if you bring your animal to be put to sleep by the vet, what happens if they can't find a vein?

Question

the last time we went to the vet, he couldn't find a vein on our cat to draw blood!
I'm concerned for later years.

Answer 1

Don't worry... Sometimes a vet or a tech has a hard time finding a vein on any particular day. It may be they are having a bad day. It could be the cat was a little testy and not being cooperative. It could be lower blood pressure from not drinking much recently. I am a veterinarian and have euthanized many animals, both sick and not so sick (behavior issues, don't want to go there...). There are times a vein is tough to get, but there has never been a time where either I or one of my very competent techs could not hit a vein for a catheter or a blood draw. There was only one time that I sweat bullets before finding a vein and that situation was far from ideal: very small cat in kidney failure, very poor blood pressure, at a farm (their home) in a barn with very poor lighting. Finally got the medicine in after some 20 minutes.

I would recommend having your vet put in a catheter prior to the event. Then you have nothing to worry about.

Anne

Answer 2

Depending on the animal's condition, it may have very poor circulation and/or very low blood pressure. This may make it difficult to find a vein; worse yet, if blood flow is bad enough it may take a very long time for the animal to actually pass away. There are other veins than the one in the leg, but the best option from a technical standpoint is the jugular; unfortunately this is a little disconcerting for an already distressed owner to watch,

In many cases a catheter can be placed, but this must be done by someone familiar with the technique. A catheter can sometimes hold a vein open and permit injection where a needle alone can't.

Another option, as gruesome as it may sound is an intracardiac injection (often called a cardiac stick). This involves injecting directly into the heart. It looks horrible but when done properly is just as fast and no more uncomfortable than an injection to the leg vein. For pets with profoundly compromised circulation, it may be the only viable option.

Answer 3

Should the time come when you have to ahve the cat euthenized, the Vet will most likely have to inject into an artery if he cannot inject into a vein.. I hope your kitty has a long and happy, purring life.

Answer 4

They have plenty of Veins but if all fails the dog is sedated and Euthanized in the heart it is just as quick but they MUST be knocked out..I have done it...Sometimes kittens are so small you have no choice! They teach you how to do all this when you get certified in Euthanazia school!

Answer 5

first they go for the vein in the leg, then a vein in the neck, then a vein in the back leg... if all else fails then they can inject into the abdomin which is a slow but painless death... or just go directly to the heart, but thats kind of not cool

Answer 6

Usually only the vet administers that medicine and they know where the dog's veins are but I had to do it once and it was very sad, but did not take very long so my dog, who I held in my arms, rubbed it's head and whispered loving words to in his ear was old and sick and he didn't suffer very long. If they miss, they put the needle in again, just like with people.

I am very sorry for you having to put your pet down.

Answer 7

We had this happen it was really sad but what they do is insert the needle into the side to the kidney it works just as well and they feel no pain.
I cried and It wasn't even my kitten!
I love cats so I will take on your pain.
Good luck and remember it's OK to cry.

Answer 8

Hi sorry if your dog is ill. I have had to be in this situation 3 times.
It is very traumatic, but they are professionals they will find the vein.
They will do their best for the comfort of your animal and you.

Answer 9

Oh my God I can't even imagine an answer to this!

Answer 10

I'm sorry