My puppy has cancer,?

Question

she is one yr old and she was diagnosed this week. Unfortunately the cancer has spread to her regional areas and chemo is not an option for us. The vet has given her Tramadol for pain relief and cortizone to maybe help slow it down. We are devastated and have spent most of the week crying as she was a gift last Christmas from my daughter to my son. Our baby is very much loved and as you can imagine is being spoilt more than usual for whatever time we have her left for. My question is: Do we stay at her side when the time comes for her to leave us and what does the vet actually do when a pet is put to sleep. This is our first family pet and I am in a dilemma on if to encourage my son to be with her at the time (however it will always be his choice - he is 13). Can someone please tell me the process on dog euthanasia in Australia. I would appreciate this very much.

Thankyou

Answer 1

Hi, I'm Aussie from Sydney. The process is basically this:

You make an appointment with the vet for euthanasia. They WILL allow you into the consult room to be with your dog when she goes. They always give you a choice and you should have a choice too. I've never heard of it in Australia where a vet denies you the chance to say goodbye to your pet and be with them in their last moments.

They will put her on the consult table - shave a bit of fur from one of her front legs. Then they will insert a needle and inject anaesthetic. It's an overdose of anaesthetic so they go to sleep first, and then their heart stops beating.

Some ppl say that their dogs don't make any noise at all when the anaesthetic goes in, but if you've ever been under for an operation, you'll know that when it goes in, you can feel the burn as it travels up your vein. It's very painful (my experience from surgery) and it certainly causes me to bite my lip and hold my breath. My dogs have barked or growled when the anaesthetic goes in. It hurts.

Then your dog will just relax and her body will go very very floppy. If her eyes aren't closed when she passes, they won't close so you should be prepared for that.

I would never let any of my dogs go alone. I want to be with them every single last moment. I do try not to cry when they're going because I don't want them to sense something's really wrong. I want them to go as peacefully as possible. Of course, once the vet pronounces that they're gone - I break down and cry I'm a total mess. The last dog I had leave me was over 4 years ago now. If I think of him too much, I still cry.

Do you stay at her side? It's purely up to you. At 13, your son probably has the maturity to understand what death is - maybe you can have a discussion with him regarding it and what he feels he would like to do. It is very very upsetting and all of you will be very affected. Don't make the decision for him though - when my grandfather was dying of cancer (I know it's not a dog story but it explains my reasoning) my mother wouldn't allow me to go and visit him before he died - or attend his funeral. I still get very upset about this 7 years later.

If you're a Sydneysider, I know a good vet - they're very sympathetic and very very nice. I also know of an excellent one in Newcastle as well. Feel free to email me if you like - I won't have very regular access to email over the next couple of weeks but I will be checking.

I'm so sorry. Putting down a dog - I think it rates as one of the very hardest things to do.

Enjoy your Christmas with her. Spoil her rotten - she deserves it. (apologies if description above was a bit awful - I wanted to be honest).

Answer 2

I'm in America, but I can help you.

I am SOO sorry for the bad news. It is a decision that you have to make. I think for me it would be dependant on how ill she gets at the end. If you want your family to see the circle of life and they are old enough, that may be a good way to do it.

As far as the euthanasia process, I think it is the same no matter where you are. The vet gives the dog an overdose of narcotics and she just goes to sleep. There is no pain involved except a tiny poke from the needle on the syringe. It goes into her vein and she stops breathing. It only takes 30 seconds and it is over.

I know this is hard for you, I had to recently have a family pet put to sleep and it was very hard for me and I cried alot...and I am a vet tech!! You would think I would be used to it, I see it on a regular basis, but when it is your own animal it is totally different.

GL and God Bless you and your family in this tough time.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Answer 3

I'm so sorry. I know what it's like to lose a pet. It's never easy.

I don't how it is in Australia, but in the US, you can stay when the vet gives the injection to put her to sleep. The choice is yours and alone and one that only you can make. Someone mentioned that in the US,you cannot stay, but this isn't true. I've stayed with every dog I've had when their time came to go and I wouldn't have it any other way. They were always where when I needed them, and I needed to be there during their final moments.

The vet will shave a small area on the front leg and give them an overdose. It's painless for the animal. I wish I could say that it will be painless for you as well, but I know losing a beloved pet is never without pain and heartbreak even though you know it's for the best.

I'm very very sorry. Do what your heart tels you to do when her time comes and don't force your son to be there if he doesn't want to be though. Let him make up his own mind. In the meantime, enjoy what time you have left with with her. Try and remeber the happiness that she brought to all of your lives.

You will meet again at the Rainbow Bridge.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Answer 4

I'm in America, and it is the family's choice of whether to be present or not. An IV catheter is placed to be sure everything goes easily, and sometimes a mild sedative is given to help smooth the transition. An overdose of an anesthetic drug is given, and in most cases, the dog slips quietly away in a matter of seconds. They don't usually close their eyes. Sometimes they will take a deep breath or two even a few minutes after their heart has stopped, but that's not very common. I would be sure that each of your kids gets to make their own decision about whether to be present, and discuss your options with your vet privately before the day comes. Know whether you and the kids want to be present or not, and decided ahead of time what you want to do with the remains. I am so sorry- such devastating news, esp at this time of year, and it seems so unfair in a puppy so young. Good luck to you.

Answer 5

So sorry to hear about your problem, I know how attached you can become to a pet. Our little fellow is 15 months and we would be devastated in your position. I have seen a cat put down by a vet. and it appeared to cause no discomfort at all. They showed a cat being put down on "The Flying Vet." the other day and the owner was amazed to realise it had died because it didn't even move. I really don't think you need worry about causing your friend any discomfort but am very sorry for your situation.
Euthenasia involves a simple injection .

Answer 6

Depending upon the vet....I have experienced something of everything. However, this past week I had to euthanize a cat and I must say it was done with much dignity. First the animal was taken back and a catheter was inserted into her arm. Then we were given as much time as we needed to say goodbye. I always stay with my pet.....I am the last thing they will see. First a tranquilizer is injected into the catheter , and the animal falls asleep ,but conscious, then the other med is administered and they are gone.....so peaceful, so graceful, no pain. I am so grateful to this vet for making this as bearable as possible

Answer 7

I am so sorry to hear about your baby girl. I know how devestating it can be. My heart goes out to all of you.

I don't know about how they do it in Australia, but here in the states, they just give them a shot in their front leg.

The dog basically goes into cardiac arrest and stops breathing. Other than losing a loved one to begin with, the worst part of it is, their eyes don't close.

If this is how they do it there, and your son chooses to be there for her when the time comes, please make sure they place a thick towel under her back end and cover her back end as well. If she has any urine in her bladder, she will more than likely lose it.

Answer 8

I am so sorry! Someone in your family should be with the dog when the time comes. Your son may be too young to have to go thru this. It might be too hard for him to take. You as the parent should be there to hold the dog as she passes away, or be there with your son if he feels like he would be able to be there without completely breaking down. Here in the states, they simply give them an injection and they go to sleep and don't wake up. It is quite painless for them. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Answer 9

Cath:
Hang in there, your pet will tell you when she has has enough. As for exposing a 13 year old to the facts of death in life,support your son's decision and explain why it is so hard for you as well.
Euthanisia is just that: a humane end.Since medications vary reigionally, take comfort in knowing that your vet will use the best option for you, and hopefully if you ask allow you to be there by her side if you wish. She knows how you feel and will be obliged to comfort you, even thrugh her pain meds.The magic that is dogs extends to their passing as well, and her final gift of love to you might just be her gentle acceptance of her departure.

Answer 10

I'm not sure about Australia, but in the US, they usually will not let the family go back with the dog when it is put to sleep. They will let you see them before they take them to the operating room. They use a series of injections to first put the dog to sleep, then stop the heart, etc. Great care is taken to make sure there is no pain. I am so sorry for your loss.