found out wether it was theres or not. Although it didn't sound hopefull as they accurately descibed his stomach markings which the vet nurse went through and checked and said they looked the same as description. Also the cat had a foreign chip, and the couple's cat also had a foreign chip as they had moved him over here from abroad.

I just felt it was shame the couple were having to deal with this in public. All that I know was because I overheard as they were sitting in reception. A little cozy room would be nice for families to visit poorly pets and to have a bit privacy at difficult times.

[Ralph's mum (angie)]

Thats awful  RIP wee cat xx

[clarenmax]

How awful 

[lisa77]

How awful    Did it turn out to be their cat ?

God I cant even imagine how that must feel.. absolutley awful..

I found my old cat after a RTA when I was 12 - that was bad enough & he didnt have any visible injuries..

 

[suzi]

While I was at the vets this afternoon there was a very upset couple who were giving a description of their cat to the vet nurse.

The vet nurse was telling them a cat matching their description had just been brought in by sspca with bad head injuries and they were unable to read it's chip, and the couple were deciding if they would be able to go through and identify the cat from his body alone and they would cover his head. I just felt so badly for them and can't even imagine how they were feeling. Especially having to deal with all of this in a busy reception.  It just brought back some memories of when my Bailey was hit by a car...but survived.

I really felt for the couple..and anyone else who has gone through a similar experience. It just makes me think I should NEVER take my two wee boys for granted.