Bad experiences with Euthanasia
Bad experiences with Euthanasia
Can anyone enlighten me? I currently have 5 house cats and a 16 pound house rabbit. I HAD 6 cats but my 18 year old Shadow had to be put down on Saturday. It was a long time coming and though I had hoped that he would be able to pass away at home and in peace, he had a bad seizure which led me to the vet that day to have him euthanized. I am struggling with my grief and part f that struggle is with the results of this event. This is my second expereince with euthanasia and in both instances the event was traumatic. Unlike "TV euthanasia" my children DID NOT die peacefully nor quietly. In both cases the cats were calm and OK with the people around them and messing with them. The vets began injection the solution and within seconds the cats began screaming and crying and trying to get off the table, trying to bite, fur was on end, pupils were fully dialated and they were complete terror monsters. I begged God to please end it now. Thus far I am running at 100% failure on "peaceful death" euthanasia. My vet claims that this happens "rarely" and it is just because some anaimals can not tolerate the solution!!!! HUH? I thought the process was as follows.....inject the cat to the point to where is falls asleep as if it were being prepped for surgery. Once they are unconscious the rest is injected and it ends. I have discovered some firneds who have had similar experiences with euthanasia and even our local shelter director says that as high as 40-50% of the animals they have to put down react this way!!!!!! What the....???? This is NOT humane! AFter my second experience on saturday I am about ready for a mental intitution. I assummed that the first bad event was a fluke but now it is the norm it seems and the guilt I am feeling over this is killing me. Can anyone explain what is happening here???? I mean I am no dummy in this field....I have a BS degree in Biology with a minor in Animal Behavior.....but I do not understand this at all. Please help anyone.........
Re: Bad experiences with Euthanasia
I am so very sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you...
There are a few things to take into consideration: the stress of the clinic and the staff who handles the pet (are there too many people in the room? too much noise and goings-on?)....the comfort level of the pet (did the staff take time to calm the animal prior to the procedure?)....the experience level of the vet (was a small needle used or a large one, did he hit a vein right away or did he fumble?)...the latter is the most common problem for inexperienced or new vets, which can be stressful and painful for the pet.. Every situation is different, but the vet and staff ultimately need to help make the pet as comfortable as possible before an injection. Lastly, if the pet had rarely ever recieved injections for other medical needs, the experience can be very stressful and the pet could become fractious (gentle/caring handling by an assistant or the owner is necessary).
As for any reactions after an injection, it depends. A fractious reaction could be due to painful injection or fumbling on the vet's part. It could also be due to a large needle being used in a tiny vein, or the administration of the solution was done too slow or too fast. If you've ever been hospitalized with an IV and needed injections through your IV, you know that if they are done too slow or too fast, they hurt...some medications do sting when they enter a vein (particularly barbituates).
If "fractious" was not what occured, but rather a slow process of euthanasia with unusual severe reactions by the body, then the vet either administered the solution too slow, or possibly missed the vein, or did not inject enough solution. If the vet seemed flustered, there was a problem. Euthanasia should be quick and painless, not prolonged and painful. It wouldn't be unusual for some pets to have a slightly (and momentarily) prolonged heart beat and slight muscle movements, but this would be a natural reaction. If crying out, obvious pain was evident, or obvious awareness displayed by the pet, then there is definately a problem. If you've been through two bad experiences, you might want to ask your vet what solution he uses, so that he can investigate it through the manufacturer or determine if there is a problem with it. If he is inexperienced, then choose a vet you're more comfortable with.
An option for owners is to have the pet slightly sedated prior to the procedure. This can relax the pet thereby making the euthanasia procedure less painful and stressful.
The shelter statistics I can believe, for the simple fact that shelter staff are rarely experienced and probably don't take the time to ensure comfort for every animal. This is upsetting since the staff should always work to make the animal as comfortable as possible.
I'm very sorry, you've obviously had some bad experiences. Perhaps it may be time to find another vet you are much more comfortable with and can trust explicitly.
There are a few things to take into consideration: the stress of the clinic and the staff who handles the pet (are there too many people in the room? too much noise and goings-on?)....the comfort level of the pet (did the staff take time to calm the animal prior to the procedure?)....the experience level of the vet (was a small needle used or a large one, did he hit a vein right away or did he fumble?)...the latter is the most common problem for inexperienced or new vets, which can be stressful and painful for the pet.. Every situation is different, but the vet and staff ultimately need to help make the pet as comfortable as possible before an injection. Lastly, if the pet had rarely ever recieved injections for other medical needs, the experience can be very stressful and the pet could become fractious (gentle/caring handling by an assistant or the owner is necessary).
As for any reactions after an injection, it depends. A fractious reaction could be due to painful injection or fumbling on the vet's part. It could also be due to a large needle being used in a tiny vein, or the administration of the solution was done too slow or too fast. If you've ever been hospitalized with an IV and needed injections through your IV, you know that if they are done too slow or too fast, they hurt...some medications do sting when they enter a vein (particularly barbituates).
If "fractious" was not what occured, but rather a slow process of euthanasia with unusual severe reactions by the body, then the vet either administered the solution too slow, or possibly missed the vein, or did not inject enough solution. If the vet seemed flustered, there was a problem. Euthanasia should be quick and painless, not prolonged and painful. It wouldn't be unusual for some pets to have a slightly (and momentarily) prolonged heart beat and slight muscle movements, but this would be a natural reaction. If crying out, obvious pain was evident, or obvious awareness displayed by the pet, then there is definately a problem. If you've been through two bad experiences, you might want to ask your vet what solution he uses, so that he can investigate it through the manufacturer or determine if there is a problem with it. If he is inexperienced, then choose a vet you're more comfortable with.
An option for owners is to have the pet slightly sedated prior to the procedure. This can relax the pet thereby making the euthanasia procedure less painful and stressful.
The shelter statistics I can believe, for the simple fact that shelter staff are rarely experienced and probably don't take the time to ensure comfort for every animal. This is upsetting since the staff should always work to make the animal as comfortable as possible.
I'm very sorry, you've obviously had some bad experiences. Perhaps it may be time to find another vet you are much more comfortable with and can trust explicitly.
..........Traci
Re: Bad experiences with Euthanasia
I am sorry for your loss and the trauma you and your babies have experienced...
I am with Traci on the experience especially of the vet...and the surroundings and the way he or she handles events leading up to the injection...
My mom's beloved doxie had to be let go about 2 years ago now...she could not bear to be in the room with him so my husband stayed out with my mom and I went in with the vet...
Mom's dog had a stroke and went blind and deaf suddenly because of it, plus he lost alot of mobility...anyways...the vet was gentle and even though Skeezix could not hear or see, the vet was still very gentle and moved carefully and talked softly and stroked him as he got things ready...
I held Skeezix and the injection went in, and I think before the vet was even done, he had taken his last breath and was at peace...
So no...not every one has to be painful and traumatic...I would consider finding another vet after this experience!
Peace be with you...
I am with Traci on the experience especially of the vet...and the surroundings and the way he or she handles events leading up to the injection...
My mom's beloved doxie had to be let go about 2 years ago now...she could not bear to be in the room with him so my husband stayed out with my mom and I went in with the vet...
Mom's dog had a stroke and went blind and deaf suddenly because of it, plus he lost alot of mobility...anyways...the vet was gentle and even though Skeezix could not hear or see, the vet was still very gentle and moved carefully and talked softly and stroked him as he got things ready...
I held Skeezix and the injection went in, and I think before the vet was even done, he had taken his last breath and was at peace...
So no...not every one has to be painful and traumatic...I would consider finding another vet after this experience!
Peace be with you...