Veterinary Services

Pet Hospice & End-of-Life Care in Kingsport, TN

One of the most difficult times is saying goodbye to a best friend. Our caring staff will be there every step of the way. Learn more below.

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Kingsport hospice end of life care
Veterinary Services

Pet Hospice and End-of-Life Care at Kingsport Veterinary Hospital.

Our team understands that this may be one of the most difficult decisions you’ll ever have to make. Rest assured that most pet owners struggle with this decision, and it’s not one you’ll have to make alone. We’ll be by your side for as much time as you need to go over options and talk it through.

Kingsport Vet Hospital - pet pain management

Pet Hospice Care

Hospice care aims to meet the physical and mental needs of a pet faced with a life-limiting illness. It begins the moment a pet is diagnosed with a terminal condition, and the family has decided not to pursue aggressive curative therapies. Pet hospice focuses on caring, not curing. We understand that serious illness profoundly impacts not only the patient but the family as well. Our goal is to promote a caring community sensitive to the entire family’s needs while also providing excellent care for a comfortable and full end of life.

Pet End-of-Life Care

Our team will help you to evaluate and track your pet’s quality of life, anticipating changes in their illness before they occur. Managing pain and suffering are some of the biggest concerns a family has when caring for a pet at the end of life. We will review your pet’s medical history, if available, and discuss the expected progression of their disease and potential complications and treatment options for managing any signs of discomfort you may be seeing.

What to expect

When a client has made the hardest of decisions—that quality of life is gone for their beloved pet, and it is time to say goodbye—it is natural to be concerned and unsure of what will happen next. We want to assure our clients that we will guide them every step of the way. On the day of a pet’s euthanasia, the financial side of the process is taken care of beforehand so that there is no need to deal with anything else afterward. Owners who want to be present during the procedure are taken into a quiet, private room with a comfortable area to sit with their dear ones. Owners can then be given some time alone with their pet if desired. After the pet’s owner signals they are ready, a technician may place an IV catheter in one leg for the doctor to deliver the medication. The doctor will explain the physical process of euthanasia and what to expect to prepare the owner. The doctor may administer a heavy sedative first to calm the pet completely, so there is no fear. Then, with the approval of the owner, the euthanasia solution is given. After the euthanasia is over, if owners need some time alone with their pet or with a comforting staff member before heading home, we will respect their wishes.

Aftercare

For care of the body, we have several options. Some owners want to bury their pet’s remains in a special place and they take the body with them in a discreet container we provide. Some owners want to have their pets cremated and keep the ashes.

For that, we work with several local companies that our clients have trusted for years. These companies can provide cremation services and the pet’s ashes will be returned in either a cedar box or decorative urn, with the option to have a personalized engraved plaque attached. Owners also have the option to have a clay print of their pet’s paw made and returned along with the ashes.

Below is a list of cremation companies that our clients have trusted with their pets:

Please call the company of your choice before your pet’s appointment to make arrangements for cremation and pricing.