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What happens to my pet when it has died?

You may have a pet who has recently died or know of someone who has recently lost a pet. This article will hopefully shed some light on such a devastating topic. It is a very sad fact that in our lifetime we will own many pets because of their comparatively short lifespan. We put it at the back of our minds, but one day we will either have to make the traumatic decision to end our pet's life due to illness or old age as they are our responsibility right to the end, or we all hope that one day they will die peacefully at home in their sleep. The third scenario is one we all dread too and that is the tragic loss of ones pet in an accident.

Clients are never sure when their first pet passes away, what happens next. The decision is yours to make. You can either take your pet home for burial in the garden, choose to leave it at the surgery for cremation, choose a private cremation where you receive the ashes of your pet in an urn or box of your choice; or choose a pet cemetery.

Once this choice is made, we will wrap your pet in a towel or blanket (their own if you were to bring it in) and place them back in their carrier for you to take out. Distraught owners are taken out through the back away from inquisitive onlookers in the waiting room. If you carry your pet out, be warned that bowels and bladders may open in recently dead animals and some vets may offer a plastic bin liner or you may bring your own insulated blanket to place your pet on to avoid leaking all over you or your car. Horrible harsh realities but clients are usually so distraught that these minor inconveniences are often overlooked.

© Arielle Griffiths BVSc MRCVS

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Crescent Veterinary Clinic

Crescent Veterinary Clinic
The Crescent
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire
LE13 0NF
Tel: 01664 567724 or 562142

www.royalcanin.com

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