Dr Marie De Lint At Home Euthanasia Service

[LisaCC]

I just caught this story on ABC. This is this vets only service, not just an add on to a clinic.

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-09/adelaide-veterinarian-specialises-in-euthanasing-pets-at-home/7285196

Edited April 10, 2016 by LisaCC

[LisaCC]

Dr Marie De Lint is a vet with a thriving practice, but no clinic.

She sees all of her clients at their place and it is always, without fail, for the same reason.

Dr De Lint specialises in euthanasing people's beloved pets among the everyday comforts of home.

"I think it makes it so much easier for the pet to not have to be bundled up in the car and be driven to the clinic," she said.

"It's familiar smells and sounds — sometimes I've got a cricket match on in the background and people say 'I'll go and turn the telly off' and I say 'no, keep that going because it's part of your home and it's normal'."

Dr De Lint started her unusual practice in 2008.

Cats and dogs are obviously the mainstay, but over the years Dr De Lint has been asked to send pet rabbits, sheep and even an old goat to sleep.

Dr De Lint is not the only vet who thinks, if possible, animals should die at home.

Dr Kylie Green agreed not many dogs or cats would swap a trip to the park with a visit to the vet.

"There are very few animals that enjoy going to a vet's clinic, it upsets them," she said.

Euthanasing pets is a key part of veterinary work and Dr Green said it could be satisfying.

"What I mean by satisfaction is we can end an animal's suffering, they don't have to starve to death, we can help them go peacefully and painlessly," she said.

But she also argued that could come at a tremendous emotional cost to vets.

"There is a lot of burn-out in this industry, there is a lot of compassion fatigue, there is a lot of suicide and I think this is one of the reasons why," Dr Green said.

Relationship between pets and owners drives vet to continue work

Dr Green has no doubt Dr De Lint's service takes some of the pressures of putting pets to sleep off vet practices, which often, because of insurance coverage or staffing issues can not offer home euthanasia to their clients.

For Dr De Lint, there is no respite and she is often asked how she keeps doing what she does.

"It's a really good question and I ask myself that sometimes and clients ask me all the time and I think I can keep doing it because I am fascinated by people and their relationships with their animals," Dr De Lint said.

"I just think there is a really deep need for this type of service."

Richard Tucker holding Ollie and Mark Aistrope holding Lillie

PHOTO Mark Aistrope holding Ollie and Richard Tucker with Lillie who was recently euthanased at their Adelaide home.

SUPPLIED: RICHARD TUCKER

Mark Aistrope and Richard Tucker allowed the ABC into their home when their 12-year-old Keeshond, Lillie, was put to sleep.

An illness had sent the dog completely blind in just three weeks.

Mr Aistrope explained, despite waiting and hoping for Lillie to adjust, she could not.

"Yesterday, I had come home and she had made a mess in the house which isn't an issue," he said.

"The issue was she had walked everything all over the place and was actually lying in it sleeping and that's just not something she would do.

"So Richard and I discussed it and based on how she'd been behaving so distant and sad we decided now is the time."

Home experience a 'world away' from previous dog's passing

When Dr De Lint arrived she broke out a tin of dog treats and offered one to Lillie ... the dog's sight may have gone, but her stomach still worked perfectly.

She then outlined the mechanics by which Lillie's life would end.

"I do things in steps because I want to make things really easy for Lillie and what I will do first is give her a little injection I call my feel-good cocktail," Dr De Lint said.

After that injection, Lillie is in a deep sleep.

Two urns holding the ashes of pet dogs

PHOTO Flowers were placed on Lillie's urn before being placed on the mantlepiece.

ABC NEWS: SIMON ROYAL

The vet and the two men sit on the floor with the dog, sharing stories about Lillie's life.

After half an hour or so, they gently lift Lillie onto her favourite couch.

Then as Mr Aistrope and Mr Tucker pat and hug Lillie, Dr De Lint administered the injection that brings things to a close.

Mr Tucker said it was a world away from what happened when their first dog died in an emergency clinic.

"It was all over and done within about 10 minutes and within 30 seconds of injecting her and leaving us alone, they came back in with a brochure and said would you like to pick an urn and we were just so devastated," Mr Tucker said.

"It was a horrible experience. This was completely different, nobody wants to put their dog down, but this was the best it could possibly have been."

A week after Lillie's death, Dr De Lint returned to Mr Aistrope and Mr Tucker's house, carrying a small white urn containing Lillie's ashes.

The urn, decorated with lilies, will sit on the mantelpiece, next to the dogs Mr Aistrope and Mr Tucker had before.

[persephone]

Brilliant .

[Two Best Dogs!]

My rabbit vet provides this service (and others such as checkups, vaccinations etc), I appreciate it a lot and it's the same cost. Manhandling them all out to the vet is always a stressful affair, even for the laidback ones.

I've no doubt, when the time comes, I can probably ask her to do the same with any other animals around. I wish more city vets would offer the same service and options.

[Diva]

What a wonderful vet.

With big dogs it is so hard, getting my 35kg girl into my car to take to the emergency clinic caused back damage that has lasted for months. I made them come out to the vehicle to give her the injection, I wouldn't let them stretcher her into a strange clinic. At least she knew the car.

At home would have been so much better.

[Sheridan]

I've always had my dogs euthanised at home. It's hardly a new thing.

[JayGee]

Our Vet does this too. It's actually more than just doing the procedure, it turned out to be the most beautiful passing I have ever experienced with any of my animals.

Edited April 10, 2016 by JayGee

[LisaCC]

I've always had my dogs euthanised at home. It's hardly a new thing.

The difference is that this is this vets ONLY service. She doesn't do anything else, no general check ups, no broken bones, she doesn't even have a clinic, she only does at home euthanasia.

[sheena]

My vet will come out to my home, I only have to pay for travelling on top of his normal fee.

[JayGee]

I've always had my dogs euthanised at home. It's hardly a new thing.

The difference is that this is this vets ONLY service. She doesn't do anything else, no general check ups, no broken bones, she doesn't even have a clinic, she only does at home euthanasia.

As much as I can imagine, this could be a fabulous service for some, I found the fact that Jeddah was so familiar with our vet, that it touched me to see how happy she was to see him, on the day of her passing. I'm sure she would not have been as comfortable with someone who wasn't actually treating her. Her comfort and happiness, made all the difference on the day.

[Sheridan]

I've always had my dogs euthanised at home. It's hardly a new thing.

The difference is that this is this vets ONLY service. She doesn't do anything else, no general check ups, no broken bones, she doesn't even have a clinic, she only does at home euthanasia.

She found a niche market, the key to a successful business.

Me, I liked that my dogs knew their vet. That Mini gave him a kiss and that he laughed when Grumpy tried, for one last time, to take his hand off. It was comforting.

[Maddy]

I've always had my dogs euthanised at home. It's hardly a new thing.

The difference is that this is this vets ONLY service. She doesn't do anything else, no general check ups, no broken bones, she doesn't even have a clinic, she only does at home euthanasia.

She found a niche market, the key to a successful business.

Me, I liked that my dogs knew their vet. That Mini gave him a kiss and that he laughed when Grumpy tried, for one last time, to take his hand off. It was comforting.

That, and it's a very cheap style of clinic to run. No building/rent, very little in the way of overheads or equipment. Just a plentiful supply of Lethabarb and needles/syringes.

Personally, I'd rather my regular vet did it. They've cared for my dogs for years and even though it might cost a bit more, I value the connection between them and my dogs. When we had to let Kiff and Sally go, it was a really painful day but my vet knew what it meant for us because she'd been there beside us, not just through their decline but since they were young, healthy dogs. I couldn't imagine going through that final journey with a complete stranger.

[westiemum]

Yes until I found out my usual vet would put Mac to sleep at home, I was in touch with Marie. I really really wanted a home service for Mac - and if it wasn't to be his own vet (I gave them first right of refusal) it was going to be Marie at home.

[westiemum]

I think its important to remember that some vets can't or won't do euthanasia at home. I've been told that Marie provides a fantastic service and if my vet couldn't or wouldn't help Mac it was going to be Marie. For me letting him go peacefully, comfortably and with minimal stress at home was absolutely not negotiable. I spoke with her over the phone and was really impressed with her compassion and responsiveness. For some people she provides a really valuable service. And I understand that she will also step in if its an unexpected euthanasia and your usual vet isn't available. Link here BTW her fees are about the same as I paid my vet for Mac.

Edited April 13, 2016 by westiemum

[Kirislin]

My lovely vet has done this with my last 2 whippets Penny and Kibah who had to be put down, and from now on, if possible it's the way all my animals will go, even my mare recently went the same way. First I took them to the vet to be diagnosed and that final decision - confirmation that it was time. He gave them a strong painkilling sedative, I dont know what it is, but they stay conscious, just very relaxed, then he puts the needle in their arm and tapes over it and tells me to take them home. I take them home and cuddle and love them and about 2 hours later he comes to my home and they are where ever they want to be, in a dog bed, on the couch, I dont care, it is where they choose, he gives me time for more kisses, and I stay with them whispering in their ear while he administers the final injection. It's all so gentle, they just peacefully stop living.

[PossumCorner]

I'm a bit two-ways on this. Yes it is a good service. I've never used a vet who would not do emergency home calls. Euthanasia is another emergency call in a sense. Yes it's an extra cost for call-out or travel time. But it is a professional business service, just as electricians etc add travel time to the account. If a vet has provided good service to the owner/animal for years, I really think it's a bit off to then not give them the option for the final service for a valued animal family member rather than 'giving the business' to an unknown. How would you take the animal off your regular vet's books - "Oh, by the way, vet xyz came out, just thought I'd let you know".

Everyone's relationship with their vets is different I guess, and there is no right and wrong, the animal comes before business relationships of course. I just wouldn't use a vet in the first place if they refused to ever make home calls.

[Steph M]

I guess with the rise of emergency vets there's less call for home call outs for some families, so perhaps people aren't having this conversation til the end in some cases. I think its great to have the option if your day to day vet isn't available.