Will someone tell me what happens to a cat or dog when it is euthanized? Is it a painless death? If not, does the animal suffer much? What exactly does the shot do? Stop the heart?
My husband thinks it is more humane to hit our cat with a shovel, hammer, or something else hard. He said it would be quick and painless. He does not feel that "the shot" the vet will give her is humane. Well, there is no way on God's green earth that I will ever let him do that, but he got me thinking. It is clean for us to take her to the vet; we're not getting our hands dirty, so to speak. But is that the only difference between the shot and a blow to the head: with one you use your hands and with the other someone else is doing your dirty work?
I know this is a gruesome topic. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I am so depressed over this whole topic, I almost wish that I would die in my sleep before I have to do this awful deed. Please help me. I am really at the end of my rope. I feel horrible. ****************************************************** 12-24-02, 02:03 AM babthrower Most euthanazia is done by an injection of a strong anaesthetic. The end comes in seconds after injection, which seems to be painless.
I have had two elderly pets euthanized. The process is so fast that you can see the loss of consciousness in the cat's eyes almost immediately after the injection. Then the vet carefully listens for a heartbeat with a stethescope.
Ask your vet if you can be present. Your companionship is the last kindness you can do for your pet. This also assures that the process will be carefully handled.
If the vet suggests an injection into the kidney, refuse it. This can sometimes be painful, if not done skilfully. I had an 18-year-old cat euthanized this way. It was a mistake to allow it.
12-24-02, 09:38 AM Lydia Please do not allow him to use a shovel for a blow to the head!!!!! That is truly horrific!!!!! Can you imagine if that blow to the head didn't actually cause death? How much worse could an animal possibly feel? There has got to be significant pain there!!!! Oh - I just can't believe I even just read that someone might do that!!!
When you take a pet to the vets for euthanasia, they are calm and quiet. The vet will wrap the arm in a turnaquet and then give the shot. The breathing will slow and then a very quiet peace will come over the cat/dog when they breathe their last breath. There is no pain, no frightening anticipation of what is to happen, etc. If you can be there with your pet when it happens, you are NOT washing your hands of the situation. You are allowing your beloved friend to go quiety.
Oh PLEASE do not let anyone harm your pet with a blow to the head - I just cannot imagine anything more disheartening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12-24-02, 10:42 AM Jane Doe Babthrower: Thanks a lot. I feel a lot better after reading your response. I really had no idea what the shot does. And, I will not allow a shot in the kidney. Thanks again.
Lydia: There is no way I would allow anyone to hit this cat with anything. That was my husband's thoughts. He, believe it or not, is a nice man. He really thinks that a hard blow would be humane. I will not allow it. Babthrower actually made me feel better with her response. And, I would hold my cat while the shot was given. There is no other way for a responsible person to do it. Thanks for your response.
12-24-02, 02:28 PM soaringhorse I lost three cats in two months time. There was a widespread of that feline virus that went rampant in the neighborhood. The oldest was 10, and her kidneys were beginning to shut down. I feel that I should've taken her sooner to be put to rest, but I was very attached to her. When they suffer it's time to let them be in peace. It's so sad to watch them get worse, they don't eat, get lethargic. The best thing at that time, is to let them go. I held my baby's (cats) in my arms when it was time and reminded them how much I loved them. Their little bodies were in enough pain that it was time for them to get away from the pain and the injection does not hurt them. They just slip away. We love our animals and are lucky to have had them bring joy to our lives. They will always be in our hearts.
12-24-02, 05:38 PM Oceangurl Jane --
Take your cat to the vet. It's the most humane and least emotional choice for you as well.
I had to have my 14 year old dog put to sleep and it was the toughest thing I ever did, but I knew the time had come. I stayed in the room with him for awhile and petted and talked to him as he laid on the table wrapped in a sheepskin blanket. When I decided it was time, I left the room and my fiance came in to be with him for the injection. It was over in moments.
I read on a grieving pet owner's site that the last act of love and kindness a pet owner can give it's loyal companion is a peaceful and humane death when the time comes.
OG
12-26-02, 06:52 PM MsSueM I found a few webpages that may be helpful to you:
I encourage you to ask as many questions as you need to your vet and his/her vet assistants. When the time comes, make sure you request what you need...they should provide a quiet room for you to spend time with your pet to say your goodbyes, they should not rush you. I included the link about at-home euthanasia because that may be something that could make a sad, unpleasant experience just a little bit better...the cat could stay in its comfortable environment. Be sure to ask your vet if he/she will make house-calls...if not, perhaps they could refer you to another vet that will.
The links I provided explain what to expect during the procedure...the eyes don't close, there may be muscle movement. One thing I want to mention is the vet or vet assistant should be sure to turn the animal on its side immediately after the drug is administered, if its not already. I learned the hard way once that if the cat is crouching on its stomach with legs bent, the body locks up very quickly making it difficult or impossible to straighten their limbs.
I could tell by your post that you love your cat very much. This will be an emotionally painful experience for you, but I do encourage you to be there with your cat. You will feel better knowing that you were there for your cat. The procedure itself is not that traumatic, it's the grief that you, of course, will feel at the time and for some time to come. Always remember, though, that you are doing the kind thing by relieving your cat of whatever medical problem it has. Euthanasia is much kinder than letting a cat linger in pain.
Please post again if you need to talk more about this.
12-26-02, 10:54 PM samantha My brother is just getting ready to put his 10 year old doberman down who has cancer. I guess he called our vet who cares for our horses and asked him to come to his house and do it. So the dog will be much more relaxed in her own home. I guess this and taking them in is the most human thing we can do for them during their suffering.
12-27-02, 03:00 AM gizmogram I'm sorry you will be losing a pet...I know how that feels, as most of us here do.
I don't think any of us can actually say what an animal feels after being injected, but I'll tell you...
When we had to have my 15 yr old lab put to sleep, she was very agitated - she'd suffered a stroke and was unable to move her hind quarters. She seemed to know that we were taking her to the vet, as she somehow crawled under the dining room table...we had to lift the table away to get to her.
When we first got to the vet, she was in such an aggitated state that she tried to bite him. Very unlike her! He muzzled her. When he gave her the shot and was talking calmly and reassuringly to her, she licked his hand through the muzzle. I like to think it was her away of telling him thank you for putting her out of her pain.
That was my first pet...and I couldn't bring myself to go into the office for it. A decision I will always, always regret. Since that time, I've had to have several cats put to sleep, and make a point to be with them before, to say goodbye.
I never got to say goodbye to my beloved first pet, and have regretted it for the last 25 years.
I think the euthanasia is the best recourse...it is very humane and painless.
04-21-03, 03:53 PM Jane Doe I called up the vet and made an appointment on a Saturday to have our cat put to sleep. I told my husband that I was taking her in. He told me that I didn't have to take her in and that he would take her instead. I'm so glad he said that because it's really his cat and it's only fair that he take her. So, last month the whole family said goodbye. I took photos with her and the family. While my husband was getting ready to go out the door, I took Val into a room and cried over the poor little thing. (I really didn't want to scare my kids. I told my son what we were doing, but I really didn't want them to see me break down. My daughter is only a toddler and didn't really understand.) Anyway, my busband took her to the vet. He said that he held her while they gave her a shot. He said that she meowed once and then fell to sleep. He told me that she didn't suffer. My husband dug a hole in our backyard. I said a prayer over her, and we buried her there.
A few days later, we received a card from the vet. It was very sweet of her. She said that she could tell that Val "was a character, but all the same very sweet." I asked my husband what he told the vet about Val. He said he couldn't remember. Well, I suppose the vet might put that on all the cards. Still, it was appropriate because Val was quite a wild thing when she was young.
I gave her to my husband as a gift before we were married. She was born in 1986. She was with us when we moved into our apartment, she was with us when we bought our home. She saw us bring home both our newborns. She was almost 17 years old when she died. I think--I hope--she had a good life.
Thanks to Everyone that responded. I read each one...
04-21-03, 04:19 PM samantha I hate to admit it but growing up in the country and on a farm we used to have several outdoor cats..and when one of them would get so sick or dying or something my dad used to take them out in the woods and shoot them in the head and bury them. I hated it and today we do go to the vet..but, that is how it was when i was growing up. Frown
04-21-03, 04:39 PM kittypal Sam, shooting an animal is a quick way ( I hope) I could never ever do it, but I guess when you live on a farm that kind of thing happens. Also I want to add that however hard it may be, you should either be with the animal when it is put to sleep or ask to see the body, there was a story several years ago that some vets were not really putting the animal down, but selling them to scientific research. When we had our Tommy cat put to sleep I asked to see his body, then I had him creamated and given back to me.
04-24-03, 04:04 AM mattlynda i honestly dont know if i could be there if one of my pets had to be put down. i dont know which would be worse, being there to see them die, of leaving them in a room alive, then walking in to them not so. i am more attached to them than almost every human being i know. i very truly hope that all mine go in their sleep, like my moms dog.
04-24-03, 11:41 AM kittypal OMG, I know, seeing one of my kitties like that was very hard, I love my cats more than anything in the world, but I would rather know that they are dead that going to science alive to be prodded and in a cage.
04-24-03, 08:11 PM DvdGStwrt
quote:Originally posted by Jane Doe: Will someone tell me what happens to a cat or dog when it is euthanized? Is it a painless death? If not, does the animal suffer much? What exactly does the shot do? Stop the heart?
My husband thinks it is more humane to hit our cat with a shovel, hammer, or something else hard. He said it would be quick and painless. He does not feel that "the shot" the vet will give her is humane. Well, there is no way on God's green earth that I will ever let him do that, but he got me thinking. It is clean for us to take her to the vet; we're not getting our hands dirty, so to speak. But is that the only difference between the shot and a blow to the head: with one you use your hands and with the other someone else is doing your dirty work?
I know this is a gruesome topic. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I am so depressed over this whole topic, I almost wish that I would die in my sleep before I have to do this awful deed. Please help me. I am really at the end of my rope. I feel horrible.
Um, your husband is wrong. Unless he crushes the skull, there may be a need to hit the head several times.
Go through the vet. The injection is swift, painless, and most humane. When I put down my last dog I was present, it was very fast.
David
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Posts: 48 | Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA | Registered: 08-12-02
