Euthanasia

r0450111

r0450111

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We have a lab x irish wolfhound. He's 16 almost 17. His legs are going, and we have decided we will PTS in the next couple of weeks. It will depend on him, if he tells us earlier then we will have it done earlier.

We are having the vet come out to the house as he has trouble getting into the car and plus he gets really stressed out going on a trip.

I'd really like to know what exactly happens once the vet arrives. Where do they inject? Can they do it in his neck? Do we need to prepare in any way?

We're having him cremated and his ashes returned so we can either have the vet take him or call the crematorium to collect him. Which do you guys recommend?
 
When my lab was PTS at home the vet came with a nurse. They cut a bit of hair off on his front leg so they could find the vein and injected into his leg.

He breathed very deeply a few times and then was gone - it was over in less than a minute.

The vet left shortly after checking his heart had stopped beating.
 
Same with our old blondy. It was far better than taking her to the vets. She was asleep by the radiator when they arrived, they came and gave her a fuss and gently did the necessary, she didn't even have to get up from her spot. No fear or stress for her. They took her away afterwards at mum & dads request. (no where to bury her ourselves. and they had her cremated and we picked up the ashes from the surgery later on.
 
As suggested they will do it where he lies, so place him on his comfy bed and stay close, they will shave a small section of the fur from the leg and either place a catheter, this can be used for ill or old dogs to ensure if the vein blows there is no struggle to raise again, the vet may bring a nurse to raise the vein and hold the dog but you will be close to talk to him and stroke him as she falls asleep.
 
I'm so sorry you have to go through this.

The vet should also talk you through a couple of things before he/she actally gives the injection. They should make you aware that your dog might wee/poo as they loose control of the muscles and they might move after the injection has been given but this just a spasm. They will then give them the injection in the leg, a couple of my dogs have had to be injected straight into the heart as their bodies were shutting down.

I would ask the vet to take him and have the crematorium pick him up from the surgery, just a personal opinion but I couldn't have coped having mine lying there waiting for the crem to arrive.
 
As above, so sorry you are having to go through this but you'll find the vets very understanding. Your dog has had a wonderful long life and sounds like he has a very caing owner.

JDx
 
The nurse will probably come with the vet and stay behind the dog to hold him. You can be at the front and hold his head/paw.

Bless you for doing this at home. It broke my hear to to have our dog PTS, but I wouldn't have had it done at the surgery. With mine, it was pretty immediate, I could see his breathing stopped as soon as the fluid from the injection had gone up his leg to his heart.
 
Thanks everyone, its heartbreaking but i have to be strong. He's failing, and i just cant put him through this winter, if its in any way as bad as last year he'll suffer alot.

I guess i'm hoping that if i know whats likely to happen i may be able to hold myself together on the day.
 
It is a very calm and peaceful way to go,in so many ways our dogs are so lucky because owners such as yourself love their dogs so much that ,although painful for YOU,your dog will be calm and completely stress and pain free in his own home. It is a most wonderful thing that we can do for our dogs,be calm yourself and think of happy times gone by.
 
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