Is having an animal Euthanised remotely painful or terrifying for them?

Question

Sadly, I recently learned from my parents that out family dog has become increasingly weak, and barely able to walk. It's hard to tell if she has been suffering from pain, or not. She never yelps out in pain, but she is almost completely blind, and has an extremely painful time trying to walk.

She was my chilhood companion, and is now 18 years old, which ins absurd for her species(shih-tzu). Now, hopefully she will go to sleep, and never wake up. I don't want to go through having my dog euthanized, but I will indeed have it done should be canine friend be in pain and suffering, she doesn't deserve to suffer.

Answer 1

If she is in any pain that cannot be remedied, I would have her euthanized. 18 years is a wonderful life for a dog. Be kind and end her suffering. Best Wishes

Answer 2

I had to have my German Shepherd Dog euthanized and she was only six when that happened. I did it for basically the same reason. Though she was young she was ill and suffering and there was no cure. All efforts to make her well had been exhausted. When your dog is euthanized it is instant. It is not painful and happens too quickly to be scary, especially since the animal does not realize what is about to happen. At the Vets office I held my German Shepherd Dog while the shot was given and was left to say good bye and hold her in my arms for as long as I needed. It was hard, very hard to say good bye but a relief to know she wasn't suffering any more.
I know what you are experiencing now and my heart goes out to you. Here's a site that is supportive:
http://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm
Hang in there, and hang with people that can support and comfort you.

Answer 3

Having an animal euthanized if its suffering is the best thing to do. If your dog is really suffering from pain, go ahead and end her pain. When getting euthanized, an animal will slowly and peaceful go to sleep. It will not be painful at all to them. Congrats on having a dog for 18 years too! Our 16 year old shih tzu as well, lived to be 16 years old. Im sorry for you and your dog. Best of luck.

Answer 4

Im so sorry about your dog. NO, euthanizing a pet is not at all painful and is often the very kindest thing you can do. You can either have your vet come to the house if your dog does not like to travel, or go to the clinic in person. The vet will inject your dog with a sedative to make her sleepy. this does not hurt at all. It will take 5-10 minutes for her to get really really sleepy. She will be pretty out of it. Then the vet will give her an injection of euthanol in her viens (or via cardiac if her viens are poor -ie) if she is really sick and/or dehydrated will be hard to find a vein). She will NOT feel this at all and will be so sleepy that she will nto be aware of what is happening. Once the injection is given, the euthanol travels to the heart and your dog will pass away instantly. I find it very imporant for the owners to be with their pets (for the pets sake). even if it is hard for you, try to make the effort as you may be sorry if you are not with her. Its usually very comforting for them to have their best friend with them when they pass. If it is not yet her time, then try metacam from your vet to handle the pain. if you think she is uncomfortable or suffering then euthanizing her is the humane thing to do and if she could thank you, she would.

Answer 5

Having a dog euthanized is always painful. Not to the dog but to the owners.

Putting a dog down is like putting a drug in them to knock them out and make them go to sleep. This is how the term "putting them to sleep" came about. The dog is given the drug through the vein and it goes to sleep. It can be fearful for the dog but if the dog is in a lot of pain or cannot walk but it's for the best for the dog. I would suggest being with the dog until the last minute before they take him/her in to be euthanized. Your friend is ready for the rainbow bridge and will suffer if she is not allowed to die painlessly. She will understand what is going on and will thank you for it. It will be painful for you but you will be doing the right thing for your dog. Let her go out with dignity. Heres a poem for you that explains my feelings.

May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say goodbye to pain filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go
I really do.
It's difficult to stay.

But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.

I'll not be far,
I promise that, and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I love you too,
that's why it's hard to say goodbye
and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.

- Written for a beloved pet & friend, by Susan A. Jackson

I hope this helps you, as it does me.

Answer 6

It is a terrible thing to have to go through, but when their quality of life deteriorates, a loving owner cannot stand to see them in that sort of pain (I know from experience.) I can only describe my own experience, so I suggest you consult a vet who you really trust (perhaps get reccomendations from friends if you you are not 100% with your current vet.) I got to hold my dog, once they had put a catheter in his leg, so that they could put the needle in without causing him pain. The vet asked me when I was ready, gave me plenty of time to say goodbye, beforehand and then when the doctor administered the shot, my dog just went...It was as simple and as quick that. Like he just fell asleep. I got to hold him as long as I wanted and was given privacy and then after about half-an-hour, I put him down onto the table, wrapped in his favourite blanket. I let the vet know and I thanked him for making a difficult time as easy as it could ever be. I took my time filling out the forms my vet had given me, once I got home (de-registration and all that.) A week later I went to pick up my dog's ashes. It's different for everyone, but it was a very important step for me in grieving and acknowledging my dog's wonderful life, to bring him home again and give him pride of place on a unit shelf, where I can always see him, some of his favourite toys beside his urn.
Whatever your choice, I'd go with your gut instinct, as I'm certain it will be right. Some vets will make house calls, should you request one (some dogs are very scared of going to the vet's office,) so that your longtime friend and companion can go in the comfort of their own home.
All the very best, my prayers are with you!

Answer 7

Euthansia when your pet's quality of life is no longer there is really the humane thing to do. I have personally held a pet that was being euthanized with a phenobarbital overdose and the pet actually went very peacefully in a matter of seconds. The pet was in no pain/anxiety whatsoever.

Answer 8

It will be a lot less painful than what she is going through now. All it is is a shot that they don't even feel....then they just die....I watched my dog being euthanized... It hurt me more than it hurt him.

I'm 11, and sitting there and watching him die, I couldn't breath. I felt like I was being put down, too. For a half hour afterward, I sat there hugging and crying over his lifeless body. It is extremely painful for people to do, but you have to do it if they are suffering.

Answer 9

Genesis is not greater proper to the biology of childbirth than Kipling's in basic terms so memories are proper to the biology of the long neck of a giraffe. Human childbirth is complicated because of the fact human infants are born with extensive heads. evaluate slightly one human to slightly one ape and you will see what I propose. Passing a brilliant infant head by using a small hollow is quite complicated, and for many of human historic past, childbirth become the optimum reason of death among human women persons. of path this fact could previously each thing seem to make no experience in any respect from an evolutionary attitude: why could a trait that motives death persist in a species? the reason being that the entire component approximately severe intelligence that the bigger head components fairly outweighs the downside of occasional death in childbirth. Evolution is all concerning the base line: universal, does the presence of a trait enable a inhabitants to be greater helpful than the absence of the trait could? if so, then the trait will persist. that's what organic decision is all approximately.

Answer 10

I was a vet tech for 4 years and have seen many euthanasias. It is very peaceful for the dog, and causes them no pain. You can pet and comfort them while it happens, and they will simply fall asleep quietly. If your dog gets nervous at the vet, you can look into having the vet come to your house, so the procedure can be done in the comfort of home.