rather than the vein? If so, was it painful for the dog?
2007-10-17 14:53:14 · 14 answers · asked by Pom♥Mom Spay and Neuter 7 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, GoldenGal, I am afraid. My vet is not able to even draw blood out of her leg because the veins are too small. That is the downfall of a very small dog.
2007-10-17 15:05:00 · update #1
I want to clarify that my little one is not ready for euthanasia yet, but my vet forewarned me that if/when the time comes, that's the way she will have to go. I'm just trying to prepare and educate myself as best I can and I appreciate everyone's honesty and compassion.
2007-10-17 16:32:28 · update #2
Intracardiac injection is VERY PAINFUL. But after the drug is administered, pain is not felt. If IC injections are necessary, veterinarians usually anesthetize the animal first (gas anesthesia, "box them down") so they don't feel the stick.
Drawing blood and placing IV catheters in small dogs is difficult, but some techs and docs are VERY experienced, and can get a catheter in animals less than 2#, or even a ferret. Just depends on experience level!
2007-10-17 15:14:07 · answer #1 · answered by lakotamalik09 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm sooo sorry... and i hate to tell you what you don't want to hear on this one.
This is how all dogs and cats at our shelter where put down for some time and i'm pretty sure its how it is still done.
yes it atleast seems painful and horrid when the heart is missed and has to be redone. I seen one large squrimmy dog take 3 shots missed the heart all 2 times...MY heart was broken that day. even though he wagged his tail the whole time.
But this is from a shelter manager/vet tech...not a vet. I would think they will sedate your dog before and have better aim.
i'm sooooo very sorry.
here i found this
When intravenous injection is not possible, euthanasia drugs such as pentobarbital can be injected directly into a heart chamber or body cavity.
While intraperitoneal injection is fully acceptable (although it may take up to 15 minutes in dogs and cats[5]), an intracardiac (IC) injection may only be performed on an unconscious or deeply sedated animal. In California, IC injection on a fully conscious animal is a crime [Calif. Penal Code 597u (a)(2)].
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_euthanasia
2007-10-17 16:16:06 · answer #2 · answered by dragonwolf 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, not the heart. Both of mine have been in a vein, though the last one had a heart problem and his blood pressure was so low it took 45 seconds for the injection to work instead of the usually 10 seconds. That part was awful waiting for it that long. He spasmed at the end, just once.
2007-10-17 16:03:18 · answer #3 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've seen it done with rabbits. I personally prefer to avoid it whenever possible, but, in some of the toy breeds, particularly a very sick and dehydrated individual, finding a vein just isn't feasible.. I haven't found it to be as peaceful as other forms, but it certainly could be if the animal was drugged enough in advance.
Another possibility would be inhalant euthanasia, but your vet would probably know what was best.
2007-10-17 15:10:47 · answer #4 · answered by Unknown.... 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have done this with cats that were too wild to humanely attempt to get a vein in shelter situations. My only objection is that potential for the pain of the hypodermic needle before the euthanasia fluid is delivered. The death is more instantaneous though.
CLARIFICATION: I can't say the cats felt any real pain, but my own anthropomorphication is in play here, though I'd rather think myself above that. They might not have really felt it at all, for alI I know.
ADDED: Oh, I'm so sorry. I wish I could make it easier.
2007-10-17 15:00:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No,but I have read about it ,and the local dog pound does it.Apparently,all of the animals act differently,with some falling over immediately,and others screaming and flailing around in pain.I'm sorry if you have to do this.I would insist that the dog be sedated with an intramuscular injection of ketamine and Valium or given an oral sedative at home before the heartstick is done.That way,you'll know that your dog won't feel any pain,poor little thing.
http://lists.envirolink.org/pipermail/ar-news/Week-of-Mon-20030929/007360.html
2007-10-17 16:22:44 · answer #6 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The injection is painful because it is deeper. But the dog dies instantly.
If you have a good vet, he will be able to find a vein even if he has to do it in the neck.
2007-10-17 15:26:36 · answer #7 · answered by mama woof 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I saw it on a local fox news special here in TX, Showing WHY people should spay and neuter their pets. What i saw, they put the injection in the vein first, then in the heart to make sure it was enough of a dose. It really disturbed me.
The dog didnt seem to be in much pain. It just went limp....
2007-10-17 15:05:04 · answer #8 · answered by ♥purple♥haze♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is VERY painful. HSUS policy for "heart shots" are that they are to only to be administered to an animal that is heavily sedated. A sedative can be given in the hip muscle. Another method that is approved for humane euthanazia is IP(intraperotonial sp?) injection where the euthanazia solution is injected into the perotonial cavity(abdomen). IP takes longer for the animal to die, but is not painful. It can be difficult to watch with cats. IP is the method that we used for feral cats. We only used "heart shots" if IP was not successful in stopping the heart in the time limit we had.
2007-10-17 15:40:57 · answer #9 · answered by no_gravity_earth_sucks 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
No, Sorry Pom Mom. All my dogs have been large breed dogs so I didn't need to have it done that way.
I understand it is done with toy breeds because it's too hard to find a vein.
I'm sorry if you have to have this done. So sad when you have to have a dog you love put down.
Oh I'm so very sorry.
2007-10-17 15:01:47 · answer #10 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋