Question:
I have a very sad question to ask about euthanasia. Our little dog had been sick for about a month and all tests came back inconclusive. He was only 9 years old.I always promised any pet that became a member of our family that I would never let it suffer. As I lay on the couch with my little dog for almost two hours, asking him if he was "ready," the answer came when he started to moan.I called our veterinarian and told her it was time. I wrapped my little dog in a blanket and we left for his last ride in the car.The veterinarian and her assistant came in and, after a brief discussion of what probably happened to him, she proceeded to give him the euthanasia medication in his leg. He only received a little of the medication when she said his vein collapsed. He went right into a seizure and screamed in a continuous bark/howl. The vet hurried to get another syringe for what seemed like an eternity, and my dog finally went to sleep after that injection.In my heart, I need to know, first of all: Was he suffering
T.T., Dearborn, MI Apr 03, 2005
Answer:
The terrible ordeal that you and your dog went through (as well as the vet and her assistant) might have been avoided if the veterinarian first injected into your dog's thigh muscle a large dose of sedative/tranquilizer. This would have reduced the chances of your dog struggling and the needle coming out of the vein while the euthanasia solution (basically an overdose of anesthetic barbiturate) was being administered. Veins sometimes "collapse," but dogs with poor circulation going to the brain may not get sufficient euthanasia solution into their systems so the onset of anesthesia prior to unconsciousness and death is delayed. The animal may then have a paradoxical reaction to the barbiturate, becoming dissociated (but not necessarily fully conscious) and may struggle and cry (but not necessarily be experiencing pain).In order to avoid such difficult situations (as I have learned from personal experience euthanizing animals), it's best to tranquilize the animal first with one of many drugs like acepromazine
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