Is euthanasia really painless for dogs?

Question

It's hard to watch your dog suffer, but if euthanasia is not as painless as you think, it makes that decision more difficult. Is there any evidence, one way or another? What drugs are used?

Answer 1

Euthanisia is painless but that doesn't mean it isn't traumatic. Many dogs are fearful of going to the Vet - and very fearful of getting a shot.
If you have to euthanize a pet, ask your Vet to tranquilize the dog or cat first. You can do this orally or with a quick little shot and takes about 15 minuets to kick in. The dog slowly gets drowsy and falls asleep but isn't dead. During this time you can pet him, love him, pray for him - whatever - and when it is actually time to euthanize him he won't know it's even happening. The euthanisia itself entails an injection that depending on the size of the dog can take up to 15 seconds to inject.

The toxic chemical they use to euthanize works immediately and depending on the size of the dog and their current condition it can take anywhere from half a second to 30 seconds to die. They will usually unhale very deeply, stretch a little and pass. It's very peaceful and very sad but sometimes it has to be done.

Answer 2

Sodium Pentobarbital is the drug that is used to euthanize by injection. Do make sure that the injection is intravenous. It is the most painless and quickest method possible. The dog loses consciousness before dying so doesn't feel a thing.

In general, yes, it is painless. Unfortunately, though, living beings are involved - both dog and human. Sometimes the human makes an error; sometimes the dog panicks. It is impossible to guarantee a 100% painless death.

I do not want to scare you away from this if you have to make the decision. Even if it doesn't go perfectly, the death is probably better than a long and dwindling death from illness. And, as an animal shelter employee, I have euthanized and witnessed the euthanasia of many dogs. The vast majority were uneventful. However, it is best for you to know that, though minimal, there is the chance it won't be perfect. If you use an experienced vet or euthanasia technician at a shelter there is far less likelihood of error. And, if at all possible, consider having this done at your home, where your dog will probably be less stressed, which should make the process easier.

My sympathies to you.

Answer 3

Euthanasia, if needed, is painless and humane. They give them an injection of an overdose of an anesthetic {barbituate}, and they just go to sleep. Lot's of vet's allow the owner to hold the dog, while the injection is being given, so the animal goes in peace. I had to put my chihuahua down, many years ago, and it's a very hard decision to make, and personally, it's not something I will forget.

Answer 4

I know euthanasia is a quick method of ended a dogs suffering, I've had to make that choice myself recently, but personally, I can't see how people can say it is painless.

When the meds are injected, the dog stops breathing and they basically goes into cardiac arrest. How could that possibly be totally "painless".

Answer 5

What I want to know is, has anyone had a dog hooked to an EKG machine to measure brainwave activity during this procedure? I recently had two dogs put down because of complications with cushings disease. Although it seemed peaceful enough to the eye, I have read some reports form med students and doctors after the fact, that the drugs used "disconnect" the body from muscle movement, but do not disconnect the brain from pain..And the heart attack is very painful. This is a horrible thing to hear afterward, and I want to know? Has nay study been done on this? Has there been a study done with an EKG attached to a dog undergoing this procedure? Are these doctors and med students correct? Is all this done in such a way to only appease our weeping eyes? While our dogs suffer in paralyzed pain?...I am finding it hard to sleep not knowing what I have done to my best friends...victor

Answer 6

I let my dog go this way. Because I knew she'd freak out going to her own vet, I took her to a new one and they gave her the first shot (valium overdose) in the car. By the time I picked her up and hauled her into the building, she was sawing logs. Loudest snores I'd ever heard a dog make. She was totally oblivious with her head hanging over and snores like you wouldn't believe.

The second shot was the deadly one. This particular vet used curare injected into a major vein. My dog stiffened, sighed, and let go. I stayed with her for another ten minutes and made sure she was completely gone before I left. The last thing I wanted was for her to be alone at the end. As painful as it can be to a person, she didn't need that fear.

Answer 7

I have had to pts a few of my beloved pets over the years, I really do think that it is painless. I say this simply because of what the vet's have told me, but also by what I have seen. None of my pets have reacted in a manner that would lead me to believe that they were ever in pain when it was taking place. One of my dogs, a three legged Rottie was pts in my lap and she didn't struggle or even cry out in pain.

As hard as it was, it's always in the pets best interest if they are too old, suffering, ill or in pain.

They give the pet a highly concentrated barbiturate or tranquilizer.

Here are some links to help you out...

Answer 8

All the vets that I have gone to have sedated the animal first. They have always allowed me to stay in the room and pet the animal as she drifts off. It's the same kind of medication that they use to anesthetize the dog for surgery. After the dog is asleep they (from my understanding again) give the dog an overdose of potassium which stops the heart.

My dogs have never seemed to be in any pain. In a few absolutely heartbreaking instances they have tried to comfort me when I take them to their last vet appointment. (I like to think that they are telling me it's okay and I made the right decision).

Hope this helps

Answer 9

Sorry for your worry, first of all. It's always difficult to lose our beloved pets. However, it is painless to our pets to be euthanized. The vets use the same drug (which is used to put animals to sleep for operations) only for euthanizing, they simply "overdose" them until their heart stops beating. They are already in such a deep sleep before their heart actually stops, there is absolutely no discomfort to them at all. Hope this is a bit helpful, it's never an easy decision. Take care.

Answer 10

It's been my experience with my own animals as well as those at our clinic that it is painless. The drug my doctor uses is called B-euthanisa. First, he administers a drug that puts the animal into a deep deep twilight, it relaxes them, then he gives the drug that does the rest.

All of my animals have gone peacefully, never any fighting or any traumatic events before, during or afterwards.

It's the hardest decision you'll ever have to make regarding your pet. But they are relying on us to do what's right for them. Their pain ends, ours just begins.