For sudden emergencies
For large medical emergencies, or when your vet can not diagnose your pet's medical issues on the first visit, we highly recommend UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. They have all the technology and specialists under one roof, and can handle any animal, large or small.
UCD VMTH Small Animal Clinic - 24 hour line - (530) 752-1393
UCD VMTH Large Animal Clinic - 24 hour line - (5300 752-0290
UCD can diagnose issues more quickly and accurately, and generally has more vets looking at your pet than a local or regional vet or specialty vet. Often times they are less expensive or only as much as a regular outside specialist "corporate" vet. You may very well find it is worth the extra drive.
NOTE: for rattle snake bites, when time may be of the essence, especially for a smaller animal, it is probably best to quickly call local vets near you FIRST before deciding where to take your pet. It will be important to know that the vet you go to have the antivenin IN HOUSE in case your pet needs this. Thus, driving time may not be in your favor in such an instance.
Deciding on cremation for your pet
If you are saying good bye to your pet, you may wish to have her cremated, or you might even have questions about this and feel unsure.
There are local services who will cremate your pet in either a private cremation or a communal cremation. A private cremation assures that your pet's ashes are returned to you, and that the ashes you receive are, in fact, your pet's ashes. A few companies that do this even ensure that you are able to verify this in person, if you wish, and do include a stainless steel identification tag that stays with your pet's remains before and after cremation, and is returned to you with your pet's ashes.
Communal cremation is performed with multiple pets' remains together and as such, there is not the possibility of the ashes being returned to you. Companies that do offer this service will let you know where the ashes will be scattered.
In either instance, there is a wide range of customer service levels, and differing levels of sensitivity to your recent loss and concern for your pet's remains. We have utilized several local services in the Sacramento region over the past ten years for both dogs and horses, and we find that the best and most customer-sensitive of any locally is Treasured Pets, in North Sacramento.
Treasured Pets
Office@TreasuredPets.net
(916)-348-4000 (office)
(916)-335-5190 (mobile)
website: www.TreasuredPets.net
Some services that Treasured Pets offers--above that of some of the other companies offering cremation--are an open-door policy so that you can see that all od the services you are discussing with them are performed as promised. Additionally, they can do paw prints of your pet prior to cremation so you have a memory to place where you wish. They even offer funeral service options and in-person cremation so you can be with your pet leading up to the actual cremation process, if that is your wish.
There are others in the region, and one additional one in Sacramento, called Koefran. We have used Koefran as a "no other option" experience more than one time, and were not confident that the cremation was private. We also were not comfortable with the customer experience there after having just experienced the loss of a beloved companion.
There is a small animal service in Wheatland, CA known as Heaven's Gate, which seems to just be getting started, and was a bit rough around the edges, (but otherwise ok) this past January when my mother's dog passed. Nonetheless, Treasured Pets remains the top in our opinion for both experience and range of services. And, they are comparably priced.
Also, the last option vets offer is to have your pet's remains disposed of themselves. This will be a smaller cost, and, it will involve rendering. Please see our separate post about rendering and why we are staunch advocates against rendering euthanized animals when possible.
Resources for the grieving process of pet loss
Losing an animal companion can be emotionally devastating. Our animals are often our only source of unconditional love, and can even add to our own sense of identity. They most certainly contribute to our well-being. And yet, the petless humans of the world can be tragically unaware of our pain and even unable to comfort us or empathize. Blessedly, there are resources for those of us grieving the loss of an animal companion. Below are some links to resources and supportive writings and commentary for those experiencing grief.
From the Treasured Pets web site:
From the American Veterinary Medical Association web site:
From the Psychology Today website:
Most of all, once your pet has departed, make time to allow your grief. Honor the memories you cherish with the pet, in whatever way feels most appropriate to you. Keep your routines, especially with any remaining pets in your home and your life. And, reach out for support if needed. You did an amazing thing. You cared for, and loved, and stayed with your precious companion all the days of her life. That was a great gift; a gift of your heart and your love.
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