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Euthanasia And Pain

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Chris24

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Hi All,

We had our dearest Guinea Pig Apple put to sleep last night as she was deteriorating fast.. we decided to have this done by a professional as we felt it was the most humane and pain free way for her to go. The vet used an injection straight to the heart and she was gone in seconds, but she really squealed when the needle went in and it broke our hearts to see it, we also were not warned that Apple would feel pain during the procedure. We feel the vet should have used sedation on her beforehand to make the process entirely pain free but this didn't happen as we had hoped. We put our trust in a clinical professional to make the right decision as we have not been through this process before.

We are angry and upset and are looking to make a comaplaint, but this will not undo what has already been done. We are feeling really guilty that Apple had to go through this and are blaming ourselves, but we know deep down it was the right decision, if not the right decision by the vet in question.

So please, make sure if you are in this situation that your vet uses appropriate sedation before euthinasia as we do not want anyone else to have to go through what we just have.

Chris & Kim
 
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I am so sorry :( Most Exotic vets will give them a small whiff of gas first, then euthanase :( I only learnt that myself from on here, so I now know to always ask & make sure if I ever need to go through this myself. Guinea pigs always squeal when they get injections, I don't think it's because the pain is terrible, it is just because they are "prey" animals. She is at peace now x
 
I'm really sorry that you were distressed by Apple's last moments. Those are not the memories that you want to have and I am sorry for you. My vets have always used gas then an injection, I'm sorry that this did not happen for you. Please know that you did the best for Apple and BIG HUGS to you x
 
BIG HUGS

I am very sorry; most vets these days do use sedation these days. I have been through the injection thing with vets of the old school. I found it very upsetting, too. While it is very short, the discomfort from the needle is there and there is a moment of pain. Feel free to complain, especially as there is the option to put your piggy to sleep first. :(

You are welcome to post a tribute to Apple in our Rainbow Section if and whenever it feels right for you. I am ever so sorry that you have lost Apple.
 
Thank you all for your kind words. This has been a very hard and pain full lesson to learn its hard when you put your trust in a vet to do the best for your baby only to have this happen I know it was the right thing even with the few seconds of pain was still better than what she was going thought but its still eating us up inside.
Wiebke we will post in the rainbow section in a few days once the grief has subsided a bit.
Thank you all again x
Kim & Chris
 
What an awful experience and memory for you, particularly at a time that was already so desperately sad. Thank you for raising this issue though as there will be many forum members, myself included, that would not be aware that they can be sedated before being sent over the bridge.

Please just hold on to the earlier happy memories of Apple's life and comfort yourself with the knowledge that she is now pain free.

Sending big hugs

Popcorn free Apple x
 
I'm really sorry you had to go through this, I agree that it is a good idea to make a complaint. I had the same thing happen with my first hamster Poppy, but did not know it was not the norm at the time. Now I always insist on the gas first. Thank you for warning other members.
 
I am sorry Chris24 that you had such a disturbing time in an already very difficult situation.
I think it is good that you raised it because it is an important part of pet ownership. I would explain to the vet how unhappy you were with the outcome - they should want to hear such feedback so they can learn from it.
Just for info, when my very loved Gregory had to be PTS, he had an injectable sedative in the scruff of his neck and then quietly lay in my arms and the vet left us as he went sleepy. The vet then administered the a second lethal injection when I had seen his eyes closed and all was peaceful. So similar to gas and injection but a variation which allowed me to hold him as he fell asleep. Awful moment but quiet and peaceful.
RIP Apple, in a meadow, munching.
 
i'm so sorry you have had to go through this :( when eddie was pts he was given gas first so was asleep when the needle went in. this should always be done. i would definitely complain to make sure the vets don't do this again. really sorry for your loss x
 
It is unfortunate that injections hurt guinea pigs, I am sorry that this happened to your beloved apple. My local vet who is not piggy savvy gassed my Lottie and then injected her, I was impressed with him even though he was not an exotics specialist. The only issue with this is you don't get to be with them for their last moments.
Just be thankful you were there with Apple until the end, so sorry for your loss.
 
I am sorry Chris24 that you had such a disturbing time in an already very difficult situation.
I think it is good that you raised it because it is an important part of pet ownership. I would explain to the vet how unhappy you were with the outcome - they should want to hear such feedback so they can learn from it.
Just for info, when my very loved Gregory had to be PTS, he had an injectable sedative in the scruff of his neck and then quietly lay in my arms and the vet left us as he went sleepy. The vet then administered the a second lethal injection when I had seen his eyes closed and all was peaceful. So similar to gas and injection but a variation which allowed me to hold him as he fell asleep. Awful moment but quiet and peaceful.
RIP Apple, in a meadow, munching.
I think this is what my Nigel had but as he was already on his way he didn't need the final injection bless him.
 
I am very sorry that Apple's last moments were so upsetting and yes - you should complain.
Intracardiac injection should NOT be used on conscious animals and they should be anaesthetised first (rather than just sedated).

My vet has very strong opinions about how to euthanase guinea pigs to the extent he refuses to use gas as a means of aneasthesia prior to the final injection as he feels it can cause unnecessary stress to the animal He prefers to give an injection of ketamine so the guinea pig falls into a deep sleep naturally and peacefully and is totally unaware of the final injection (which is given so skilfully the piggie does not even need to be turned over and the owner is unaware/can't see it being done )
 
I am very sorry that Apple's last moments were so upsetting and yes - you should complain.
Intracardiac injection should NOT be used on conscious animals and they should be anaesthetised first (rather than just sedated).

My vet has very strong opinions about how to euthanase guinea pigs to the extent he refuses to use gas as a means of aneasthesia prior to the final injection as he feels it can cause unnecessary stress to the animal He prefers to give an injection of ketamine so the guinea pig falls into a deep sleep naturally and peacefully and is totally unaware of the final injection (which is given so skilfully the piggie does not even need to be turned over and the owner is unaware/can't see it being done )

I think I used the wrong word then when I used 'sedative' because what Pebble describes is the method my vet uses also. Gregory was completely out of it for the second injection. So there obviously are exotics vets out there favouring this approach rather than gas or nothing (grim).
 
I am very sorry that Apple's last moments were so upsetting and yes - you should complain.
Intracardiac injection should NOT be used on conscious animals and they should be anaesthetised first (rather than just sedated).

My vet has very strong opinions about how to euthanase guinea pigs to the extent he refuses to use gas as a means of aneasthesia prior to the final injection as he feels it can cause unnecessary stress to the animal He prefers to give an injection of ketamine so the guinea pig falls into a deep sleep naturally and peacefully and is totally unaware of the final injection (which is given so skilfully the piggie does not even need to be turned over and the owner is unaware/can't see it being done )

eddie was put into one of those 'boxes' where a sedative/anaesthetic was given. he was gone really before the injection. that was just to stop his heart. i did wonder if the gas part would have stressed him or not. the vets say not as it's just the same as before an op etc, and they just start gently and turn it up so they gradually slip away. that is what i was told anyway, although the vet who did it was the out of hours one at our usual exotics vets (late sunday night/early monday morning) :(
 
Thank you all so much for your replies on this, we have been wracked with guilt over this all day but your responses have really helped. Although Apple suffered briefly during the injection, we do believe the suffering would have been greater had we left her to go slowly on her own accord, given her condition at the time. So although the end moments were not as peaceful as we had hoped, it was a very quick process and she is now at peace here at home.

@Poppy'sMum - Thank you, we take solace from the fact that her reaction was most likely from instinct and shock rather than pain. She was very sleepy and subdued and was on painkillers for the underlying condition, so we hope this would have further reduced any discomfort from the injection process.

@AbiS - We were talking about your post in the car on the way home. If the 2 second moment of discomfort Apple had to endure prevents other piggies from going through the same experience then this is the silver lining in the cloud.

@biscandmatt - This sounds like a very peaceful way for Eddie to go, and we definately we would have preferred this approach for Apple.

Thank you all again.

Chris and Kim
 
I am so terribly sorry that you have made the hardest but kindest decision for apple but then had to experience old fashioned vet treatment and doubted your decision. It's hard enough to be there but then to think that the end wasn't as pain free as it might have been is just dreadful. I'm so sorry. Big hugs xx
 
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