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Our
separate radiology area with automatic processor
allows rapid assessment, especially important
in emergencies. For those interested in hip certification,
we offer both OFA and Penn-Hip referral assessment.
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Our
surgical facility meets the highest standards
set out by the American Animal Health Association.
With safe anesthesia and pain control as priorities,
we offer a wide range of soft-tissue and orthopedic
surgery.
Download our presurgery information sheet
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Pets
have teeth too and dental disease is one of our
most common and serious medical problems. Proper
dental cleaning requires general anesthesia. We
have a separate dentistry where we can provide
routine clean, polish and floride treatment as
well as periodontal treatment and extractions.
The costs and health concerns to the pet will
vary markedly with the stage of dental disease.
Anesthetics are modified to be the safest possible
for these older pets. |
We
have a well-equipped laboratory, supervised by
a Registered Veterinary Technician, that enables
us to run most of our diagnostic blood, urine
and fecal testing in-house. When pre-anesthetic
bloodwork is run before surgery, results can be
obtained within a half-hour of admission. |
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Quality
pet foods and prescription diets are offered at
competitive prices. We offer nutritional consultation
and you are always welcome to bring your pet in
for a free weight check. Our retail area containes
a variety of shampoos, flea products, toys, leashes
and other pet supplies.
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Every
living being must die - it is a part of life that
cannot be avoided. With euthanasia, we are ensuring
our pets have a humane, quick and painless way
to die. It is probably one of the hardest decisions
we help clients to work through.
More
Info
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Every living being must
die - it is a part of life that cannot be avoided. With
euthanasia, we are ensuring our pets have a humane,
quick and painless way to die. This is achieved by administering
a massive intravenous (IV) overdose of an anesthetic
drug. An assistant will often help to steady the animal
and hold off the vein. The barbiturate causes an initial
feeling of euphoria. Animals may lick their lips, pant
and look around. This lasts a few seconds before they
slip into a peaceful deep anesthetic sleep and then
die as their heart stops. After the animal is gone they
may quiver or take reflex breaths for several minutes
and the bowel and bladder may let go. The eyes usually
stay open.
The drug is painless, and
an IV injection is well tolerated by most animals. If
your pet is too stressed to allow an IV injection, a
sedative may be given first to calm them. You have the
choice to remain with your pet or to leave him/her with
us. Regardless, your pet will be treated with the dignity
and respect that they deserve. For people wishing to
stay with with their pets, an appointment is required.
Otherwise, an animal can be dropped off anytime. Some
paperwork is required, and it is easier for some people
to come in and finish this before they come back with
their pet.
Thinking About Burial
You have choices to make on how and where
you want your pet to be buried. Are you able to take
your pet home to buried? If so, you need to think about
how you want the body prepared to come home. Do you
have a special blanket or box that would be suitable?
Other options range from a simple group burial which
we arrange, to a private plot with a headstone in a
pet cemetery, or cremation. There are caskets and urns
that are available if desired. We can help you with
the details once the decision has been made.
Stages of Grieving
There are many different stages of grieving.
The three that most people seem to experience commonly
are outlined below. The length of time it takes to go
through the different stages varies and sometimes people
jump back and forth between stages.
Stage 1 - Numbness and Denial:
Immediately after your pet's death you
will likely experience a period of unreality, almost
like sleepwalking. Nothing seems like it will ever feel
right again. This stage can last several weeks or even
months.
Stage 2 - Anger and/or Guilt:
Physically, symptoms such as tightness
in the throat, shortness of breath or fatigue can set
in. Emotional symptoms can be even more distressing.
Anger at the pet for getting sick or injured or even
old, and the accompanying guilt may be overwhelming.
You may agonize over things you believe you did wrong
or think you should have done differently. This stage
can also last weeks, months or years.
Stage 3 - Acceptance:
Eventually, there will be times
when you do not dwell on your loss and you'll be able
to focus on your daily tasks. You do not forget, but
you learn to move on. You may have a new awareness of
how precious life is and of the value of these special
relationships.
Coping With Grief
- We are all different and therefore
we all tend to handle our friend differently. Here
are some ways that may be helpful in coping with your
own personal loss.
- Try to be caring people - Spend time
with family, friends, neighbours or co-workers that
have dealt with their own pet loss. These people understand
what you are feeling. Talk with them, express your
feelings.
- Take enough time - Everyone is different
and you need a grieving period that is right for you.
Grieving is a necessity that will help you to come
to terms with the loss of your pet.
- Reach out for help - There are number
of grief counseling and pet support hotlines available.
Don't be ashamed or feel silly calling. These people
are there because they care.
- Try to come to terms with your loss
- Move towards the acceptance of the death of your
beloved pet. Work through feelings of guilt, bitterness
or blame, which may get in the way of moving forward
with your life.
- Accept a changed life - Recognize
that you will feel off-balance for awhile. Your routine
is going to change drastically. Try to fill the empty
parts with new challenges, new places and new relationships.
- Writing down the story of your pet's
life can help you celebrate the time you had together.
If you have children, let them help by drawing pictures
or pasting photos of your pet in the book. Detail
his or her adventures from the first day you brought
your pet home. This project creates a memento for
you to keep and encourages you to remember the happy
times.
- You may chose to honour your
pet with a gift in memory. One option is the Companion
Animal Trust Fund at the Atlantic Veterinary College
in PEI. Not only is the contribution a lasting tribute,
but it enables the college to bring hope to others
through providing a means of continual research on
animal disease. Funds may also be used to improve
the facilities and equipment at the college's teaching
hospital. Contact the Atlantic Veterinary College
at 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI, C1A
4P3 902-566-00882. Donations could also be made to
your local SPCA or Humane Society or a charity of
your choice.
Enjoy the wonderful memories of your
pet. Be grateful for having known them. You are beginning
to heal when you can say their name and tell stories
about them while still smiling. No matter how long they
were with us, we must be thankful for each day we had
with them and each special memory they have given us.
Some of us could not imagine another pet just yet, while
others feel a need to being again immediately. Each
is an excellent decision if it feels right.
Resources
There are many pet loss support lijnes.
Here a few closest to us. Please note, the phones are
staffed by veterinary students. You will usually have
to leave your number and they will call you back collect,
likely in the evening after classes.
Rainbow Valley Pet Loss Support Group,
Alberta - 1-403-246-0091
Tufts University, Massachusetts - 1-508-839-7966
Cornell University, New York - 1-607-253-3932
The internet has multiple sites
for coping with pet loss as well as chat lines to speak
to someone on-line. All of these sites are accesible
by simply typing "pet loss" in your search
field. Cornell University has a nice site to use as
a starting point at http://web.vet.cornell.edu/public/petloss
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