PTS - method?

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Brandy

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There seems to be an awful lot of threads about the right time to pts our oldies. Two of mine are elderly, one 29 and one 24, so have given the issue a lot of thought, and have contacted the 'pet crem'place nearby who were very helpful and reassuring, they deal with my vets and so will all be organised for me when the time comes.

However, since the advent of the injection to have a horse pts I am definitely swinging in that direction, rather than the traditional bolt through the head. Its the wasy dogs and cats go and having had several of those with no bad experiences, it seems to me that it would be less traumatic - just an injection wehich the horse is used to having occasionally anyway. Also, it has to be said but I feel I would find it less traumatic too.

Opinions?
 
Well, having witnessed other peoples horses being pts by bullet, I couldn't do that to my mare. My mare was lying down in the field when I had her done. I fed her carrots and mints until the vet came and she just lay her head down. I felt it was very peaceful and the best thing that could have happened. I really didn't want to see my beautiful graceful girl fall to the floor.
I am aware that this may not be the case for my other 2, hopefully will not have to think about that for a few years tho. I think if its an accident and the horse needs to go and a bullet is the only way, so be it but would prefer injection.
 
I think it depends on personal preference.
Mine have all been shot and gone to kennels if they were hunters or to be incinerated if they were ill.
I have seen many horses injected and it just takes so long! If I make the decision I want it to happen as quickly and stress free as possible.

I always recommend a slaughter man (or vet that will shoot) if asked!
 
I'd go with what not only you feel more comfortable with, but what the person doing the pts is most comfortable and proficient with. If the vet is doing it then it may be worth asking which method he/she prefers beforehand.
Also I have a mare that hates vets and injections, so I know that the bullet is probably the best method for her. I don't think that many use captive bolt now, and I wouldn't have an animal pts with that, only a free bullet.
 
3 weeks ago I had my beloved mare PTS, she was old & tired & it was time. I discussed the options thoroughly with my excellent vet, he came & gave her the injection, it was very quick, she was gone before she hit the floor, no twitching, nothing. He was calm, kind & professional, no shaky hands or faffing, found the vein immediately. My other old mare was also PTS by injection some years ago, & it too was quick, so this would be my personal preferance.
 
I lost mine at 24 with laminitis, I had her injected and have no regrets at all. It was so quick and peaceful for her and the vet was brilliant. She was gone before she reached the floor. It was the first time I'd ever seen a horse PTS even though I'm a vet nurse so have helped with alot of small animal ones.

Personally I could never of had her shot, partly because I don't like guns but also I couldn't of held her at the end which I wanted to do. It's everyone's personal choice though.
 
You need to be aware that some horses fight the anaesthetic and can plunge around while the vet tries desperately to get more into them to knock them out. It doesn't happen often, but if it does it is incredibly distressing to the owner and the horse.

I would have them shot every time. My hunt use a free bullet designed to whirl as it goes in, leaving no possiblity of them not being instantly dead.

In both methods, though, you also need to know beforehand that they can twitch, "run", and appear to breathe after they are dead as the nerves die off. The brain is dead long before, so they know nothing but it can be very upsetting to see it.
 
Thanks everyone for ytour replies. I was put off the idea of having them show (with the bolt thing) after an old vet told me about a pony he went to pts that had to be done twice. :(

I think mine woul dbe ok with the injection, one has to be sedated for teeth and just drops off nicely, and needs very little. The other is also well used to injections and vets and is never any trouble in that respect.

I know they can be twitchy etc afterwards.

I don't think I could be there if they were shot, and would like to be. Or should I say want to be.
 
Injection every time. It is quick and vet told me they get a nice 'high' as they go. Nice to think that their last feeling is a good one.
 
Maesfen said:
Shot every time by hunt staff; if only I could go as quickly and strressfree.
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Absolutely, second only to not waking up in the morning.

Very much depends on circumstances, personal experiences and preferences though.
 
the answer, in simple, is that it's YOUR choice, depending on what YOU feel happiest with. Performed properly, each method work as well as the other.

I have held a horse, whilst it received an injection. It went down rather like a fast anaesthetic, and though unconscious, it took a while for death to be certain. In fact the vet considered shooting it as a secondary insurance.

I have held horses whilst they have been shot, and have in emergencies, shot horses myself, and for myself, I give thanks that I've never made a mistake. I do prefer horses to be shot, and with a free bullet. Captive bolts put the user at some risk, as often the horse will plunge forwards, and with the type of gun which has a non retracting bolt, wrist injury is a risk.

There is one warning. When horses are shot, then very often they will bleed profusely from their nostrils. It isn't particularly pleasant, but the one surety is that the horse will never again, make any attempt to stand. If you are present at the event, be prepared for this.

I once witnessed a recently qualified vet, back in the late '60's, who made the most appalling mess of shooting a horse, and when I asked for the gun, she willingly gave it to me, and I finished the job. I'd never shot a horse before, but had watched others. Thankfully, it put an end to the poor creatures suffering.

The choice Brandy, is yours. Hopefully you are now better prepared for the event. If you can bring yourself to attend, then it wont be as bad as you imagine.

Alec.
 
My boy wat PTS end of last year using the injection, it was very quick, painless and he looked calm. He was gone by the time he hit the floor and for me I couldn't do it by bullet.
RIP my special boy
 
I have no idea why the injection is considered 'slow'? I have had three done and in no way could it have been considered in any way drawn out.

There were no problems with twitching, groaning and sighing and it was very peaceful.

Allowing their friends closure was also a very peaceful business and one I would always advise. Not sure how buckets of blood would affect the closure aspect, though as it wasn't a factor for me.

ETS - peaceful and instant apart, I was a total wreck after the last. Losing this pony, even though she was old, broke my heart. No way did I want the crack of a pistol to signify that final moment. The idea of a 'lovely high' at the end has cheered me significantly!
 
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brighteyes said:
I have no idea why the injection is considered 'slow'? I have had three done and in no way could it have been considered in any way drawn out.

Allowing their friends closure was also a very peaceful business and one I would always advise. Not sure how buckets of blood would affect the closure aspect, though as it wasn't a factor for me.
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You are quite right Brighteyes, it is wrong to use the word 'slow' to describe the injection. I think more accurate would be to say 'a little slower than shooting but still very quick'.

I have helped euthanize a couple of hundred cats, dogs and horses and 99% went quickly and peacefully. The reason I have my own horses shot (free bullet, never captive bolt) is that the injection relies on the animals circulation and also achieving and maintaining venous access and occasionally this can cause problems. I also hated the feeling of being put under when I had a general anaesthetic, even though it was only for the briefest of seconds before I fell asleep. There is also the extra expense of cremation to bear in mind when using the injection, although this isn't a concern for everyone. Of course, there is sometimes a lot of blood to deal with when a horse is shot. The chap that does mine puts a sack over their head in case they do bleed a lot.

I agree that there are pros and cons to each method and it should be a personal decision.
 
I had my lad PTS last year due to laminitis and i had him injected.

Took him down to his favorite scratching post/tree in his field, let him have a munch of grass and the vet sedated him. You could tell it was working as the chewing was getting slower!!!
She injected him and he knelt down and then on his side...he just looked like he was sunbathing!!!
I was with him, stroking him, talking to him and it was very quick and quiet. Vet was lovely and very understanding...

I know it sounds stupid but i love he fact he went with grass in his mouth!!!

I asked the YO to arrange for the hunt to collect the body but i must admit i wasn't there when they collected. I did think about having him cremated but a) it would have cost £600 and b) i quite like to think he's running with the hounds and the hunt, jumping hedges and galloping across fields!!!!
 
Not quite the same as dog and cat. I would always shoot-so much faster imo and no chance of them fighting it.
 
I had two by injection and one by gun. The shot horse had to be shot twice as I beleive he moved his head at the last minutes. The injections as far as I know went ok. The vet tells me either by humane captive bolt, or injection they are dead before they hit the ground. Just be careful when you see there body afterwards. Agonal gasping (nothing to do with agony just a weird word) goes on for 5/10 mins following death and its the body's reflexes, shutting down. Very distressing when you touch your horse after its died and it moves or groans. They should warn those that wish to see a horse afterwards. I wasn't told and it was horrendouse at the time.
 
Having had horses PTS by both methods I can say that I would choose shooting, often with older or infirm horses the circulatory system can start to shut down and even the best vet can have problems locating a vein which can be distressing for the horse and you if they react badly.

Our local knacker man on the other hand, because he does it every day is excellent, he is really good at handling the horses and getting them to relax and for them it is instant which to me is important. For the people it is not very nice but in that situation whatever method you choose will be unpleasant. Another advantage is that having made up your mind he doesn't say well we could try this drug or we could operate.

Our chap offers a cremation service and delivers the ashes back to you if you want them. Not that it matters but this saves money as the vet will offer this as an extra.
 
Mine was PTS with the injection-RVC didn't give me a choice. I've no experience of other methods but if it's an accident and a broken leg like that time, I would have no hesitation in asking for the horse to be shot in the field.
 
Just to clarify, I have had horse pts before, just not for very long. I have held them for captive bolt, and a friend held one of mine for shooting with free bullet. I didn;t see her afterwards but the sound of the shot is still with me. A friend recently had her mare pts with the injection and said it was very peaceful.

I know whatever happens it won't be easy, and of course an emergency is an emergency and I would maybe not have the choice under those circs.

I guess I am just very aware of the 29 yr olds age. :(
 
Couple of things to add

1. Reiterate - check with your vet - you may not have a choice so best to know up front
2. I have had or seen both. For me, a bullet is a better way for a fit horse as its quick although I agree the preparation is distressing. I held a friends horse and the vet put cotton wool in the horses ears, ours and also had a large bag ready to go over the horse. By a fit horse I mean one that had say, broken a leg but had been in good health upto that point. Injection would seem to work on very sick or older horses who don't have much fight left. My old boy fought his anesthetic when in surgery and was a nightmare but years later when he had to be PTS, he went very quickly and quietly.
 
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