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
ThursdayTimes 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
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.
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.
Dr Orth is always very kind and compassionate. This is the 3rd dog we have compassionately euthanized with her. She makes a very difficult situation as comfortable as it can be. We never felt rushed and she made time on her off day to help our fur baby cross the rainbow bridge.
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.
The time finally came all pet lovers dread, we had to put our beloved pitbull, Walker, down. He was 12 years old and lived a good long life, full of love and affection. Dr. Mashawn Orth was so kind, tender, compassionate, and caring as she walked us through the process. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs a mobile vet, but especially anyone who needs to send their pet across the Rainbow Bridge.
Dr. Orth was an absolute angel to our family during this difficult time. The love me compassion she showed our sweet Lexi and our family was immeasurable. Our family is so grateful for Dr. Orth and Codapet.
