Pet Euthanasia at Home

OH, ... either way, it sucks when it's time to say good-by! We brought Calvin in see Harlee after she was gone. We did this so he wouldn't be looking for her, and could see for himself that she wasn't with us (in this world) any longer.

Yup, tough time. Dang kid still misses her, as do I with all my dogs.


Pops

dturm wrote:

Pawz4me wrote:
Dr. Doug, I have a question for you that I've meant to ask my own vet but have never gotten around to.

Let's say you have a long-time client with a very elderly pet or one who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. If that client called and said it's time for euthanasia but I'd like something I can give my pet at home to heavily relax/sedate him prior to bringing him in the final time -- would that be do-able?

It seems to me that having the pet already at least partially sedated would really help a lot (both the pet and their person/people) when coming for that final visit. It seems to me to be a humane approach all around.

We did this all the time. The only caveat was that most sedatives also lower blood pressure and that makes the whole procedure from our end a little more difficult, but that is a very small consideration to make the whole thing easier for all involved.

DOC, when you retired. The Veterinary (forgot what the second word / description suppose to be. But I think you know what I mean), oh, Profession (?) lost a Great DOC!

When Harlee's health was heading south real fast. Not knowing when, but knew it would be soon. The kid's DOC gave me her cell number, then instructed me to call (as she only worded two days a week), and she'll meet us (on her day off) at the clinic to help Harlee.

Should an emergency arise at night. She told me she'll let her husband know that I may call, who's an emergency Vet, working the third shift, that we may need his help.

Calvin's DOC has a real connection with the boy. After each visit, she'll place her forehead to Calvin's before we leave.

Now, what was the question again? ...... :h

Pops

In the past 3 years we've had to put down one cat and one dog. Both times we chose to go to the vet. Our vet and her staff are very warm and caring, and they made us comfortable. Both times it went fairly easily for the animal.

It may sound strange, but we didn't want them to die at home with the other animals around.

Not easy no matter where it is done. Our vetinarian gives us as much time as we need to spend before and after in total privacy.

I I can appreciate your POV, Dr Doug, but it is good that patients have a choice. Years ago, when vets first started asking if owners wanted to be with the pet during euthanasia, I was present at one that went a little bit scary. My favorite cat, Romeo, had contracted feline leukemia, before there was a vaccine for it. Romeo seized during administration of the euth meds. I think it was harder on me than him, but our vet told me it sometimes happens. I assume meds are better today? Also, it probably is harder for some vets to deal with emotional family members than the pet. That has to be very tough, at times.

We had a cat put down at home last year and we're glad we made that decision. Taking him to the vet his last 2 weeks was very stressful on him and this allowed him to go out with some dignity. The vet came to the house, put him to sleep and then administered the drug to stop his heart. It was a very sad day, but he was able to go in my wifes arms.

dturm wrote:
We did this all the time. The only caveat was that most sedatives also lower blood pressure and that makes the whole procedure from our end a little more difficult, but that is a very small consideration to make the whole thing easier for all involved.

Thanks for the info!

Pawz4me wrote:
Dr. Doug, I have a question for you that I've meant to ask my own vet but have never gotten around to.

Let's say you have a long-time client with a very elderly pet or one who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. If that client called and said it's time for euthanasia but I'd like something I can give my pet at home to heavily relax/sedate him prior to bringing him in the final time -- would that be do-able?

It seems to me that having the pet already at least partially sedated would really help a lot (both the pet and their person/people) when coming for that final visit. It seems to me to be a humane approach all around.

We did this all the time. The only caveat was that most sedatives also lower blood pressure and that makes the whole procedure from our end a little more difficult, but that is a very small consideration to make the whole thing easier for all involved.

Dr. Doug, I have a question for you that I've meant to ask my own vet but have never gotten around to.

Let's say you have a long-time client with a very elderly pet or one who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. If that client called and said it's time for euthanasia but I'd like something I can give my pet at home to heavily relax/sedate him prior to bringing him in the final time -- would that be do-able?

It seems to me that having the pet already at least partially sedated would really help a lot (both the pet and their person/people) when coming for that final visit. It seems to me to be a humane approach all around.

dturm wrote:
An opposing perspective and things to consider:

While a relaxed home setting is idealized, there are many factors that your vet considers when making the decision to offer home euthanasia.

Thankfully “problems” with euthanasia do not happen often, they do happen and being in a hospital setting with access to multiple drugs and assistants allows us to deal with the unknown more expediently.

Until recent DEA rulings, it was illegal for veterinarians to carry controlled substances outside of the office and there is still some ambiguity about the rules in place.

Many dogs do become anxious just being in a veterinary office. Dogs are amazingly intuitive and often will react to the anxiety of their owners, particularly in the situation surrounding euthanasia. With a calm, caring staff and a family attentive to the dog’s needs during the euthanasia (rather than their own pain), an office euthanasia can be a peaceful end.

I’ve done many home euthanasias but frankly didn’t like to, the benefit was more perception than real. I’ll admit that this perception is important to many.

Just my perspective after doing this for 37 years.

Doug, DVM

My mother had some folks come to her house to put down one of her dogs and there were some serious complications. The one-year old dog had randomly started attacking family members. The drugs failed to work correctly and the dog went nuts. The vet said this can happen if the dog has a brain tumor. It was very traumatic for the family members who witnessed it.