Advise ASAP please regarding euthanasia

[for_emily_ann]

I need advice please. I wil be helping my dear sweet Emily cross the rainbow bridge this afternoon. I have never had to assist an animal across the animal bridge...... My question is this should I ask that they give her some medication to relax a little bit before the mess are given that put her to sleep??
My appoint is scheduled for this after inn but I am going to see if I can get her in earlier. She was diagnosed with low grade intestinal cancer a little over 2 years ago. The last two weeks I notice a change in her along with weight lose. An ultrasound on Friday showed cancer in both kidneys, lympnodes and a mass starting in her intestines. They gave her some med to easy the nausea and a little for something in the event she was in any pain. I've had this time to say my goodbyes to her .......

 

[pushylady]

I'm so sorry you have to do this. It's going to be tough, but it sounds like it's the best thing for her.

When we had our last cat put to sleep, the vet didn't give her any other meds first. If Emily is prone to being very stressed at the vets, maybe they can give her something to calm down, but then I'd wonder how that would interact with the euthanasia medications?

I hope your visit goes as well as possible.

 

[ondine]

I am so sorry you have to go through this.  But she's been loved and cared for, so you can say goodbye with a good heart.

I, too, am not sure about the medicines but I would think the vet can answer this question.  Please ask him or her - it will help you to have all the info you need.  God bless both of you and Godspeed, sweet kitty ....

 

[otto]

It's hard to know which way is best. With the sedative, they are..zoned out... very quickly, so their personality is gone right then,. I didn't know that the first time I used a vet who pre-sedates so I've always felt like I didn't get to say good bye. The second time I went through this with pre-sedation the vet made sure I said good bye before giving him the shot.

So if you opt for this method, be sure to say your loving good byes first. My thoughts are with you and your precious Emily girl.

 

[Winchester]

I'm so sorry about Emily.

 You and she are in my thoughts. It's not easy, but she will know you're with her and that will help her, too.

When we've had to put a kitty to sleep, our vet always gives a sedative shot first. That calms them down and they will fall asleep. Once they're asleep, the vet will give the shot and, at that point, they are no longer in pain. You should talk to your vet to see if that's how she or he will do it. If they don't use the sedative, you can request they to give it to her before the final shot.

My heart goes out to you. Thank you for being with her.

 

[natalie_ca]

When I helped Chynna to the RB, the vet explained to me that it is better to give a sedation first.   The reason being is that sometimes the animal can have a seizure after the actual drug is given.

With Chynna, they took her and put in an intravenous lock and gave her a sedation. When they brought her back, I held her for about 20 minutes while the sedative took effect. I talked to her, cuddled her, kissed her and thanked her for choosing me. 

When she was asleep, the doctor came back and gently laid her on a soft towel on the table, and administered the medication while I continued to hug her and talk to her.  She went peacefully.
 

My advice is to get a sedation prior.   I sure wouldn't have wanted to remember my baby's last minutes with her convulsing.

 

[for_emily_ann]

Thank you --- I have spent the weekend saying my goodbyes. I groomed her, tried to get her to eat her favourite foods , talked to and told her how very much I love her and that I was so glad she had picked me to be her 2 legged Mom. This sweet girl has always known when I needed her most and stuck to me like glue. When it had trouble sleeping her purring lulled me to sleep. Sounds silly but last night I recorded the sound of her purring.

I am thinking a little sedation to make her more comfortable. I don't want her to go thru a seizer or anything like that. I don't want her body to fight the medication. I have seen horses put down so I know how that process works but never on a small animal..........

Another question, some people my think I am crazy as they don't believe in this but I do. Can anyone recommend an animal communicator who can communicate with her once she passes over?

 

[flintmccullough]

Its-been-a-year-and-a-half,and-I-am-crying,putting-this-up-to-help-you.

They-will-take-her-in-back,give-her-a-seditive,per-say,don't-know-exactly,what-it-is,but-it-makes-them-drowsy,to-kinda-relax-them.When-they-bring-her-back-to-you,she-will-have-a-cathater-already-in-her-front-paw,taped-to-her-paw,kinda-like-if-you-ever-had-an-IV.They-do-this,so-the-kitty-doesn't-fight-it,per-say,the-others-can-better-explain-it.

They-give-you-all-the-time-you-need,to-say-goodbye,and-the-vet-stays-in-there-with-you.When-you-are-ready,they-inject-the-stuff,thru-the-cathater.Its-pretty-quick,you-can-almost-feel-them-go,before-the-vet-is-finished-putting-it-in.

Even-then,they-give-you-all-the-time-you-need,and-the-vet-will-stay-with-you.

He-threw-a-clot,HCM,genetic,Maine-Coon,he-was-only-5-yrs-old,there-was-nothing-more-they-could-do-for-him.He-was-rushed-to-the-ER,that-awful-morning,they-called-in-2-specialists,critical-care-something-and-ICU-something,they-were-waiting-for-him,and-both-ladies-were-beyond-compassionate.

I-held-him-as-they-gave-him-the-final-shot,and-then-I-couldn't-hand-him-back-to-her.She-just-patiently-waited,and-talked-to-me.

To-make-matters-even-worse,he-bit-her,while-they-were-examining-him.This-is-a-very-laid-back-show-cat.He-was-scared,and-in-alot-of-pain.

Before-the-decision-was-made,they-brought-him-in-to-me.I-told-him-how-much-I-loved-him,he-looked-at-me,and-said,help-me-mommy.The-critcal-care-lady-talked-to-my-vet,I-talked-to-my-vet,and-she-said-its-time.I-already-knew-that,he-told-me.

Because-he-bit-someone,even-tho-he-was-a-show-cat,even-tho-he-had-his-rabies-and-all-his-other-shots,because-he-was-being-put-down,they-had-to-send-his-head-for-testing,not-his-whole-body,but-just-his-head,that,put-me-on-the-floor.

I-hope-this-part-gives-you-some-comfort.

I-was-already-entered-in-a-show-next-week,I-wasn't-going-to-go,my-friends-made-me.My-friends-gave-me-cards,gave-me-a-cake,one-of-the-girls-made-a-very-beautiful-card-with-his-picture-on-it,which-promptly-sent-me-into-hysterics.The-rest-of-the-show-was-a-blur,they-carried-my-kitten-back-and-forth-to-his-rings-for-me.Then-they-surprised-me,and-said-they-paid-for-his-creamation,so-he-could-come-home.His-ER-bill-wiped-me-out,and-I-had-no-money-until-I-got-paid-again,and-the-thought-of-him-sitting-for-2-weeks,un-nerved-me,I-needed-him-to-come-home.

The-next-day-after-the-show,he-came-to-me.I-could-see-him-crystal-clear-as-day.He-was-standing-on-me,stock-still,I-petted-him-twice,and-then-he-was-gone.He-had-his-head,he-was-whole.Have-seen-him-several-times-since,clear-as-day,running-thru-the-house,only-for-a-few-seconds,but-I-saw-him,and-it-gave-me-alot-of-comfort.

He-loved-his-mommy-dearly,and-he-knew-I-needed-to-see-him.I-hope-she-comes-to-you,and-I-hope-the-others-will-share-their-story-too,of-their-kitties-coming-back-to-them.

We-are-here-for-you-if-you-need-to-talk.

((((((((((((BIG-HUGS)))))))))))

 

[maewkaew]

I have had a sedative given first. My last cat I had to have euthanized , last year, he had just started to be in pain from cancer , and I wanted to make it as easy for him as possible.
The sedative does really knock them out. so you should be aware of that.
The vet actually gave me a little time alone with Louis before they even gave the sedative shot. they asked if I wanted a drink of water and I said yes and asked for a bowl of water for Louis too because I knew he was thirsty . She said to let them know when I was ready to give him the sedative and she had me hold him and pet him / scratch him to distract him while she gave the injection , since it does sting a little and he flinched just a little. but as I understand it , the vet thought it is easier on the animal to do it that way so when they get that other final injection they are totally sedated.

Then they left us alone for about 10 minutes and he soon became very very relaxed and sleeping. Then they came back and asked if i was ready and they gave the last shot. and he just slipped away.
It's been over a year and I am now crying again thinking about it.

A couple days later when sitting at my desk at home, I saw him out of the corner of my eye and felt like a paw on my knee the way he always stood up and touched me My other cats were not even nearby at the time so i dont think it was one of them. I feel like it was Louis coming to say goodbye again.

I know there are some people on this site who have used animal communicators and liked them. Maybe you could start another thread to ask about that, or do a search on the site and you will find some older threads where it was discussed. I know people have mentioned specific names , but I just dont recall who they were. I have never tried it and not sure how I feel . It seems very weird that someone could do that and I always wonder how do they translate into human language. how much is guessing or embellishment.

My thoughts are with you and your dear cat as she makes her journey

 

[feralvr]

So very sorry about your sweet, Emily. She is obviously deeply loved by you and will find peace with you by her side today as you spend your last day with her. We are here for you.

 

[denice]

I am so sorry.  I don't think this ever gets easy.  I think most vets give a sedative and put the catheter in the vein at that time.  That's the best way to assure a peaceful passing.

 

[for_emily_ann]

Thank you all. Sweet Emily was scheduled for 4 pm but I called my vet right when they opened and they told me to come right in. So around 9 a.m. My sweet girl crossed the rainbow bridge.
I did opt for the sedative first to relax her. My vet was wonderful he gave me as much time on e the sedative was in before he took her back to put the IV in. He brought her back and told me what a good girl she was for the IV. He then told me to tell him when Inwas ready and to take as much time as I needed. I took another minute or so to tell how special she was to me and hope grateful I was that she had been my furry baby. He then started he meds - it was really peaceful. She just went to sleep with her head on my arm as I held her. They gave me as much time as I needed alone with her after.
I knew she was ready as she didn't even cry in the car on the ride to the vet and that is not her. She was always a big talk. My heart is hurting but I also know she is now in a better place and now cancer free.

 

[msbedelia]

I am so sorry for your loss. I'm glad that she had a peaceful passing and that you were able to be there. You obviously gave her many, many years of love.

 

[denice]

I am glad you had an understanding vet and she passed peacefully.  She is now pain free.  That's the way I have always looked at euthanasia as taking away the pain.

 

[otto]

I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved Emily. What a beautiful peaceful passing. Your final ultimate gift of love to her, a release from her suffering. I know she is grateful and don't be surprised if she finds a way to let you know how grateful she is, how much she loves you, and that she is okay.

 

[natalie_ca]

I know it's difficult, but you did the right thing for her.  She may still visit you.  With Chynna, I swear that she would visit with me. I would feel her jump up onto the bed and go to her favourite spot on the pillow next to me and even hear her purr.  She stopped visiting after I got Spencer and Katie 2 1/2 years ago.
 

 

[maewkaew]

I am glad Emily and you had a peaceful experience of her passing. It sounds like your vet and staff there are very kind.

 

[willflatten]

Please dont mention this to me. I had to take my dying cat to the vet last year. Im not a big fan of this. She lived only 7 years. She had bad kidneys. She was nearly gone by the time i showed up at the vets office. I still remember every moment. She died later on that night. They only gave her enough to let her sleep until she died. They came back in the room and said that she was sleeping. I didnt want to see her knowing she was going to die.

 

[fosteremily]

I am very sorry you had to go through this. I had to put my cat Riley down January of last year and it is so hard but the best thing you can do in some situations. Ill keep the both of you in my thoughts and prayers! Stay strong!