Euthanasia question (warning: contains description of euthanasia)

[GiantCheeseMonster]

I’ve had a few dogs and they’ve all been helped on their way by the vet in their last days. All bar one were PTS via an injection in the vein in their foreleg. However, one was PTS via a method I’ve never seen before and I’ve always wondered why it was different but at the time wasn’t in a fit state to have asked, of course. He was a Westie cross, age 12, and he had a degenerative spinal condition which meant he’d lost function in his back legs. It was such a shame as he was perky and happy in himself but he was soiling himself and couldn’t get himself up to have a drink.

Anyway, when I took him to the vet, he first of all gave him an injection of sedative in the muscle of his back leg. This took about ten minutes to kick in, and during this time the vet left us alone and I talked to him and fed him treats. When it took effect, he fell asleep on the table. The vet came back in and gave him an injection in his ribs behind his forelegs, directly into his heart. He stopped breathing immediately. It was very peaceful as he was already asleep, but just not what I was expecting. This was in 2008. I just wondered if any vets or vet nurses on here could explain why he might have used this method?

We had the pet crematorium vet out to put my sisters small dog to sleep last November and that is exactly how she did it - gave a huge dose of morphine first and then injected into the heart , I assumed it was because it would have been incredibly difficult to locate a vein . As it was the dog was completely out of it with the morphine and was PTS wrapped in a blanket on my lap . I shall definitely be using their services with future small dogs and cats as I’ve been present at quite a few and this was one of the better ones .( IYSWIM )

I wish I had this option for my dog. I've simply been told there's only one way they do it. It's not a nice memory.

I’m a vet. The main reason for this would usually be if the animals condition meant accessing a vein would be difficult. It’s rarely done this way these days (older vets would be more likely to do this as they often didn’t work with trained nurses to assist them in their early days). I think it’s an acceptable method as long as the animal is heavily sedated beforehand. In cats sometimes the injection can be given into the kidney, but again heavy sedation beforehand is mandatory.

our darling cat had to be PTS earlier this year, he was sedated first, and we stroked and cuddled him as he got sleepier and sleepier, then he had the injection straight in to his kidney I think - he was very very old and it was the right time.

I’m so glad he was sedated, I wouldn’t have wanted him to feel any pain or distress. It was quiet, and peaceful, and as hard as it was to make the decision, it was by far the kindest and most peaceful thing for him

Our dog was pts last week by injection in the front paw via cannula as he had lost use of his back legs and spinal nerve damage, he was 12.5. Our dear cat was pts in 2020 via kidney injection after sedation as she was very, old (19) and her veins were too weak. Perhaps they were not able to find a vein? I am not a vet or veterinary nurse though, just personal experience.

Generally if there's doubts on the circulation status of the dog or if it's a small dog with short legs meaning the veins are less likely to be "easy" to access. It's usually a relatively large volume of drug for a PTS and it needs to all go IV or it doesn't work.

All my cats have been pts that way. Our dog was vein. All were heavily sedated. I preferred the cat way tbh but the vets the expert. We tell them to do what they need to do it quickly.

My lovely boxer was PTS this year. She was very poorly and took a good 45 mins for them to get a vein in her leg to inject her, the vet said as a last resort they would inject into her chest. So I guess maybe the vet made a judgement call x

Thanks all, really interesting to read responses. I can’t see there was an issue finding a vein, but he was quite an old vet so maybe it was his preferred method.

I’m so sorry, that must have been so difficult for you 💐

Our ddog was sedated prior to pts meds. Def def recommend it. A quick jab in her thigh and the vet left us with her. She was out of it before the proper meds were put in. Very stress free for all of us.

Our old Westie fell in the pond. He was very old anyway and so prognosis was diabolical. I rushed him up the vets and she immediately said that she needed to help him on his way but that a leg vein wasn't an option. She injected straight into his heart and he died immediately.