What are your thoughts on euthanasia (putting an animal to sleep)?
I view it as a very humane thing to do in certain situations. If you have a very sick or injured animal its best to let them go with as little suffering as possible. Euthanasia is the only way to accomplish this. To let them lay and suffer till they pass is more sad. Even though the topic is taboo.. I also believe that euthanasia is a humane and kind thing to do with certain people in certain situations. Especially if its something they choose.
What is Humane Euthanasia?
The word "euthanasia" is latin and means "happy death." It can mean any method of causing death that is not overly physically painful. The animal shelter is asking how you feel about a human ending an animal's life prematurely. Common reasons could be because there are not enough homes, because the animal is sick/old/injured or because the animal is dangerous.
Why can't humans be euthanized just like how humans euthanize their pets?
What is the difference between the lives of a "human" family member and an "animal" family member? Also, if we, humans, are doing our pets a favor by not prolonging their agony through mercy killing, why can't we grant the same favor to our fellow human beings? An article read "Euthanasia: Safe and gentle but a painful decision." Exactly... painful, but, do we feel the same level of painfulness for both humans and pets? What kind of attachment do we have, if any, for a human compared to a pet? How about for recurring drug addicts and alcoholics or pyschopathic rapists or those in prison serving life sentences? I do not mean to sound harsh asking this question. It just came to mind when I happened to see an old man wanting to sell his dog out of poverty and according to him, he no longer has any resources to feed his dog, but that dog would be sold for consumption. I felt helpless being in this place where there is not enough animal protection program. The poor dog would be consumed by barbaric, alcoholic humans. Fortunately, the dog was able to get off the leash and escaped to safety. He wasn't sold so to speak and I felt relieved. I feed that dog together with other dogs outside our gate almost everyday. Though, that's the least I can do for them because I myself do not have enough to feed them all and keep them. How I wish I could provide a shelter especially for street and neglected dogs. Why can't people be responsible enough to spay or neuter their pets at least or do not have pets at all. Thank you for reading and answering.
How do I euthanize my dog at home humanely?
When my pup reached the venerable age of 14, I felt I had to start thinking about the end of her life. I wanted to come up with some criteria to make the most important decision in both of our lives? I commend you for taking the time to do some research. Initially I was hoping to let her die naturally of old age. However, this doesn't always happen in a nice way. There can be a lot of suffering for the dog. For my dog, her last year was one where she became increasingly weak. She still loved to sit by me, but she had to be carried carefully because she could no longer jump up or down from the furniture. She still loved to eat, but she sometimes slipped and I'd find her eating her dinner laying on the floor by her bowl. These things broke my heart but I didn't know if I could have her put to sleep. I didn't know if it was the right time for her. I finally came up with this criteria: #1 it's about the quality of her life. I decided if she no longer wanted to eat or she could not sleep from pain or anxiety or she could no longer eliminate properly then it was time.I thought to use a home visit vet for the euthanasia but all the ones I called were very strict about planning it weeks in advance. I just couldn't do that. I was worried about taking her to a vet because on that difficult day you simply don't want any problems or attitude from anybody. I even researched how I might do it myself but quickly understood that it might not work and she would still be alive but suffering! I gave up that notion pretty fast. Finally, I found a vet I could trust, (although this was the first time I ever saw this particular vet) and when the criteria were met on rainy winter morning I drove her there, in her bed with her blanket and toy. This vet examined her and comforted me that it was indeed the right time as she was not going to get better no matter what he could do for her. He said she might suffer if I tried to keep her going longer just because I couldn't bear to let her go. I held her in my arms in her blanket and the vet gave her a shot to relax her. The next shot caused her to seem to breathe in deeply and she was already gone at that point. In my opinion this is the most humane method for dog and human. Animals live in the moment and they don't know about the future. The best death is the one that happens quickly and you don't know is coming. I hope I can accomplish that for myself when the time comes.
What is a humane way to put down my sick (cancerous) dog?
My father put many animals down, very quickly and with almost no pain or suffering to the animal. He did it the way rural people have done it for years. He shot them. He patted the head with one hand, then quickly shot the animal in the head with the other.The results are not pretty. But it is very quick, and if the animal doesn't see the gun, they don't know what's coming (unlike taking them to the vet, where they generally know.) Other than that..... it's hard to humanely put an animal down yourself. You can give massive doses of potassium, but it burns, so if you inject it into the veins, the animal experiences searing pain in their veins. I have helped a few people who were facing end of life decisions investigate ways to induce the final sleep, and it's hard to procure injections that will do so in a peaceful manner. If you have access to some kind of tranquilizer, you MIGHT (depending on the tranquilizer) be able to overdose your dog, so he just goes off to sleep. But I'd really research the tranquilizer. I don't know of any that aren't restricted to prescription only. And you would need a pretty big overdose.
What does the SPCA do with the animals bodies that they euthanize?
Most shelters either freeze or incinerate remains of destroyed animals, and the remains or ashes are sent out for burial periodically. Larger animals like horses usually get sent to the renderer. And to Nekkid Truth, euthanized animals are NEVER USED as pet food for any other animal, PERIOD. Euthanasia solution is POISONOUS to people and animals alike, and if it can kill an animal the size of a horse, it can kill other animals and humans too. Remember that. To the asker: I don't know if you realize this or not, but the euthanasia solution which is used to destroy animals is ALSO the same one which is used to execute PEOPLE by lethal injection in death penalty cases. The drugs are exactly the same- the only thing that changes is the dosage and the route of administration. Think about some of the famous executions you've probably heard of over your lifetime for a moment. Those were all conducted using euthanasia solution that was developed for animals, unless they were done by some other means such as electrocution. Federal law prohibits euthanasia solution from being used in any animal which is intended for consumption, either by people or other animals, so obviously, these animals cannot be disposed of by turning them into pet food.
What medication do vets use to put animals down?
It varies based on the pet and vet. Most commonly however-pentobarbitalThe euthanasia medication most used by vets is pentobarbital, a seizure medication. In large doses, it quickly renders the pet unconscious, shuts down the heart and brain functions usually within one or two minutes. It could be given by shot or by an IV in one of the legs.Some vets might use something else though. Could be something cheaper, more natural, more whatever. Western Vs Eastern medicine debate is the same with all medical practitioners, and there will always be those that skimp on the good stuff in order to save a buck.I remember watching a tear jerking video of guys going out into the streets in Egypt, and putting down very friendly yet wild house dogs which had been abandoned and formed their own packs. The people were just running up to the friendly dogs with syringes, and the dogs were trying to even play with the people- then the people stuck them with the needle. Sometimes multiple times. The shepherd that got most of the limelight was running around and playing and barking and trying to have fun, then he got poked a couple times in quick succession. the happy playful barks quickly became whines of pain and agony. It slowly stopped running, till it was crying laying on the ground, and then finally stopped altogether. I haven’t cried in over a decade, but my eyes watered HARD at that.The drug they were using to put those dogs down worked quickly, but painfully, and most importantly it was cheap. Point being, pay the extra buck for the good stuff when the time comes. I’d have my puppers go out on a morphine high if it came down to it.
What is the procedure in a shelter euthanasia room?
I know it's a sensitive topic but I want to know what exactly happens... no pussyfooting, just tell it how it is. Who is actually in the euthanasia room? How long does it take for the dog to pass away? Would the dog feel any discomfort? What last "comforts" are giving to the dog e.g. does anyone hold them and stroke them while it happens? What is done to make the dog feel comforted? Is the dog just collected from its kennel and walked on a lead to the euthanasia room? I'd also like to know how a dog is chosen to to face euthanasia. What makes a dog so adoptable that they must be PTS? How are the dogs that get another chance different?
Why can't they use the same drugs that they use to put down a dog to execute the death penalty?
Most likely because those drugs haven't been approved for human executions. Being allowed to use a particular method to execute someone isn't as simple as you might think. If it doesn't work, or if it takes too long to kill, or if it causes significant pain, then the courts would most likely block it as cruel and unusual punishment. To use the animal mixture on humans, you'd need to determine a dosage that would kill a human reliably and quickly and argue that it was done with a minimum of pain. I suspect that analysis either hasn't been done or isn't convincing enough.