My dog is going under tomorrow?

Question

He's 12 year old in human years and has many complications.

He's not in any pain right now, but it's difficult for him to walk and he's hungry all the time because of the steroids we have him on for his allergies.

We tried all we could to give him time, but that's all come to an end.

Does the injection hurt the dog? How does it work and how long does it usually take for him to go under fully?

We take him in tomorrow at 9 a.m. and I would like to know what to expect, thanks!

Answer 1

I am sooo sorry for you and your dog and family to have to do this.  I've had to do this too and it's not easy at all.  I don't think they feel it cause the vet just kind of gives the shot and they go to sleep.  I think they go within a minute or so.  Maybe a vet tech will answer and give you more info but I'm sooo sad for you.  Just know that you gave him the best life possible and it's his time.  You wouldn't want to live like that so you are making a dignified death for him before he becomes incapacitated.  Thank God he isn't in any pain.  

Are you thinking of getting him cremated?  You can and have his ashes in a box.  We have a treasure chest with our girl's ashes in it and another one from lonnggg ago with the family dog when I was a kid.

Answer 2

i heard it's like anesthesia.

they inject the dog

and within 30 seconds, the dog is forced asleep.

it just feels like your falling asleep

there is no pain whatsoever.

but if you are very emotional, the dog will be too,

he won't know what is going on

he will be very upset and confused

and then he will be gone

so make his last moments on earth happy by smiling all the time, don't get him excited though, just make everything seem pleasant.

like rub the body part that he loves to have rubbed, but make sure your face is very close to his and (make eye contact too) say things like "i love you" and "see you later" in heaven because hopefully you will lol

Answer 3

Sorry to hear about your dog.  The shot does not hurt and it works fast and they just look like they go to sleep.  We had to have ours put down at 12 years two years ago.  I set with him tell he was gone, some people can't do that but I wanted him to know that I was there and loved him,

Answer 4

I'm very sorry!!

I put my dog down last March. It is just an injection, and they just simply fall asleep. If he is in pain, it is the best thing to do. It will hurt you more, but when I put mine down, a sudden peace came over me. You need to be brave for your pet.

Answer 5

Be assured you are making a good decision.  I am sorry to hear that you have to put you dog to sleep.

The shot doesn't hurt.  And it only takes a few minutes.  

Answer 6

Typically the vet will shave a foreleg or wet the fur a bit to expose a vein. They’ll place the syringe with needle attached alongside the dog's leg and slide the needle into the vein. A small amount of blood is usually drawn back into the syringe this ensures that the needle is in the vein. Keep gently stroking your dog and reassuring it. As the vet injects the dog it takes only seconds to relax and anaesthetize the dog, usually before the syringe is empty.  By now your dog is fully unconscious and it is only a matter of time for the body to stop. The vet will inform you when you pet has passed away and leave you alone to say goodbye.

Some dogs with poor circulation can react differently and take a bit longer for muscle twitching to stop. Don't be alarmed it is not the dog 'fighting' the drug or the dog 'trying to stay alive'. Your dog will be fully unconscious and unaware of the speed in which its muscles relax.  It doesn’t hurt and most vets are extremely compassionate and take great to ensure there is no pain.

My deepest sympathy to you on this…

Answer 7

Aww...how sad.  I am soo sorry!! It doesn't take very long. Best of Luck!  

Answer 8

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. Please try to get some comfort from the fact that your dog gave you all he had to give and now it time for him to find peace. As hard as it is going to be at the vet's office, going home is really going to be hard. You will see your dog every were you look. Be prepared for this. Allow your self to grieve, and to smile at the good memories that you will always have.

Bless you.  

Answer 9

I had to put my dog under a little over a year ago. It was so hard, she was 15, and I could not IMAGINE her doing it on her own without me. So I stayed in the room with her. I stroked her and told her how wonderful she was and stayed with her the whole time, they slowly injected her and it took about 3 minutes, she never yelped, or moved. It was the most heartbreaking experience of my life. But I htink she was really glad I was there with her.

Just remember you are doing whats best for your dog. Thats all that kept me sane, she couldn't even hold down water anymore, we had kept her going for a week after her stroke, but it was just too hard on her. I am so sorry that you have to put your dog down. Best Wishes.

Answer 10

:[

im sorry about your dog.

but im sure he lived a full and happy life.

ive heard the shot is actually peaceful.

well im sure the actual poke of the needle isnt. ha.

but i wouldnt know.

ive never been put to sleep before.

and i think it happens in a matter of seconds.

some people like to go in the room with their pet and hold them while they get the shot.

so they die in ur arms.

but thats up to you.

im sure your animal would love that.

but if you cant handle it, i understand.

i dont think i would be able to.

Answer 11

Making the appointment

Be sure to tell the receptionist that you would like to schedule the appointment at a time when the veterinarian is not in a hurry with other appointments or surgery. You might even request that your appointment be the last one of the day or the first one in the morning. Explain that you have never had to go through this experience before and would like to know what to expect regarding the Getting older sometimes is no fun...euthanasia procedure.  You have a right to take your deceased pet home for personal burial. You may also choose to leave your deceased pet with the veterinarian for burial or cremation. Always ask what will be done with your deceased pet after it is "put to sleep"!  If you don't, you will always wonder, and your imagination will not be kind to you.

Let me dispel an ugly myth. I can't tell you how many concerned pet owners have innocently asked me "You aren't going to experiment on her, are you?" or "You aren't going to sell him to some lab are you?"

I have never known of any veterinarian anywhere who sells deceased pets. There are no labs that would even consider taking a deceased animal. And as for experimentation, what kind of an "experiment " can a veterinarian do in his practice on a deceased pet that would have any impact whatsoever on veterinary science? It is a totally different matter for your veterinarian to ask you respectfully if you would want an autopsy performed for a specific reason. Veterinarians do not sell deceased pets and veterinarians do not do experiments on deceased pets. So you can rest assured on these matters. But you certainly have a right to know what will be done with your dog or cat if you choose to leave it with the veterinarian. Do not be apologetic about asking.

The Appointment... To Be There or Not To Be There

It is your personal choice whether or not to be present in the exam or surgery room when the veterinarian administers the euthanasia solution. Many people simply cannot bear to see the moment of their special friend's passing. Others wouldn't let a tidal wave interfere with their being present!  It really is up to your personal preference. Some people choose to stay in the waiting room during the procedure and then briefly view their pet after it has passed away, maybe then spending a few moments in private with their pet.

If you are not sure just what to do I will offer an observation I have made from feedback from my clients. There are a multitude of petYou are still beautiful. owners who have regretted NOT being there with their pet when the pet was being euthanized, and their feelings that they may have abandoned their pet at a crucial time has created a certain sense of guilt that simply will not go away. So...  think over very carefully how you will feel long after your pet has been "put to sleep".  Will you have regrets if you do not stay with your pet?

No one is comfortable with death, especially your veterinarian and animal hospital staff who face death every day. Your discomfort with the event should not govern your decision whether or not to be present with your pet at the time of its passing. Many apprehensive clients, with a slightly surprised look, have queried after the event "Is that it? That was very quick and peaceful. Thank you, Doctor".

Let me be very clear about something... it is perfectly normal and acceptable to cry.  I have often wondered why some people don't cry. This can be a very sad time and even though the animal hospital staff might have to go through this all too often, there really is no getting used to euthanizing a dog or cat. The animal hospital staff has often formed a strong connection with many of the pets in their care and often join in the crying; so you really have no need to pretend that you can handle it when inside you feel terrible.

You might choose to leave your pet in the car and go in first to see if there will be any delays prior to your scheduled time. As a veterinarian I have never been comfortable seeing a client sitting patiently in the waiting room with their pet for that final appointment. It is perfectly reasonable to ask the receptionist to let you know when the doctor is ready to see your pet... then bring your pet directly into the exam room. You should not have to be isolated in the exam room for a long period of time, either.

If you think your pet would be more comfortable and less apprehensive (not all pets relish coming to the animal hospital!) you may ask the veterinarian to provide your pet with some sedation prior to your visit. This can be administered at home at a directed time interval prior to the appointment or often sedation is given in the animal hospital via a painless injection under the pet's skin. After a short time the pet is relaxed and calm.

In order to administer the euthanasia solution* your veterinarian must gain entry into a vein. The solution is specially made to act quickly and painlessly but it must be administered intravenously. This requires that your pet be calm and confident. If the veterinarian requests your permission to sedate your pet, please understand that the request is made in order to humanely and peacefully accomplish the task at hand. If your pet is uncooperative, defensive, afraid or even fractious, your veterinarian and you will not be able to properly carry out the procedure.

The Last Moments

When the veterinarian is ready to administer the euthanasia solution the assistant will help hold your pet and put a slight amount of pressure on a vein, usually in the foreleg. This allows the veterinarian to see the vein better and aids in passing a fine needle into the vein. When it is certain that the needle is within the vein the veterinarian slowly injects the solution. Many pet owners choose to help hold their pet and if possible even have the pet in their arms at the time of euthanasia. Your veterinarian will try to accommodate your wishes, but remember that it is imperative that the solution be injected within the vein for the procedure to unfold properly.

Usually within six to twelve seconds after the solution is injected the pet will take a slightly deeper breath, then grow weak and finally lapse into what looks like a deep sleep. (This state gives rise to the questionable euphemism "to put to sleep".) The pet, although completely unconscious, may continue to take a few more breaths before all movement ceases. I have found that the older and sicker the pet the longer this unconscious breathing state goes on.

Some pet owners will be more comfortable if they do not observe the pet's final moments and would rather be in the waitingGently, the vein is located. room during the injection.  Then when their pet has passed away, the owner may wish to  be with their pet privately for a few moments.  If you do chose to visit with your pet after it has been euthanized, ask your veterinarian to be sure your pet's eyelids are closed; some pet owners have been saddened even further by looking into their deceased pet's eyes.

It is at this point when the veterinarian has completed the procedure where great empathy and support for the pet owner is very important. I generally ask the owner if they would like to spend a  few moments alone with the pet. Some people do and some people do not. If the client chooses to take the pet home, by pre-arrangement a container is at the ready to receive the pet.

The veterinarian usually will place the pet into the container and carry the deceased pet out to the car for the owner. If the pet owner chooses to have the pet cremated the veterinarian generally will make the arrangements through a cremation service and notify you when you can expect to have the ashes returned. Generally, pet owners are surprised at the small quantity of ashes that are returned. Remember, most living creatures are about 95% water.

It is perfectly reasonable to ask "How do I know that the ashes that I receive will actually be those of my pet?" Everyone wonders about that. Your veterinarian should be willing to provide you with the name and phone number of the cremation service. Don't be afraid to call up the cremation service and tell them your concerns about your pet. You should get courteous and respectful answers to all your questions and if you don't, let your veterinarian know. In fact it would be a good idea to call the cremation service long before that final day so that the last moments with your pet are as unstressful as possible.

It is not unusual nor unreasonable for pet owners to save a bit of their pet's fur as a physical remembrance of their special friend. Some people want their pet to be buried or cremated with a few photos, or a rose or even a personal letter or poem from the pet owner to their pet. Just remember it is YOUR friend, YOUR pet, that is passing away and you can do anything you wish to ease your transition into the time of separation from that friend.

Suggestion:  You may want someone to be with you after the appointment to drive you home.  You may be surprised how difficult it can be to concentrate on driving.

Answer 12

When you say "going under" do you mean that you are putting your dog down?  

I am going to assume that you and your vet have come to the conclusion that nothing more can be done for your dog.  It is my experience that your dog will tell you when it is time to put him down.  If he is still eating well, are you sure that it is his time?  

If so, they will give him one injection to calm him down and slightly sedate him.  Then they will give him another that actually stops his heart.

It is not painful, but some dogs experience some discomfort from the medication going in.  And some don't like the feeling of disorientation from the sedation.  But most just quietly drift off.  

Please be with him.  He needs to have someone take this journey with him.  He has been a loyal companion to you for 12 years.  Be with him on the last leg of this journey.  It will help you to say good-bye also.

I am very sorry for your loss.  I know from experience how difficult this decision is.

Answer 13

The sodium pentabarbital injection can sting a bit, but your vet will give your dog a tranquilizer before giving him the euthanasia injection. He will literally just drift off to sleep. It usually works in 2 minutes or less. It works by biochemically stopping the heart beat. You are to be commended for being selfless and letting him pass peacefully and with dignity.