End of Life Care

Your pet is a cherished member of your family, and like any family member, you want to minimize their pain and distress. Whether it’s providing palliative care to enhance quality of life during a terminal illness or offering humane euthanasia to ensure a peaceful and dignified passing, we are here to support you in making the best decision for your four-legged family member.

 

At Grayslake Animal Hospital, we recognize the deep and irreplaceable bond you’ve shared with your pet, and we are committed to honoring your wishes during this challenging time. While the decision of euthanasia is a very personal and private one, please know that our caring staff of compassionate professionals are here to answer any questions you may have. We understand what an emotional situation this is and will make sure you and your beloved pet are treated with compassion, respect, and gentle care.

With our on-site crematory, we offer both private and group cremation options. Because we handle all cremations in-house, you can have peace of mind knowing that the remains of your beloved pet—only your pet—will be carefully returned to you.

Click here to learn about Scoring Quality of Life.

How to determine your pet’s quality of life:

Many pet parents often feel guilt about choosing euthanasia for their pet, even when they know it’s the right thing. The following signs may act as an indicator of a pet’s declining quality of life:

  • Their appetite has dramatically decreased
  • They sleep throughout most of the day
  • They tend to retreat into a corner or under the bed and remain there for a long time
  • No interest in activities they used to enjoy like playing, going for walks, hunting for treats, etc
  • They have difficulty standing up, walking, and lying down
  • They seem to be in constant pain despite being on a pain medication
  • Unable to control their bladder and/or bowels

“No matter how or when we lose our furry friends, their love lasts a lifetime.”

Author Unknown