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Euthanasia - How Is It Done? "Like all vets I hated doing this, painless though it was, but to me there has always been a comfort in the knowledge that the last thing these helpless animals knew was the sound of a friendly voice and the touch of a gentle hand." - James Herriot in All Things Wise and Wonderful After exploring all other options and coming to the realization that euthanization is the kindest choice, it may be somewhat comforting to know the procedure. This may also help you decide whether or not to be there with your pet. Webster's Dictionary defines euthanasia as "the act or method of causing death painlessly so as to end suffering"; euthanasia is indeed, a painless way to end a pet's suffering. After your pet is made as comfortable as possible, a mild sedative will be given to help calm your pet. A catheter is then placed in the pet's vein to ensure the euthanazia solution enters the bloodstream quickly. The solution is the same as that used for general anesthesia, however, it is given in a much higher dose. Your pet will first lose consciousness, and soon after, the heart and lungs will cease to function. It is often hard to tell if the pet is gone until the vet checks for a heartbeat, since the pet's eyes stay open in most cases. As your pet breathes his last few breaths, there will be involuntary muscle contractions which the pet will be unaware of. Upon passing, the muscles relax, and the bladder and bowels empty; should you choose to remain with your pet during the procedure, do not be alarmed as this is normal. It is also normal for the pet's muscles to twitch for a short time after death, as the chemicals stored in nerve endings are released. The decision to stay with your pet during euthanization is a personal one; some feel that they will be a comfort to the pet during its final minutes, while others feel their emotions will upset the pet. Should you decide to remain, you will see how peaceful euthanization is. Use the drop down menu or click on the "Next" icon to continue
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