MVH - Euthanasia

We at Merrimack Veterinary Hospital share in the achievements and challenges you experience during the life of your pet. As such, we develop lasting friendships with the pet and their families.

You will make many decisions for your pet during the course of their life. The most difficult is knowing when to permit your pet to pass away peacefully and with a minimum amount of discomfort. We will provide you with all the support and information you need to make this decision but it is a decision only you and your loved ones can make.

We experience a tremendous amount of grief when a pet passes away for any reason. We appreciate the sadness and sense of loss you experience as well. We also know that grief is a very individual process for all of us. We want you to know that whatever the circumstances are that lead inevitably to the end of life, we respect the decisions you make and will do all we can to ease this process.

We provide end-of-life supportive care when necessary as well as dignified and peaceful euthanasia. We will also make all necessary arrangements for the after care of your pet. Additional information is available upon request.

Please call us for information on Pet Cremation Services and Pet Urns. You can also visit Hillside Pet Crematory for additional details on urn options and frequently asked questions regarding cremation.

Bereavement Group:

The Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center of New England in Waltham, MA is offering, free-of-charge, a bereavement support group on the first Wednesday of every month. The group will run from 7:00pm until 8:30pm and will be facilitated by grief counselor, Cheri Lieberman, A.C.S.W., Ph.D.

This bereavement group will present an opportunity to share concerns and feelings and to look to one another for support. This group will provide a safe place for people to share feelings, and ask for support. It will be a chance to remember and honor the pets who played such a precious role in our lives. Uplifted by one another's caring, participants will be able to pick up the pieces and live richer lives because of the mutual gift of compassionate hearts.

For more information, please call 781-684-8387.

Whitney had lived a long and peaceful life with her very loving and dedicated family before she was euthanized at Merrimack Veterinary Hospital. She was a very sweet cocker spaniel that had battled a chronic skin and ear condition for many years. It eventually worsened to the point where her parents, Kristine and John, thought it might be time let her go.

That was in 2003, two "human" years and fourteen "dog" years prior to her euthanasia. As a last attempt at that time, they started working closely with Dr. Chmiel. Together they found ways to treat and control the disease to give her back the quality of life she once had and deserved. She later even developed a severe heart condition. Working with the doctors at MVH, together they again found ways to control the problem to keep her happy and active.

The heart disease did eventually catch up with her. So with mom and dad at her side, we helped her pass with dignity and love. Like so many clients and their animal companions that visit us every day, we considered Kristine, John, and Whitney a part of our MVH family. Beautiful, sweet, Whitney will always have a special place in our hearts.