A New Method For Me of PTS

[Chavhorse]

As many of you will be aware I had my lovely Mutt Rabbit pts last night.

I have to say I was plesantly suprised at how my vet did this.

Firstly he gave me 3 Sedatives to give him 2 hours before the deed which made him lovely and relaxed and floppy, we had a lovely relaxed car journey to the vets with Mutt blinking out of the window and having a lovely cuddle. Obviously I know in an emergency situation this would not be possible but he says he does this for all planned pts.

When we arrived he put us into a quiet side room, came in and administered a swift injection of anasthetic to his butt, so as far as Mutt was concerned "that B*****d Vet has just given me a jab mum" He then left us alone with him for 10 minutes whilst the anasthesia took full effect and he lay on my lap slowing falling into a deep sleep licking my hand. The vet did warn me that sometimes as he is slipping under it can cause tremours and not to be worried as it is perfectly normal. As it was this did not happen.

Then once he was sound asleep he came in removed his collar lifted him onto the table, shaved his leg, put a tournaquet round his hind leg raised the vein and adminsitered the large dose of ansathesia to send him on his way.

All in all it was peaceful, stress free and we had a wonderful 10 - 15 mins in privacy with our dog as he gently fell into a deep sleep on our laps and all he knew was "mmmmm injection time again you gits".

The only method I have known before is when a vet raises a vein and just gives a large dose of anasthesia straight into the vein which I know is quick but I know can be stressful.

My vet said he much prefers this method especially in dogs and cats as it is pretty much stress free and gives the owners some time and space to say goodbye properly.

Is he unusual or am I just behind the times?

 

[Cinnamontoast]

New to me. Both times I've had an animal PTS, it was the one shot to the vein. It sounds like your vet was super sympathetic.

 

[WestCoast]

That sounds a very kind way for both you and Mutt.

I take a number of elderly small animals (chinchillas, degus, guineapigs) that are difficult to rehome from rescues and so I do regularly face this with them. They are not a member of the family in quite the same way as a dog or horse but I want it to be kind. We have worked with the vet to use a method where they are given a whiff of gas first which knocks them out, before the injection. I wish all gets would do this.

Paula

 

[MurphysMinder]

Recently I have always asked for my dogs to have a sedative first, I agree it is far more peaceful. It is just over a year since buffy was pts and she just dozed off in her bed in the kitchen after first jab, it was a lovely way to remember her

 

[MerrySherryRider]

It makes such a difference when the vet is thoughtful and sympathetic. I know some vets find euthanasia quite stressful when owners are present in case it doesn't go smoothly or the owner is distressed.

I've had quite a few animals PTS over the years and not had the animal sedated beforehand, but its been quick and peaceful, so unless the animal was agitated, I'd probably not choose sedation prior to the appointment.

However, the important thing is that you had a choice and it helped your experience be more positive.

 

[Chavhorse]

It makes such a difference when the vet is thoughtful and sympathetic. I know some vets find euthanasia quite stressful when owners are present in case it doesn't go smoothly or the owner is distressed.

I've had quite a few animals PTS over the years and not had the animal sedated beforehand, but its been quick and peaceful, so unless the animal was agitated, I'd probably not choose sedation prior to the appointment.

However, the important thing is that you had a choice and it helped your experience be more positive.

This is just the way he does it I think Horserider and my OH was so distressed he ushered him into his office and poured him a brandy;-)

He was a delight from start to finish and I wish we could take him with us. There is a lot to be said for an elderly vet who got bored in retirement so opened up a practice again;-)

Just wish I had known him when he was specialising as an Equine vet bet he was amazing.

 

[GinaB]

That sounds like such a calm and peaceful method. I hate to think of ever having any of mine PTS but will remember this for when the time comes.

RIP Mutt Rabbit x

 

[Booboos]

RIP Mutt Rabbit

PTS is such an awful time for the owners and, I imagine, the vet, anything that helps make it a calmer experience for the animal is a good thing. With both horses and dogs my vet has given a sedative before the lethal injection and, luckily, it has worked smoothly every time.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

This is just the way he does it I think Horserider and my OH was so distressed he ushered him into his office and poured him a brandy;-)

He was a delight from start to finish and I wish we could take him with us. There is a lot to be said for an elderly vet who got bored in retirement so opened up a practice again;-)

Just wish I had known him when he was specialising as an Equine vet bet he was amazing.

What a lovely man. How kind.

 

[EAST KENT]

good vets do use this method;however any animal dies it is paramount there is absolutely no stress. There is always a way,with a little thought,of achieving this every time.

 

[Cedars]

I guess it depends on how distressed the animal is/how calm they already are.

RIP Mutt x

 

[cbmcts]

My old girl was sedated because she struggled when they tried to put the cannula/needle in, it does make everything more peaceful because there was no faffing around to try and raise a vein (sedation, in her case was intramuscular).

In future I think I would ask for sedation before PTS, just in case they struggled.

Rip Muttley and I hope you and your husband are coping ok.

 

[Chavhorse]

My old girl was sedated because she struggled when they tried to put the cannula/needle in, it does make everything more peaceful because there was no faffing around to try and raise a vein (sedation, in her case was intramuscular).

In future I think I would ask for sedation before PTS, just in case they struggled.

Rip Muttley and I hope you and your husband are coping ok.

Thanks cbmcts we are coping ok. We are in the midst of packing as we leave on Saturday so have something to keep our minds occupied.

Strangest thing is the reaction of our Beagle who has obviously decided that it is now his job to guard the house;-)) bless him he was always a walk, eat sleep merchant before.

He now will stand at the top of the stairs growling and then baying at all passing the house! but only when my Husband goes out, when James is in he goes back to sleeping mode and lets James carry the responsibility for guarding the house and everyone in it. Bless him xx

 

[millimoo]

So sorry for your loss Chavhorse...
I too had to have my old cat PTS a fee weeks ago, and my vet did the same as yours, although she didn't have a sedative before travelling.
I have had 2 cats PTS by the same vet but over 6 yrs ago for the last one, and he didn't use this method then.
I have to say, like you it was all so much calmer and peaceful, and even in an Emergency the sedative could be given in the thigh.
RIP Muttley

 

[kimberleigh]

RIP Muttley, run free xx

I've always known vets to sedate prior to giving the final injection

I had to have a friend's 10 week old kitten PTS about a year back as he had a fatal condition the vet popped his in a box of anaesthetic gas first to send him to sleep, then administered the injection right into his heart as it would've been hard to find a vein in his baby legs. I held him while she did this and he slept through it all due to the gas, was an awful experience for my friend (who couldn't bear to be with him whle it happened) but he died quickly and peacefully which was important to her

Kim