Euthanasia…..was this normal?(not for the weak of heart!)

[Lucky Me]

I had to put an old dear friend to sleep on Sat.…none of my family went with me. I know I get emo about my animals, but I did okay there, especially with the way it went. This is only the second time I have had to put an animal down, most of my pets live a ridiculously long time and die naturally, although I have had one get hit & she died instantly. I have been fortunate.
With my other dog, it was quiet, sweet & quick. This time they stuck me in a back room & a vet tech was assigned the job. He gave her a sedative & left. She fought it and I was alone with dog groggy, but thrashing about. When he did return, he blew up the veins in all 4 of her legs trying to get a vein.(she was almost 15 yrs., strong but had cancer) Apparently some of the “poison” got in her because she was alive but comatose. Finally someone got a vet and she administered it by jugular vein.
I felt so bad for her….if this is common, I don not want to ever go this route again, or I will at least demand a vet only and now be more aware of the process.
I just felt so bad for her & it is just ripping me up.

[lindamarie]

Oh Judi!! I can't say if this is normal or not, but what a horrific experience for you! I am so very sorry for this and for your loss.
My first gut feeling is that it's not normal. Please don't make this feel worse than you already do.
I'm glad she was comatose. Feel good for that, because she was not feeling anything.
Honest to God, this has me tearing up!
I wouldn't want to go through anything like that again either! What I did last November when we had to put our Springer down, is ask them to sedate him with me not there.
Then I went in, said my goodbyes to a still breathing, BEAUTIFUL and relaxed Best FRIEND! I hugged him and let myself cry. I didn't want to do this before the sedation as I believe he was already nervous and feeling something was up. I needed to hold him while he was still alive. I always said I could never stand to see his sweet, jiggly little body still.
Then I left the room as I did not want to be present for the final moment. Call me a chicken........because I am. My husband did stay as he promised Casey he would.
Judi, IMO, this doesn't always happen. But, I can see how you may now never want to be present again.
God Bless.....and BIGTIME (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( ((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))

[Raleighsmom]

Aww Judi....I'm so very sorry you had to experience this...no...I don't think this is normal euthanasia..let alone a compassionate one...when we put our beloved lab Charlie down two yrs. ago, our vet asked where we would like it done...in the hospital or on a blanket underneath one of the trees in the sunshine...we chose outside, because Charlie loved the outdoors...he was sedated, then given his final dose...it was the most difficult thing we ever had to do, but thanks to our wonderful caring vet, it was done compassionately...
I hope you will let your vet know what transpired with the tech, and how unhappy you are...which might prevent another owner from experiencing the same thing you did....((((((((((((((((((((Judi))))))))))))))))))) )))) Sending prayers your way to ease your heartache...

[Sandi&theBees]

Oh Judi, I'm so sorry for your loss. What you went through was not normal. I worked for a Veterinarian for 13 years and have had numerous animals over my lifetime. First of all, I have never heard of a Tech administrating the euthanasia drug. And even under those circumstances, the Tech should have immediately asked for help before blowing veins in all four legs. Euthanasia is usually dealt with calmly and quietly by all involved. As difficult as it is to say good bye, this should not be a battle.
Is this the Animal Hospital where your animals receive their care? If so, have they been treated compassionately in the past? I would make my feelings known to everyone in that office and reconsider where I would be taking my animals in the future.
Again, I am so sorry for your experience. Sending comforting hugs your way.

[kirama]

I had a vet do the same thing to my Chessie, he was 14 and very large. She didn't give him enough sedative, then proceeded to inject the drug that would kill him, he was thrashing crying and moaning, this was 8 years ago but I still cry everytime I think about it. I have no idea what went wrong, she said she 'underestimated' his size, it was truly horrible.

[anny51]

Judi - I am so so sorry that what is already a very difficult thing to do was made far worse for you. I had one dog put to sleep some years ago and I will never forget how awful it was, but I considered that was only a small portion of what I owed this wonderful dog who'd brought me so much happiness. Please try not to dwell on her passing...she is happy now, and you have wonderful memories of her, and that's what's important. Do what you feel you must do to prevent this happening again, cry as much as you need to and take care of yourself and your other loved ones. Our thoughts are with you, and I'm giving Charlie an extra big hug

[blueteal]

No not normal at all and very sad..so sorry you went through that........

[Lucky Me]

Thankyou all....shoot, you have me crying again!
I could not help feeling I let her down some how...
I was in no shape to say anything at the time, but will on my next appt.
I thought it was weird that they had a vet tech do this....
I have used this vet office for years ( their practice is growing quickly), and have narrowed the vets I will use there to 2.
I also started using another local vet, but using her a little at a time to see how I feel about her ( she is a breeder too).
I want to keep an alternet vet in my pocket for emergencies!
On Sunday's here, I have to travel 75 miles for emergencies!
Funny thing happened last night....a breeder who actively shows, called and is buying my last puppy from the litter my Reba (Lizzy's daughter) had in August. He just turned 5 months..we were ready to keep him.
Seems she has him set-up for an AKC evaluation & has plans to start showing him this summer. The more I think about this, the better I feel. I just fixed mom & this was my last Miniature Pinscher litter since I have now gone on to breeding Labradoodles. What a tribute to her! If her grandson does good, when people look at Zorro's pedigree, there's her name, right up there with all those champions in the pedigree!
Funny how things work...
Here's little Zorro...I almost regret selling him but he is in better hands.... my heart has been truely won over by Labradoodles.

I am sorry for everything you went through today. I haven't put an animal down but that doesn't sound right and isn't how I would want to have it done.

Zorro is very cute!!!

[anny51]

Zorro is lovely...that's a great swansong! You seem to have gone from one end of the spectrum to the other...min pins (small, neat, hardly any coat) to doodles (lollopy, shaggy, goofy) Hope you are feeling a bit better

[Jac]

Judi...I am so sorry...

I'm going to send you an email...

[MaxandMe]

((((((((((((judi)))))))))))) i truly am sorry you had to experience that and it makes me cry as well both for having to put your dog down
and the way in which it was done. HOWEVER your dog is now at Rainbow bridge.

Zorro is a gorgeous dog .

[Maddjaxx]

So sorry to hear of your loss Judi. Its a difficult event even when things are normal and unfortunate that your experience went as it did, but feel no guilt. You did not let Miss Lizzy down. You gave her 15 long, happy years. That is what you should and will remember the most. Bless you and your family... and Lizzy too.

[gene]

My heart goes out to you and your family. You gave her the best in life and that is the most important thing!!

[doodleheaven]

I am so sorry you went through this. It is hard enough to let your friend go but to have the final moments end like this is not right.

I know you feel you let her down but you didn't as all the others have said. If you have trouble getting over this I would maybe pay tribute to your dog by planting a nice flower, tree or bush so that everytime you look at it blooming in the garden you can think of good memories.

If I had to confront the vet clinic I would be a mess and too emotional. Maybe a letter would be better so that you can make sure you say all you want to. I think the words in your initial post to us would actually be quite appropriate in the letter.

When we put down my beloved girl 1 1/2 years ago the vet sedated her first. She lay on a blanket very calmly. When my boys (4 & 6 yrs) knocked on the door she somehow managed to still get up and say goodbye to them (it was truly amazing and touching). The vet then let us all say our goodbyes and gave the final injection at which time she went to sleep peacefully. There was no thrashing around and the vet never left the room once. She would have if we asked her to but did warn us initially that sometimes there is a bit of movement and such so she just quietly stayed in the back corner of the room in case she was needed. As hard as it was, it was still ok.

I am so sorry for your loss.