We see similar situations out here in Indiana, unfortunately, the DYI method of choice here is to take the poor pet out back and shoot it. And, at least once or twice a year that I am aware of, someone messes that up and we end up seeing an old pet suffering from whatever malady warranted the owner to choose a bullet, as well as the fact that the pet now has a bullet lodged somewhere in his head.

My "favorite" clients have been those who use the threat of shooting the pet (or drowning it, running over it, whatever) as a negotiating tool when they don't like the price of euthanasia. I have similar clients who will threaten these very same things when we won't accept their litter of kittens or puppies that they have been unable to place (sell, adopt). AND...the biggest pet peeve is folks who think that if they threaten to take the pet to the humane society, I will give in and allow them to dump the pet on us.

Sometimes I wonder if mandatory spay and neuter laws shouldn't be enforced on some people....

Tomcat1765 January 23rd, 2008 09:29:00 AM

Wow. It's mind-boggling to me that ANYone would even think of going DIY on this one. I've done lots of things myself for my cats, besides just the usual pills or wound care, but it wouldn't have occurred to me to take on euthanasia. I'm deeply grateful for the vet's handling of this awful chore; the merciful end for my beloved pet, and for the kindness that most vets have shown to me at such times, in spite of the clearly frantic day some of them may have been having at the time. Bless you all for undertaking the duty, in whatever circumstances you are able to offer.

Judy January 23rd, 2008 09:36:00 AM

I can't imagine trying to do it myself. Shudder. BTW in a recent post someone suggested that you contact Starbucks about supporting/endorsing your newsletter. Since you mention it in almost every post, I would think the organization might actually be interested. What have you got to lose?

Diana January 23rd, 2008 10:53:00 AM

I've not had time lately to comment on your posts as often as I like to... although I'm still enjoying every one. But I have to comment on this one! Partly because the idea of "trying THIS at home" makes me shudder too - but also because I so love your "have it your way" attitude.

Now, the vets I use do this too - I can have them come to the house or whatever I think best when the time comes. But I hear of WAY too many nightmare scenarios of vets who won't let the owner be present for the euthanasia. I don't know why this seems to be more & more prevalent - but it would be so distressing to me as an owner and client.

Barb January 23rd, 2008 11:56:00 AM

We're not able to be nearly as flexible as you are with euthanasias. Occasionally we'll have a doctor do one at a client's house, but most often, if they absolutely require in-home euthanasia, we refer them to the mobile vet.

I can't imagine not being allowed to be with my pet for euthanasia. That's just inhumane to the owner.

katie January 23rd, 2008 01:03:00 PM

Having just given my first vaccines at home, I can appreciate the desire to do-it-yourself, save money, have a personal at home experience, or what ever really drives this behavior. But six vaccinations were stressful enough, I can't imagine trying to do a euthanasia.

Painlessly doing a sub-q, avoiding a vessel, not hitting a bone, plus the forethought of buying the vaccine, needles, epinephrine before hand. Probably doable by the handful of people who would want to.

But getting a hold of the most effective drugs for a euth, finding and hitting a good vein or artery twice, plus the HUGE potential for personal guilt should something go wrong.

And that's the kicker. In an earlier post you talked about the home vaccine and you or a comment made the good point of 'you don't go to the vet because it might be easy, you go because it might all go wrong, and then what.' Running the numbers in my head for 6 vaccines and what could go wrong and if I was prepared for it (had epi and liquid baby antihistamine, and a vet 5 mins away), the cost/benefit came out good.

I can't, for any scenario, make the cost/benefit work out for a home euth. It's like a short option (for those of you who invest or went to Wharton), the option might be much cheaper than the underlying asset, and it might go up dollar for dollar on the upside, but there is unlimited risk on the down side. Unlimited risk.

Border Wars - Christopher January 23rd, 2008 01:34:00 PM

Whoa - this one made me stop in my tracks. Just when I think the stuff you must deal with can't get any more trying, this one pops up.

Apparently I am a total wuss. I almost threw up when I had to hold Lottie while her Vet expressed her anal glands - HORRIFYING smell. Never, will I do that again. And I know lots of owners that do it themselves. But DIY euthanasia? *shudders*.
I mean, I personally believe in being present for the procedure. I was present when we had my Cocker put down. But I believe that the humans/owners should be present and supportive for the animal and to say good bye, not busy fiddling with needles and dosing sedatives. What a horrible memory to take away from the very last moments.....

Amy in Somerville January 23rd, 2008 02:31:00 PM

I actually did a DIY euthanasia for my pet rat last year. I used the carbon dioxide chamber method described here:

http://www.alysion.org/euthanasia/

It took a lot of courage, but I don't regret doing it--she was very obviously in distress and needed to be put down ASAP. She went quite peacefully.

I wouldn't do a DIY euthanasia for a dog or cat, though, since it's not something I could do with confidence that there wouldn't be suffering. I'm pretty sure CO2 doesn't work well on anything more than a pound or two.

Janine January 23rd, 2008 03:28:00 PM

Gosh, I forgot about the taking the dog out to the field to shoot it mentality. I know people who have done it and can't imagine...but then I can't believe some of the things pet owners do and don't do. Good thing I went into animal behavior consulting and modification instead of veterinary medicine.

Sometimes I think it is the people who need the shot.

Did I just say that out in public? Whoops.

With the new push toward hospice and other specialized services perhaps it is time to get a mobile euthanasia unit going in communities. I know my clinic associate drove up to my new residence to euthanize my dog as a great act of kindness when the local clinics were not available--and not interested.

It amazes me that people still don't get why they should go to a vet clinic...like the lady whose new puppy litter contracted parvovirus and she wanted the local pet store to advise her instead of getting them to the veterinarian.

Sheesh. Is there an answer to solve the shootings or drowning of animals? Gotta say, euthanasia is definitely not a do it yourself type of job...and although I understand the previous post with link, I have mixed feelings about having an chamber posted up for use.

Diana L Guerrero January 23rd, 2008 08:24:00 PM

I keep euthanase small birds at home when they are brought to me in obvious pain with an untreatable injury, but wouldn't consider a large bird or a mammal - not even if I had the drugs etc. And certainly not for one of my pets, that just has way too much emotional content.

jcat January 23rd, 2008 09:00:00 PM

I absolutely agree with you that euthanasia should be done by veterinarians, not amateurs, and am willing to spend the $200+ it takes to have my veterinarian perform euthanasia. However, on several occasions I've needed emergency euthanasia when my veterinarian was not available, and there has been nowhere to take my animals. The problem for me is that the only 24-hour veterinary clinic in my city has a strict policy of treating only dogs and cats, and I share my home with animals of other species.

The last time I had an animal euthanized, the patient was a guinea pig suffering from torsion and bloat. As in dogs, the condition comes on suddenly, causes horrifying pain, and is likely to be fatal if not treated quickly. Unfortunately, the nearest clinic willing to deal with guinea pigs was over 2 hours away, so the guinea pig suffered for hours without relief. The veterinarian at that clinic won't allow clients to be with their companions during euthanasia, so the poor little guy was taken into a back room and killed without the comfort of a familiar presence.

I'm interested in DIY euthanasia not because I want to save a buck, but because I want to be able to save my animals from horrifying pain. Ideally, I would take them to a veterinarian, not just to ensure that euthanasia is done right but so a professional could say for sure whether euthanasia is appropriate or whether the patient could recover from their condition with appropriate treatment. However, with no emergency vets within 2 hours of my home willing to euthanize or even give analgesics to my animals when they're clearly in agony, waiting for a veterinarian is a luxury my animals can't afford.

I haven't yet tried DIY euthanasia, but am very interested in the method Janine described. Dr. Khuly, can you comment on whether you consider the carbon dioxide method of killing a small mammal to be humane? It doesn't sound pleasant to me, based on my own experiences of gasping for breath when I've fallen asleep with blankets covering my head and woken up desperate for oxygen, but I realize that humans and guinea pigs aren't the same. Personally, I'd opt for shooting as the best (or rather "least awful") DIY method, but only if the shooter has good aim AND knows exactly where the brain is located. I ask myself what I'd want for myself if I was dying in agony, with no prospect of being seen by a doctor, and as horrible as shooting is, it'd be better than hours or days of suffering. Unfortunately, I live in an apartment, so there's nowhere I can fire a gun without endangering innocent people. I'm pretty sure it's also illegal to fire a gun within city limits.

Jen January 26th, 2008 03:28:00 PM

Interesting question on carbon dioxide. It is reportedly much less stressful than other "humane slaughter" techniques when applied to chickens and rabbits (as is increasingly being done in Europe), but I don't know how it compares to sedatives and overdoses of barbiturates. It's an excellent question.

As to a vet not allowing you to be with your pet during euthanasia...that's truly barbaric IMHO!

Dr. Patty Khuly January 27th, 2008 11:18:00 AM

I know that in genetics class in college we used limited amounts of carbon dioxide to put our fruit flies to sleep while we examined them for specific traits (they just lay there and we could move them around with tweezers all we wanted). Once the carbon dioxide was removed, they would come back to life and fly around like nothing happened. It's supposed to be a humane way to euthanize an animal because they first fall asleep, and then they die. So basically their body isn't aware during the dying process (or so it's said).

Janine January 27th, 2008 01:40:00 PM

Actually, I've done some DIY euthanasia on injured wildlife that arrived at inconvenient times and was obviously unsaveable. I use an overdose of propofol, which is 1) Injectable, 2) VERY fast and painless, and 3) not scheduled, so keeping it around can't cause me DEA problems.

It's rather expensive, but if you use it for other things, and are scrupulous about aseptic technique when drawing it up, some bottles stay good after they're used. (Propofol is in an oil-based emulsion that can grow bacteria, so you can't keep a vial after you've broken sterility.) These get marked with a big skull and crossbones and go into the euthanasia kit.

Bolusing propofol causes apnea anyway, and add a plastic bag to ensure the animal won't regain consciousness.

Fortunately, I've never had to do a turtle. Their anoxia tolerance is preposterous.

(Donald C. Jackson, "Hibernating without oxygen: physiological adaptations of the painted turtle" Journal of Physiology (2002), 543.3, pp. 731-737: "Together, the metabolic and buffering mechanisms permit animals to survive for 3-4 months at 3 °C with no O2 and with circulating lactate levels of 150 mmol/l or more." For those who don't know, normal mammal blood lactate levels are 0.3-1.3 mmol/l.)

Herper January 27th, 2008 10:20:00 PM

Didn't see mentioned so far, is the horrific notion (to me) of bringing my sick but living pet to the vet... and bringing him home dead.
Also the copout of having someone else do the dirty work, by simply my giving them the nod.
Yes, it can be a copout. To me it feels mercenary.
Shooting one's animal companion/friend is definitely not something that is easy, and (to me anyhow) makes one really think about if it is necessary.
More so than just taking them on a oneway trip to the vet.
That's great some vets now go mobile, but not around here.
I do wish there was a diy kit that could be provided by a vet I could have onhand, but from my searching the web it doesn't seem there is such simple medical method. Oh well.

Joe Anonamious February 7th, 2008 09:20:00 PM

What is to be done in an emergency situation when a pet is seriously injured and professional care will not be immediately available (earthquake, flood, etc.)? How do we humanely help a suffering pet?

leanne February 11th, 2008 01:01:00 PM

I have a pet rat that has been suffering from a respiratory illness common in rats. She's been ailing for a while, and has received treatment - but anyone who knows rats knows it's a downhill slope. I've had a rat suffer from this before and brought her to the vet for euthanasia. She was taken away for 'the shot' and brought back for me to hold. But she had already expired by the time I got to hold her again. I know the vet well and he is a nice and capable guy, but he definitely thought euthanizing a rat was odd. My conclusion is small animals are not well understood by many vets, and this time I am going to try the method mentioned above. It seems if I put her in a container a little while before and comfort her and settle her and there is an opportunity for me to have my arm in petting her while the CO2 enters - that way she stays in the home she loves and hopefully dies with the least stress. And to be honest there is something - in my mind - true about being the one to hold her and help her into the 'next plane'. I don't suppose there's a solution that is picture perfect but this feels a little more like what she'd be better with.

joss February 16th, 2008 05:52:00 PM

I'm grateful to Dr. Khuly for bringing up the subject of do-it-yourself euthanasia and answering my question about whether the carbon dioxide method is humane. Like Dr. Khuly, I still think do-it-yourself euthanasia is a terrible idea, and desperately wish the local 24-hour veterinary hospital would euthanize animals of all species when necessary. However, until 24-hour veterinary services become available, I'm willing to consider do-it-yourself methods.

I've now done some research on the carbon dioxide method, and am increasingly uneasy about it. There's an excellent review of research on this method that can be viewed by going to http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/rsm/lab/2005... and clicking on the PDF button that follows the abstract. The research indicates that using carbon dioxide to euthanize rodents is somewhat humane but less than ideal.

What I can't understand is how the carbon dioxide method is supposed to be any more humane than simply sealing an animal in an airtight container and allowing him or her to suffocate when the oxygen runs out. Carbon dioxide is carbon dioxide, whether it's generated by the animal's body, formed by a chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar, or obtained from a gas canister. In humans, fastening a plastic bag over one's head leads to suffocation as the oxygen is replaced with carbon dioxide, and the experience is so unbearable that people who attempt to kill themselves using this method invariably tear the plastic bag off and abandon the attempt at suicide. (The exception is those who first overdose on sleeping pills.) I'd be very interested in hearing anyone's thoughts on how euthanasia by carbon dioxide can be more humane than simply being sealed in a small, airtight container.

I'd never even heard of propofol until Herper mentioned it. Herper, can you please comment on where you obtain it, and whether it works when administered subcutaneously? A quick web search showed that it's intended for intravenous use, and I can't imagine ever being able to find a vein on one of my animals. Even my vet can't find their tiny little veins!

Joss, I can really relate to your experience of going to a vet who thought it odd that you'd bother to euthanize a rat. You might get better service if you go to a vet who frequently treats "exotics" (the term vets use for any animal that isn't a dog or cat). I've found some good vets using the House Rabbit Society's directory at http://www.rabbit.org//vets/vets.html who are great for any problems that take place Monday-Friday 9am-6pm. In some areas, the directory even shows 24-hour vets.

Jen February 17th, 2008 04:13:00 PM

I want to confess that this nightmare scenerio happened to me - two nights ago. The very thing the article mentioned. Let me start by saying that I had a cat that was 16 years old and in January of 2007 I rescued a gorgeous Tonkinese/Siamese mix and he has been the love of our lives. In March of this year, my elderly cat had a stroke one morning (she had had several in the past) and began convulsing. There were not vet offices open and the cat was in the process of dying. I could tell that she was under a great deal of stress so I crushed up about 5 xanex's and diluted them and water and gave them to her in a dropper. She immediately calmed down, went to sleep and passed away just a minute later. I prided myself on doing the right thing and not letting my cat suffer. Well, two days later, my gorgeous Tonkinese had a regular appointment to get his shots updated and get neutered. After I dropped him off, my vet called to let me know that the cat tested positive for Feline Leukemia. I did not know what this was and asked how long he had, should I have him neutered still, etc. The cat was in perfect health otherwise. The vet said, "Oh, he'll easily live for 10 years - no problem. Sometimes they have no symptoms at all, etc." and advise that I go through with the neutering, micro-chip, etc. All this to the tune of $247.00, which as a single mom is hard to come by, especially after Christmas. Well, that was done on March 7th or this year. Two days after him being fixed, he began to RAPIDLY go down hill, lost weight, breathing problems, fever, no control of bowels, etc. I took him back to the vet and the vet said, "Yeah, I was afraid that was going to happen. Sometimes when the disease is dormant, a surgery or any stress to the body will bring it out active". I was so mad!!! Why didn't he tell me this before?? Basically my cat was fine until I took him to get neutered. So it has been a solid month of misery and agony for me, my kids and my gorgeous cat, who is like a child to me himself. On the 8th of April - exactly one month and one day since I took him to that vet, my cat was so sick and in misery that he lay on the kitchen floor crying and stool (gel like yellow) was dripping out of his rear end continuously. He could not breath, walk, and weighed 4 pounds (he was 20 before). Because of my bad experience with the vet and the success I had with my elderly cat, I decided (DUMB ME) to do a DYI because I wanted Saki to be in his home with his family and to fall asleep like my other cat did. I took 20 muscle relaxers and crushed them up and put them in water. The EXACT thing described above happened. After the first dropper, my cat began breathing horribly and had little control over his back legs. He did NOT peacefully go to sleep, in fact he was more alert and freaking out!!! So I tried to give him another dropper and I don't think he could swallow it down and it got stuck in his throught. So I panicked (PURE PANIC) and tried to give him another one. At this point, he was down on the floor flailing and had his mouth wide open choking and making a weird noise. My sister in law came over (she's my real estate agent) and I ran out to her car begging for help. By now, it had been about 20 minutes since I started this. She took one look at my cat who was in obvious extreme distress (no one should ever have to experience this) and said, "We have to do something now, this is cruel" So she told me to leave the room and I saw her take a towel and put over his nose and mouth. My cat's beautiful blue eyes were wide open and looked at me like, "Why are you letting this happen to me?? Please help me?" I kept calling downstairs and saying, "Is it over yet?"...."no"....."Is it over yet?"....."no"..It took FIVE minutes for her to do that! I now am so ATE UP WITH GUILT that I cannot function and it's been two days. I loved that cat so much and I screwed up bigtime. I want to say to anyone out there - SPEND THE MONEY and take them to a vet. If you do not like your vet, take them to another one. That is what I should have done. I am so stupid and will never live this down - NEVER. This is one of the great tradedies of my life and I'll never get over it. On top of missing my cat, I have to live with this image in my head of him patiently taking the drops of meds I gave him and looking at me with those blue eyes and then the look in his eyes peeking out over that towel. I'm so distraught - PLEASE DON"T DO THIS!!! I have to bury my cat today but it's too late to say I"m sorry and people, once you start this, there is no going back and undoing it - it is, indeed, a nightmare.

Amanda April 10th, 2008 10:41:00 AM

Dear Amanda,
I am so terribly sorry for what happened to you. So terribly, awfully sorry. and your pain must be so unbearable, I know you cannot bear it. I scarcely know what to say to you, or know how I would be able to survive in your circumstance. People have been in these terrible situations so many, many times, without any possible hope of getting professional care for their animals and
human loved ones, and have gone through unspeakable horrors because of the situation, and
not knowing what to do.
As a RN, I too, have so often been faced with the issue of having to make decisions with my
animals that regular people would never even contemplate. In the situation, you did what you
believed was going to humanely let your suffering sweetheart be released from her misery. This is
what you much consider until the day you die, and find it in your soul to forgive yourself for this
horrible event. These terrors in life happen and you responded instantly with what you thought
would be best. This is your heart. If it helps you, then I, just another wounded soul, forgive you for this action because you did it out of compassion. If I could deliver you from this horror, I would take it from you. It is the worst possible memory. Oh, I wish I could release you. I am so very sad, desperately sad for your memory. Maybe you can find a way through to forgiving yourself. I pray you can! You are not evil. You are in error. Both of you must stop suffering.

RC May 8th, 2008 01:42:00 AM

Someone who decides to euthanize their own pet should be applauded, not ridiculed.

What is more humane;
Dragging the animal into the car, into the vet where it can shake and tremble for its last few remaining moments? Or
Laying in the grass, sleeping in the sun, (perhaps dreaming of easier times), and never waking up?

I choose the latter. Euthanasia by free bullet. http://icwdm.org/wildlife/euthanasia/shooting.asp
http://www.avma.org/resources/euthanasia.pdf

Scott May 18th, 2008 10:46:00 AM

My elderly cat has been fearful and terrified of everything since he came to me as a kitten. If no one is moving, he will lovingly sit in your lap and then dash away in terror if someone comes into the room. To take this fragile animal to a scary place with strange people and expect his last minutes to not be a nightmare is inconceivable. I would like to sit in a chair and hold his ailing body until he is at peace. Is that really hard to understand?

Sharon phillips June 15th, 2008 02:58:00 PM

Sharon, you can have your vet come out to your house. We have a lot of animals and always have them euthanized at home.

stinky June 26th, 2008 02:52:00 PM

I am at a friend's house right now and when I got here about 45 minutes ago they asked me to take a look at their 2 yr-old hamster. Over the last week she has become incredibly obese and when I pipcked her up she had a very bad odor to her and there was blood around her rectum. I'm a nurse and have done hospice nursing. I know cancer when I smell it. She couldn't walk and looked incredibly uncomfortable. My friend asked me what they should do and so I asked her for one of her Xanax pills. With their blessings, I crushed it, mixed it with cider, and used one of the kid's play insulin syringes (no needle--they have a daughter who is totally into medicine and plays "doctor" all the time. she has everything from bags of saline to a wheelchair! ). I fed the mixture to Maggie--who relished the cider, by the way--and as I type this she has already become wobbly and has bedded down in a nest of toilet paper I provided for her. I know that when I finish this up I'll go back to check on her and she'll be still. What we did was the right thing. Letting her linger in pain and distress was something I couldn't let happen...

Heather October 4th, 2008 05:43:00 PM

Just do not know what to do? Our 18 1/2 year old Lhasa Aphso is not in pain.. The problem is I feel like our home is contaminated by an over abundance of animal feces in our carpeting and that it could make us ill. My husband refuses to put her down and says if I insist I have to be the one to take her. She still eats and knows where her bowl is, however, she doesn’t attempt to even go to the doggy door for bathroom trips anymore. She can no longer do the things she always loved. She can’t go for walks as she only gets so far and her hind quarters keep collapsing her to the ground and she loses her bladder and has #2 accidents all over the house and carpeting.

She just circles around at night the couch and out the room and back around the couch and out the room. Walks in circles. During the day she sleeps all day long. We can't bring ourselves to have her put down. She has occasional seizures. The problem is I feel like our home is contaminated by an over abundance of animal feces in our carpeting and that it could make us ill. I keep using woolite foam on the spots and scrubbing it out…but I feel there is so much contamination below in the padding that it will take a crime scene group to remove the carpeting once she does expire.

My husband refuses to put her down and says if I insist I have to be the one to take her. I cannot. It will always be there that he would "blame me" for her death for "selfish" reasons, due to the carpeting. Yet I am the one that does 100% of the care of our doggy. I am the one that bathes her as she now smells all the time due to urine and poop in her fur from so many accidents. She nearly strokes everytime I give her a bath. I am at a loss as to what to do?

The vet is who made her deaf by giving her an antibiotic that she was allergic too 3 years ago. He felt awful. She is on comfort measures as of last year. She has not been seen since because she shakes, shivers and is terrified of the vet office. yes, I do the doggy diapers but it doesn't help as she gets them off scooching. no she can't be on wood or tile floor as it causes her to lose her hind quarter then she gets stuck and can't get up. Yes, she is happy. She doesn't cry and is not showing pain. She just "exists" but doesn't seem to mind.

I personally KNOW I cannot take her and be at the vets to know she is going to be put down. She is not in pain and doesn’t act like she minds the condition she is in. I don’t know what to do. A friend of my husband’s offered to take her to have her put down and my husband said no. He said NO to crating her during the day. She always hated crates and he is not doing that to her now. I don't know what to do. It's not just the hard situation of euthanizing our beloved pet...it's my husband's attitude over it all to boot. Again, she doesn't seem to be unhappy. So that is what is making this extra hard. He says he cannot be around for an at-home euthanasia visit. I'm just lost and confused about the whole situation. I feel guilty because I just pray at night that God will take our doggy himself. Thus far, he hasn't.

Cyndi October 22nd, 2008 10:21:00 PM

You poor woman. And your poor dog! It is your husband who needs counselling or therapy. Is there someting in his past that makes him fear death so? Pray that God opens your husband's heart and mind.

Abigail December 1st, 2008 10:37:12 AM

I really hate untruth and lying, but perhaps in this case you could have the poor dear dog euthanazed at home and tell your husband she died by herself? Oh, this post was in October, maybe the situation has changed by now.

Anna December 1st, 2008 10:39:53 AM

I would never attempt to use drugs to euthanize an animal for all of the reasons and horror stories listed above. There is just too much that could go wrong. And if we're honest, the preference for using drugs is purely for the benefit of us rather than out of any compassion for our animal.

I couldn't agree more with Scott. As far as I'm concerned, a firearm in the hands of someone who knows how to use it is the most humane way to put an animal down when looked at from the perspective of the animal. With drugs, even in a vet's office, I think there is more chance of something going wrong than with a firearm at close range (see the link Scott provided above).

Tom December 6th, 2008 12:58:32 PM

Scott,

I cannot thank you enough for the links in your post.  I have been searching for the last few weeks for how to accommodate my dog in passing on in the fastest and pain free method. 

Dexter was a shelter rescue, but by looking at or knowing him you would never believe it.  I had to convince the shelter to let me adopt him, because they felt he was too far gone and had him sitting on death row.  He was the perfect picture of a German Sheppard if you ever saw one.  My vet thought he was a mix, but his beautiful markings  and friendly nature always drew attention when we were in public.  No one could resist petting him.

Dexter was apparently beaten as a pup because it took me years to build his confidence.  He was an exceptional learner, adapting to everything I asked of him, usually in the first lesson.  This is miraculous to me because I am far from a dog trainer, with my occasional lessons lasting a few minutes at best.  Dexter did not like to play, preferring walks and just sniffing around the yard.  My friends nicknamed him "the old man."

From his very first vet visit he seems to have drawn the shortest genetic straw.  He has suffered from hip dysplasia from the day I got him and most recently diagnosed with a progressive neurodegenerative disease.  I told myself I would let him pass when he became incontinent and immobile.  When he did lose control of both rear legs, he didn't seem to care.  He learned to move around and putting him down just didn't feel right at that point.  He spent many more weeks enjoying the warm autumn in the yard, moving less, but eating the best meals I could find him.

As the weather grew colder, so did the reality of making accommodations for him. Over this last week, he had been moving around less, and yesterday I found him in one of his favorite dens under a bush unable to get up and get to his food or water.  He would not budge without crying out loud, which for him must have meant agonizing pain.  Dexter was never vocal.  He ONLY barked when people threatened the family, and I cannot remember the last time I ever heard him cry in pain.   His eyes beckoned for me to do something. . . Anything.  He wanted to get up and be next to me, but even attempts to drag him closer made his entire torso contort and flex in agony as he yelped.  He did everything he could to not bite me as I managed to pull him onto a blanket.

Once next to me I hugged and petted him, toiling in what I needed to do.  He calmed down and I readied myself.  While I had studied the drawings of placement and aim I was full of doubt as to the immediacy of what I was about to do.  I cleared my mind of how it might go wrong, and focused on doing it right.

In a flash it was over.  Life snapped from his crippled body as emotion exploded from mine.  A fervent, yet necessary release for me- instantaneous peace for my beloved Dexter.  I have absolutely no doubt he felt a thing. No twitching, no sound, and very little blood.  I covered him up with his blanket one last time.

Despite the turmoil of the loss I am dealing with now, I feel my actions have not only brought me closer to my own mortality, but also reinforce the responsibilities a pet owner holds.  Having to do this myself, I am now second guessing every decision I ever made for him.  Could I have done something to make him live longer?  Did I make him live too long already?  Every question resolves with a self reminder that had I not adopted him over 10 years ago, he would have been put down at the shelter, a young lonely dog. 

I feel a vet visit might have been too emotionally sterile for me., and a painful car ride for Dexter  Living with Dexter put an indelible mark on my soul, as will putting him to rest myself.        

Dave December 21st, 2008 03:28:54 PM

"A man should shoot his own dog." - John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men

Shane December 24th, 2008 03:41:05 PM

I'm looking for a means to do it at home in the event that the old dog I have breaks his spine. He's not "mine" and I have been told he has a spinal problem.

At 115 pounds it's a two person job to get him into a car and a 10 mile ride to a vet if he is open. If not the dog suffers. Both are far more horrible to me than taking he responsibility of ending his life.

Reading about CO2 is a bit of a shock as anyone who has held their breath knows. Better yet inhale CO2 from an extinguisher.

CO Carbon Monoxide is a better choice.

Best would be a CO2 absorber as the animal would not be aware of anything. (Pilots who experience  this in a chamber have to be shown video to prove they actually passed out.)

Mike January 2nd, 2009 02:44:08 PM

I'm not sure just what to do. My "puppy" he's 13 years old, but to me he will always be my sweet puppy and my heart. The last two years have not been the best for either of us - two years ago my Rexxie (I use 2 x's on purpose)went blind, pretty awful for him because he couldn't play ball any longer (he lived for his ball)anyway, because I had been told that the white cloudiness over his eyes was cataracts I made an appointment with an eye specialist to have them removed. The eye specialist tells me that it's NOT cataracts, it's glaucoma and that it was too late to do anything! He then tells me that it could have been controlled and he didn't have to go blind! Three different vets at the clinic I had been taking him to had each told me (every time I asked)that he had cataracts. I can't tell you how angry I was and still am. So,another year goes by and I take him back to the vet (a different vet)because he seems to be in pain every time I clean the goop out of his eyes and the meds they had given me to control it obviously wasn't working. The vet now tells me that the only way to fix the "problem" and the 24 hour pain he was experiencing was to remove his eyes! Pain?! No one had told me he was in 24 hour pain. This vet tells me that glaucoma is very painful - stabbing pain in the eyes around the clock, even though he had gone blind. I could put drops in his eyes that would help, but the best thing was to remove his eyes. So now I'm feeling guilty because he's been in pain for years and I could have been controlling it, if the three stupid vets had known what they were doing! All I could think about was making him feel better so, I arrange for the surgery.I was so caught up in his pain that I never even thought about his "after eye removal" life. Let me tell you, don't ever remove your pets eyes unless you absolutely have to. It's nothing like being blind - yes, he still can't see, but now there's nothing but black in his mind! Before, he at least had lights and darks and was ajusting pretty well to getting around. He seemed to be relatively happy - as happy as you can be when you can't see. Now, he's miserable. His little tail NEVER wags any more - why would it? He doesn't have a life! Facing blackness day after day, bumping into things,getting disoriented causing fear and panic and on top of everything else, he has cronic ear problems (they itch) that drives him nuts! He's a Cocker Spaniel and they have problems with their ears and infections - it's been a life-long issue but, anymore the medicine doesn't work and we've used it all! Bottom line he's depressed and miserable and it's not like it's going to get better. I know it's time for him to "move on" and I've promised him I'd take care of it. I'd fix it and then he would no longer be in pain and he'd be able to see and run and play ball again. I try to make his life better, I take him for walks and let him "smell" his little heart out (it's about the only joy he gets any more)I give him massages every night (sometimes two or three times a day)and because I'm not working right now, I pay close attention to his needs trying to make things easier. Since I lost my job last April, money is incredibaley short and I can't afford to have a vet put him down and cremation. Long, long story short I want to euthanise him myself but, I don't want to mess up! I have 30 mg oxycodone HCL (for pain), Zolpidem Tartrate 10 mg (ambien)(for sleep) and Zanaflex 4 mg,(muscle relaxer) I also have some Lunesta 3 mg (for sleep).I have really bad cronic pain myself thus the meds. OK, so what I need to know is which would be better and how much for his size? I'm not thrilled about doing it myself but, I can't stand seeing him suffer any more and don't know where to turn. If you could help "we'd" really appreciate it.

Karen January 17th, 2009 07:44:32 PM

I forgot to mention in my post about 20 minutes ago - I think that Rexxie might also have cancer. He periodically moans (usually at night) and he makes a sound and acts like he's trying to vomit but, nothing ever comes up - he does it quite often, sometimes three or four times a day.

Karen January 17th, 2009 08:25:38 PM

As an RN who has administered IV meds for conscious sedation and trachial intubation to human patients why should I not be allowed to ease my dogs pain?

John Q February 13th, 2009 04:21:56 PM

In response to Karen from 1/17/09, with the medications you had, were you able to find a combination that worked so that you could euthanize at home and your pet did not suffer, but just went to sleep? Although my whole family realizes it is time, my little ones can not handle me taking her to the vet to be euthanized. I just wish so bad that my little sweetie could just go to sleep at home, I really think the kids would do better. She is so sick from cancer, a stroke and seizures, I just have to do something.

Madelyn April 23rd, 2009 11:13:08 PM

Animal lovers like you people have obviously have started the downfall of american society. If a pet owner cannot euthanize his pet, he pays for a vet to do it, how does a vet do it, the vet has no lenghty emotional attachment to said pet. It is the owner that is responsible for doing the deed. By taking that away society plummets further into onlookers. Why take action someone else will do it? I'll just go cry. Obviously why 3 of the 4 planes hit there targets.

Thor April 25th, 2009 10:52:58 AM

Thor,

Thanks for being bold enough to say what was on your mind,even if it may not be the most obviously popular point of view.  I can see valid points in many of the other posts above on both sides of the argument, but I do feel strongly that Western society is gradually shying away from honest recognition of the facts of life (and death).  One example which particularly irritates me is the failure of many cosumers to consider where their food comes from - those anonymous, bland and innoffensive vacuum sealed packets were once a living, breathing animal, but many shoppers prefer not to think about this.  Don't get me wrong, I am NOT advocating universal veganism; quite the opposite.  I just feel that people should own up to the fact that they and other people are born, live, and then die, and so do many of the meals they eat.  They should appreciate the fact that this tasty meal was raised and then slaughtered for their benefit - it's almost an insult to the poor creature to spare it not one thought.  Greater interest and involvement in the food chain can only be a good thing if it discourages the more inhumane techniques of production.

I apologise for the digression, but the same principle applies to pet ownership.  If you take on the responsibility of deciding when the ultimate fate of your beloved pet should occur, surely you should also be willing to perform the act yourself?  The decision to take the life of ANY living creature is a a grave one, not to be taken lightly; and if you understand the implications but are still willing to step up and perform the act as your unpleasant but unavoidable duty, then you may surely be confident that you have indeed taken the right decision.

Stephan June 18th, 2009 03:20:36 PM

[Dear Moderator: I'm not sure if my last post made it, since I neglected to fill in the "your name" box. Here is a version of my post again:]

I grew up in the country and when our pets were gravely injured or suddenly became painfully ill, we shot them. NOT until they were wounded (as some way-up-there post mentioned) , but until they were dead. These are the same pets on whom we spent thousands in vet care. So don't say shooters are barbarians. Also, I have had the privilege of taking pets to the vet to be put to sleep; I highly recommend that as a first option.

Now I live in the city. If one of my kitties needs to be quickly put down, I would like a home option. Most of the drug/gas methods mentioned above seem not good and more cumbersome than a trip to the vet (unless one plans ahead and practices...on what?). What about garroting (strangulation)? One person would hold the cat and the other would use strong wire of some sort to do the deed. I understand humans die quickly from garroting, seems like a cat would go quickly, too. For at least one of my cats, it would be agonizing for a smaller span of time than a car trip to the vet. But for all of my cats, if they needed to be quickly put of their misery, I would like a humane idea.

No moralizing please. I just think this would be the best option for a quick euthanasia, assuming I can find a strong willed helper.

Linda C July 13th, 2009 10:19:12 PM

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erwtewr August 7th, 2009 02:19:56 AM

I had a dog once (always will in my heart) who was my darling, my child, my soul mate.  He was diagnosed with terminal cancer at age four but had chemo and went on to survive a cancer that no one lives through.  He beat two more "fatal" diseases and lived to be almost 16.  His whole life long, he'd been a trooper at the vet, sailing through all manner of treatment.  The last year of his precious life, he'd had enough.  He didn't like to go anymore and he would shake.  Life's circumstances forced me to move away from the city with his forever vet to somewhere where I didn't know anyone or have a vet.  Before I left, I knew his time was growing near, and I asked my trusted vet for something to give him so he could just go to sleep at home rather than having to come back 80 miles in the car or be euth'd by a stranger vet in a strange office and spend his last moments in fear.  My vet gave me that, and when the time came...it wasn't that hard because I couldn't see him suffer anymore.  It was the only time in his life I'd had to force medicine on him, but I did have to a little bit.  I think it was four pills.   I held him and he went to sleep peacefully, forever in my arms.  It sure didn't mean I didn't love him.  It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and the ultimate act of love.

Another part of the reason was selfish, maybe.  I'm single and have no family and my closest friend is an hour away.  Nobody would come help me get through it because, you know, it was just a dog.  I was too torn up to drive him to be put to sleep and get myself home.  

My next dog will soon be ready to go now, so that's why I'm here looking for a way to do it myself.   I've had four others euth'd at the vet's office, and two of them uttered the most horrislbe screams I've ever heard when the solution went in.  NEVER again.   Maybe that's why some vets don't let people see it.

As to those who want to shoot animals, I wish someone would shoot them.  We don't have to resort to primitive methods when we have the ability to let them just go to sleep. 

So it seems like Oxycodone is the ticket, um?  If anyone knows the dosage and could write it here... 20 lb. dog.  No horror stories will happen.  I'll get it down him. 

Thinker August 10th, 2009 10:30:21 PM

Here is my story,right now i can't sleep,i am totally disabled,on home health care,with lupus,kidney disease,diabeties and other majaor health problems,right now i am laying in my hospital bed which is set up in the living room,i own several rescued cats,and one that i rescued over 2 yrs ago from the pound her name was Pica,she was within hrs of being put to sleep when i rescued her,she had been adopted once by some one else but brought back,you see she was declawed by someone and it was a botched surgery that caused severe nerve damage in her paws and she would hardly walk on them,she also had kidney problems she was only 6 yrs old, she would just lay there and not move or she would get down and go under the bed and not come out unless you pulled her out she would urinate and go to the bathroom where she lay because it hurt her to use the box,we bought her a large cage and put her bed and litter box in it and she prefered sleeping there,i don't think she felt safe around the other cats because she couldn't move very well,whenever my husband came home from work he would get her out and she would would sleep with him,for 2 yrs she has been with us,then 2 weeks ago we noticed she was losing weight and the last week she didn't want to eat anything she would just drink some water,and in like a week her weight just all dropped off,we were trying everything we could to get her to eat.We were waiting for my husband to get his pay check in a few days so we could take her in.then last night around 9 pm my 16 yr old daughter went in to try to get her to eat and found her just laying there staring into space,she picked her up and pica started making moaning noises because she was in severe pain,i had her wrap her in a towel and bring her to me,i held her in my arms she wasn't moving and was in a catatonic state you could wave your hand in front of her face and she couldn't see it,her heart rate was fast and faint and breathing was fast and shallow,then i noticed she started having seizure activity first just the feet were twitching then soon her whole body started to convulse and every time you would try to move her she would moan in pain,i could tell she was suffering badly and that she was dying,i called my husband to see when he would be home from work,we live in a small town everyone is closed.my husband got home i was still holding her,i had my daughter take her in and lay her in her favorite spot on my husbands bed,we were discussing what we could do,my daughter came back in a few minutes and said mom she's seizing worse.i made a decision,before i became disabled i was an RN so i have medical experience,and we had medication from one of our other cats who has idiopathec cystitis and gets bladder obstructions,thank god he hasn't had one in a yr thanks to a special food he's on but i still had the pain medicine which is a injectible,i took a syring and drew up 4 times the normal dose  you would normaly give,i tried to find a vain but she was just too dehydrated so i injected it in the muscle,it took a little bit,but finally she stop seizing and slipped into a coma,and a short while later she was gone,my husband went out in the backyard in the dark dug a hole and laid her to to rest.I have never went through anything so hard in my life,but i couldn't just sit and watch her dying slowly suffering,as i held her in those last moments,we all told her we loved her and that we were so sorry,and all of a sudden her paw stretched out and touched the palm of my hand whether it was just a reflex or something else,i like to think she was telling me it's ok mom,thank you for helping me not suffer.I pray to god i never have to go through something like that again.We will miss you Pica

Terrie

Terrie August 14th, 2009 06:14:05 AM

Just another side of the story....YES, there are very remote areas in the USA where home remedies for anything is the only option. I live in a very rural area, population 121, and there are no doctors, let alone vets. Any human ailments are handled at home or there's a 100+ mile drive to the nearest health care facility. No, it isn't easy to make the decision to handle an ill family pet at home, by yourself, but it is often the only option. And yes, that often means the use of a 22 guage rifle. It may be distasteful to most of you, but it is painless and instantainious. I found some of your responses unrealistic. To assume that everyone has immediate, close at hand vets that can be called upon at the exact moment you need them is far fetched even if you live in a metropolitan area. And even though this isn't 1880 and medical advances have brought us many wonderful cures, both human and animal, at home remedies are still needed in many areas of this country, where most doctors of either kind rarely venture because they can't make money where there are so few patients. Its heartbreaking when the need arises with a beloved family pet, but like many generations before us, you do what you have to to ease the pain and suffering of your pet.

sondra August 14th, 2009 11:32:02 PM

This is long, but perhaps it will give pause for even one person to think in a broader manner: I have read horrifying and emotionally tragic accounts of DYI attempts. I don't think these people were cruel or stupid. I feel for them from the depth of my soul. No one should have to be in this position. I do respect the views of those who claim responsibility and honor in managing the circumstances of their pet's passing. Ideally, there would be a DIY Kit with instructions for oral administration based on animal type, weight, etc. How anyone can judge others and assume the reasons for their decisions, especially financial motivation, meaning they don't want to pay the price boggles my mind. It is so contradictory; it would seem obvious there are often many factors that come into play, e.g., people who live in rural areas, have limited/no access, different beliefs, etc. We all don't live the same life. I am considering DYI euthanasia for my sweet and gentle, loving 14-year-old cat, NOT because I want to, but after spending hours and hours (days) online and on the phone, I have yet to find someone who will do this in a manner with which I am comfortable AND can afford. I am not talking a matter of value. I want painless death during which I am present and disposal of his body. I do not wish to bury him or have his ashes or anything like that. I am asking for the bare minimum. So, what's the problem? I have NO income. I am barely surviving myself awaiting a Social Security disability appeal. Were it not for my two cats, I don't know if I would have survived the last three years or would be here myself right now.. All these posts, many from vets, who insist one can just go to any vet and they are so kind and great and will just come to your house, etc., fail to say anything about cost. Yes, many will cater to your every whim and desire and allow you to memorialize your pet in myriad ways. That's great if you have $275-$800+. I have yet to see an ad for in-home service for less than $275 for the deed and an additional fee for removal of the body and its disposal, even simple en masse cremation. There is a fee for time of day, day of the week, emergency, size of the animal, a separate fee for each service. I find it highly disturbing that the local "Humane" Society quotes a fee of $60 "and up" and does not allow the owner to be present, citing "they are too busy" on their web site. I encountered similar articles incidentally in my searching regarding the local SPCA, questioning the degree to which either of these organizations meets their "obligations," as the general public perceives and to conduct their duties in a manner consistent with their stated mission of compassion and animal welfare. I find it hard to believe they individually inject each animal. IF they do, I hazard a guess they are not sedating them first and, from much of what I have learned this past week, subcu, IM, and IV injections can be terribly painful, especially for cats (but also dogs) if sedation is not administered beforehand. (See posting of vet-administered euthanasia where two times for that poor owner the dogs "screamed," and she thus vows NEVER to do this again. I myself read about this possible extremely painful complication-due to lack of sedation-on a VETERINARIAN'S web site). There are guidelines, recommendations, and opinions, but there is no one method of veterinarian-administered euthanasia. If it matters: Ask. And be present unless you trust the vet/facility implicitly in meeting your wishes for which you are paying well. That is why I cannot, in that time when he needs me most, simply drop off my beloved pet , after an emotionally upsetting caging and car ride, in a strange smelling and noisy place and leave him to die alone. Cats also have a different demeanor than dogs and do not fare any parts of this process as well. My precious friend has been sick for a while, is now but a mere skeleton, very fragile, with joint and back pain, now just recently blind. To let him die like that is a disservice to him after all the unconditional love and companionship he has offered all these years. I live in a very large metropolitan area; there is an abundance of vets and emergency clinics-you just have to have a lot of money; "a lot" is relative. I have been searching this past week for charitable organizations that will waive or assist with the fees; such do exist to help people who cannot pay veterinary fees in these economically harsh times. The process of obtaining such assistance is not quick or easy. I am emotionally exhausted having spent this past week reading heartwarming descriptions of pets and devastating accounts of their demise. As it stands now, past 2 AM this night online, I have one more day. If it is yet fruitless, I will pay the lowest I've found for a professional job and mass cremation ($172) where I can be present BUT, as other posts have stated, and I have been told by this vet office, they will take him IN BACK and sedate him, and then bring him to the room to be euthanized. What does it matter then? At that point he will be "unconscious" I am told, so he will, in essence, really be alone, won't he? I could save a little and go to the (name left out) charitable center will charge $45 for euthanasia without your presence and you take the body (again, why is it less if you are not there?), $100 without your presence and mass cremation, and $156 to allow your presence and mass cremation. However, they are over an hour away by freeway. I used to pray routinely. My faith has been shaken one time too many I fear these past years and prayer is a hollow act I have grievingly relinquished. Maybe something will change soon. Is tonight too much to ask? We are both running out of time. If anyone has any answers, replies welcome. [He only weighs 5-7 pounds now; used to be 14+. I have 10-mg oxycodone (Percocet), 2-mg hydromorphone (Dilaudid), 1-mg alprazolam (Xanax), carisoprodol (Soma), 2-mg clonazepam (Klonopin) on hand as I suffer, too. If I have to do this, which I do not wish, I want to be sure. I want him to be unafraid, pain free, feeling loved when he goes to sleep]. Peace to all, whatever your viewpoints and beliefs.

bitterjsweet August 23rd, 2009 05:22:31 AM

As I type this, our beloved 19 year old cat, Heloise, is dying.  It is Labor Day weekend, saturday night, and the 24 hour vet (15 miles away) who won't let us be with her for the injection, charges $98.  We are both on disability.  Our own vet, who will be back on Tuesday, charges $48., and they are friendly and compassionate.  They have helped us with our other two cats, both 16 yeares old, in 2006 and 2008.

Heloise has not been well for some time, but not sick enough to consider euthanasia -- it would have been "a convenience" measure for us, since she has been semi-continent for more than a year and a half.  In the past few days, (since we moved) she has been wandering around, more confused than usual, and losing her vision.  Today, she was crying often (unusual for her) and when I picked her up, she had a smell of infection and her muzzle was hot.  She is seriously dehydrated.

The last time I took her to the 24 hour vet, a 20 hour stay for antibiotics and re-hydration cost $850.00.  I'm not kidding you -- 20 hours, 2 bags of IV fluids, 2 injections of Abx -- almost a thousand dollars, which I am STILL paying off on my credit card.  This time, she is clearly dying, so we would not go the same route.  But the 24 hour vet is GOUGING people compared to the regular vets.  I have a bag of lactated ringers, tubing and needles I purchased from our regular vet to home administer sub cutaneously for $18.90 (that includes sales tax).  We live in Sussex County, NJ, so all our costs are bumped up by being within 65 miles of NYC, but this is ridiculous.

However, our sweet little Heloise is suffering so much, that we just might scrape together the money (our disability check comes on Wednesday) -- we can't decide whether to let her die "on her own" or save her a few hours of suffering.

This is made especially difficult since we are followers of Tibetan Buddhism, and should not euthanize our pets at all -- we should let them live out their karma; ending their lives (either by DIY or vet-induced euthanasia) incurs the same "guilt" and negative karma on us as murdering a human being.  It is modified in as much as we are doing it to ease the terrible suffering that she is going through.  But we suffer twice - once for ending her life, and again for missing her loving presence with us.

We learned with our other two cats not to resort to life-extending measures -- so we are leery of using the SQ LRs to make her more comfortable.  I just called - the 24 hour vet WILL let us be with her.  So now, I'll go to be with her, and hold her, and say some prayers with her, and talk to my husband.  Then, perhaps, we'll make that terrible call.

CarolS September 5th, 2009 08:06:11 PM

Heloise obliged us last night by taking matters into her own paws.  After nibbling the tiny cocktail shrimp (five, then she stopped, about an eighth of an ounce) we placed her in a box with her rug, and a towel, in the closet she chose to hide in.  She passed away peacefully between midnight and 2 AM.  I said Buddhist prayers for her, and we've frozen her body until we decide what to do:  pay for cremation (about $150) or bury her somewhere, illegally.  A friend suggested weighing her body down and putting her in a lake, to be offered to fish as food -- a Tibetan custom, but that is also illegal in our state.

Burying her in our yard (if we had one) would ALSO be illegal in NJ.  I hate the thought of just leaving her body at the vet's, to be "trashed" as medical waste!  I can't bear it.  I wish we could make a puja, like they do in India for people -- fire is so purifying -- but, you guessed it, it is illegal in NJ to burn an animal.  It makes it so difficult for people on a very limited income !

CarolS September 6th, 2009 12:57:13 PM

My heart goes out to all of you.  Unless you have the right drugs and absolutey know where where your pet's

veins are--don't euthanise at home.  Forget about the CO poising.  Forget about anything other than drugs your vet

uses.  If your our in the country and don't have the money--I understand

a gunshot to the head(a shotgun would be best).  The animal might need multiple shots.  Most people will take the animal to the vet. 

Do not use the option where you have time with the animal!  Use the Quick method(the vet. injects the animal

an it's dead).  The animal will go limp in your hands, if the vet. did his job right?  Have someone drive you home.

Don't drink yourself to death when you get home.  Try to be around people who know what you just went through.

You will never forget you friend, but time does help with the anxiety and depression.  If you go into shock--feel

like you can't stand--go to the emergency room.  I've put down two big best  friends(dogs), and it's aways

terrible.  I will need to take my current dog for euthaniasia pretty soon and I'm a mess.  He's a good vet, but the mental

pain I go through is terrible.  Don't be suprised if the pain last for a year.  This will be my last pet, unless i opt. for a

parrot--It will outlive me for a change.  Good luck to all and let the vet put your animal down.  Repeat--have the 

veterinarian put you animal down!  If you dog has cancer

and you don't have much money; don't let the vet. guilt you out about saving your pet.  Cancer in a Canine is almost

always fatal--especially in an older dog.  Don't let a parasitic  vet talk you into months of misery.  Read up on the

illness and "you" make the call.  Again--the emotional pain will lessen each week.

dano September 19th, 2009 08:07:10 AM

I'm not exactly affluent but thank doG I didn't have to think twice about the cost of euthing my 18.5 year old dog last Saturday - I took the money from what I've saved for essential sewer repairs and a fence.

I'm fortunate to have a vet who does it well.  They're not the most expensive around nor the cheapest.  My dog has seen the same vet for the past 5 or so years though there are several in the practice. She is comfortable there.  It's a friendly place where she's known and loved and it's a mixture of medical and homey. 

The practice is in an old Victorian house and a room on the second floor, furnished as a living room, is used for euthanasia.  Upon arrival, a tech takes the dog in back and the owner is escorted upstairs.  Any remaining questions about what you want are settled then - mass or individual euthanasia (it's not legal to take the dead body here), ashes in a cardboard box or an urn, and they make sure you know what to expect.  The tech brings the dog to you,  up the back steps, having placed a catheter in a vein but administered no drugs.

Now the owner gets to spend as much time as she wants with the dog. A tech or a vet checks in periodically. In our case the tech loved my dog, had cared for her for years, and spent some time crying with me.   When the owner is ready the vet comes and first administers a sedative through the catheter.  Once the dog is sedated she injects the killing drug.  Almost immediately the heart stops.  Again, the owner is invited to spend as much time as she wants with the body and either leave it in the room or call for someone to take it away.

I held my dog on the sofa and left her little body wrapped in a towel on a pad in the middle of the floor. (It's the place for big dogs with a towel over an absorbent pad.) That's the one thing I regret - the memory of walking away, leaving her alone.  I would rather remember Cynthia carrying her, wrapped in the towel.

I don't know the exact cost, I'll pay when I pick up her ashes. My son had to do it recently with a similarly sized dog and, as he recalls, it was around $200.  Compared to the cost of digging up a sewer or cutting down trees it's no big deal.  If it meant eating rice and beans for a month or two, that would be fine as well.  I truly value the skill and service my vet brought to the experience.

If it was absolutely necessary, I woudn't oppose a gunshot.  One of my earliest memories is of my big, strong, stoic, farmer uncle going into the woods with his dog and his gun and returning with the gun and a tearful face.  But as I told my brother when he mentioned having a friend to it to his dog, you can't miss and the dog can't see it coming or know what hit him.  That has to be guaranteed.

Joanna September 21st, 2009 02:37:09 PM

As my old boy gets worse and worse, I keep coming back here hoping someone will have posted the magic potion.  I see it hasn't happened yet. 

But in reading through the posts I have to say that dano is so, so, so, so, very, very, very, very, very wrong about cancer being an automatic death sentence in animals.  He apparently doesn't keep up with the medical literature, and he certainly isn't aware of all the canine cancer survivors or ones with long remissions who were in Washington, DC this week for the First Annual Canine Cancer Caucus, the Two Dogs/ 2000 Miles march.  Google it up.

thinker September 22nd, 2009 10:57:11 AM

I haven't seen anyone bring up the use of helium.  I understand that it works much better than CO2 because it doesn't cause gasping for air.  I'll have to find out more about this.

Pablo October 23rd, 2009 01:41:49 AM

Go to the vet you idiots!! Where the hell do you people live?? Is there such things as cars & roads there?? Never shoot a dog!! How sick can you be? You don't want your dog to have to go for a little ride in the car but you rather look at him in his eyes & pull the trigger yourself??? I've had 4 cats & 3 dogs euthanized at the vet when it was their time. It was very quick & painless & foolproof. You couldn't pay me a million dollars to shoot my dog or any dog. Go to the vet!!!!

Dee November 1st, 2009 09:09:12 PM

Dog euthanasia is mostly considered as a last resort out of love so please don't be so hard on those considering it.

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Scott November 3rd, 2009 05:30:45 AM

Hey Links of London, this site is for pet owners who are dealing with the trauma of having to find the best options for their beloved and sick animals.  These people are going through some of the worst times of their lives.  This site is not the appropriate place for you to advertise your website that sells jewelery.  Why don't you spend a few bucks in a more appropriate place.  No one visiting this site is interested in your crap!!!

Zabrina November 3rd, 2009 02:22:13 PM

I just went through 3 months of radiation/chemo    w/ my "baby boy" Reilly, a 9 yr old lab/pit mix. the cancer returned with in 3 wks. of last chemo treatment. the only option left is amputation and that is a 50% chance at best. He is too old to hobble around w/ one front leg. I always knew the day would come. I didnt think it would come this soon. I want to bury him in the back yard, no one thinks this is a good idea. I am burying him in the back yard. he is mine and I want him near me. take me to jail. I will take him to vet and hold him and tell him that I remember the first time I saw him in cage at humane society. I will tell him that nobody could love him more than I do. Then I will mourn him. Then I will go back to the shelter and look for another little beautiful face peeking out of those cages. What else could I do ? 

wilheim November 4th, 2009 08:38:32 PM

Hopefully my comments will not be judgemental. Most viewers of this subject probably already feel some degree of guilt.

Apparently carbon monoxide poisoning is an approved method of euthanasia for dogs and cats. Here is just one of many sites that provides some information: Euthanasia%20of%20Dogs%20and%20Cats%20with%20Carbon%20Monoxide

My sister's poodle is 14 years old and deteriorating. Her husband, believe it or not, is the softy when it comes to putting her down. They have toyed with the idea of a home do it yourself euthanasia and this is the method they will choose when the time is right. The dog will be sleeping (medicated, if necessary) just prior to the euthanasia, although already she struggles very little.

I agree a vet may be a more generally acceptable method, but there are many worse (drowning, shooting, hammer, etc.). We're realistic people and, as much as we love our animals, try to keep everything in perspective.

I was fortunate to have dealt with a vet that was very open, realistic, and non-judgemental.

Manny November 11th, 2009 11:18:36 AM

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tiffany jewelry November 12th, 2009 07:15:56 PM

In two decades of owning pets, I have had to put two to sleep after being they were diagnosed with a terminal illness.In each case, I was able to have a vet handle the euthanasia and was grateful for such a compassionate option. 

I am once again in need of PTS service. My cat companion of more than fourteen years has been with a terminal illness. She is in pain, and knows it is time for her to go. Regrettably, my ability to honor her and ease her transition is not there. I have been unemployed for months, relying on food stamps, public assistance and selling anything I can to make ends meet. After applying for any and everything I could find - janitor, food service, day labor - I was fortunate enough to start a job last week, less than full time and minimum wage but a job. The moment I got paid, I took the cat the vet, who confirmed what I suspected: her rapid deterioration was due to organ failure, terminal not treatable. He wanted to put her down then but I did not have enough to cover the cost.

I have no credit cards, no savings, no assets. What I do have is a love for and appreciation of my cat and an unwillingness to prolong her pain. If I could use food stamp credit to pay for her to be put to sleep, I would. If I could walk to work and back each day to save bus fare, it would still not be enough to cover the fee.  So here I am, searching for something I can do that will end her life peacefully, compassionately.

Yes, in an ideal world, she would be euthanized by a vet. It is not an ideal world. I'm doing what I can in a non-ideal world. It amazes me to people talk about how terrible people are who don't take their pets to a vet to be put down, yet not a word addresses the inordinate cost of the procedure. Best case scenario right now is she'll be in pain until next payday when I hope to have enough to pay to have her euthanized.

Dino November 15th, 2009 01:39:03 PM