Horrific euthanasia - what went wrong?

[Alice]

Finding this difficult, can’t stop thinking about it. Had my small pony euthanized on Thursday. Long term founder and I felt he was no longer comfortable even with Soft Ride boots and Previcox.
Vet had difficulty getting catheter inserted but moved to other side of neck and got it in. Gave tranq 3 times and was surprised he took that much. Said it was almost horse dosage. Physically he didn’t appear very sleepy.
When she injected the euthanasia agent (don’t know what it was ) he reacted very violently and for what seemed like a long time. He was very mobile and I think if he was a full sized horse would have really injured someone. Once he was on his side and convulsing she injected something again.
After it was over vet’s response was surprising to me. Not much emotion, the only response was “sorry, we don’t like it to go that way”.
Vet and assistant left without saying anything else. I was left with a bloodied pony in an awkward area that we couldn’t get the tractor to. We had to use a winch and were barely able to move him.
I’m quite upset and a bit surprised that I keep thinking about it. The poor little guy sure did not deserve to go through that.

My usual vet is out of town and I’ve only seen this one once before.

What the heck happened? ? Could it have been because the catheter wasn’t in the vein?

I worked at a small animal clinic and certainly saw euths that didn’t go perfectly, but I’ve also never seen a dog or cat run away either!

Please. …can anyone tell me something that will help me accept what happened! !

I feel like even if he’d been shot more than once it would’ve been more humane.

[exvet]

I have been a veterinarian for more than 25 years. I’ve done large and small animal. Even to this day I cannot witness my own horse being put down (though I have had to euthanize [multiple] horses for others as part of my job). I have always found the euthanasia of horses to be far more difficult than small animals though neither are options I care to face but like all owners do. To answer your questions fairly one really needs to know what drugs were used, the age of your pony in addition to whether or not chronic founder was the only health issue. There are so many variables as I’m sure you know that can affect circulation, metabolization of drugs, etc. I’m sorry you and your pony had to experience a rough euthanasia. It goes without saying that it’s something we never choose; but, it has happened to me as well. I also would like to extend my condolences because as indicated I’ve had to make this decision and no matter how warranted it is, it is never easy. Finally, I would like to thank you for being cognizant of your pony’s decline in quality of life and making an appropriate decision. Even though the process wasn’t as smooth as we would like nor expect, it is almost certain that your pony wasn’t conscious during the excitatory phase that can accompany barbiturate administration and your intention of alleviating further suffering for the pony was carried through.

[merrygoround]

I haven’t ever seen a catheter used for euthanasia. But I’ve observed that the newer grads seem to like them when there is going to be more than one injection.

I have noticed that older, horses, ponies, that have been in a long slow slide do seem to take longer to succumb to sedatives, and euthanasia.

My veterinarian has often said that a single well placed bullet is faster and easier, but not on the owners. I doubt he has ever done it.

Remember, ’ “This, too, shall pass.”

[Beverley]

It’s why I’ve always preferred shooting to injection. Though it’s probably true that there are few vets who will do that, these days.

[wendy]

If it’s any consolation, they believe the animal is completely unaware of what is happening during that “running away” phase you unfortunately observed. It’s kind of like the chicken running around after its head is chopped off. Not pleasant for the observers, but the pony didn’t suffer.

[Incantation]

Many years ago we had a foundered mare that we could not keep comfortable. The vet that euthanized her didn’t use a tranq. (I have had many vets tell me that they don’t tranq because it takes longer for euthanasia agent to work). She had an excitement reaction too, but thankfully went to her side before she started to gallop. The vet assured me that she was mentally gone long before her body stopped, but it was still unsettling. She suggested that her metabolic issues may have played a part in her reaction to the euthanasia agent.

[Tiffani_B]

From what I’ve been told, an “active” death is not uncommon when euthing a horse. I never want to be present for the actual procedure.

My condolences to you on your pony’s passing.

[sid]

[QUOTE=exvet;7871227]
I have been a veterinarian for more than 25 years. I’ve done large and small animal. Even to this day I cannot witness my own horse being put down (though I have had to euthanize [multiple] horses for others as part of my job). I have always found the euthanasia of horses to be far more difficult than small animals though neither are options I care to face but like all owners do. To answer your questions fairly one really needs to know what drugs were used, the age of your pony in addition to whether or not chronic founder was the only health issue. There are so many variables as I’m sure you know that can affect circulation, metabolization of drugs, etc. I’m sorry you and your pony had to experience a rough euthanasia. It goes without saying that it’s something we never choose; but, it has happened to me as well. I also would like to extend my condolences because as indicated I’ve had to make this decision and no matter how warranted it is, it is never easy. Finally, I would like to thank you for being cognizant of your pony’s decline in quality of life and making an appropriate decision. Even though the process wasn’t as smooth as we would like nor expect, it is almost certain that your pony wasn’t conscious during the excitatory phase that can accompany barbiturate administration and your intention of alleviating further suffering for the pony was carried through.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for posting this. It is very informative to quell any feelings of guilt for owners who may experience this in a very sad, but necessary, procedure.

[ryansgirl]

@merrygoround;7871244

I haven’t ever seen a catheter used for euthanasia. But I’ve observed that the newer grads seem to like them when there is going to be more than one injection.

My vets all use a catheter for euthanasia - one of them has been a vet close to 30 years and another one more than 20 years (the other 5-6 vets at the clinic all have less than 10 yrs experience). It’s standard practice. They always tranq them enough so they are completely laying down - like they were just peacefully sleeping. Once the owner has a chance to say goodbye then they’ll administer the solution. Majority of the time there are no problems but then they’ll have one that doesn’t go as smoothly - thankfully it is very rare but it does unfortunately happen.

OP I’m sorry you had to experience this .

[Bank_of_Dad]

I am sorry it ended like this for you and the pony. I too have had to put too many horses down. Our pony, who was quite old and cushings, was also very tough, rearing before falling over. Some of the bigger horses just went down more quietly. None of our vets ever used a catheter.

[Cat_Tap]

The last horse I had to euthanize dropped immediately and was still. The vet was so relieved and said she wished they all went that well.

I am so sorry it went so badly for you and your pony.

I had one experience with shooting. It was a small hand gun and the horse dropped with the carrot still in his mouth. However I had a horrible experience with a deadstock employee who used a long gun and missed, shooting the horse in the nose. Horse was a grey, rearing with blood pouring out of his head. It took the guy some time to get close enough to finish him. It was a nightmare that will stay with me forever.

[Lady_Eboshi]

I had a severely neurological horse take 3 full loads and stand there like we hadn’t done a thing; for at LEAST 10 minutes. We thought he was NEVER going to fall. To the point I asked the vet, "what do we do next if he doesn’t?" It was very quiet, but creepy and unnerving nonetheless. He finally went down and the vet didn’t have much to say. I don’t think he had any more stuff on the truck, either.

Few months later another vet from the same firm said they had a number of weird ones around that time; the verdict was “bad batch of juice.”

[Countrywood]

So sorry this happened, it sounds very upsetting. Try to remember the good times and long partnership you had with pony…hugs.

[arapaloosa_lady]

I’m so sorry to read that story :(. Euthanizing an animal is emotionally difficult for everyone, even when the procedure goes smoothly & the horse had a poor quality of life so needed it. It’s so hard to watch if that excitation phase is prolonged, where the animal isn’t conscious but appears to be trying to run away. Rest in the fact that it was traumatizing for you, not the pony. The pony wasn’t aware of that. It would have nice if the vet could have stayed to console you, but sometimes they just need to compartmentalize to handle their job. It can take a toll on you when you’re constantly asked to kill animals, even if it’s a situation where you know it’s the humane choice in their best interest. Some vets are better at the emotional client aspect than others.

[QUOTE=merrygoround;7871244]
I haven’t ever seen a catheter used for euthanasia. But I’ve observed that the newer grads seem to like them when there is going to be more than one injection.[/QUOTE]
The only reason I can think of vets not using a catheter are the time it takes to place one & the cost. I would guess in your experience, newer grads probably use them more because vet schools aren’t too concerned about either of those. In my experience, there’s a clinic protocol for euthanasia & all the vets follow that protocol.

ETA: It’s pretty easy to tell the catheter slipped out of the vein, so I don’t think that would be the culprit. I’ve seen small animals do the same thing during euthanasia; it’s certainly not a common occurrence, thankfully, though. I vividly remember restraining a shelter dog for euthanasia who went through a terrible excitement phase trying to fight the euthasol tooth & nail. Good drug protocols can minimize the likelihood of that happening but not eliminate it.

[sid]

To the COTH Mods…this may be a good thread to put on as a “sticky”…such a hard subject and it can happen so fast. For the newbies in this, it may be nice they can find something fast on the subject rather than tear their hearts out observing this for dear equine friend. It is true. Sometimes it doesn’t go well, as this vet explained. Not a reason to blame the vet unless they are really not up on the best modality to euthanize for the horse’s present condition.

One of mine fracture his skull in the process. I will never get the image out of my head…but, he’d had a brain aneurysm and it was a dangerous situation. I bred and delivered him 18 years before. Now THAT’s hard.

The only thing that allows me to sleep at night (though the images still haunt me) is that he didn’t really “feel” or know what was going on…

Hope this can give you some peace.

Just a suggestion to have a euth sticky. The science of it. May help others… Thanks.

[sdlbredfan]

You have my condolences. This story makes me doubly thankful that, when I had to euth my mare earlier this year, nothing so awful happened. I am shocked however that the Vet was so lacking in people skills! I would not want to use that Vet, ever again, for anything, for sure.

[twelvegates]

Crossing the Bridge

I stood beside your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying; you found it hard to sleep.

I whinnied to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me, I haven’t left you. I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”

I was with you at my grave today; you tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I’m not lying there.

I walked with you toward the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I put my head against you, nickered and said, “It’s me.”

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

It’s possible for me to be so near you every day.
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”

You sat there very quietly, then smiled; I think you knew.
In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I’ll gallop across to greet you, and we’ll stand there side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there’s so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out…then come home to be with me.

[Jeito]

I’m so sorry You did the right thing for your horse, and - even though it was horrible for you - he didn’t suffer or suffered only briefly. My uncle died yesterday, and his last 3 months on earth were hell. I wish we could spare all humans the way we spare animals. I’ve witnessed many small animal euthanasias and one of a (colicking) horse. They weren’t at all terrifying. But now that I’ve read this, I know I won’t be there when (if*) it’s time for my horses. So, if it’s any consolation, your story helped me (and may help others) make a decision.

• I wish they could all die instantly of a heart attack when it’s their time.

[Roxyllsk]

I don’t know all the details, but a friend had to put her gelding down and it went horribly wrong. Years prior they had to tranq the horse for something at the clinic and he needed an very large amount of meds to get the desired effect - so perhaps this horse had a very high tolerance ? He went down and thrashed and broke his leg but it took a very long time for him to go. The vet had no more ‘juice’ on the truck so there was no more to give. They tried to get another vet in the practice to come out with more drugs but no one was nearby.

It happens but it’s not that common.

I had to put my mare down just this past September and she never knew what hit her. Thank God for that. I can only imagine what you must have felt.

HUGS to you and your pony is at peace now.

[AKB]

Years ago we had a horse have a bad euthanasia. The vet did not sedate him before she injected barbiturate. He ran off, crashed into a tree, and then thrashed. It was horrible. When we had a horse euthanized 7 years ago, I explained my fears to the very experienced vet. He administered sedation with detomidine. Next, he put the horse under general anesthesia with ketamine. After he showed my that the horse was fully anesthetized, he injected the barbiturate euthanasia solution. I know any euthanasia can go badly. However, for me the sedation, then anesthesia, then euthanasia, was much easier.