Being there during euthanasia?

[hattie.r]

I lost two of my pigs a few months back; I found Peach unable to move her back end and held her as she passed away a few minutes later, just days after Scout died. Things were a little more complicated with Scout however, and it's made me very apprehensive of what may have to happen when it comes to the end of things for Clementine, who has always been the most special pig I've ever owned.
Scout had recurrent UTIs which responded well to antibiotics, however the last one didn't, and an xray showed a bladder stone. We made the decision to PTS as she was in a lot of pain. Having been to the same vet to have our dog PTS a year or so ago, I was fully aware of the procedure. Well, I thought I was. I was told that due to the fact that they don't inject a sedative (and use anaesthetic gas instead to sedate) before the final injection, I couldn't be present for her passing, due to the potential health risk to me from Scout exhaling the gas. I still get upset thinking about how I couldn't be with her in her final moments, and whether she was scared at being held by unfamiliar people and surrounded by unfamiliar smells.
Clementine is now 6 and has a mammary tumor (that isn't growing at the moment, touch wood), has lost a lot of weight (but is still eating and toodling around her run happily) and it's become very apparent that she's a fragile old lady pig. I hope that she'll pass quickly at home when the time comes, but what should i do if I do need to take her to the vets? She's not keen on being held much anymore, just likes to sit with you on the sofa and have a chin rub, not really into lots of stroking, and she's always come pootling over whenever she hears my voice.
It really worries me that in her last moments she won't be able to hear me or know I'm there, and this pig has been the best pig I've ever had (she's my 13th pig, and I will refuse to have any more after she's gone.) Plus my vet is pregnant, so I'm not sure if it'll be safe for her to be around the anaesthetic gas, adn then it'll be total strangers with her.
Any suggestions or experience would be helpful, mainly just to stop me worrying about whether or not i'm doing the right thing for old Glovey! (her nickname, she always settled down in your hand like a furry glove!)

 

[Wiebke]

I lost two of my pigs a few months back; I found Peach unable to move her back end and held her as she passed away a few minutes later, just days after Scout died. Things were a little more complicated with Scout however, and it's made me very apprehensive of what may have to happen when it comes to the end of things for Clementine, who has always been the most special pig I've ever owned.
Scout had recurrent UTIs which responded well to antibiotics, however the last one didn't, and an xray showed a bladder stone. We made the decision to PTS as she was in a lot of pain. Having been to the same vet to have our dog PTS a year or so ago, I was fully aware of the procedure. Well, I thought I was. I was told that due to the fact that they don't inject a sedative (and use anaesthetic gas instead to sedate) before the final injection, I couldn't be present for her passing, due to the potential health risk to me from Scout exhaling the gas. I still get upset thinking about how I couldn't be with her in her final moments, and whether she was scared at being held by unfamiliar people and surrounded by unfamiliar smells.
Clementine is now 6 and has a mammary tumor (that isn't growing at the moment, touch wood), has lost a lot of weight (but is still eating and toodling around her run happily) and it's become very apparent that she's a fragile old lady pig. I hope that she'll pass quickly at home when the time comes, but what should i do if I do need to take her to the vets? She's not keen on being held much anymore, just likes to sit with you on the sofa and have a chin rub, not really into lots of stroking, and she's always come pootling over whenever she hears my voice.
It really worries me that in her last moments she won't be able to hear me or know I'm there, and this pig has been the best pig I've ever had (she's my 13th pig, and I will refuse to have any more after she's gone.) Plus my vet is pregnant, so I'm not sure if it'll be safe for her to be around the anaesthetic gas, adn then it'll be total strangers with her.
Any suggestions or experience would be helpful, mainly just to stop me worrying about whether or not i'm doing the right thing for old Glovey! (her nickname, she always settled down in your hand like a furry glove!)

Hi!

I am very sorry that you are having to face the loss of your beloved Clementine.

Most commonly these days is sedation by gas behind the scenes.

But if you really want to be with your piggy, you can ask the treating vet or the clinic whether Clementine could be sedated by injection in your presence instead. It is a much more physical process that many owners find rather upsetting, which is why most vets prefer to use the gassing method.

With my permission, my Heini was pts that way in January as the vet I saw for the emergency pts felt he had better control over the sedation process and knew from previous occasions that I wouldn't be put off.

I hope that that helps you?

 

[FarmGirl]

I'm sorry about Clementine, and very much hope her passing is peaceful when the time comes.

As part of my job and from my own pets I have taken many different animals for euthanasia (sometimes old animals receiving palliative care so we 'knew' it was coming and sometimes from sudden illnesses/accidents) and sometimes I've been present and sometimes not. Every situation, animal and person is different so its not black and white but it is never easy and it is hard not to second guess yourself

Sometimes it is less distressing if you are not present (both for the animal and yourself)- some vets have told me in certain situations not having the owner present causes less stress for the animal, especially if the owner is particularly upset. Sick animals can be harder to euthanise by injection (I won't go into detail) and as Wiebke says the process is physical and can be distressing to watch, so gas can be preferred. The vet nurses will give all the love they can during the process and if you tell them favourite scratching places or that places they don't like to be touched, they will do their best by your pig.

If you really want to be there, again as Wiebke has already said, you can ask the vet- but please also ask them to explain what will happen and things you may see so you are prepared. You know your pig (and yourself) best, but I hope that helps a little?

 

[Swissgreys]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this question, and naturally a lot depends on the guinea pig, the owner, and the vet of course.
Throughout my adult life I have lost many pets, including small furries such as guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters.
In many cases they were put to sleep by a vet, and in every case I have always been present.

WARNING - WHAT FOLLOWS IS MY OWN PERSONAL DESCRIPTION OF HAVING A GUINEA PIG PUT TO SLEEP.
Please stop reading now if this is likely to be upsetting for you - it is not my intention to cause distess or offend people.

For guinea pigs (and most recently our rabbit) the vet has always administered a subcutaneous injection of sedative first.
This usually results in a squeak from the guinea pig, showing that the injection has stung slightly, but this is only ever a very short reaction.
Prior to administering the injection, the vet may check that you understand what is happening, and that the effects of the injection could be irreversible.
After that the vet usually leaves the room (at my request) and I have been able to hold them, as they calmly drift off into a very deep sleep.
I always hold them in a familiar smelling fleece or towel, as often at this point they will pee (it's a natural reaction as all of their muscles relax).

After a while the vet will return and administer a final overdose of anesthetic.
Different vets do this differently, but the injection is usually into either the stomach (which takes longer) or directly into the heart (which is almost instantaneous).
In both cases they should explain what they are doing, and again check if you are ok and would like to remain in the room.
When my 13 year old daughter was present as we had our sweet Oreo piggy put to sleep, I specifically requested that the anesthetic was administered into the stomach - it takes longer and seems to require more, but also seemed somehow 'softer' when viewed by a 13 year old child.

As I said previously I always choose to be with my pets when they are put to sleep.
I find that vets are extremely sensitive and sympathetic, and overall I feel a great sense of peace knowing that all of my animals have passed gently and were with someone who they knew as they took their last breath.