Lethal Injection not quick

[Nettle123]

We had to have our horse pts at the weekend and elected to have the Vet use the injection as this has been fine for our elderlies in the past.

This time the horse took in excess of an hour to be pronounced dead. She took a huge amount of barbiturate. We were really horrified.

I just wondered whether any one else had experienced this, its not something I have read about before and has made us really anxious about using the method again tbh

 

[Bubbles]

Oh how awful for you, I'm so sorry. Absolutely and categorically NO, and I would request a full explanation from your vet, and if need be report them to the authorities. I know of one horse who on being injected went absolutely ballistic, most of the injection was spilt down the horses neck and it took an age to re-catch the horse and then re do it properly. The vet involved was sacked, if they can't do this one thing properly, and it's not rocket science, then they ought not to be practising.

 

[Birker2020]

I am so sorry for your loss, that must have been awful for you. If you look in the search facility and type in "the best way to have a horse put to sleep" you will see a post someone left with lots of replies one of which is mine - my horse was shot by captive bolt and it went wrong. Maybe you should seek an explanation from your vet when you are feeling a little less fragile. I hope he doesn't try to fob you off like mine did also x

 

[yvonnecusack]

Oh my god, how awful.....I would have gone nutz!!!! Have you gotten any explanation from that vet yet???

 

[lochpearl]

I must say that mine took a good 30 minutes and I still find it hard to think about it.

I think there are 2 ways to have the horse injected and my vet was from a small animal practice even though she specialised in equines.

My boy was very alert on the day as we had, had to take my youngster out of the way whilst it was happening. My boy had 3 lots of sedation and it still wasn't really calming him. I was then told to talk to him but when told to get out of the way. My vet used 3 huge syringes I believe now it was anasthetic (I had never seen or been around when it was done before so wasn't aware that most vets used a tiny needle and the horse normally had dropped within seconds). My boy rocked and fell and unfortunately flipped backwards and made the worst groaning noise (I can still hear it now).

the vet then carried on pumping the syringes into him and by then I really couldn't cope so I moved away, she came back to her car about 10 minutes later and filled another 2 huge syringes, I asked what was happening and she said 'it's all fine just want to be sure' I then said 'he hasn't gone has he?' and she replied 'no, he doesn't know a thing but he still has an irregular heart beat' to this I broke down. The last 2 syringes did finish him and in all fairness he probably had no idea what was happening and was brain dead by then but it didn't help me and it made the worst day of my life more horrific.

A friend of mine had hers put to sleep by injection 2 weeks after by a equine clinic vet and the horse was dead within seconds.

I do not blame the vet as I don't think it was her fault, she was just using the means that she had been given by the practice and as they were more small animal vets they probably hadn't gone into more detail on what was the quickest way to euthanise a horse - bit behind on the times. Plus I do not think it would stop me having the injection again, as long as I had talked to the vet and ascertained that it was actually the quick injection and was only done by an equine vet.

 

[Nettle123]

Thank you so much for your kind replies, its very much appreciated. My Husband and I are feeling very upset about this as our mare had been with us since a foal and was 17.

She had been battling with laminitis and box rest all summer and xrays last week had shown that there was no chance of further recovery hence our very hard decision.

I will be writing to the Senior Partner from the practice as there were other upsetting issues.

Our mare received the two injections suitable for an ID, when this just left her relaxed and sleepy a further full dose was given. Still no result. Eventually she was given another dose suitable for cow euthanasia. She still carried on breathing and was eventually given another injection directly into the heart.

We had an old pony put down by bullet many years ago but have used the injection the last couple of times with no problems. This time it was a truly shocking experience.

 

[devilinajar]

I am so sorry for you loss, unfortuatly some animals react very differently to the injection and it also depends on which injection is being used. Somulose is the injection nomaly used for horses but some vets use other forms of barbiturates, that are not as strong and require a much larger volume. It sound like this was maybe the case, and unfortunatly it has caused a great deal of upset for you both at a time when you really didnt need it, my advise would be to speak to your vet about it once you feel a little less fragile about the whole thig!!! (((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))

 

[AmyMay]

It's why I have always elected to have a horse destroyed by a bullett. Some horses go incredibly quickly and peacefully with an injection - and I must admit when having my mare put down last year I did think that was the way I would go.

However, I changed my mind. However disturbing for us the sound of the gun, it is soo quick for the horse. They're dead before they hit the ground. This simply doesn't happen with the injection. And as you found out, in some cases the animal can take a long time to pass away.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[HenryandPeta]

I'm so sorry to hear that. My friends horse also struggled against the injection, a few years ago now. Apparently he fought the sedation and tried his best to hang on. So destressing for her and for the horse.

On the other hand I had my old mare done with the bullet - I wasn't able to be at the yard with her (too upset and too young) but I was a little way away and heard two shots - not what I wanted to hear after being assured that shooting would be quick and easy.

I don't think these choices are ever easy, and each horse is different. Personally, lots of sedation and a gradual drift away will be my choice for Henry, rather than risking the bullet again.

I hope you're doing as ok as you can. **hugs**

 

[honeymum]

This is the reason we would never have a horse PTS by injection again. We've only had 2 PTS by injection before and both took ages, 1 was about 45 min utes and the other was well over an hour. This was 2 different vets at different ends of the country 3 years apart. Would always go for the bullet now, I know things can go wrong with this too but I have heard of more things going wrong with injections than I have with guns.

Hugs to you, RIP ponio.

 

[MICHAELA8228]

Hi, how horrific for you - I'm sorry for your loss :-( Luckily for me I've watched 2 of my horses PTS by injection, and both were dead before they hit the ground.

Big hugs to you............

 

[seche]

Im so sorry to hear - what an ordeal we have have always hard ours PTS by the kennel man - the metal earring is the quickest way to go, and seldom can they get it wrong, Its not a job I like to be around for and I make myself scarce as Im not made of stronger stuff at times like that.
I would want a full written explanation for closure and my piece of mind
Im sorry for your loss

 

[merlinsquest]

What is a metal earing.... never heard of that

 

[Donkeymad]

Me neither

OP. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. sadly, some horses do die very slowly, especially if they are elderly or have been unwell. This is why I also, would always opt for mine to be shot.

 

[Nailed]

Sorry to hear about this.
I have seeen trouble in the past with the injection, horses fitting, taking a long period, fighting it offf.

I am now of the mind that, unless injection is the only option.. then i will opt of bolt gun everytime.

Lou x

 

[DunRoamin]

So sorry for your loss, at the yard i run all of ours have been done by bullet and never by the vet but by the nacker man(sorry don't know the proper term) sadly we lost 5 of our oldies last year ranging from the ages of 24 to 36, and all we're done very quickly and peacefully.,

 

[MrsMozart]

So very sorry to hear of your hard decision and your awful day. Thinking of you and sending hugs.

I had to have my four year old girly PTS three weeks ago. It was done by injection and was very quick. I saw her afterwards and she was lying peacefully on her side - she had been sedated whilst I was still with her and (I am hoping!) knew nothing about the final moments.

I bet your babe did not know what had happened and felt no pain.

 

[henryhorn]

I have had a lot of horses euthanised by various methods, and can promise you if done correctly they are dead very quickly.
Was your horse first sedated then an overdose of anaesthetic plus a drug that stops the heart given?
i have seen so many die and normally even with a healthy horse they drop within ten seconds of the injection, they then take a minute or so to die and the vet pronounces them completely dead after no more than 10 mins. during this time you can get a few heavy breaths or sighs and legs moving but they are well out of any sense of wakefulness.
I think there was either something wrong with the drug or the method,and would write to your vet formally asking for an investigation.

 

[seche]

Sorry - metal earring the AKA word for the bolt gun - saves smaller childrens ears.

 

[hellybelly6]

I am so sorry for your loss and your traumatic experience.
I would request an explaination from the vet.

 

[Nickijem]

Sorry to hear about your sad loss made worse by the upsetting circumstances. I had my boy pts by injection and he went very peacefully. He was already sedated as he was suffering from severe colic but when she gave him the lethal injection, he just fell sideways then sighed and fell asleep.
I hope you get some answers but please don't dwell on it too much - I doubt your horse felt any pain.
RIP horsey

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

So sorry you had such a terrible experience.

My Sullivan (rip sweetie) was pts 4 years ago by lethal injection and it was very peaceful for him although I had nightmares for ages. He was so trusting and stood calmly eating apples while he first had a strong sedative. Within seconds he was pretty much out of it and swaying on his feet. As I understand it, the reason the vet then needs several syringes at the ready is because a horse is a big animal and you need to get a lot of the drug into him as fast as possible so his body can't try to excrete it before it does the job. So after the sedative, Sullivan had - I think it was 2 - syringes and he dropped like a stone. The vet said he would have been dead before he hit the floor. What upset me was his feet tried to "run" for a few seconds afterwards and whilst I know intellectually that this is just an automatic and unconscious action, it felt as if he was trying to run away from what I'd done to him. It felt as if all his trust in me had been betrayed. I know this is silly but it was terrible.

I think the thing is to be prepared for all these things: for the shocking sight of such a huge, magnificent animal dropping like a stone, for sudden, automatic muscle movements and grunts and sighs, for the emotions that will overwhelm you. One kindness I would say is that if you have the chance, gently wrap a soft towel round your ned's head/eyes as he's about to fall. Sullivan's eyes stayed wide open and the eye on the side he fell was pressed hard into the mud. I wish I'd covered his eyes.

Be strong anyone facing this. It's the last kindness we can do.

 

[madmuppet]

I am so sorry for your loss and your dreadfully traumatic experiience. My heart goes out to you. I had my old boy put to sleep my injection 2 years ago and it was very peacefull and he went very quickly. I am so sorry you had to witness such a sad end to your friend. x

 

[Theresa_F]

Firstly I am so sorry that you had this horrible experience.

I have had all my horses pts by gun. Cairo was different, he was already lying down and was first given sedation so he was asleep when the final injection was given. He was used to have GAs all his life and we knew he would go gently to sleep with sedation.

The vet did have to use two syringes - due to his size - he was 750k of Clydesdale. On the second syringe being injected, he gave a few large gasps for about 10 seconds - this was the body trying to overcome the heart stopping. However, he was completely unware of this.

The only problem we had was that she had to redo the catheter - she started the injection, but it was not going correctly where he had been down since the previous evening his blood pressure was dropped and she had to inject down rather than up. Second attempt worked as it should. Again Cairo was not aware of the resiting of the catheter as he was asleep, it was us that found it distressing as we had to wait knowing what was about to happen.

The vet was very professional but sympathetic and really knew her job. She did warn us that a few struggle, hence stitching in the catheter and that he would gasp at the very end.

We knew Cairo would not struggle against sedation, hence why he went this way.

My lively TBs all went via gun as I knew they would be inclined to fight the drugs.

 

[Nettle123]

It is very comforting to hear that our girl was an exception and hopefully a rare occurence. I hope I have not upset anyone by posting my concerns, as stated previously the injection method was fine in the past for our elderly pony and thoroughbred.

I have written to the Vet practice now that we have calmed down a bit and will let you have an update when we have a reply.

Box of Frogs, I now what you mean about covering their eyes, a bit daft probably but we always wrap their heads in a bit of old cotton sheet before burial.

Thank you all again for your thoughts.

 

[Bananarama]

To be honest, as horrific as it would have been to see, Im sure the horse had no idea what was going on.
The first horse I ever saw PTS was when out with a vet on work experience went very peacfully. However I have known others who galloped off and fell to their death as they went, ones that have reared up and flipped, those that have 'galloped' on their sides.

Worse of all was one where an overdose of anethetic was used but no heart stopping drug.. this is a different less used method. The horse was pronouced dead and left. An hour later it was up grazing in the field.. didnt half scare the owners

But regardless of this your horse was probaly 'gone' withing seconds even if his heart was still beating.

 

[wizzi901]

will not use lethal injection, always sedative followed by gun, by time the gun comes they are out of it, and just quicker IMHO. Not a nice noise and yes being brutal its more messy but not too bad if done properly

The injection just leaves too much to chance and you need someone who knows that they are doing, even then you run the risk of the horse just needing more and more.

Its a very personal decision and each to their own, I can understand why some would not want gun either, but with a sedative first, horse is always without fail totally unaware.

 

[Blanche]

I have used injection on two old girls fairly recently , no sedative ,one syringe and dead before they hit the floor but my vet very experienced equine vet. Have had alot of problems with shooting them with horror stories to awful to post . If I had to use gun would only have a proper professional knacker man and no one from the hunt . I'm not trying to insult anyone from a hunt on here just refering to ones I have had big problems with in the past.

 

[alison247]

I lost my pony on 18 Nov and have often wondered about your post. Did the vet have any explaination for you?

 

[spaniel]

I spoke to my own vet about this a few weeks ago when this was first posted as there will come a time when I will have to make the decision for my old horse.

He assured me that the injection IS very quick but mentioned that a few years ago there was a rogue batch of the drug used and that DID result in a number of very difficult situations where horses where not going down quickly.