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Euthanasia
Euthanasia is the term used for the process of humanely ending life. Veterinarians are permitted to perform this procedure to end suffering, or if it is deemed that there is no other safe or responsible alternative.
Every goodbye is different, and we aim to accommodate any requests that may make the process easier for you and your family.
It is always a difficult time when a much loved pet no longer has quality of life and end of life decisions must be made. The information below provides you with a detailed guide on how the procedure is performed at Petmania and the sorts of decisions that will be asked of you and your family.

Book an appointment
Unless there is an emergency that requires immediate euthanasia, please book an appointment by calling 3264 6700 so we may schedule you a time that allows plenty of privacy and ensures you're not rushed.
Do you wish to be present?
Many pet owners want to be holding their pets as they are euthanased, however others do not want this to be their final memory of them. We respect both points of view and will ask upon arrival for your preference. If you do wish to be present, you will be given close access to your pet once the veterinarian is in place to perform the procedure. Please know that it's OK if you wish to leave part way through the procedure, too.
Body care
There are many options for taking care of your pets’ body once they have passed, and it can be helpful to discuss these with your family beforehand. If you have not yet decided, we can hold your pet
Private cremation or cemetery burial - We work with companies who are truly devoted to respectful handling and care of your deceased pet. You can choose to have your pet cremated at one of the special pet crematoriums or buried in a beautiful pet cemetery. With cremation, you can get the ashes returned in a huge range of urns, boxes or personal keepsakes and these costs are all handled directly with the company. It is helpful to do some research prior to making the appointment with us so we may let the crematorium know your wishes as soon as possible. You would usually leave the body with us at Petmania after the procedure and we organise the booking and transport behind the scenes.
You can browse the websites of some local crematoriums here:
Pets in Peace
Pet Angels
Pets Eternal
Paws to Heaven Water Cremation
Together Forever
RSPCA Pets at Rest
Cremation with friends - Pet crematoriums provide a service where deceased pets are cremated with other pets. The ashes are mixed together and spread over a beautiful property at the foot of the Glasshouse Mountains under a special license. There is no additional fee for this service and we organise it all for you.
Home burial - It's important to consider all local by-laws if you wish to bury your pet somewhere on your own land. You may wish to bring a favourite blanket to take them home in, or alternatively we provide a biodegradable burial shroud at no cost. Consider also that if you’re renting your home, understand that you may eventually have to leave your pet there.
Taxidermy - Much loved pets can continue to be present in the home through traditional and free-dried taxidermy. We are familiar with the body preparation process for this and can assist with organising the transfer to your provider. We have previously worked with Down Under Taxidermy, but can familiarise ourselves with any company that you choose.
Donation to Science - You may wish to donate your pet's body to scientific research, whether they had a rare or undiagnosed condition, or they lead a completely normal life and died at an old age. This method involves their body being transferred to the University of Queensland at Gatton (which attracts a transfer fee of $100) where lecturers and fifth year Veterinary students examine them in great detail. It's not possible to receive their ashes or body back after this option, and there is no report provided about what the University finds in their examinations.
Do you wish to have a post mortem performed?
It can bring comfort and understanding to families for a post mortem to be performed on their pet, particularly if they are a young pet that has become ill suddenly, or if there are other pets in the house that may be at risk of toxin exposure etc. A post-mortem, or "necropsy" is an investigative procedure performed professionally by veterinary pathologists at the University of Queensland. The pet is transferred there by a crematorium (or you can drive your pet's body yourself if preferred) immediately after death and results are made available to families 4 to 6 weeks after testing. Initial results may be available as early as 48 hours after testing, if the findings show a risk to other pets or family members.
The procedure itself takes place within 2 to 3 days of passing, however thorough testing and official reporting takes up the remainder of the time. The fee for a post-mortem examination and report is $800.
The body is treated with gentle hands and complete respect during this procedure, and is then lovingly sewn back together. It is not possible for owners to be present for a post mortem and you cannot have the body returned for burial following a post mortem. All pets are cremated after a necropsy, and regular private cremation fees apply if you would like your pet's ashes returned to you.
On the day..
1) When you arrive at the veterinary surgery, you will be shown straight into a private room to get comfortable. We will usually offer them lots of treats at this point, including chocolate. We think no pet should go to heaven without tasting chocolate! Please feel free to bring in their favourite treats with you too, although many pets at the end of their life will not feel up to eating.
A Petmania representative will get you to sign a form which states your understanding of the finality of the procedure, and asks you to nominate your body care choice. Your invoice will then be completed based on these choices and we find it best to finalise the payment of the invoice at this time so you don't need to hang around reception after the procedure.
If you do not wish to be present for the euthanasia and you have chosen a cremation option, you can say your goodbyes to your pet and leave the surgery at this point.
2) If you wish to be present for the euthanasia procedure, your pet will be given a mixture of appropriate sedatives via a small injection under their skin, which will make your pet quite sleepy in about 5-10 minutes. They will often curl up on your lap or try to walk to you after this injection and they are still aware of your presence.
3) Once they have become fully relaxed, we'll briefly take them into the treatment room to have an IV catheter fitted into their leg, while you wait in the private loungeroom. The treatment room has bright lighting for us to place the IV line, and all our supplies are there. In old and sick pets, low blood pressure and dehydration means it is more difficult to catheterise your pet, so we take our time and let the pet get comfortable with us first. We know this time apart from them must seem like an eternity, but we want to minimise stress and discomfort to your pet.
4) Your pet will then return to you in the private room, with a little bandage on their leg. We will offer you more time with them or The second drug we administer is a stronger anaesthetic which is given at an overdose level, to stop your pets’ heart. It is dark green in colour, for safety reasons so that we never accidentally administer it to a patient. It is flushed through the tubing with plain saline fluid and your pets heart will stop, almost immediately. Sometimes they can appear to take a big breath or twitch, which is simply the anaesthetic working its way around the body and they are not aware of these movements. It is important to prepare yourself that your pet may urinate or have a bowel movement at this time, when everything ‘relaxes’. The veterinarian will then listen to the chest in multiple places, to confirm the absence of a heartbeat, and will let you know 'they have passed now'.
You are offered private time with your pet and can then leave the surgery when you’re ready. If you are taking your pet home for burial, we will remove the catheter from their arm and gently move them to a biodegradable bag, or leave them on a special blanket if you brought one.
There's no right or wrong way to grieve
We understand the great sadness that comes with losing a pet, and you should not be embarrassed or afraid to show this emotion. You will often see the veterinarian or nurse with tears in their eyes as well, or sometimes we hold it together until you have left!
If you have chosen an individual cremation or burial with a pet crematorium, a representative from that company will be in contact over the coming days. You may also wish to consider a funeral or viewing for your pet, which can be arranged directly with the crematorium.
We greatly respect this difficult time for your family and if there are any religious or cultural customs you wish for us to observe during this procedure, simply discuss them with the receptionist when booking.

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