Pts - injection or live ammunition

[touchstone]

I agree with fburton on this, the horses I've seen pts certainly aren't aware when they do the gasping/thrashing thing, it is simply spinal impulses. Human patients that are declared brain dead will often have what is called 'the lazarus effect' where they stretch their limbs, but it is purely spinal activity.

 

[Nudibranch]

Nowadays virtually all vets use somulose which has two drugs, one of which is a barbiturate, the other a local anaesthetic which in large doses shuts down the heart. Somulose therefore causes a rapid loss of consciousness followed by the suppression of breathing and heart.

Sadly Somulose does not do so if it is administered incorrectly, i.e. the vet misses the vein. It can and does happen - the senior partner (who is very well respected) did it to my veteran and it took her well over an hour to die. She was standing and conscious until the final 10 minutes before he returned with his gun. It is not pleasant and it is not unconscious or involuntary behaviour - she was wide awake, staggering, plunging, fighting every minute and you could see the fear and anxiety in her eyes.

I keep saying I won't post on this subject again but I really cannot stress how deeply unpleasant it is, most horrifically I believe it is acutely painful for the horse. I will never let a vet talk me into it again (and I have also changed vet).

The "very rare" failure rate they like to quote is all very well until it is happening to your own animal.

 

[fburton]

Sadly Somulose does not do so if it is administered incorrectly

Nor does the bullet if it misses the correct spot. That does happen too, rarely - but then missing the vein is rare too. It is better to use a catheter rather than just a needle, and blood should be drawn back into the syringe just prior to injection to verify that the needle is still in the vein. I am truly sorry this happened to your horse. It sounds like a botched job, even if the vet is well respected.

I keep saying I won't post on this subject again but I really cannot stress how deeply unpleasant it is, most horrifically I believe it is acutely painful for the horse. I will never let a vet talk me into it again (and I have also changed vet).

You mean was in your case? When done properly, in the vast majority of cases, injection euthanasia is not painful or deeply unpleasant for the horse.

The "very rare" failure rate they like to quote is all very well until it is happening to your own animal.

I know, and it must be awful for you, both at the time and to recall those events now.

 

[Nudibranch]

Deeply unpleasant and acutely painful when it goes wrong.
Yes when it does go correctly it is fine, but as I have said before I will never, ever take that risk again. It just isn't worth risking the significant, prolonged and severe pain and suffering caused to the animal. There is no method which can be guaranteed but I would think a misplaced bullet can be done again within moments if necessary. Not ideal and certainly traumatic but rather that than the hour and a half it took (ending with a bullet anyway) when the Somulose went wrong. Incidentally it was administered by catheter. But they can and do move.

 

[Orangehorse]

I used the local man who has taken over for the hunt, although I would hesitate to call him a knacker man,
it is a service that is widely used.

I don't know what he used to do the deed, whether it was a captive bolt or a bullet, the former I think.
I didn't stand and watch, but handed him the rope and went out of sight; the pony was eating grass happily.
I had only gone a few yards away when I heard the shot, it wasn't nearly as loud as I was expecting, more like a little "pop" and my horse gave a little neigh - he must have seen his friend fall to the ground. There was a little blood on the headcollar, but virtually nothing on the grass where he had been standing. It was quietly and gently done and swift.

Whether I would have him for my favourite when the time comes - don't know tbh.

 

[Boxers]

Haven't read all the replies but thankfully I have only ever had to have one horse PTS and i opted for the huntsman with his gun. My horse had his head in a bucket of apples and carrots and dropped immediately to the floor. I did not stand with him, but my OH's friend was nearby and confirmed to me that the horse was gone before he hit the floor. I didn't see his body either and OH's friend covered any mess in the paddock with earth.

Now I opted for bullet as i have heard horror stories of the injection. A mare on my yard was injected and apparently dropped to the floor and 'galloped' for several minutes before going, and this was with an experienced horse vet. I had heard other stories similar and so went with a well recommended huntsman for my boy.

RIP Jay, we all miss you still. X

 

[Hairy Old Cob]

I used the local man who has taken over for the hunt, although I would hesitate to call him a knacker man,
it is a service that is widely used.

Apart from in times of complete emergency to PTS a horse you need to be a qualified Vet or Licensed Horse slaughterer being just a" Knackerman" Cattle Sheep Pigs is no qualification my old Vet who has now sadly retired to the Lake district, was one of the last true Large animal Vets who also specialised in Horses, always maintained shooting a horse was the best method "But" it is an art form and most vets don't get enough practice so a Licensed Horse Slaughterer or Huntsman is the best bet, as they are more practiced. A local Horse owner had a horrific experience with a local small animal vet trying to shoot one of their horses, but by choice I would always have a Horse Shot because blood and Sh** which disturbs some people is to no concern to to the animal being PTS which to me is the most important thing that they are Put Down as fast as possible to minimise their suffering.