Vet Serves in Madera, CA

Dr. Mashawn Orth

Verified Veterinarian

81 reviews

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

Pet cremation

Dr. Mashawn Orth will arrange and handle all of your cremation needs, including careful and loving transportation of your pet to the crematorium through private or communal process handled

Est. CostFrom $85 - $505

Keepsakes

Clay paw prints, wooden urns with personalizations available with ashes returned

Est. CostFrom $20 - $40

What pet parents are saying

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.

codapet review
1.0
Nov 13 2024 by Sandra Shahinpour
Review by Sandra Shahinpour
Dr. Mashawn Orth profile picture

We really appreciated the fact that Dr Orth came last minute on Friday evening. Riley had taken a turn for the worse earlier in the day and I was frantic on him having to survive the weekend. She came and was very gentle with Riley and was very sweet helping us help Riley to cross the rainbow bridge. Thank you again Dr Orth, we really appreciate you!

codapet review
5.0
Feb 14 2023 by Ramona Rodriguez-Surdez
Review by Dr. Mashawn Orth

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.

codapet review
5.0
May 19 2025 by Kathleen R.
Review by Kathleen R.
Dr. Mashawn Orth profile picture

We are forever thankful for this amazing group’s services. We have used CodaPet in the past, and as we knew it was our sweet girl’s time to move on we chose to book again. Roux passed on her own before Dr. Orth’s scheduled time (later at night the night before). When I canceled the appointment via the website, she reached out by text to ask if we wanted her to send out her husband to pick her up and contribute with the cremation as I had originally booked. He did this late at night, and was kind, calm and caring despite our house being in shock and experiencing unbelievable grief. Roux was returned to us today, with the same caring and attention to our feelings. There were even small rocks painted for us in her honor. Losing these dogs is so painful, but having the gift of helping them leave us with dignity and grace and love is more than we could ask for. CodaPet’s doctors and their family members who assist in the process are angels on earth.

codapet review
5.0
Mar 31 2025 by Janet H.
Review by Janet H.
Dr. Mashawn Orth profile picture

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.

codapet review
1.0
Dec 03 2024 by Sandra S.
Review by Dr. Mashawn Orth

Dr Orth gave us all the comfort we could get at a time like this. She told us what she was going to do to help us understand. Bro was an important part of our family. She let us have the time we needed with him and was very respectful with him

codapet review
5.0
Sep 02 2025 by Pat P.
Review by Dr. Mashawn Orth