Question:
Once you've made the difficult decision to let your beloved pet go, do you stay with them while it's being done, or do you leave your pet with the vet? And what are your reasons?
Myself, I always stay with a pet when they're being euthanized. My rats are the first pet I've had to have euthanized (as a child, my parents took our cats and hamsters in when it was time) and it's surprising how many vets euthanize rats inhumanely (my regular rat vet does it properly but I had to argue with an emergency vet one time until he agreed to do it my way), so I've always insisted on being present. But not only that -- there is the comfort factor. I believe a pet is less traumatized about the experience if their human is right there with them, talking and soothing, even crying, as they go off to sleep. I think it's important to be there for my pets until the very end. It's hard and my vets are all used to seeing me blubbering, snot & tears all over the place. But if I didn't stay with them til the very end, I would regret not being there for them when they needed me the most.


Answer:
I feel it's my final responsibility to my pet. They know me, they trust me. I'm lucky that my vet will allow me to hold and "restrain" my pets while he performs euthanasia. I'm the last person to hold my pet. I think that is the least I can offer them when they are suffering and dying.
I skimmed an article briefly in a vet tech mag that said there was a new procedure -- an animal could first be lightly sedated, then have an IV bag with the euthanizing agent attached. This way, the pet could comfortably rest on the owner's lap (or arms), and the procedure would take ten to twenty minutes (as opposed to seconds when delivered by Euthanol). It is less traumatic for the owner and the pet, and the pet will slowly drift off to sleep. This is something I'm going to enquire about next time I'm faced with this horrible situation.


Answer:
Absolutely! I could not live with myself if I wasn't there to comfort them and ease them over to the other side. Working at a shelter, I see both sides of this issue.. I assist with euthanasia (not as much anymore, but did for 5 years) and my biggest problem with it was when it was an very old & ill animal that the owner left with us to euthanize. I know that Vet's fees are very high for this service but I feel really upset for the pet b/c they don't know me.. their owner is the one who should be talking to them & comforting them!
As far as the money issue.. did they not notice that their pet was aging and this situation might arise soon? Start saving your money!


Answer:
I skimmed an article briefly in a vet tech mag that said there was a new procedure -- an animal could first be lightly sedated, then have an IV bag with the euthanizing agent attached. This way, the pet could comfortably rest on the owner's lap (or arms), and the procedure would take ten to twenty minutes (as opposed to seconds when delivered by Euthanol). It is less traumatic for the owner and the pet, and the pet will slowly drift off to sleep. This is something I'm going to enquire about next time I'm faced with this horrible situation.
GC, I'd be interested in reading that article if its still around..


Answer:
I think it all depends. Many many years ago I had a puppy come down with Parvo, first sign something was wrong I rushed him to our vets. The vet tried to pull him through but I got an urgent call at 1 am saying he was passing and was in sever pain, would I allow him to euthenize him. I told him to go ahead, I with no car and a hubby who as much as would have liked couldnt get off work and there probably wouldnt have been time anyway, Decided to not be there but to end his pain.
In a situation where something like that occurs I will give consent without being there, but other than that im going to be there, im going to hold my animal in my arms and tell them how great they were and how much they were loved and how much I charised them as they pass on.


Answer:
I have never had to so far, but I would definatly want to be there.


Answer:
Cub hates going to the vet & hates me when I take her there. So I feel there is no advantage to me holding her. Plus I really don't think I could handle it.


Answer:
it is such a personal decision for sure. i find sometimes the people who think they cant stay is because they would loose it and sob uncontrollably and feel that its not acceptable to do that in public. i reassure people all the time that it is ok to cry and to be very upset its deffinately normal behaviour.
some people also will let us put their animal down then then will come back into the room and sit with their pet after its dead to say goodbye.
i havent had to have a larger pet euthanized yet (like my dogs) but i euthanize all my rats and other rodents myself. this way i know its done right. one of my dogs is 15 so i know his time isnt too far in the future so i use that to empathize with people. its just a really sad thing to deal with, this is why i tell lots of jokes and like to laugh 90% of the time it helps me deal with it.


Answer:
Last Christmas we took Pixel (Mike's 16 year old Russian Blue) to the vet late at night because he noticed blood around her mouth. We were seen right away and the vet told us things like "decay" "spongy" "wouldn't make it through" and horrible, scary things like that.
Mike asked what would he do if this were his pet. The vet said she was very old and would have her put to sleep. All this while Pixel (who fears strangers and strange places) was laying calmly on the table (like she knew something big was going to happen).
I don't remember anyone asking if we'd like to be in the room or not. I figured it was a given. She was ours, we love her, we stay with her until the end.
And let me tell you, it was the worst experience of my life. I was devastaed for months afterwards. Hell, even after it was done I coudln't stop kissing and petting her. Mike had to pull me out of the room.
She was already scared, but as least we were there. At least she could see two familiar faces who loved her. She deserved that.


Answer:
I once spoke with a lady who had a dog for a very long time. But when it came time to euthanize the dog she left her at the front desk and left. When I asked her why, she replied that she couldn't stand to stay and see the dog in agony. Apparently someone had been pulling her leg, telling her horror stories about how animals are euthanized. I told her how quiet and peaceful and mercifully quick it is. She honestly had no idea how it was done. If she'd stayed, she wouldn't have been tortured for months afterwards, believing that her dog died in pain, and her poor dog would've had the reassurance of having her human there with her at the very end