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Original poster

Can I ask a question about the practicalities of pets dying? (TMI)

28 replies

WriggleJiggle · 21/02/2009 22:48

Can I ask you all about the practicalities of a (large) pet dying? Hamsters, guineapigs, fish, cats and rabbits have all been burried in our garden over the years. However, I'm very aware that our aged dog is getting closer and closer to the end. dh will expect me to deal with it, but I'm not sure I can dig a hole that large, or even move such a large animal. And what happens if I have to take him to be put down at the vets? Would I be considered weird to want to take him home and bury him?

What about our other dog? Is it best for them to be able to see their buddy so they understand what has happened?

Sorry if this all sounds very morbid, We are hoping for a couple more years, but have to be realistic.

OP posts:
ThreadieMair · 21/02/2009 22:52

Sorry your old dog is unwell.

Not weird to take him home for burial at all. But there are alternatives. The vet will have an 'arrangement' with a crematorium. You can chose to let your pet be taken away from the surgery and cremated along with other animals, for a smallish fee or perhaps no fee(??). Or you can choose that he is cremated separately so that the ashes can be returned to you. This is more expensive.

HairyMuff · 21/02/2009 22:53

I'm not sure about dogs. We've always had them cremated at the vets (too scared about them being dug up again by another animal). You could ask for the ashes to scatter on his fave walk?

deepinlaundry · 21/02/2009 23:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MarmadukeScarlet · 21/02/2009 23:01

I cost a very large amount to have my big dog cremated on his own, £60-80 iirc 15 yrs ago.

Many of our other dogs were buried on my friends farm, she had a dog graveyard bit. They were big dogs (Afghans) and had to be 4-5 feet deep, it was very hard work.

HairyMuff · 21/02/2009 23:03

deepinlaundry - sorry to laugh but I had to at the 'dragged along on days out etc'. I'd be petrified the top would come off the urn and the ashes would be scattered all over the footwell of the car.

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 21/02/2009 23:07

I posted about this on another thread recently, but when we had to have our lovely dog put to sleep, the vet came to our house.

This meant that the dog was not traumatised by being taken to an unfamiliar place (she hated the vets - it smells funny!) and was surrounded by all her familiar things, and us.

DH held the dog whilst the vet gave the injection, and the dog was very calm. Once the dog was dead (sorry to be blunt) the vet left, we laid our pet in her bed and said our (very teary and emotional) goodbyes. The DCs were included in this.

We were heartbroken, but it was managed beautifully, the vet was so professional, kind and considerate.

DH buried the dog himself, but not in our garden.

Original poster
WriggleJiggle · 21/02/2009 23:07

Mmmm, don't think I'm keen on cremation, would seem a little odd I think.

OP posts:
deepinlaundry · 21/02/2009 23:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HairyMuff · 21/02/2009 23:10

I know. I have visions of the workers at the crems pee-ing themselves laughing at us old sentimental pet owners as they scoop any old floor sweepings into a box and present it as poor old Fluffy the dog or whatever.

catsforever · 26/02/2009 12:42

Hello, I'm new to this site and I wonder if anyone has any advice/help for me. My cat Boris is 17years old he has only been to the vets twice and that was a nightmare for both of us he panted and cried all the way there and then bit the vet, he is now having trouble breathing and his back leg has swollen up although he's pretty much doing everything he always has eating,using litter tray,drinking etc. Can anybody give me any help as what to do if his breathing gets worse I have just noticed his belly seems bloated as well. Thank you

bella29 · 26/02/2009 12:44

TBH only a vet can help him.

Some vets will do home visits but he does sound very poorly.

Best of luck x

MollieO · 26/02/2009 12:47

When one of my cats was put down we had it done at home (on vet's recommendation) so that the remaining cat knew what happened. The healthy cat took one look at the vet and scarpered so not sure there was a benefit but I was happier that my poorly cat's last place alive was at home. Unlike the healthy cat who died the following year alone in a vet hospital (whilst I was enroute to see him haven taken him in the previous day). I had both of them cremated so I can scatter their ashes in the garden (waiting for garden to be redesigned first!). Was expensive. Euthenasia at home and cremation was about £300 and not covered on insurance (which I knew). Cremation I think cost about £80.

catsforever · 26/02/2009 12:50

Thank you I think I'll have a look and see if a vet will come out. I've had him and his brother since being kittens, his brother was killed on the road about 5 years ago.

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 26/02/2009 12:53

We have a friend who is a veterinary nurse and she put our lab to sleep at our house. It was very calm and it was just like she fell asleep.

Dh dug a (very) deep hole in the garden and we buried her.

It had nothing to do with money. For us it was the right thing to do.

Hopefully it's a long time away for you, but it is a good idea to find out what your options are in advance.

catsforever · 26/02/2009 13:07

I've just given him a breast of chicken and he ate it no problem. I have found a local vet that will come out (or so they say now)so hopefully things go ok, any ideas on how to stop me crying

bella29 · 26/02/2009 13:26

Catsforever - he may just need some medication and the swelling on his leg could be an abscess so please don't get upset.

Keeping it all crossed for you x

ABetaDad · 26/02/2009 13:38

Sorry to hear your dog is not well.

I once buried a wolf hound - which is the largest beed of dog. It took me and my Dad about one hour to dig the hole, carry and bury the dog.

How big is your dog? Can your DH not help at all? Cremation is very expensive and a garden burial is quite a nice thing to do if he/she was a much loved pet.

Original poster
WriggleJiggle · 26/02/2009 13:47

hAS THE VET BEEN YET cATSFOREVER?

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 26/02/2009 13:52

2yrs ago friend had her cat cremated alone - cost £100 or would have been £30 to have with others

he sits in an urn in her eldest childs room (his choice)

is there such a thing as a pet cementry?

if you do bury in garden, make hole very deep

catsforever · 26/02/2009 14:55

Not rang for vet yet his breathing has got better and he's been down the garden with me his leg doesn't look as swollen either I don't understand could he have had a virus?

Blondeshavemorefun · 26/02/2009 16:35

i would still get boris checked out

bella29 · 26/02/2009 20:24

Me too.

catsforever · 09/03/2009 13:50

Hello, I had the vet out to Boris he said it was old age and he wasn@t in any pain. My beautiful Black cat died on saturday night in his sleep and now he is back with me in a wooden casket. Just thought you should know. I had him cremated I just couldn't bury him.

Blondeshavemorefun · 09/03/2009 14:13

sorry to hear boris dead

glad he went peacefully in his sleep

Blondeshavemorefun · 09/03/2009 14:14

oops died

bad grammer by blonde