Horrific euthanasia - what went wrong?

[Lady_Eboshi]

[QUOTE=fordtraktor;7873366]
One thing this thread has taught me is that next time I have a horse euthed I am going to take a “backup plan” to the barn with me, just in case. :(. there will be no driving back to the clinic for more supplies while a horse suffers on my farm!

So sorry to hear of these experiences. Lady E is right, most do go much better than this. I don’t think there is anything the least bit wrong with having someone else step in and handle this for you after you say your goodbyes. And I think OverandOnward’s observation is both true and comforting, a natural death is much worse in many cases. I should know, my mom was an ICU nurse for 38 years… Natural death is not pretty or easy. A swift end is a gift we can provide our beloved pets.[/QUOTE]

Natural death is also scarcer than hens’ teeth. In 45 years of riding, hunting, showing, and especially running barns (we’re talking literally close to 500 horses over that time) I have yet to see EVEN ONE who just laid down in the pasture and quietly expired without our help.

Having to help them “go” is the toughest part of horse ownership. People should consider carefully, well ahead of time, how they want to manage it and have a plan and personnel in place. These are the strongest and yet most fragile creatures in the world it seems, and you just never know.

But once you HAVE that plan, there’s no need to “let it rent space in your head” on a daily basis. Enjoy your horse, keep him happy, and remember they don’t project and dread the future. Learn from their example! :sadsmile:

[Beverley]

I have in fact seen natural death several times. The one that sticks in my mind the most was a favorite rental string horse in the early 1960s, had to be well into his 20s, who just raised his head from grazing in the pasture, galloped 50 yards or so, and dropped dead. And we’ve seen any number die natural deaths while competing (Hickstead comes to mind among others) but we seem to view it as unacceptable when they do it under saddle- must be somebody’s fault.

I’ve always given my seniors the daily lecture that they’ve had a full life and could just die in their sleep. But none of them has listened yet, the one that was struck by lightning went way too soon at 14.

[Marshfield]

@Lady Eboshi;7873478

Natural death is also scarcer than hens’ teeth. In 45 years of riding, hunting, showing, and especially running barns (we’re talking literally close to 500 horses over that time) I have yet to see EVEN ONE who just laid down in the pasture and quietly expired without our help.

My own retired guy is one of only a few I know of who quietly passed on his own. The decision had been made to euthanize, but it hadn’t been scheduled.

[Laurierace]

My friend had a foal that we took to New Bolton for an eval that showed horrific OCD in the shoulder. There was no choice but to euth. I volunteered to stay with the filly while our other friend sat with my friend in the waiting room. They didn’t want me to be there at first but when I insisted they agreed then told me what to expect. I told them that this was not my first euthanasia and that regardless of what actually happens the filly laid down peacefully and passed away. Thankfully that was exactly what happened and we didn’t have to fabricate at all for my friend.

[MustangSavvy]

[QUOTE=Lady Eboshi;7872791]
OK, that may explain my horse above who took 3 loads and wouldn’t go down; he was a very elderly gray with plenty of melanomas, one of which pressing on his brain or spinal cord was the likeliest cause of his neurological symptoms. Good to know![/QUOTE]

Yeah, from my experience (both preforming and assisting) the animals that have cancer are far more difficult then the ones that do not. Typically, we end up needing to do heart sticks on the animals with cancer. But some people do heart sticks anyway just to make 100% sure they are gone. It depends on the person that is preforming. Granted, every animal reacts to the drugs differently.

[fordtraktor]

[QUOTE=Beverley;7873643]
I have in fact seen natural death several times. The one that sticks in my mind the most was a favorite rental string horse in the early 1960s, had to be well into his 20s, who just raised his head from grazing in the pasture, galloped 50 yards or so, and dropped dead. And we’ve seen any number die natural deaths while competing (Hickstead comes to mind among others) but we seem to view it as unacceptable when they do it under saddle- must be somebody’s fault.

I’ve always given my seniors the daily lecture that they’ve had a full life and could just die in their sleep. But none of them has listened yet, the one that was struck by lightning went way too soon at 14.[/QUOTE]

We have had two. One dropped dead in her paddock and there wasn’t so much as a blade of grass out of place. That was the ideal. She was 35.

Her lifelong pasturemate lived another year or so and died naturally as well. She was not doing well at all and my dad called the vet on a Wednesday and said it was time, told her she needed to come put the horse down, it was struggling. The vet came to see the horse and disagreed because the horse was nibbling grain when she got there, but she ought to have trusted him as he knows his animals. On Friday he went out and found the horse laboring to get up. He went to get our neighbor who helps euth horses because it takes the vet 90 minutes to get there and that would be too long. By the time he got back – not 15 minutes – the horse had taken off at a gallop, ran through the fence and broken her neck. Awful. that horse was nearly 40 though, she had a good go of it! They were both boarders but lived with us for 15 years so they felt like family. They are buried with our family horses.

[anothertb]

I once watched a horse die in a paddock waiting for the vet. It was galloping on its side, so it may not be just a euthanasia reaction?

[AmarachAcres]

This thread is putting the whole donate to a cat sanctuary option look better. I always dreaded the idea of my horse getting shot, but it sounds like that could be the much better option.

I hope the decision is still years and years away but I appreciate everyone’s frank discussion on this.

May that little pony rest in peace, it sounds like he had a great home.

[PaintPony]

The one euth I attended was when a friend was out of town and her mare had to be put down. Thankfully it was very easy and peaceful - she just laid down and went. She was very sick at the time though.

I was not there when my other 3 horses were put down, however when I was 18 I watched my horse bleed to death after he fell through a wood fence. I even saw him take his last breath as he bled out. To say it was traumatizing is an understatement. After that I wanted no involvement in watching my horses be put down.

OP - I am so sorry.

[Arcadien]

Heart goes out to you OP, I had one rough one too, and I was traumatized as well. It helped that the young just out of school vet was crying with me, but I know every vet has to find a way to deal with the emotional part of this business their own way. In my case, had to take my colicking horse out of the barn (so his carcass could be collected) which made sense, but then we realized we didn’t have good enough light. She struggled to inject one tube and he was still up and gasping & staggering. Had to go get my pickup truck, drive it as close as I could, and shine high beams before she could complete the final injection.

At the time it was the most horrible thing that had ever happened to me But in time I came to understand it was still way more peaceful than the death he faced without euthanasia - I don’t like to think how long it would take a fatal colic to die in a field or in the wild with no human intervention All in all it was only a few minutes, but I remembered them like they were hours each just after the event.

I hope you will feel better each day that passes for doing your best for your pony. You still did the right thing.

[SuzieQNutter]

Why do they not sedate the horse before euthanizing it? Question from a nuff nuff!

[Laurierace]

They do sedate them lots of times but that has the side effect of taking longer to “work” often times.

[trubandloki]

I am so very sorry for your loss.

[Field_of_Dreams_Mini]

[QUOTE=anothertb;7874216]
I once watched a horse die in a paddock waiting for the vet. It was galloping on its side, so it may not be just a euthanasia reaction?[/QUOTE]

One of our Mini mares died of colic while the vet was on her way. She, too, ran as she lay dying. From what I’ve read they struggle to get to their feet, they don’t go peacefully like a well done euth. It was pretty horrific, but she didn’t run long. :sadsmile:

My Arab went peacefully when I had him euthed for colic. He was ready to go. Vet sedated him, and he laid down very nicely, then with the pink stuff, and he was gone.

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=Field of Dreams Mini Horses;7875679]
One of our Mini mares died of colic while the vet was on her way. She, too, ran as she lay dying. From what I’ve read they struggle to get to their feet, they don’t go peacefully like a well done euth.[/QUOTE]

If nothing else I should hope this thread has explained that a well done euthanasia can still not look pretty so I am not sure what your comment about a well done euthanasia is all about.

[asb_own_me]

[QUOTE=twelvegates;7871464]
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.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for this. I’ve just lost two of my dogs within several weeks of each other. Both unexpected.

[besttwtbever]

I am putting down one of my horses here in a few days so my vet and I discussed this over the phone. Knowing what I know about barbituates, we had a discussion about if things don’t go smoothly as sadly I don’t know anyone in my area that can and will do it by gunshot. My gelding is dying of what we believe to be cancer and his lung function is compromised so I know that there is a better chance of seeing an excitatory phase. My vet shared that although we may see this phase, that they are actually unconscious and therefore not aware of what is going on during it.

I can only imagine how hard it was to watch, but know that your boy was most likely not even conscious for this. Like others have said, you did what needed to be done and you gave him a very kind gift even though it may not seem that way.

[FalseImpression]

My friend could have written your account OP… same thing, her older pony mare… young vet, very cocky… I don’t remember the details, but the pony kept getting up… vet called a more senior vet who came to help and comfort HER!
My friend said she wished she’d had a gun, but then, she would have shot the pony and probably the vet too. It was horrific ! that practice is not allowed at the barn, even the senior vets… No compassion whatsoever…

[Beverley]

For those who have had to experience this, and will in the future- it is true that that ‘running in place’ type of syndrome is simply involuntary muscle movement, no consciousness or awareness. I was in the operating room with one of my cats once, long story I won’t share, but you would be surprised at the body twitching that goes on when they are merely placed under general anesthetic. And in cases like the cat, they wake up just fine.

By way of ‘black humor,’ I can recall a story in the Chronicle of the Horse many years ago about a beloved pony whose day had come, and had to be put down, and the deed was done, tears shed, pony’s body placed on a flatbed trailer to take it to the designated burial spot in a pasture- later. Except the pony didn’t get the memo, woke up on the flatbed, jumped down from the flatbed, returned to barn if memory serves. Everyone was so unnerved that they waited some years before trying again, reasoning that the infirmities of old age must not have been that bad, after all. I wouldn’t even know how to find the article in the COTH archives, but it was quite a story.

[kt-rose]

I had to put a wonderful old horse down last week. My vet uses a mix which is basically what they would get prior to surgery – ketamine, valium. They are down and out long before the euthanasia solution is injected through a catheter. He even numbs the skin before he puts in the catheter. It is all kind, painless and peaceful. Some time ago I had him write down the process and the cocktail so if I ever have to put a horse down and he is not available, I know what to tell the attending vet.

I am so sorry it did not go well for your pony…it is hard to get those memories out of your head…hard enough when it goes well…