The sedative injection is usually given painlessly into a muscle in the back leg or as an injection under the skin. If your pet is to have a euthanasia injection into the leg, an intravenous cannula is often used.
Sometimes your pet might be taken into another room for this to be placed, but you can request that they stay with you and this will give them comfort. Giving them a sedation injection before the placement of their cannula can help them to relax. This makes the vein into which the euthanasia solution is injected easier for the vet to see or feel. If your pet has been receiving treatment recently this may already have been shaved. Shaving is normally done with electric clippers although your vet may use some curved scissors if they want to avoid making noise, which helps some pets, particularly cats.
Sedation will also help to minimise any noise distress. Once the area has been shaved, it is cleaned with a cotton wool swab and an intravenous cannula a tube which is inserted into the vein and secured using skin tape is put in to allow a secure channel for injection. Sometimes the vet will give the injection directly into the vein with a needle on the syringe. He or she will make the judgement as to what is best for your pet. Many practices will use sedation and a cannula as a matter of course.
If your pet is smaller, this preparation will usually be carried out on the consultation room table. As with any pet, you may wish to bring along a blanket for them to sit on, or a favourite bed. Larger pets such as bigger dogs, will often stay on the floor for the euthanasia procedure, and the vet will come down to their level, to prevent any distress from being lifted up.
Sedation and placement of cannulas are also appropriate for other pets such as rabbits, although cannula placements in little pets such as guinea pigs, hamsters or mice isn't usually done because of the difficulty in accessing such small veins. The euthanasia solution is called pentobarbital which is a barbiturate anaesthetic. This is usually a coloured solution, such as yellow, pink or blue, so it is easily distinguishable. The pet will be given a concentrated overdose of the anaesthetic so that they peacefully fall asleep and then pass away.
This usually happens quite quickly, often in less than a minute, and many owners are surprised by this. As the solution is injected, the animal loses consciousness and within minutes the heart and lungs stop functioning. Since the pet is not conscious, they do not feel anything. Most times, the animal passes away so smoothly, that it is difficult to tell until the veterinarian listens for absence of a heartbeat.
The eyes remain open in most cases. Sometimes, the last few breaths are what's termed "agonal", meaning involuntary muscle contractions but again, the pet is not aware at this point. After the animal dies, there is complete muscle relaxation, often accompanied by urination and defecation. This is completely normal and is something an owner should expect. In addition, after death, chemicals normally stored in nerve endings are released causing occasional muscle twitching in the early post-mortem period.
They know their pets better than anyone," said Dr. Lisa Lippman, a house-call veterinarian in New York City. Do they get up to greet you like normal? No matter what any veterinarian says, they know their pet best. It's normal for your pet to have good and bad days toward the end. Texas veterinarian Dr. Fiona McCord, founder of Compassionate Care Pet Services, stresses that owners shouldn't feel as if they have done something wrong if the euthanasia takes place on a day their pet is feeling well.
There is no perfect time. Nobody will ever know the perfect time. Some veterinarians specialize in at-home euthanasia, or incorporate that into their practice. Being at home means not having to get a sick pet into the car, not having to bring them to the veterinarian's office, which may be associated with anxiety or pain.
The price varies widely among veterinarians and clinics. Some vets may not charge at all for euthanasia, only for cremation services. Other veterinarians have quoted prices of double and even triple that amount. You'll have to ask your vet about prices. When the procedure cannot be done in your home, your veterinarian may have a back entrance and quiet room set aside for euthanasia so you and your pet can avoid the loud waiting room.
In that case, Dr. Michael Dix of the Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital in Oregon suggests bringing along "their favorite toy, bed or blanket with the pet when the actual euthanasia is taking place. The most important thing is to help your pet feel calm and not increase their stress, says Dr. For example, if your pet wears a collar, leave it on until they have passed, since "taking it off can be excitatory," Nelson said. And stay with your pet through the process and to the end.
Be there for them in death. You may feel comforted by being able to celebrate and honor your pet at the different stages of this process. For example, perhaps you have sufficient opportunity to prepare, create and then go out and fulfill a bucket list of experiences for your pet. Veterinarians do not sell deceased pets or do experiments on them, so you can rest assured on these matters.
But you certainly have a right to know what will be done with your dog if you choose to leave her body with the veterinarian. Do not be apologetic about asking what will happen after the euthanasia procedure. It is your personal choice whether or not to be present in the exam or surgery room when the veterinarian administers the euthanasia solution. However, I will offer an observation I have made from feedback from my clients. A multitude of pet owners have regretted NOT being there when their pet was euthanized, and they later feel that they may have abandoned their pet at a crucial time.
This has created a certain sense of guilt for these pet parents that simply will not go away. So, think over very carefully how you will feel long after your pet has been put to sleep. Will you have regrets if you do not stay with your pet? The truth is that no one is comfortable with death, even your veterinarian and animal hospital staff who face death every day.
Your discomfort should not govern your decision of whether or not to be present with your pet at the time of their passing. Many apprehensive clients end up asking afterward, with a slightly surprised look, "Is that it? That was very quick and peaceful. Thank you, Doctor. Let me be very clear about something: It is perfectly normal and acceptable to cry. This can be a very sad experience, and even though the animal hospital staff might have to go through this all too often, there really is no getting used to euthanizing a dog.
So you really have no need to pretend that you can handle it when you feel terrible inside. Of course, you may request time to grieve in private afterward in the room with your pet. You might choose to call ahead of your appointment to see if there will be any delays prior to your scheduled time. As a veterinarian, I have never been comfortable seeing a client sitting patiently in the waiting room with their pet for that final appointment. It is perfectly reasonable for you to ask the receptionist to let you know when the doctor is ready to see your pet so that you can bring them directly into the exam room.
You should not have to be isolated in the exam room for a long period of time, either. In order to administer the euthanasia solution, your veterinarian must gain entry into a vein. The euthanasia solution is specially made to act quickly and painlessly, but it must be administered intravenously.
This requires that your pet be calm and confident. If the veterinarian requests your permission to sedate your pet, please understand that the request is made in order to humanely and peacefully accomplish the task at hand. If your pet is uncooperative, defensive, afraid or even fractious, your veterinarian will not be able to properly carry out the euthanasia procedure.
Most euthanasia solutions are made of a combination of chemicals that cause complete muscle relaxation and a quick and painless termination of nerve transmission. When nerve impulses are not conducted, there is no thought, no sensation and no movement.
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