01/02/2025
Making the decision to euthanize a beloved pet is by far one of the most difficult decisions a pet parent will ever make. On top of the obvious reasons, a big reason pet owners seem to struggle with this is due to anxiety about how the procedure works and fear that the pet will suffer. I have found that communication is the key. I try with every case to ensure that the owner understands and consents to every step. I'd like to take a moment to explain my process for anyone that wants to know more about the procedures and medications administered. I'll use a dog for the example simply because that's my most common patient type.
I use a 3 step process
The first medication given is a mild sedative. I always warn that this will be the only injection that may cause some pain as it can sting going in. After about 10 minutes, the pet will become very relaxed and ready for me to place a catheter for IV access. This allows me to continue without the pet needing heavy restraint and tends to help the owner relax as well. Seeing your pet in a relaxed state after long term suffering from medical conditions can be incredibly cathartic and aids in saying goodbye.
The next step is deeper anesthesia. I give a combination of a heavy relaxant and anesthetic. This relaxes all the Muscles and removes any consciousness. After this step, the pet is unaware of anything happening. Another term for this is surgical plane of anesthesia.
The third step is, of course, euthanasia itself. Euthanasia solution is a highly potent anesthetic and euthanasia is an intentional overdose of this medication. I administer this slowly into the vein. After a few seconds the heart shuts down and the pet passes. The passing is painless and humane.
The anesthesia is not completely necessary logistically but I find it makes the process smoother and keeps both pet and owner calm all through the procedure. Simply administering the solution in the vein will result in humane euthanasia but the pet may panic and has to be restrained while it is given. I have also seen patients "fight" the medication more if no sedatives are used.