has anyone ever been present when they had their pet euthanized?

[gardenweasel]

it`s an issue our family may have to deal with in the foreseeable future........

up until now, we haven`t had to deal with anthing like this....the pets we`ve had have basically passed of natural causes...

if it comes down to this,i really don`t know what to expect...whether it would be extremely traumatic for family members that are very sensitive...or is it a very humane, peaceful experience?....

i would definitely pay an exorbitant amount to have the vet come to the house and perform the euthansia here as our pet is absolutely scared to death of going to the vet...wouldn`t want her last moments spent in a place that has held nothing but fear and pain for her...it`s a cat,btw..

thanks in advance for keeping the responses respectful(i would certainly do the same for a fellow forum member)...

much appreciated guys and gals........:sadwave:

 

[NIEM36]

Had to do it about 3 weeks ago. My mom was out of town, and put the dog up at a boarding place, and gave them my number in case of emergency, and they called. They were out walking the dog, and she collapsed. Rushed to the emergency vet, and found out she had ruptured a tumor. No one new about the tumor. Vet said about 2-3k for surgery, and the chance of the dog making it out was about 20-30%, and even then will only live abour 6 months. I made the decision to put her down. They did it right in front me. Of course very sad, but I think the dog had no idea, and it did not cause any additional pain or discomfort. They gave her a shot through an IV in her leg, and it took about 5 seconds for it to work. Very sad evening that day. First dog I ever had to put down, and it was my moms. She about an 8 year old rottweiler. I am not looking forward to the day when I have to mine down.

Hope this helped.

 

[THE KOD]

I did it with a cat named Posse , that I had for 15 years. He could not walk anymore and had lost most of his teeth.

If I can offer any advice, it would be do not stand in the room when they give your pet a shot to put it to sleep. At the last second my cat looked up to me like I would protect him as I always did.
I was a wreck and will always remember that look.

I cried like a little bitch. One of the assistants made a comment about it, and I thought about going to my car and coming back in and cleaning some clocks.

Have them do it, then go into the room after.

Its peacefull that way. They are already asleep and you can spend time you want.

No way I would let my kids see a pet put down in front of them.

I never went back to that vet either.

 

[Motorcat]

First off - My sympathy goes out to you and your family.

I had to put a small kitten to sleep awhile back. He had broken his pelvis and his quality of life was going to be minimal so on the advice of the vet it was done.

I witness it. It was a painful gut wrenching moment that I would not want anyone else to go thru especially my kids unless they asked first hand and without prompting. Even then I'd be hesitant.

I'm a pretty cold hearted guy when it comes to anything but my pets and I was reduced to a sobbing mess in the end. When I walked in the kitten mewed in recognition. I watched as it nodded off.

I can not think of anything positive that came out of that moment other than seeing the kitten one last time and knowing I saved him a world of suffering.

I rarely say this - thoughts and prayers. I hope whatever occurs is easy on you, your family and in the best interest of the cat.

 

[Old School]

with children envolved I would let them say their goodbyes and take the pet to the vet..

I have done it both ways and it was easier on all when I took my big lab to the vet and held her while the vet put her to rest..

ain't easy bud...days I will never forget even if I live to be 150 ..

 

[Glferboy21]

Put my 14 year old yellow lab down when I was 18. He had a stroke and body was half gone... he could still think so made it that much harder.

 

[gardenweasel]

it`s funny how on some of the forums about this on the net they make it sound so serene.....

niem had a decent experience and scottie and m.c. not so much...

i mean,if and when it happens,it`s going to be very traumatic...the cat showed up on our deck around 12 years ago in late november and it was either we keep it or it freezes to death or we take it to the pound....

not necessarily a cat person at the time....needless to say i`ve done a 180...it`s been a member of the family ever since and everybody is distraught that we might be headed for a difficult time...

actually took care of a terminally ill brother and my mother at my house and since they both passed away within the last couple years,this is icing on the cake....they really loved the cat....

if theres anything else anyone can add,it would be appreciated....

thanks scottie/niem and m.c....kind of you to weigh in...

btw...thanks o.s. and gilfer...no young kids at the house(anymore..they were very upset to hear the news,though)....the adults are gonna be bad enough..

 

[Julene]

I'm sorry to hear about your cat. Are you going to get another one?

 

[bubbas1]

Had to do it a few years ago when my Dobe got bloat (stomach seperates from the wall). Hardest thing I ever did.

I have to disagree with Scott on leaving the room when it comes time for the shot. I had my dog for 11 years (ever since he was a pup). There is no way I would even think about leaving his side in the final moments. He was a family member and got treated like one.

After the shot my dog gave out a short yelp. Vet told me not to worry...it was just the euphoria coming over him because of the shot. He wasnt in any pain. Within 30 sec he just stopped breathing and that was the end.

Couple of other points...

Make sure your pet eats like a king the last day. Anything he has ever wanted.

Pay the bill before you put your pet down. Couldnt imagine trying to write a check afterwards. You will be crying like a baby.

Have them put in IV and then give you some alone time with your pet. When the time comes...they will walk in and give the shot thru the IV.

For a few weeks afterward I would cry just thinking about him. Finally had to force myself to stop thinking about him. Its been a few years now and I could still cry over him in the drop of a hat if I let myself.

 

[THE KOD]

Pay the bill before you put your pet down. Couldnt imagine trying to write a check afterwards. You will be crying like a baby.

..........................................................

thats a good point.

I made that mistake. I will do that next time, which I hope is a long ways away.

 

[Another Steve]

I was holding my Cat Murphy when he was injected. It was very calm, peaceful and I was at peace as well as Murph.

I fell apart all the time leading up to this day, the ride there but during and the ride home, I never lost it.

I feel this is a personnal deceision but as big of a Puss as I was, i'm glad I did it this way.

 

[3 Seconds]

Having worked as a vet tech back in grad school, I have seen numerous pets 'put to sleep' & have even administered the dreaded pink syringe to a few dogs.

I have also held my 8 year old German Shepherd Gretchen in my arms as she was put down due to advanced pancreatic cancer.

It is a very peaceful procedure, they simply fade away to sleep & go limp in less than 30 secs usually. It is in no way a violent event 99.9% of the time.

That said, I would not want a younger child to witness the event.

I think its a personal choice for an adult. Being someone who was experienced & knew what to expect I choose to be w/ my girl up to her very last breath. That still didn't make it any easier though & I cried like a baby.


Bring a blanket or pillow that they used frequently, you dont want them going down on a cold stainless steel table.

I spent about 15 mins in the room before the procedure was to take place w/ just myself & the dog I made sure to get her nice aand comfortable & relaxed. I composed myself to prepare for what was about to happen. You dont want their last half hour to be a stressed one.

The family then came in briefly one last time w/ the doctor & then left leaving just myself & the doctor in the room. I gave her one last big hug & told her I loved her then stood in front of her my hands around her head so she couldn't look back or around, just right & me as I assured her it was going to be ok.

One thing we used to do if offer to make a paw print of your pet before they pass. I highly recommend it. I still have mine of Gretchen's & I always look at it & smile as it reminds me of her.

If your vet doesn't offer the service just get some baking clay & take the imprint yourself. We carved her name out above the print & then put her DOB & DOD on the back in marker.

Pay all bills in advance. Trust me on this one.

Its never a fun experience, obviously, but preparing for it will at least make it somewhat more manageable to deal w/ & less shocking I guess.

My thoughts & good wishes are with you in this tough situation.

 

[BADTODABONE]

GW,

My brother had to lay his good buddy yellow lab, he was by his side within the last year. Walked him on a couple of visits.

I had to put a good buddy of mine down 15 years ago,...he smiled, didn't understand the tears rolling off my cheeks under the sunglasses, I couldn't stay.

 

[znine_7]

My dog (Happy), which I had since the age of five until college had to be put down while I was away at school. I always regretted not being there "for him", or i guess for me rather. Either way, it's something I think about from time to time.....ughhhhh


best of luck to you man

 

[kickserv]

I would say be there. My golden lab and black lab were with the family for many years. Both were "put down" within one year of each other and I was out of the country when both passed. I miss those guys so much. I so wish I was there for their last minutes. To this day I still regret not being there for my two buddies. Maybe I am wrong, but I think both dogs knew what was about to happen just before they died. I just hope they weren't thinking "Where is kickserv?" I know I might be way off, but I feel horrible that they both might have been thinking that.

I miss my two buddies, and still cry from time to time thinking about them.


My advice, BE THERE

 

[Mags]

This brings back real sad memories - we had to put our dog down after 17 years (small breed)...

My wife and I went in, my wife held her, and they gave her the shot. She passed away in my wife's arms.

It was EXTREMELY hard. The Vet gave us the choice to stay or go and he'd take care of it. We choose to stay.

I can't get out of my mind something I read about on the internet (it was in "Dog Speak") basically saying that as a dog, they understand, but don't ask them to be alone. They have been your companion all your life - and been there for you in every circumstance.

Although it is heartbreaking, and we all shed tears, I firmly believe being there for our dog was the best (and hardest) thing we ever did.

We have a new dog - and when it comes time, I guarantee I'll be there, no matter how hard it is. For the dog to be around loved ones HAS to make it that much easier for him/her. At least that's my opinion.

It just feels like the right thing to do, at least for me.

 

[gardenweasel]

there`s no doubt,should we come to that point,that i`ll be there....other members of the family,i`m not so sure....i`m not sure they can handle it after reading some of the posts.....

btw..theres a small nodule on a mammary that,to the doctor(even though small), strongly suggests cancer...the look on his face spoke volumes...

this is a diabetic cat...has been for 4 years...a shot every morning early(getting up real early and hanging around to make sure that food isn`t regurgitated after the shot)...a shot every night...and more than a few frantic trips to the vet because of hypoglycemia......

it`s been a trip...but,it`s been well worth it...wouldn`t change a thing...

can`t thank everyone enough for taking the time to post their opinions and experiences....i won`t forget that you guys took your time to help a brother out...even guys that i`ve had differences with...thats why i love this place....hope i didn`t dredge up too many hurtful memories...

finding out the extent of the "situation" after a battery of x-rays friday.......keeping my fingers crossed that we`re in an early stage or the doctor is way wrong...

again...much,much appreciated...

 

[THE KOD]

one thing I thought about.

can you request the body to bury yourself or have it cremated ?

Think that would extend the pain though

cant stand the thought of them throwing my cat into a dumpster somewhere.

 

[DerrickTulips]

I was holding my Cat Murphy when he was injected. It was very calm, peaceful and I was at peace as well as Murph.

I fell apart all the time leading up to this day, the ride there but during and the ride home, I never lost it.

I feel this is a personnal deceision but as big of a Puss as I was, i'm glad I did it this way.

Yikes, I got chills just thinking about this. I love my dog more than anything, like i mentioned a while back she had surgery which was scary..Here is her doing rehab :mj06:

 

[kellyindallas]

Hi GW,

I haven't read the responses yet, so apologies if I'm being repetitive.

Two years ago I had to put down my 17 year old Persian. I only had 48 hours after I took her in to say goodbye. It was horrible. That being said, the actual experience of "putting her to sleep" was absolutely peaceful, quick and serene. I suppose it depends on where you take her. This vet had a particular room for just this occasion. I petted her head, kissed her and held her paw as she was euthanized. I then had her cremated and I have her remains. It was actually a very peaceful experience, knowing she would not suffer any longer. The time period up to that point was far worse than the actual time itself. I really believe comforting your pet as they go into the next realm is the best, kindest thing you can do.

Hope that helps.

Kelly