[shilohsmom]

I'm sure its here somewhere but I just can't find it. It seems there was something about the importance of having your dog sedated before euthansia, but I can't find it now. I'm switching Vets and while interviewing the new Vet on Friday I asked if they automatically sedate the dog first and he said they do not-that you have to request it. I'm prepared to have my dogs files noted with this request for the future-is this what I want to do? Isn't it better to sedate them? Is there pros and cons to this? I was prepared for the Vet to say they automatically do this so then I wouldn't have had these questions but when he said No, etc. I now have to wonder. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks. And no, none of my dogs are facing this but I just want to be prepared and have their charts marked accordingly.

 

[JenM66]

Rosa, where I work it is standard procedure. It is easier (if anything about saying good bye to your friend can be considered easy) for the dog and the owner if the dog is relaxed. I think it's great to plan ahead. Many of our clients have their wishes noted in their charts. When the time comes, you are rarely thinking clearly.

 

[kbigge]

I worked for a vet a few years ago, and assisted with dozens of euthanasias, and the vet never sedated the animal beforehand. I've never heard of this, but it does seem like a good idea in some cases. We always sedated animals before putting them under general, but of course, that was so that it would make it easier on the dogs system, and they would be less likely to experience heart failure from the anesthesia.

I never saw an animal upset/stressed during euthanasia, except once. That was when we had to put down a perfectly healthy chow that was so extrememly people aggressive that she couldn't be adopted out. It was really sad - she struggled a little bit. I remember being really angry about having to do it. She was a beautiful animal, and I knew that the reason she had to be put to sleep was because of the irresponsible humans. Other than that, though, all the animals seemed to go peacefully - they were ill, and I think they were ready. To me, none of them appeared stressed.

One thing you may want to as the vet is whether they're willing to come to your home to perform a euth. If heaven forbid, I ever have to put Kodee to sleep, it'll be at home, where he's relaxed and safe.

 

[LandosMom]

my vet, who i trust a great deal, told me that it depends on the situation and they do not do it by default.

 

[shilohsmom]

Ok, so this isn't something that really should be done that some Vets do and some don't? Maybe this is why I couldn't find it again in Millies thread...maybe I read into it something the first time that wasn't quite so??? I just want to make sure I'm prepared and charts are noted NOW for when the time does come. I didn't ask about coming to the home but will do so. Thanks for that tip.

 

[LandosMom]

i don't think that sedation is necessarily something that you decide until you are at that point. i would be most concerned about whether the vet will come to your house. my does not. i love my vet but this is a regret of mine- that i had to take Lando in when it was time.

 

[shilohsmom]

Ok, I think I understand this better now. Sedation is something that just isn't necessary in all cases-its not something the vets can simply forget to do (therefore, its not something I'd have to worry about marking my dogs charts now on). Its just not needed all the time. It must of been I thought I read something on the other thread that just wasn't there (I misunderstood). Thanks all for your help. I will also asked my vet about coming to the house but I think I can wait on that one.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I can't make this a sticky or merge it here, but here is a thread that has a lot about sedation and if it seems like it fits, maybe we can have that happen:

http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubb...&gonew=1#UNREAD

Is this the thread that you were thinking of maybe?

 

[Lauri & The Gang]

My question would be ... why NOT give the dog a sedative first? What can it hurt?

My girl Neke struggle a bit during her euthanasia. We were planning to have the vets come to us (she wasn't always comfortable at the vets office) but she went downhill faster than expected and they couldn't get away.

I wish we had thought of giving her a sedative first.

When Riggs time gets closer I will go pick up a sedative to give him at home before the vet comes over.

 

[WiscTiger]

My Vet gives Sedation in a vein in one front leg. I was only paying partial attention to him, but I saw him check his watch, take pulse, check heart beat and respiration, also picked up the leg and was feeling for response from the dog. Then he switched to the other leg to give the final shot. There was no struggling, just nice and calm as my frind made the trip to the bridge. I think there are some reasons why my vet gives the Sedation shot in the Vein, he is timing and checking, this gives him an idea of the condition of the Veins. It the Sedation doesn't take then he knew the vein blew and the veins would never handle the final shot.

I don't care if the Vet doesn't normally do this, they will for my dogs or I will find another Vet.

The Vet was my dogs one and only Vet for his entire life, so my Vet even took it hard, so after he loaded my guy for the trip to creamation, I asked if he had a few minutes to meet my new puppy. We came back in the house and I Introduced him to Cheyenne, who I had only had for a couple days (no I didn't plan it this way, I think my old guy kept hanging in there because he didn't want me to be lonely). He asked if he could sit and play with her for a little while. I said you bet that is why I had you come in.

I want that trip to the bridge to be as calm and comfortable as possible for my pets.

Val

 

[shilohsmom]

Jean, once again you rock! No wonder I couldn't find it again in the Millie thread-it wasn't part of it in the first place! Yes, this is what I was thinking. I've read over it and will do again soon. I want to make this decision now when things are good, that way the new vet can mark their charts now! I'm thinking I want them to have the seditive first but will carefully review the thread one more time. Thanks again to all!!!

 

[kshort]

I would have never felt so strongly about this before Max... I will never, ever euthanize another dog without sedation first. My vets didn't do it in the past with our other dogs and we had no problem. I don't want to go into details, but thank God Max's acupuncture vet sedated him first.

Like Jean said, why not - it certainly can't hurt. In my opinion, there is no reason not to.

 

[shilohsmom]

I am having my dogs charts all marked that I want sedation first. Since I know it is not my new Vets practice to do this automatically, they have agreed the files can be marked with my decision. After re-reading this and the link to the other thread I just can't see any reason not to do it. It may or may not be necessary but I'd rather make a decision on this now when I'm in the right state of mind.

 

[LandosMom]

i chose not to do sedation with Lando after talking with my vet when i had to send her to the bridge. she was pretty weak and her blood pressure was low. we decided that we did not want to have her stuck twice.

you can certainly mark the chart with your desires and if circumstances change then you can modify them as needed.

LandosMom

 

[Guest]

There would always be exceptions of course. My fear would be that the dog might be allergic to the sedation, but you can't very well know that ahead of time can you?

All the dogs that I had to help across the bridge were sedated. It made things much better for them and I would do so again without hesitation.

 

[shilohsmom]

Oh my gosh, there is just sooooo much to think about. I'm still sticking with sedation and noting the file but do know things could change at the time.

 

[WiscTiger]

I would say that probably all of my dogs have been sedated so I wouldn't be worried about a reaction to that shot.

 

[Ilovealldogs]

Thank you for bringing this topic up. I will most certainly have my vet sedate my dog first. I am still in shock over her prognosis, but I know I need to start making these final preparations because the day will quickly come and I will be a crying wreck and won't want to think about anything else at that time except for spending those last few moments with my fur baby.

 

[shilohsmom]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog Ilovealldogs. I'm also glad we have a forum like this that we can discuss these issues and educate one another so that we are prepared when the time does come.

 

[3K9Mom]

Yes, thank you for bringing this topic up. When Grover was euthanized, she was... well... stoned. I knew she didn't feel very well, and I had Ace at home to help her sleep. So I gave her a full dose. She was still pacing, so I gave her another dose. But she was still pacing. We put her on the bed to cuddle with her, but after about an hour (or two? Time was blurry...), and she couldn't relax, that's when we brought her into the Emergency Clinic, who told us that her heart was catastrophically failing (the Ace had nothing to do with it).

I don't know if the vet at the clinic sedated her further. She was out of it. I'm sure she knew we were with her when they euthanized her because when I walked into the room, she wagged her tail. But wow, she looked like a few guys I knew in college on Friday nights. I wish I had some brownies for her.

She went out feeling no pain. I think that perpetually having a few Ace around the house just in case is probably a good idea.

And brownies.

I'm going to the vet tomorrow for the puppy's vaccines. I'll be talking to the vet about sedation for all my dogs when the time comes decades from now.

Thank you for this thread. Thank you so very much.