what happens when the vet puts your dog to sleep?

Question

Our family pet Nina who is a beautiful full bred German Shepard is old and has authritis. She is in pain and can't get herself up to use the bathroom. We've had her since she was three days old. She was so playful and to all of our suprise got along with our other pet rabbit. I was in tears when my mom told me they were going to put her to sleep. So I was just wondering what they do & if they bury her or what??

reading all of your answers has brought me to tears. i feel so much better knowing that i am not the only one who feels this way. thank you all so much!

Answer 1

i just got done putting my male chow of 15 years down during that time before he had stopped gasining weight and just didnt act good at all for what i wanted was for him to be ok but that wasnt going to happen it was his timr for now i know that making a great choice like that was a whole lot better then suffering i got to be there during all of it from the moment we put him in the car to the shot that would relax him he hated vets after it fiannly started working they came in and i knew it was time as i lay there on the floor with him assuring him its ok he was a good boy and a great best friend at that moment it was over he ws up in heaven where i knew no pain could ever hurt him my advise if you think you can handle it is to be there calm her down and let her know she did nothing wrong but be a great friend i didnt think i could handle it but after my first dog i put down i relized even if i wasnt thre i still would have cryed so there was nothing to be scared of i could be there and not let him go alone i know i would be scared in a big room full of stangers what a joy to have you right beside her during all of it please consider going if your mom will let you its scary but its a joy to stand there wait with your best freind so they dont get scared read this also dont give up the chance take her colar with you put it in a nice frame with pictures of her and you family to remind you ever day of
If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.

You will be sad, I understand;
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years -
What is to come can hold no fears
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come, so let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend.
And please stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you did for me.
Athough my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Please do not grieve - it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years -
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.


Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is
more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your
hand between the blows, your patience and understanding
will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the worlds sweetest music, as
you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep
falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a
domesticated animal, no longer used to the elements. And I ask no
greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the
hearth. Though, had you no home, I would rather follow you through
ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home
in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshipper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not
reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do
your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able
to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of
my health or my sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me
gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of
eternal rest --- and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I
drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

herThe Spirit of
A German Shepherd Dog

I was standing on a hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And the spirit of a German Shepherd Dog
Was lying at my feet.


She looked at me with kind dark eyes
An ancient wisdom shining through
And in the essence of her being
I saw love there too.

Her mind did lock upon my heart
As I stood there on that day
And she told me of this story
About a place so far away.

I stood upon that hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And in a twinkling of a second
Her spirit left my feet.

Her tale did put my heart at ease
My fears did fade away
About what lay ahead of me
On another distant day.

“I live among God’s creatures now
In the heavens of your mind
So do not grieve for me, my friend
As I am with my kind.

My collar is a rainbow’s hue
My leash a shooting star
My boundaries are the Milky Way
Where I sparkle from afar.

There are no pens or kennels here
For I am not confined
But free to roam God’s heavens
Among my Shepherd kind.

I nap the day on a snowy cloud
Gentle breezes rocking me
And dream the dreams of earthlings
And how it used to be.

The trees are full of liver treats
And tennis balls abound
And Milkbones line the walkways
Just waiting to be found.

There even is a ring set up
The grass all lush and green
And everyone who gaits around
Becomes the Best of Breed.

For we’re all winners in this place
We have no faults, you see
And God passes out those ribbons
To each one, even me.

I drink from waters laced with gold
My world a beauty to behold
And wise old dogs do form my pride
To amble at my very side.

At night I sleep in an angel’s arms
Her wings protecting me
And moonbeams dance about us
As stardust falls on thee.

So when your life on earth is spent
And you stand at Heaven’s gate
Have no fear of loneliness
For here, you know I wait.

Answer 2

Putting a dog to sleep involves giving an overdose of anesthetic. Basically, they anesthetize past the point of safe surgical anesthesia until pulse, respiration and brain activity stop. So it is painless other than the initial stick. Depending on the standard procedure at the veterinary hospital you use, your vet may take your dog into the exam room and place an IV catheter and then return to the exam room or just give an IV injection. The vet may also sedate your dog prior to actually putting him to sleep. These options depend on the situation. Placing an IV catheter is a good idea just because you know you have a patent access to the vein so the injection goes smoothly.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

I am sorry to hear of your loss. It is a very difficult thing to go through, and I wish you the best.

You usually get the option of being with your dog if you want to be. If you are not comfortable with that, you can wait in the lobby, or even go home and wait. If you live where you can still bury pets, as some places have ordinances against it, you can take her home and bury her right away, or you can opt to have her cremated. Then, you can keep her ashes in a pretty jar for as long as you like, or spread them somewhere she liked to play.

The vet will shave a small spot on her paw or leg to place the injection. Then, they will give her an injection, just like when you have vaccines, only she will simply go to sleep and not wake up. She will be in no pain.

All the best to you. I always remind myself that I will see them again someday. That makes it easier for me...

Answer 5

I went through this with my German Shepard a little over a year ago. We didn't take him to the vets to have it done because we wanted to have him cremated after wards....We had to take him to the local animal rescue center. They came out to the back of my Tahoe.....because Buddy was not able to get out of the back on his own. My mom held him in her arms while they put the needle in his front leg and injected him with the medication. He didn't feel any pain....he just went to sleep and then stopped breathing. It was the hardest thing I have had to go through in a long time. He was 17 yrs old though....so he lived a good life. We had a choice...we could take him and have him buried at a pet cemetery, they could dispose of his body for us, or we could have him cremated. We had him cremated and they gave him back to us in a cedar box with a certificate and a poem honoring him. My oldest daughter has his ashes on her dresser in her room. I know that may sound strange but she loved him so much and misses him everyday. Good luck and be prepared to cry a lot. After all my dog was a member of my family...not just a pet.

Answer 6

hey, sorry to hear about Nina. The good news is exactly what was said previously- it's basically an O.D. on painkillers. I was present when my dog was euthanized, and what happened was the vet asked if we would first like to sedate her. Which we did, so my dog definately had noooo idea what was going on. Then after 10-15min., the vet came back, asked if we were ready for her to proceed, and it was one more shot, and that was it. very easy, and we were given as much time afterwards as we wanted to say good bye ( or cry) and then the option of cremation at the vet's office, or to take my dog home. It was emotionally difficult at the time, but really, it was so well done! you needn't worry about Nina feeling any pain.

Answer 7

Euthanization is through an injection that is not painful, and it will make your dog drift into a sleep, then the body will shut down. They will give you the option of being there when they do it.
They will also ask if you will want the body back, for burial purposes, or if you would want them to take care of it (in that case, the dog will be cremated).

Answer 8

Honey,
I do this everyday in my job.It is a painless thing...We give the dog drugs in a vein in her front leg..If she is tense or upset we sedate them first.then they are calm and dont care.We give them a drug that just shuts everything down,most of the time they are gone before we pull the needle out.Your Vet will dispose of the dog if you want her too, you can take it home bury it, or even have it cremated.Its a very easy death and when we get a dog in thats suffering I am always thankful that we can do this for that dog...You can even be in the room if you like.You will be upset but it will be nice to know deep in your heart that your Dog isnt hurting anymore!
So Sorry you have to do this!

Answer 9

it's like lethal injection for criminals...they just use medications to put her under, then slow the breathing and then the heart. completely painless for animals I'm sure. you'll probably get to bury her in a pet cemetary or in your yard or something.

Answer 10

after the give her the shot and she is gone...I think there is options...you could have her ashes saved...or you could ask for the "body"to bury yourself other wise I think they just throw them away...now who could let them do that to a beloved family pet?

Answer 11

your dog will get a shot of powerful pain killers, and will just go to sleep and her heart will stop beating. she wont feel anything.

afterwards, you can bury her, or have her creamated.