Put dog down humanely

vic777

Well-known member
Are we allowed to speak the truth?

The most humane friendly way to put your dog down is a bullet to the brain.
We typically use methods which are more comfortable for us but very cruel to the dog.
The typical method essentially paralyses the dog and chokes him to death, because he is paralised he cannot relate to us the terror he experiences in his last moments ...

The euthanasia drug itself is an overdose of a barbiturate that stops the heart and breathing muscles. This is administered through an IV catheter or with a needle and syringe.

Things to be aware of as death occurs:

the eyes don't close.
there may be a last gasping breath, called an agonal breath, that is more of a muscle spasm. The animal isn't aware of this.

there may be vocalization.
there may be muscle twitching.
the heart may continue beating for a short period after breathing has stopped.
the urinary bladder and possibly bowel contents will be released.
In most circumstances, you will notice nothing except a peaceful release of tension, as in 'going to sleep'. Due to each animal's individual health situation, things will be different animal to animal.

Allowing your dog to die a natural death is more humane.
 
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Vic I think its a solid point. Im curious as to your motivation to suddenly post this info however?
 
I agree with Noel. Did this come up due to the recent vimeo vid where the guy puts his dog down by injection? Or just stating conversation. Either way I have to agree. Anytime you destroy the brain first, there can be no suffering, it instantly halts any signals to the nerve endings, so there can be no pain. It's impossible. Yes it is the most humane way, not to mention the fastest and cheapest. 22cal =5cents or less.
 
Most GOOD vets will give the dog a huge sedative before the killing shot.

That is what my vet did when he came to my house to put down my Rottweiler due to bone cancer.

That is the best way to go.

As far as shooting, I am a HUGE sport shooter, grew up on a farm, hunt, etc.

I could never shoot my dog unless there were no other way.
 
I put my dog of fifteen years down just ten weeks ago. I was with him for the whole procedure.

I was warned by the veterinarian about the spasms that can occur after the final injection. However, unless you provide substantial proof, I have positively no reason to believe that this procedure is inhumane. But a bullet is?

No.

The euthanasia is a two-part process. The first injection is to calm the animal (at least for dogs). It put my dog into a deep sleep within a few minutes. The last injection about fifteen minutes later was the overdose of anesthesia that stopped everything.

To say that that is death by suffocation, where the animal has to endure the agonizing pain of choking to death, is simply wrong based on my observation and what I was told by the vet I've known for those fifteen years.

There is a reason lethal injection is considered the most humane method of execution for people, instead of hanging, firing squad, or the electric chair.
 
Allowing your dog to die a natural death is more humane.
Far from it. They are given other sedatives before the lethal injection. Get your facts straight.

I watched both my parents die a "natural death" as cancer ate through their bodies. They both would have opted for a lethal injection instead of going through weeks and months of sever pain and suffering. Trust me.

MAH
 
Our beloved Golden Retriever had a shot and fell asleep one last time in our arms. It was humane, peaceful and she obviously felt no added pain or discomfort.

And you are trying to tell us it makes more sense to take your family pet out behind the shed and blow its brains out, hoping your first shot isn't off just a bit so that you need a second bullet to finish the job? And who ever said a bullet to the head is for certain not painless?
 
Apparently Vic has never seen an animal die "naturally.

Our German Shepard died naturally, and although there are many kinds of "natural", the version we sadly endured included the most horrifying screaming and thrashing I have ever encountered.
This happened without any prior indication, otherwise I'd have gladly of taken him in to the vet.

With all due respect, you don't have any idea what you're talking about.
 
Oh and in before Otis chimes in and tells us all that "Last minutes with Oden" is not a good film because there are children starving in Africa.
 
There is no easy way to put your pet down, ever. However, the barbituates used to do this are powerful anesthetics. Complete anesthesia precedes the cardiac and respiratory depression, so while I sympathize with the original poster if he/she went through this recently, I disagree that it's inhumane. Unpleasant yes, inhumane, not at all.
 
Considering the fact that even the voluntary euthanasia for humans is regarded as a criminal homicide in most of the civilized countries, amount of mercy & humanity given to the dogs in this case is much more than human beings receive.
 
Back when I used to do Respiratory Therapy (home) I hit a dog with the company truck. It darted so fast from a house and ran right in front of my truck, I could not avoid hitting it.

But I did not kill the animal outright when I hit it, but it was plain to see the dog would not survive very long. The home owner was upset, but asked if I could "take care of it" for her and the family. I explained that the dog would not live, even if taken to a vet. And the only humane thing to do would be to shoot it. Even moving it would of been excruciating for the animal. I "carried" back then and told her to take the kids back in the house and turn the TV all the way up. The dog's suffering was over in a millisecond.

The owner was grateful I stopped, and would end the dog's suffering.

So, yes, I do think that shooting an animal is humane, if that is the only option available and it can be done properly.
 
Are we allowed to speak the truth?

The most humane friendly way to put your dog down is a bullet to the brain.
We typically use methods which are more comfortable for us but very cruel to the dog.
The typical method essentially paralyses the dog and chokes him to death, because he is paralised he cannot relate to us the terror he experiences in his last moments ...

The euthanasia drug itself is an overdose of a barbiturate that stops the heart and breathing muscles. This is administered through an IV catheter or with a needle and syringe.

Things to be aware of as death occurs:

the eyes don't close.
there may be a last gasping breath, called an agonal breath, that is more of a muscle spasm. The animal isn't aware of this.

there may be vocalization.
there may be muscle twitching.
the heart may continue beating for a short period after breathing has stopped.
the urinary bladder and possibly bowel contents will be released.
In most circumstances, you will notice nothing except a peaceful release of tension, as in 'going to sleep'. Due to each animal's individual health situation, things will be different animal to animal.

Allowing your dog to die a natural death is more humane.

Yeah I don't agree with that. I've had one dog poisened to death and one put to sleep.
While I can appreciate your concern for the animals welfare here I don't think you are entirely justified.

Our local vet is a little more sensitive towards putting pets down than the impression you give. The method they use is, imo, and others, is the most humane method available to date.

Perhaps some vets are less concerned and opt to save a few dollars during the procedure which would result in your opinion being justified. In that case it is.

But to say that animal euthanasia is inhumane is nonsense when done correctly.

There is a bigger story here concerning people seeking out those same animal drugs to end thier own lives. You can google 'Peacefull Pill' if you really want to get real.
Now, this isn't the place to discuss that aspect of it. But at the same time, knowing about it, I didn't want to ignore it.

Bottom line is, when done correctly, it's a humane process. To suggest otherwise without conviction only causes unjust grief to those who have already had to experience it.

Having experienced it I didn't appreciate the OP's post and what it implied. That my dog suffered terribly while I was trying to end her suffering through a vet putting her to sleep. I certainly don't like, appreciate nor believe that implication, you understand?

Cool.

-Gord.
 
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