I usually bring my xrays home and tape them to a window to photograph. It works quite well:
http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/a10101/xrays/
Euthanasia Methods
Whenever possible, I have stayed with most of my pets during their final moments. The dogs passed peacefully, but the cat was a nightmare I will never forget (different vet).
After being still spry at age 22, one day Misty just went limp and I knew it was time. The vet started off shaving her leg for an IV - she jumped up like she had a 10th life and screamed the whole time. Then he gave her light sedation before "the" shot. When she seemed asleep he gave her "the" shot (don't know what it was) -- she started gasping and screaming and gasping some more, over and over. I was horrified and begged him to give her more and end her misery NOW. Same thing! It took three shots of the euthanasia stuff to finally put her to sleep. In between horrible gasping and choking sounds I will never forget, and yes he checked and her heart was still beating. One of the worse experiences of my life. What was he afraid of -- OVERdosing her?????
After being still spry at age 22, one day Misty just went limp and I knew it was time. The vet started off shaving her leg for an IV - she jumped up like she had a 10th life and screamed the whole time. Then he gave her light sedation before "the" shot. When she seemed asleep he gave her "the" shot (don't know what it was) -- she started gasping and screaming and gasping some more, over and over. I was horrified and begged him to give her more and end her misery NOW. Same thing! It took three shots of the euthanasia stuff to finally put her to sleep. In between horrible gasping and choking sounds I will never forget, and yes he checked and her heart was still beating. One of the worse experiences of my life. What was he afraid of -- OVERdosing her?????
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chii
- I Love Lucy
Oh, that awful Melody. Unfortunately, some animals do have such reactions to the euthanasia drug, although it's rare. Normally, sedation given prior prevents any such reaction. (But I've only experienced euthanasias with heavy sedation-- i.e., Propofol, which knocks them out completely.) I'm so sorry you had to experience that. It sounds like they should have used heavier sedation.
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Sef
- I dissent.
Our local vet uses sedation via injection first. She has always been such a caring, supportive person throughout the sad experience, and so gentle with the pigs (my husband and I opted to be present both times; it was very quick and peaceful). I wouldn't want anybody else to do it.
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Serena
- It started with Louie...
This is hard to read because it brings back awful memories and feelings.
Louie was injected with some drug that made him really out of it in the end. I held him for a long time and then they came in to do the "heart stick". He squeeked briefly and then that was it. But I will always remember that last horrible squeek.
Chewie's death on the other hand was so peaceful. He died in my arms while the first drug was in his system for a while. He became so relaxed, took one final breath and that was it. The vet came in to give him the heart stick but I was so glad to say to her that he left on his own accord.
I did see my little Huey die before I could take him into the vet after I brought him home from surgery. He seized and struggled and cried a horrible sound again and again. All I could do was pet him and talk to him. It was only about a minute and I knew I was too late to bring him in. That was one of the worst things I ever witnessed and I felt so sorry for him. I would have rather had him go with a heart stick. Poor sweetie.
Louie was injected with some drug that made him really out of it in the end. I held him for a long time and then they came in to do the "heart stick". He squeeked briefly and then that was it. But I will always remember that last horrible squeek.
Chewie's death on the other hand was so peaceful. He died in my arms while the first drug was in his system for a while. He became so relaxed, took one final breath and that was it. The vet came in to give him the heart stick but I was so glad to say to her that he left on his own accord.
I did see my little Huey die before I could take him into the vet after I brought him home from surgery. He seized and struggled and cried a horrible sound again and again. All I could do was pet him and talk to him. It was only about a minute and I knew I was too late to bring him in. That was one of the worst things I ever witnessed and I felt so sorry for him. I would have rather had him go with a heart stick. Poor sweetie.
I've had a bad feeling about the iso since it makes me think their last thoughts are ones of fear. I feel guilty thinking Nevy's last feelings were fear and confusion. I didn't educate myself beforehand to know what the options were.
I think an injection of some sedative is better, and I would ask for it "next time :("
Serena, wasn't it Torb Louie had that sedated him so well? I'm sorry if this makes you sad, it never really goes away. But your story of how you said goodbye to Louie makes me wish I had done it that way.
I think an injection of some sedative is better, and I would ask for it "next time :("
Serena, wasn't it Torb Louie had that sedated him so well? I'm sorry if this makes you sad, it never really goes away. But your story of how you said goodbye to Louie makes me wish I had done it that way.
Sorry for bringing up such a horrible topic. I hesitated for a long time regarding discussing this with pig people, esp since many of us take on old and/or frail animals.
Euthanasia is suppose to be a great thing to do for our beloved pets to help end their suffering.
Awhle back... I think CA was having their few death sentence be carried out in a looong time, I read an article talking about the debate about the "3 part cocktail" that they usually give as lethal injection and how some people didnt feel that it was humane. They ended up giving a sedative to induce sleep, follwoed by an "overdose of barbituates", which is what I had seen done at the marine mammal center and my current place of employment. So if it is "approved" for people, you know its most likely the best way to go.
BTW, "the shot" is an unmistakable pink solution. It's a barbitual overdose (fancy way of saying... way too much sedation that it stops the heart and brain).
Apologies for the slightly incoherent post and any grammatical or spelling errors I'm not catching. The CP is a little drunk and my fingers arent very coordinated at the moment.
Euthanasia is suppose to be a great thing to do for our beloved pets to help end their suffering.
Awhle back... I think CA was having their few death sentence be carried out in a looong time, I read an article talking about the debate about the "3 part cocktail" that they usually give as lethal injection and how some people didnt feel that it was humane. They ended up giving a sedative to induce sleep, follwoed by an "overdose of barbituates", which is what I had seen done at the marine mammal center and my current place of employment. So if it is "approved" for people, you know its most likely the best way to go.
BTW, "the shot" is an unmistakable pink solution. It's a barbitual overdose (fancy way of saying... way too much sedation that it stops the heart and brain).
Apologies for the slightly incoherent post and any grammatical or spelling errors I'm not catching. The CP is a little drunk and my fingers arent very coordinated at the moment.
Oh and just to be clear... many of you are refering to "injection" this and that.
Please note that there are three types of injection and each has very different effects; plus different drugs can only be given certain ways.
IV= intravenous
Injection is injected directly into the bloodstream. Euthasol (the pink soln used for euthanasia) is given IV. In the case of guinea pigs, its nearly impossible to push that thick liquid thru such tiny veins, even on the healthiest of pigs, which is why euthasol is given thru a cardiac stick usually.
IM= intramuscular
Injection into the muscle.
SQ= subcutaneous
Injection under the skin put above the muscle.
Please note that there are three types of injection and each has very different effects; plus different drugs can only be given certain ways.
IV= intravenous
Injection is injected directly into the bloodstream. Euthasol (the pink soln used for euthanasia) is given IV. In the case of guinea pigs, its nearly impossible to push that thick liquid thru such tiny veins, even on the healthiest of pigs, which is why euthasol is given thru a cardiac stick usually.
IM= intramuscular
Injection into the muscle.
SQ= subcutaneous
Injection under the skin put above the muscle.
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Cindy in MI
- Supporter in '05
Serena,He seized and struggled and cried a horrible sound again and again. All I could do was pet him and talk to him. It was only about a minute and I knew I was too late to bring him in.
I know it's probably of little consolation but I do believe that when they are that close, especially after something that looks like seizure activity, that the part of their brain that causes them to be aware is no longer functioning. I think at that point it is the more primitive brain function that we see but that the animal is no longer aware of what is going on because the higher brain function has ceased. I've seen this with a several cats and two guinea pigs over the years. I know it is an awful thing to watch and those memories will always haunt me. But I take comfort that the animal isn't aware at that point.
I will always be thankful for Dr. J when I took Rodney in to be euthanized. He took us into an exam room and while I held him he gently gave him the IM sedative and then he went out and I held him while he went to sleep. When Dr. J came back in and did the heart stick I don't think my precious little piglet felt anything.
I read the page in GL on euthanasia and discussed it with Dr. J and he thought it made sense.
CP thanks for bringing it up for those who will face the difficult decision. I will always be glad that Rod passed gently. He and Dr. J had bonded so I don't think he was frightened after so many trips with Dr. J feeding him Parsley and grass.
I read the page in GL on euthanasia and discussed it with Dr. J and he thought it made sense.
CP thanks for bringing it up for those who will face the difficult decision. I will always be glad that Rod passed gently. He and Dr. J had bonded so I don't think he was frightened after so many trips with Dr. J feeding him Parsley and grass.
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salana
- GL is Just Peachy
Doom had an IV put in his leg. They gave him a sedative and let me say goodbye. Then when it was time to give him the other shot, they didn't even have to prick him. They put the needle in the IV and after a few seconds, his heart stopped. No struggling and I was holding him when he died. I would love for any pets I have euthanized in the future to have that.
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