Dog Euthanasia

[YurtGirl]

MarkP, thank you for the ideas and also for researching them. I never thought of blood letting... that's an interesting one... I'll have to do more research. I don't mind your 'engineer' standpoint, not at all. Our bodies are pretty much just complex organic machines, after all!

[Loretta]

I know you said that you don't want your dog to have to travel, but I did hear of one instance when Dr. Grune allowed the dog to remain in the car. This way the dog would not experience all of the scary and creepy smells associated with a vet's office. Most dogs love riding in their car or truck....so this would be a somewhat happy last few minutes.

[csgray]

I had a friend in Oregon who was in the same position as you with the added complication of not owning an automobile; even if her very old, very big dog had been able to get into a car or truck. She worked with an herbalist who made up a tincture which she gave him one eyedropper at a time until he quit breathing. I do not know all the ingredients or proportions but I know it used valerian and skullcap along with other extracts which had muscle relaxant and sedative properties. The first time she tried she overestimated the potency and her dog slept very deeply but did not pass on. The next day she made sure to have enough on hand and he died peacefully with his head in her lap.

My heart goes out to you, we had a dog whose heart and soul kept going after every other part of her was failing. She looked like a skeleton at the end and a light breeze would almost blow her over, but it was really hard to take the decision to end her life in our own hands, even when it was the right thing to do.

Carol

[sistersue]

I was going to suggest having your dog lay on a soft bed in the back of a vehicle and asking Dr. Grune to euthenize him while your dog is on the bed. I figured Dr. Grune would do this but someone beat me to suggesting it! Then have someone at home who can lift him out of the vehicle for you. I'll always have nightmares about my Brutus because I left him at the vet's after he died because my property has no soft place to make a grave. But I had a dream after he died and he was walking upward on a trail in a beautiful forest, and I walked far behind. He didn't even turn to look at me because he was in Heaven and wanted to go. That dream showed me that he is okay in Dog Heaven.

[Carey]

I do know that there are a few animal doctors that are out of town at this time of the year (I was surprised to find that 2 of the 4 that I normally use are out!), and add the holidays, all adds up to a greater patient load for the ones that are here...

You may want to call your own Vet & if they cannot do a house call, see if they can recommend YOU to another Vet that might be able to do this, that way you will have a standing for that new Vet. Bear in mind that they may be able to do this once the holiday crush is over, but will tell you that they cannot now...

[Bob Orts]

Try calling Sunset Pet Memorial Services and see if they know any Vet that will provide at home services for euthanasia without requiring you to be a prior patient. Or they may know providers of alternative services or hospice.

[DoryGray]

Try horse vet Dr. David Almond 895-9224, he makes house calls & is willing to go the extra mile to help you.

[oink]

I know this isn't your first choice and I've hesitated to mention it as you have already expressed an aversion to the method but I recently put my cat to sleep with a bullet. I considered taking her to the vet but I didn't want to subject her to that trauma. I partially sedated her with a pain pill I had left from my knee surgery and then she sat on my wife's lap and was petted until my wife was ready. I then placed her in a box padded with towels and carried her outside where I gave her some affection. Then, one quiet, low velocity .22 cartridge. It was instantaneous with very little blood. I rearranged her in the bedding so she appeared to be sleeping and then let my wife come out for a final farewell. It really couldn't have been any more humane than that, for my cat or my wife. Perhaps you have a friend or relative that could provide that service. It would be best to use a hunter or someone who raises pigs etc. as they would be the most likely to be competent to perform the task correctly. The point this story is that you shouldn’t automatically rule out this option. Done properly, it’s as good as any and better than most.

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[YurtGirl]

I met Dr. Pease today. I stopped in to his office to talk about our options. I have to say - What a wonderful man, his true care shines through. He left me with something special. While he can't help Max and I (if it comes to that), we did have a long and wonderful conversation about lots of things under the sun, and I came away with a new respect for vets worldwide. They care for many animals - TRULY care, most of the time. That's why they get into the profession to begin with. They are heartbroken when they have to put an animal down. They feel our pain as humans, animal friends and pet 'owners', and they feel the animal's pain as well. Dr. Pease said that they get a few calls every week from people asking them to come and help end various animals suffering, and that each one they take on is heartbreaking for them. He said they just can't take that on. Imagine... I came away with a whole new respect for that profession. In the medical field, we had the hard task of having to let a family and loved ones know when the end had come for a person they loved. In a veterinarian profession, they are called to actually end lives. It lessens the brunt of the burden when they are ending suffering, but only minimally. It breaks their heart every bit as much as it breaks mine to bear that burden, but it comes more often for them. While I'm still stumped, my love for good people has been buoyed by this timely meeting. I'm putting my faith in Max and the Universe at this point... When the time comes, we'll figure out what to do. I'm a bit scared, I'll be honest. But in seeking, I have faith that the answer will come when I need it to. Thanks to all you wonderful humans who cared enough to give your heartfelt and helpful suggestions. You've made it all that much easier~

[missydog1]

In your place, I guess if he is in pain and ready to go I would think seriously about making him as comfortable as possible and taking him in. None of us on this earth love the idea of dying on a table in a sterile room, but many many people as wells as animal family do pass in this way. We have to believe that at the time of death it is the passage that matters and not having everything in the perfect setting. Ultimately, having you there to love him is surely what matters. OK, I know that is not the solution you want, but surely you can give him some pain pills that will make him oblivious to the bumpy roads. It is death and loss; it isn't going to be wonderful and perfect no matter what. If he is opiated he will not be in fear of the strange place.

I mean, the worst thing you could do with pain pills is accidentally kill him, and death is the goal here, so why not? Surely you won't be arrested for medicating your dog.
I am not at all insensitive to what you want, but you have tried, and asked, and learned that the vets need to do this in their office. It seems to me it's better for your friend to have euthanasia done by a medical professional than to what amounts to a home experiment.

Obviously it's going to be tough either way. (Speaking as someone who broke down and sobbed when my son's rat that we only had for six months died, I am right up there with people who can turn into a basket case over a pet death.) I honestly haven't found home pet death to be any easier. It SOUNDS better but I wonder if that's more that you are able to imagine it being better. In reality, your friend will not be as present in the operating room as you are. The vet will be compassionate, I am sure.

I wish for you that he passes on by himself, while sleeping, I really do, but I hate to see you in such additional turmoil trying to get this to happen in just the right way. Take care!