Putting my cat to sleep??

Question

I am going to get my cat put to sleep. i am worried that the vet might sell him to animal research like in the movie Beetoven.
Is there any truth to what is in that movie??

Also, I would like to know if my cat's body will convulse and twist from the shot like i've heard that human bodys do.

Answer 1

The cat just goes to sleep, it is very peaceful. Some vets will allow you to hold the cat while they do it. Ask about it, if you are worried.

You can also ask for the cats body back to have cremeated or bury, then you will know what happened to it.

Answer 2

You have received some great answers. The cat won't convulse, it will simply stop breathing. My city does not allow pets to be buried....... I do it anyway. One thing I want you to be aware of, that upset me the first time I had to put down an animal. Please be aware that the eyes usually do not close. Also, the cat will fit into a lot smaller of a box than you think it will. I hold my cats. It's hard to do and do not feel bad if you can't do it. It's a very fast procedure. I had my Siamese for 18 years and was literally sick for 3 days. That also caught me by surprise. I have a feeling that if i dug up Spook, his body would still be pretty much preserved as I wrapped him in a cat embroidered towel, put him in a box the vet gave me, wrapped the box in saran wrap and then wrapped it in a twist-tie trash bag....... Wasn't going to have any water get to him. lol. My deepest sympathy. The first pet friend you have to put down is the hardest. I wish I had had people like the ones on this list to turn to for answers. hugs to you

Answer 3

I am very sorry that the time has come to euthanize you kitty. I was a vet tech for 18 years and I have seen many animal euthanized and I had to have my 15 yr. old cat, Charlie, put to sleep last October. I hope you are going to a vet that you know, just because it will make it easier for you. NO, NO ONE is going to use your cat for research. Real research centers do not want an animal that they don't have a complete history on, it doesn't help them just to have a body. Please don't worry about that. You can ask your vet to give your cat a tranquilizer before he euthanizes, that way he'll be out of it and it minimizes the chance your cat will twist or cry out. Usually the animals just go to sleep, slump over, but occasionally one will cry out or fight the vet. Please talk to the tech before you have this done. they will be glad to explain what is going to happen. You can have your cat cremated and have the ashes returned or you can take you at with you and bury him yourself. Also be aware it is very fast, seconds once a vein is found. I ope this helps you.♥♥.

Answer 4

I am sorry that you have had to make that decision. It is indeed a hard one for any pet owner to make.

As for selling to animal research, as you know, Beethoven is fiction, and as far as I know, vets do not do those kinds of things. However, if you want, the vet would probably allow you to take your kitty home to bury it yourself after it's put to sleep. Then you would certainly know what has become of it. But if that would be too hard for you emotionally, I think you can trust your vet.

I'm not a veterinarian, but as far as what I understand, when an animal is put to sleep, it is simply given an overdose of anesthesia. It is like going to sleep, just like you do every night, or when the animal is "put under" for surgery. The only difference is it doesn't wake up. It is very peaceful and painless for the animal.

Again, I am sorry you are going to lose your pet. But I hope my two cents will give you some peace of mind.

Answer 5

His body won't convulse, it really just makes them fall asleep. And Beethoven was just a movie. Reputable vets don't sell bodies to animal research (they have plenty of resources available for that), and most vets will even let you take the body home to bury it yourself, if you ask them to. I'm sorry this has to happen, but he won't feel any pain other than a little pinch when they inject him. He'll just curl up and sleep.

Answer 6

I volunteered in a vet for 2 years and was present for most of the euthinasias. The shot doesnt make them twist or convulse, it just looks as if they're falling assleep. You can ask them to cremate your pet if your worried about what will happen to the body afterwards. You can be present for the euthanasia procedure or you can chose to not watch. I'm sure you can request for you pets body not to be used for any research.

Answer 7

That's terrible. You have all my sympathy. I had my first cat put down in December for feline leukemia and it was absolutely awful and I cried for days straight.

If you don't arrange to have the cat picked up by a business that specializes in animal cremations and burials or request the cat's body, it will remain frozen and be transported by the vet to a huge freezer somewhere, possibly at the humane society. Anyway, from what I remember the vet told me, it didn't sound very savory. So I had my Pimmy picked up by a woman with her own small cremation service and had his ashes buried in a little pet haven behind her building. I think it cost me less than $50 to have him cremated and buried.

Answer 8

They will not sell him to an animal research place. It is highly illegal. Your cat will not convulse. When they say put to sleep it is the truth they use a large dose of sedative and the cat just goes to sleep and never wakes up.

Answer 9

Your animal will either be sent for communal cremation, or separate cremation if you want to keep the ashes, or you may have the option in your area of taking him home to bury him.

An animal being euthanized falls asleep, then over a period of a couple of minutes breathes more slowly, then the heart quietly stops. Your cat won't feel anything after the first poke of the needle, and will go peacefully. You'll probably have the choice of just saying goodbye and dropping him off, or of staying with him and holding him while he goes to sleep.

My heart goes out to you - this is a really hard choice to make, and I know you'll miss your friend.

Answer 10

Your vet might allow you to take your cat home to be buried if they allow that in your town. I've always been able to take mine home with me.

You can also have your cat cremated and have the ashes sent back to you if you wish.

Your cat's transition should be a calm and smooth one. He will get an injection of a medicine that will put him into a deep deep sleep before the final injection. He will just "go to sleep". It will take about 5 minutes from start until the end.

Sorry, prayers to you.