question when a dog is put to sleep don't they suppose to go right away?

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm sorry for your loss of Cuddles. I've been with two of my dogs when they were PTS. The first time it took a while and they had to inject a bit more but he went peacefully. My other dog it wasn't quite as pleasant but I feel she was sort of 'out of it' by that time. It must have been very hard for you to have to have it end that way. Thank goodness though we can end our pets suffering.
In time, hopefully that unpleasant memory will fade and you will more often think of Cuddles when she was young and healthy.

[Catlady711]

I'm sorry that you not only lost your furbaby but that the experience was so much more upsetting by not being peaceful. Your vet should have explained to you what to expect before the procedure was done. I'm very sad that you had to go through this.

As a vet assistant I've had the unfortunate duty to assist with too many euthanasias and most do go quite peacefully.

Where I work we never require that the owners be present once the papers are signed and for many people being there is far more upsetting than just remembering their pet the way it was. If they choose not to stay, no one thinks of them as 'abandoning' their pet and I always cuddle and talk to the pet right up until they are gone, and have cried over them.

However for those that do chose to stay we always go over with them possible things that can happen so they are prepared for things such as you experienced.

The medicine used for euthanasia is basically an overdose of anethsetic. The pet only feels the initial prick of the needle and maybe just a short millisecond of the drug going in the vein. Normally if the procedure goes well the pet simply goes to sleep before the injection is even finished and they peacefully pass away.

Animals with poor circulation, or very ill often take a few minutes for the drug to sedate the animal and another minute or two for them to pass away. I have also noticed that highly aggressive animals appear to struggle against the drug and would appear to the owners to be suffering, however even then they are basically 'out of it' and are not in pain.

I don't know about every vet but where I work the dose for euthanasia is usually several times more than needed to do the job to reduce the possibility of further injections which usually disturb the owners greatly. If the pet has poor circulation additional injections won't actually make them pass any faster as the body just isn't circulating the drug properly.

Pets sometimes do 'gasp' however at that point they are brain dead however the muscles and sometimes the heart have not stopped reacting yet but they are not in pain. This can frequently be very upsetting to the owners which is another reason why we always discuss these things with them before we start and always understand when owners choose not to be in the room or even the building when it's done.

I couldn't be in the building when Dusty was PTS in July because I know how she is with drawing blood and I didn't want to remember her struggling. One of my co-workers, that Dusty particularly liked, held her for me and said that for once Dusty didn't struggle and did pass peacefully.

It's upsetting enough that you have to make the decision to have your beloved pet PTS, but when things don't go smoothly it is twice as upsetting. It might help if you set up a time when you can talk to the vet personally about this. She might be able to help reassure you. You also might want to visit some sites on the web that deal with the loss of your pet for some additional support. I found this site to be very helpful when I lost Dusty.

http://www.petloss.com/

Again I am sorry for your loss and the experience you had to go through. Your pet is not suffering now and is romping playfully at the Rainbow Bridge with my Dusty. My condolences to you and your family.

[lute]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Often times at work when the owner insists on being there when their dog is euth my vet gives them a warning. The dog, even though passed on may have some quick movements, may deficate, gasp for air, or make noises for up to a couple minutes after passing.. The dog is not aware of this. The drug takes effect instantly and the dog has no idea what it's doing.

I'm sorry your experiance was made worse by not having a warning on what to expect.

[loveallfurryfriends]

I hope that these last few post have given you some comfort, I can not help but think of you & cuddles today. I just want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[catloverforever]

I am so, so, so sorry about what happened. That must've been the most awful thing you have ever experienced. However, from looking at these posts, it seems that Cuddles wasn't in any pain.
Try to remember that Cuddles is happily and peacefully at the rainbow bridge now, celebrating his first Thanksgiving there.
((HUGS))
Catloverforever, with love from her kitties as well.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

After reading some of these posts, I am now in tears. I just don't know what I am going to do when my sweet Sadie baby is gone...
I am so sorry to hear about you darling Cuddles.

[cyber-sibes]

I'm so sorry you lost Cuddles, and it was a horrible experience for you.

When I had to put my cat down, it took more than one injection, and he was moving around & meowing, it was very upsetting to watch. I don't know if they underestimated how much it would take or what, I know they had a hard time finding a vein, but he was so sick, I knew it had to be done. The worse part is wondering if I did the right ting, but I look at it this way - Yes, he did seem to have a few minutes of pain, but if I had just let him die on his own, he could have suffered for another 24 hours or longer. Actually the vet said it could take days longer-- he couldn't move, eat, or drink, so it would have been agonizing for him & me.

Know that Cuddles is at peace, and would want you to remember all the joyful times you had together.