Normally, with
dogs and cats, an injection is given directly into a vein on the foreleg. In some old or very ill cats the injection is sometimes given into the side of the tummy. The drug used is a very strong anaesthetic based drug which anaesthetises the brain first (so the animal become unconscious) before then stopping the heart. The process is very quick - often occurring within a few seconds. If we feel the animals may be frightened or fractious, then we may give them a little sedative beforehand to make them much less anxious.
Rabbits
are usually given the same injection, but into a small vein running along their ear.
Smaller pets such as Guinea Pigs, Mice, Hamsters etc
are often anaesthetised first of all using an inhaled anaesthetic gas which they can just breath in mixed with oxygen. Once they are fully unconscious the same injection is then given directly into their abdomen or chest.
The whole process is performed so as to be as gentle, stress-free, painless and dignified as physically possible. We obviously have your pet's best well-being at heart.
Does the animal feel anything?Absolutely not. The drug injected is designed to render your pet fully unconscious before the heart stops. All they are aware of, is gradually drifting off to sleep - just like having an anaesthetic. The injection itself is not painful and feels like any other injection - a sharp scratch.
What actually happens when my pet is put to sleep?Normally both a vet and veterinary nurse is present when your pet is put to sleep. After having explained the whole process to you the nurse will gently hold the animal so that the vet can have access to administer the drug. If the injection is going to be given into a vein, then a small patch of hair will be clipped away and a surgical swab will clean the exposed area.
There are some reflexes that can occur after your pet has passed and these will be explained in detail at the time. It is normal for the eyes to remain open afterwards, and it is also common that some wee or poo can just leak out as everything relaxes. Occasionally you can get some muscle twitching and it is also possible to get a sudden sharp intake of breath. This can upset people if you are not expecting it, but again is normal and it is just due to the diaphragm relaxing. The animal is absolutely not aware of this.
Does Euthanasia have to take place at the surgery?Not necessarily. We are fully aware that the surgery is not the best environment to have such an emotional event take place. It is well known that some pets are more anxious when visiting the vets at the best of times! We are also aware that as owners you don't want to be waiting in a room full of people and other animals having made such a difficult decision.
Therefore we are more than happy to do
home-visits
wherever possible, should you decide to have your pet put to sleep. Both a vet and nurse can come to your house at a suitable time to perform the euthanasia. This is often preferential as the animal is in his or her usual and well-known environment with familiar sights, sounds and smells. You may have a special place or bedding that you want your pet to lie on so as to make the whole process as stress-free as possible.
We leave the location entirely down to you. If you do want to come to the surgery, we advise that you let us book you in a for a specific time when the surgery is more likely to be quiet. Once we know you are here, you are more than welcome to ask to wait in a quiet room to wait in until the vet is ready. Alternatively, your are welcome to wait in the car park and the vet can call you in through the back-door, and this way you can also avoid having to sit in the waiting room before hand. (Please always ring reception and let them know that you have arrived and where the vet can find you!)