Dr. Mashawn Orth
Verified Veterinarian
Why I provide at-home pet euthanasia
While I loved healthy puppy, kitten, and even reptile visits, I soon realized that sometimes a vet's job also necessitates relieving suffering and helping pets to pass peacefully. To be able to further experience and support the bond between humans and their pets has been an honor that I am truly grateful for. I believe that euthanasia in our pet’s homes is a peaceful, loving, and more comfortable way to help them pass, surrounded by the people they love. Family is so important and our pets make up such a special role in our lives.
Education
Undergraduate: University of California
Veterinary Medicine: Washington State University
- Based InFresno, CA
- Service areasFresno, CA & Surrounding Areas
- Work Experience15+ years
- Animals ServedAll Size Dogs & Cats
- Notice Required2 hours
General availability
WednesdayTimes Vary Weekly
Availability each week can vary based on demand and scheduling. Please provide a minimum 2 hour advance notice for all bookings.
Services provided
At home pet euthanasia
Dr. Mashawn Orth will help your beloved pet transition peacefully in the comfort of of their home, surrounded by loved ones
Est. CostStarting at $315
Keepsakes
Clay paw prints, wooden urns with personalizations available with ashes returned
Est. CostFrom $20 - $40
What pet parents are saying
Dr. Orth was amazing . Of course the day was difficult but Dr. Orth was compassionate and explained every step of the process accurately and I’m glad my precious girl was able to find her final resting place at home surrounded by love.
I am writing to share my recent experience with one specific vet, with the hope that my feedback will help others. Last Monday, I did not have a pleasant experience with the veterinarian who came to our home, Dr. Orth. I made the appointment through Coda Pet and called her directly, the main purpose being to connect with her emotionally since she would be involved in such a significant event in our lives. She called me back on Sunday night (the night before our appointment) and left a message saying that Sundays are her “family day” and to text her with any questions. My husband called her anyway, and explained to her that our pet was like our child since we do not have human children and that our main focus was to be as sensitive and kind as possible. The point didn’t seem to get across as she still seemed distant and technical. At the time of the appointment, she was late because she didn’t fully read the notes I had given Coda Pet for our address. This made me wonder if I had included any other important notes, whether she would have bothered to read those either. When she arrived, I still hoped to make some kind of connection. I told her, “You smell nice,” but she looked at me and somehow misheard me and said, “Do I smoke?” She then tried to make small talk, and at some point called my boy a “fluffy cotton ball,” which was uncomfortable and not appropriate given the circumstance. The process itself did not go well. The initial injection was intramuscular and excruciating for my boy, and he cried a lot. I’m not sure if there was a gentler way to administer it, perhaps a subq lidocaine injection prior would have made the caustic intramuscular injection more tolerable. As he got sleepy, I held my boy in my arms. I requested that I want to hold him, and was assured he would pass in my arms. But after poking him a couple of times, she was not able to get a vein. She had him lie down on my leg, where she proceeded to inject him in the liver. I was unprepared for this, as I was told I would hold him the entire time. She then listened to his heart with a stethoscope and specifically said, “I WILL TELL YOU WHEN HE IS CLOSE," giving me the impression I would be able to pick him up and hold him before he passed. She listened for a few minutes as I stared at the stethoscope, laser focused on the blinking light, waiting for her to tell me it’s close so I can lift him and hold him. But instead, she said “He’s gone, I’m sorry.” I didn’t even get to hold him like I was promised. She said she would tell me when he was close, but she didn’t. And I didn’t know when my boy left us. Then, minutes after she left, she texted my husband and I that the credit card was not processing. We thought Coda Pet had already run the card without issues. Regardless, she could have demonstrated some compassion and patience, as we were in the peak of our grief. Overall, the experience was businesslike, rushed, and lacked compassion. It was disheartening and one that will stay with me forever.
Dr. Orth was lovely to work with from start to finish. She exhibited such quiet compassion throughout the entire process and made a painful experience bearable by centering our family and making space for us to go through everything we needed to. Dr. Orth walked me through the entire process the night before, despite the late hour. She arrived on time and explained everything to us before and as she was doing it. Though I don't wish the experience of losing a beloved pet on anybody, if they must go through it I would wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Orth to be their guide in the process. Thanks to her, our boy was able to pass peacefully in his home surrounded by the people who loved him the most. We are eternally grateful for everything she did for us.
I am writing to share my experience with the hope that my feedback will help others. I made the appointment through Coda Pet and called Dr. Orth directly, the main purpose being to connect with her emotionally since she would be involved in such a significant event in our lives. She called me back the night before our appointment and left a message saying that Sundays are her "family day" and to text her with any questions. My husband called her anyway, and explained to her that our pet was like our child since we do not have human children and that our main focus was to be as sensitive and kind as possible. The point didn't seem to get across as she still seemed distant and technical. At the time of the appointment, she was late because she didn't fully read the notes I had given Coda Pet for our address. This made me wonder if I had included any other important notes, whether she would have bothered to read those either. When she arrived, I still hoped to make some kind of connection. I told her, "You smell nice," but she looked at me and somehow misheard me and said, "Do I smoke?" She then tried to make small talk, and at some point called my boy a "fluffy cotton ball," which was uncomfortable and not appropriate given the circumstance. The process itself did not go well. The initial injection was intramuscular and excruciating for my boy, and he cried a lot. I'm not sure if there was a gentler way to administer it that would have made the caustic intramuscular injection more tolerable. As he got sleepy, I held my boy in my arms. I requested that I wanted to hold him, and was assured he would pass in my arms. But after poking him a couple of times, she was not able to get a vein. She had him lie down on my leg, where she proceeded to inject him in the liver. I was unprepared for this, as I was told I would hold him the entire time. She then listened to his heart with a stethoscope and specifically said, "I will tell you when he is close," giving me the impression I would be able to pick him up and hold him before he passed. She listened for a few minutes as I stared at the stethoscope, laser focused on the blinking light, waiting for her to tell me it's close so I can lift him and hold him. But instead, she said "He's gone, I'm sorry." I didn't even get to hold him like I was promised. Then minutes after she left, she texted my husband and I that the credit card was not processing. We thought Coda Pet had already ran the card without issues. Regardless, she could have demonstrated some compassion and patience, as we were in the peak of our grief. Overall, the experience was businesslike and lacked compassion. It was disheartening and one that will stay with me forever. Veterinarians should make it a point to contact the family prior to the appointment. This can provide an opportunity to build a connection, explain the process, and give an understanding of what to expect. And most crucial of all, veterinarians can take a moment to ask and become aware of what is important to the family during this momentous time.
Dr. Orth was amazing through the entire process. My dog was unusually strong and vigorous. This required more than the usual routine. The doctor was patient and explained each step and the additional steps needed. She was very understanding and sympathetic to our situation. This really helped us part with our pet in a dignified and comforting way. I am glad we had her for our veterinarian that day.
She was so very kind and patient with all the questions my kids were asking her about the process. I am so thankful the whole experience went very smoothly.
