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As part of my job I have had to euthanize well over 1000 animals that people decided they didn't want. I worked out of a shelter in NC. While my primary job was to investigate cases of animal cruelty, many times I had to put down animals using various methods. I will tell you I don't believe in the gas chamber, although I was certified to use it. I was wondering how everyone felt about euthanasia. The most common method is an injection. We used Ketamine first to reduce any effects and then something called Fatal Plus (like there is a "Plus" to anything that begins with "Fatal".). Xylazine was used on wildlife. NC law states that a single bullet to the brain is also a humane form of euthanasia, although unless an emergency, I can't see the benefits.
How does everyone feel about euthanasia. Is this something you would do for your animal to ease suffering?
You hit home for me. I feel differently on a day to day bases, I can see benefits but I also wonder how "pain free" it really is. We had to euthanize our 18 year old poodle 9 years ago, he had no eyes (for the last 2 months of his life) couldn't hear, couldn't walk, he was miserable. We kept waiting for him to pass on but he didn't, he couldn't even go to the bathroom by himself. Euthanizing him was a hard decision but I think it was the right one.
To bring this issue to a more human level, when my mom was dying of cancer she said "I wish I was a dog or a cat, I know I'm dying but instead of giving me peace and freeing me from the pain I have to suffer through every day until God decides to take me, I'm so glad Silver (our poodle) didn't have to go through this."
Having said that, I don't agree with euthanizing healthy animals because of overcrowding in shelters and the like. I would however like to get my hands on the people who hurt animals, I must say that euthanasia is too good for those people, the bullet to the brain sounds better.
Though I wouldn't want to be the one doing it (because I'm a big sissy and would cry), I understand it's use and think it's a good thing, at least in the case of animals who are suffering. We had to put a cat of ours down when I was a teenager; she had a tumor under her tongue, couldn't wash herself, couldn't eat and could barely drink. To keep her alive would have been cruel, and in my opinion, would have been for us. My cousin recently put her dog down (he was very old and ill); she said they gave him an injection and he just drifted off, very peaceful.
I think it's sad when healthy animals are put down because of overcrowding in shelters. I understand it is necessary because there is only so much room, but it's still sad. I wish more people would spay and neuter their pets to prevent unwanted puppies and kittens from ending up in the shelters in the first place!
I dread the day my animals get old and that I might be faced with making this sort of decision... I hope, like most people do, that my pets just lay down in the sun one day and don't wake up.....
Fallen I can't see the point in a bullet to the brain either, except, as you say in an emergency. I can see this technique being used on large animals perhaps? Like horses who have broken limbs?
I feel that euthanasia is black and white. Some people have to put down life long pets because they have come down with a disease or old age has kicked in and they are in so much pain and misery, that it just feels like the best decision you can make for your best friend. I would expect the same if someone saw me suffering enough that the decision came down to euthanasia.
On the other hand there are those people in this world that see an animal as being just an object and don't care for it the way they should. I feel so bad for dogs that have to live in animal shelters their last part of their life. It's not fair that a perfectly healthy animal should be put down just for the fact that no one wants him. I wish I could adopt every pound animal out there!
In the end I belive in euthanasia if it is for the better. Being put down because someone was selfish and took on a responsibility that they couldn't handle is just wrong. It's not the animal's fault that the wrong person chose them. And that that person was selfish and ignorant. I don't want you to feel like your doing something wrong because your not. That is a part of life. We have to deal with perfectly fine animals being put down. It's just something society doesn't understand.
Jillian- I know how you feel. My black lab will be 13 years old in May, I worry everyday. He's such a big part of our family, our first baby, and I don't know how I'll go on when he goes to the rainbow bridge. I hope that he will just fall asleep one day and not wake up, but I'd like to believe that if he's in allot of pain I will be able to make that painful decision.
Altenweg I'm such a weenie about it I worry and my pets are no where near the end! My cat is 7 this year and in great health and my dog just turned six and is in great health. My mom's dog, a golden, is 11 this year and has bone cancer... I suspect we will have to put him down this year, which makes me think about my own pets too. I, like you, hope I will be strong enough to make the right decision in one of my pets is in pain. But really, I'd like to avoid that all together!
As an addition to this topic (and not to threadjack or anything), there have been large numbers of dogs and cats being abandoned in homes when the owner is foreclosed on, or animals being taken to shelters because the owner's home was foreclosed on. That makes me angry!
Under NC state law if we could find the previous owners we could nail them with a class I felony for abandonment. I share your contempt for irresponsible animal ownership.
Oh.. and request that your animal be given a sedative prior to euthanasia. Ketamine works wonders for them. That way you do not have to worry about how they feel during their last moments. I went into the job because I watched my first dog be euthanized and realized I wanted to be there for other animals in their last moments. It's very sad but atleast I was able to make them feel loved when their owners didn't care to do the same.
If you're all want to read an inspirational story about a dog please check out one of my previous posts. Warning, if you are an animal lover this will make you cry.
Yes, it is something I have to had to do to ease a pet's suffering. I can't stand to see an animal in a condition that is not reversible and one who is only going to get worse. Keeping a pet alive like that is not tending to the needs of the animal. My feelings for animals parallel the feelings for human suffering. Not that I am the mercy killer but end of life should be dealt with in a dignified manner. People should not only ask themselves what they wish for themselves when "that time" comes to them but also when "that time" is evident for their pet(s).
Altenweg, I tried to give you more reputation but it told me I had to share. Sharing. I was an only child.. I'm not good at that. God, I just read your other post and now attempting to see the screen through blurry eyes. Heck. I think I am going to take up smoking again. God I am glad I didn't read that when it was my sole job to euthanize...
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