What does euthanasia feel like for an animal and what drug is used?

Question

When an animal is put to sleep what do they feel and what drug is used?

If it wad similar to an anaesthetic they would just feel a bit dizzy and then fall asleep right? But I heard that the drug given to put animals to sleep stops their heart and is kinda like an overdose and that sounds kinda unpleasant.

So.. what is the drug used, what does it do and therefore what would it probably feel like for the poor animal? :(

Answer 1

Actually the anesthesia they use for surgery is different than the drug they use to put animals to sleep.  We used to use a drug called "Euthanol" to put animals to sleep.  It is quick..it is like knocking them out for surgery..quick and painless....but the only difference is they never wake up.  

Answer 2

typically ODs on barbituates, pentobarbital combos, chloral hydrate...these depress the CNS progressing to anesthesia to apnea to cardiac arrest.

usually the animal is already sedated so it wouldn't know what's going on. the effects of euthanasia injections are rather rapid.

Answer 3

They use a high dose of anaesthetic. The animal falls asleep and then passes away. No pain and very humane.

Answer 4

the same drug which is used to nock them out for an operation

they just give them more of it to stop their heart from beating

i think it just feels as though they are actually falling asleep

Answer 5

We had a dog who had to be put to sleep because of the level of pain he was in. He felt no pain whatsoever and although obviously heartbreaking for us, it was very peaceful for our dog. It was basically an overdose of (i think) morphine or some sedative. But if you have a pet that needs to be put to sleep, don't worry about it too much, as although it's a very hard thing to do it is for the best. Hope this has eased your mind a little.

Answer 6

They call it "putting them to sleep" for a reason, its just a lethal dose of anesthesia, they just get sleepy and don't wake up. There is no pain.

Answer 7

they basically get an od on a narcotic type drug, they feel high as f*ck