End-of-Life Care
Compassionate End-of-Life Care For Pets in Johns Creek
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the most difficult decisions a family can face. At Ruby Veterinary Urgent Care in Johns Creek, we believe that end-of-life care should be handled with the same compassion, dignity, and medical expertise as any other aspect of your pet’s healthcare journey.
Whether you’re seeking guidance on quality of life, ready to schedule a peaceful euthanasia, or need aftercare arrangements, our team is here to support you and your pet through this deeply personal process.
Quality of Life Consultations
Knowing when it’s time is one of the hardest parts of pet ownership. Our veterinarians offer quality of life consultations to help you assess your pet’s current wellbeing and discuss all available options. During a quality of life consultation, your veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s physical comfort, including pain level, mobility, and ability to perform daily activities. We discuss your pet’s quality of life using structured assessment tools that consider factors like eating habits, hydration, hygiene, happiness, and overall comfort.
We review your pet’s medical history and current conditions to provide an honest, compassionate assessment. We discuss all options, including palliative care, pain management adjustments, and humane euthanasia, without pressure or judgment.
This consultation is about helping you feel informed and supported in one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your pet.
What to Expect During Euthanasia
Our goal is to make the euthanasia process as peaceful and painless as possible for your pet and as gentle as possible for your family.
First, a sedative is administered to help your pet relax completely and drift into a deep sleep. This step ensures your pet feels no anxiety or discomfort. Once your pet is fully sedated and comfortable, the euthanasia solution is administered intravenously. This medication works allows your pet to pass peacefully and painlessly.
You are welcome to be present with your pet throughout the entire process. Many families choose to hold their pet, talk to them, and say goodbye in their own way. We have a dedicated comfort room where you can spend as time need and exit at your own pace.
Traditional Cremation and Water Cremation (Aquamation) Options
We offer several aftercare options to honor your pet’s memory. Private cremation ensures your pet is cremated individually, and their ashes are returned to you, typically within 1 to 2 weeks, in an urn or container of your choosing.
Communal cremation is a shared cremation process where ashes are not returned. This is a respectful and more affordable option for families who do not wish to keep ashes.
Aquamation (water cremation) is a gentle, water-based process that is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cremation. It uses alkaline hydrolysis to reduce the body naturally, and ashes are returned to you.
Our team will discuss all options with you and help you make the choice that feels right for your family.
When to Consider End-of-Life Care
Every pet and situation is different, but common indicators that it may be time to discuss end-of-life options include:
- Chronic pain that is no longer adequately controlled by medication
- Inability to eat or drink, or complete loss of interest in food and water
- Loss of mobility to the point where your pet cannot stand, walk, or get to the litter box
- Difficulty breathing that significantly impacts comfort, progressive loss of enjoyment in activities and interactions they once loved
- More bad days than good days
If you are unsure, a quality of life consultation conducted by our veterinarians can provide clarity and help you feel confident in your decision.
Conveniently located in Johns Creek, serving North Atlanta.
Ruby Veterinary Urgent Care is located at 10710 State Bridge Road Ste 120 in Johns Creek, Georgia, just minutes from Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Suwanee, Duluth, Peachtree Corners, Sandy Springs, and Cumming. We serve pet families across North Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Forsyth County, and greater metro Atlanta. Open Monday through Friday 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM and Saturday through Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Walk-ins welcome or reserve your spot online.
Frequently asked questions
There are many resources available both online and from your primary care veterinarian when it comes to determining when it may be time to euthanize your pet. Using a “Pet Quality of Life Scale” can guide you by evaluating aspects such as your pet’s eating habits, interactions at home, and overall health and well-being, then assigning a score and suggesting next steps based on that score.
A quality of life consultation is a discussion with a veterinarian to assess and understand a pet’s overall well-being, including physical, emotional, and social aspects. It helps determine if a pet is experiencing a good quality of life, especially during illness or at the end of life, and can guide decisions about care, treatment, or end-of-life options.
As our last gift to our loved ones, our goal for euthanasia is to relieve them of any pain and suffering they may be experiencing. Veterinarians use a euthanasia solution which acts quickly and painlessly. Owners have the option to remain by their pet’s side through the whole process.
Euthanasia is most often accomplished for pets by injection of a death-inducing drug. Your veterinarian may first administer a tranquilizer to relax your pet. After the euthanasia drug has been injected, your pet will immediately become deeply and irreversibly unconscious as the drug stops brain function. Death is quick and painless. Your pet may move their legs or head or breathe deeply several times after the drug is given, but these are reflexes and don’t mean that your pet is in pain or is suffering.
The main difference between cremation and aquamation (also known as water cremation) lies in the method of body disposition. Cremation uses high heat to reduce the body to bone fragments, while aquamation uses a water-based process with alkaline chemicals to achieve a similar result.
Ruby Veterinary Urgent Care only offers in-clinic euthanasia. We have a comfortable room prepared that allows owners time to spend with their pets before their final good-bye and separate exit so owners can leave when they are ready.
Everyone grieves differently; however, it is crucial to support children through the process with honesty, empathy, and age-appropriate explanations. Use clear and simple language, avoiding euphemisms like “put to sleep”, which can be confusing and frightening. Create a safe and supportive environment for children to share their feelings and questions. Encourage them to talk about their memories of their pet and help them understand it’s normal to grieve and it’s ok to express their emotions.
Reserve your spot
Book online to reserve your time. Walk-ins always welcome.