Euthanization problems

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Razum'dar

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I have a very sick cat who is 16 years old. After many weeks of heartbreaking debate, we've decided that it's time to say goodbye. However, we have run into difficulties. He has always been very sweet to my husband and I, but can not stand other people. When we have visitors of any kind he will approach and growl. He gets very upset and agitated. He's never attacked or bit anyone but he is very vocal. Taking him to the vet is a nightmare. He hates being in the car and begins to meow frantically and will even pant. At his most recent visit, he SCREAMED like a cat in a fight, he hissed, growled and was hysterical to the point he defecated. The vet gave him a shot and he was so worked up he wouldn't sedate, his body was fighting it with all the adrenaline. I spoke to my vet about what we do when it's time, this was months ago, and she said she'd come to my home to help make his passing easier. I called the office thursday and told them that he's reached that time. Now, the vet is back pedaling saying she won't come out here , that he needs to be brought in. But he acts crazy when taken in...he takes gabapentin for pain, and the plan has always been to give him a bigger dose of that before hand to sedate him. Now they are saying that even if I sedated him before hand, it could snap out of the sedation when they are trying to work on him, even at home. So it won't go easy. So now it has turned into a horrible situation and I don't know what to do. His last moments should be peaceful, not frightened and screaming. The vet is back pedaling on me when I need her most. What do I do? I have read that the vet puts an iv catheter in their arm and then the drug, but are there any vets that will call in something that I can administer myself, maybe IM ? I don't want to be the one to do this, but I will so he has a peaceful passing. I don't know if any vets do that? Has anyone had a similar experience? What are my options, what do I do?
 

betsygee

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I'm so sorry to read this. What a sad situation for you all. I was going to suggest gabapentin, but it sounds like that may not work. Can your vet suggest a stronger sedative that you can give your kitty before you take him in?
 

neely

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Although I have never experienced the heartbreaking situation you are going through I was considering at home euthanasia with one of our other pets. Since your vet is backpedaling her original decision to come to your home you may want to consider another vet that specializes in this area. I understand it could still be stressful for your cat but you could discuss your cat's behavior with them and it would help to avoid the car ride. I hope and pray you hear back from the vet soon with something that will ease the stress for both your cat and you. :hugs:
 

Willowy

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Try calling around to see if any other vets are willl to do a housecall. In some cities there are vets who do nothing but housecalls, and specialize in home euthanasia.

If not, well, I'm not sure what the drug is called. But my vet gives a subq shot to cats before euthanasia that knocks them out right away. I don't see why you couldn't give that shot before coming in.
 
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Razum'dar

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I've called about a dozen other vet clinics. None of them do in home and apparently there is nothing I can give him myself , it has to be done by a DVM. I even called 2 specialized clinics that are only in home euthanasia, and they don't service my area.
 

betsygee

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I've called about a dozen other vet clinics. None of them do in home and apparently there is nothing I can give him myself , it has to be done by a DVM. I even called 2 specialized clinics that are only in home euthanasia, and they don't service my area.
I can understand about the sedative that makes them drowsy before the euthanization needing to be done by a DVM. But there isn't an oral sedative stronger than gabapentin that can be given at home before you take him in?

Again, I'm sorry about your situation. I know you don't want your baby to suffer or be scared. :hugs:
 

Jem

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I'm not sure if this in an option, but when my kitty was nearing the end, our vet gave us some buprenorphine, just in case we weren't able to get him in right away when his symptoms became bad. We didn't want him in pain, but we also did not want to go to just any ER vet if something happened over the weekend or evening when our vet was not available to do the euthanasia.
It was a good thing too, because over the weekend was when he decided he was done. So I started administering the medication, and let me tell you, he was a wet noodle when on this drug, with the dose our vet recommended. And I don't even think he was aware of us bringing him to the vet. He just laid cuddled on my lap, wrapped in a blanket all the way there.
Not all cats react the same to this drug, but it could be something to bring up to your vet.

I'm so sorry you are going thru this...
 

fionasmom

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This is a miserable situation and one that probably most of us have in our worst nightmares. Just so you know, I had a terrible time with one of my GSDs and home euthanasia years ago. It is one of those things that we "think" is out there and available but then we find out that it is not generally available. It may be that your vet is not bonded to go into private residences....I don't know what country you are in but that does have some bearing here.

I think that your best bet is to call the vet back and give them the request for the buprenorphine by name. As for the drug that is used by vets to sedate by IV before the final injection, my guess is that it is a controlled substance that they cannot give you, maybe even less so in injectable form.

I wonder what the real chances are of the poor cat snapping out of a huge dose of gabapentin. I absolutely do not know the answer to that question, just thinking outloud. I wonder if that is another legality of some sort.

Five years ago I had to euthanize a very sick but wild feral. By the time I got him to the ER, with no medication having been given by me, the adrenaline had kicked in so badly that they would not let me be in the room as he was everywhere at once, so that part I do understand.
 
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Razum'dar

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I'm in midwest usa. they changed their mind again, and said they'd do it... for an outrageous price. So I have to take him in. I'm going to have to sedate him before hand, then again when he arrives and it's not going to be easy. But I told them to prepare themselves and know going in that he's a special case, and I hope they'll do everything in their power to make this as peaceful as possible. My husband is going to go with me for support and help. So at least I won't be alone.
 

neely

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I'm glad your husband will be with you for comfort. Please know that we understand what you are going through and you have our complete empathy. :grouphug:
 

lavishsqualor

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I don't understand why they couldn't give you some buprenorphine to give him prior to coming in. I get really frustrated by things like this. When something so simple and easy to do (like giving you some buprenorphine) can make an such a difference in an end-of-life experience. It's baffling to me.
 

fionasmom

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Me, either. That is a medication that can be dispensed.

I once had a vet tell me that she could come to my house but if she had to cross La Brea or Melrose to get there it would be an extra $200. Really sickening that they mess with people and animals in this kind of situation and then see it as a chance to price gouge.

You have done nothing but try to help your cat and are blameless. I am glad that you will have your husband there with you.
 
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Razum'dar

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Maybe they will. The appointment is Friday. I can try to get them to but at the end of the day, it's up to them. My poor orange kitty started having breathing difficulties today. It's so heartbreaking. Not emergency situation but not good. And he's doing this left to right head bobbing thing. I fed him his favorite food, brushed him like he likes and carried him in my arms outside to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. He seemed happy. He curled up next to me and fell asleep. He looked so peaceful and sweet. My poor gray boy hasn't left his hide in 9 hrs, and then only for about 5 min. Neither have eaten today. It'll be over soon and they'll be at rest.
 

betsygee

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We'll close this thread now out of respect for your loss. There's a thread in our Crossing the Bridge forum here.
 
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