Propofol/Potassium combo for cat euthanasia

[Julius]

I had to have one of my cats put down last night at an emergency clinic in a neighboring city. I asked which drug(s) would be used, the vet said propofol and “potassium” …assume he meant potassium chloride.

Poor cat was in serious distress, so there wasn’t exactly time to discuss.

I’ve been under the impression that pentobarbital is generally the drug of choice for pet euthanasia these days either by itself or with a sedative given first, and that potassium chloride – even as a second drug – is not used much at all any more because it can cause excruciating pain if the animal isn’t fully unconscious.

Wondering if anyone here who works in the veterinary field could offer some insight.

Maybe it’s a perfectly acceptable combo and I’ll definitely ask my regular small animal vet about it Monday, but thought there might be some good info here, too.

[Justmyluck]

The veterinarian most likely used potassium as a descriptor of the drug not the actual drug. I have heard several veterinarians use a ‘potassium’ overdose as a description of what pentobarbital actually does. This is usually used to describe euthanasia to the ‘lay’ person. It in those cases was never what was actually used to euthanize the animal.

[Julius]

Why do they say ‘potassium overdose’ to describe the action of pentobarbital? Does pentobarbital have an impact on potassium levels?

[Marshfield]

Propofol followed by large dose of potassium chloride is one option I have seen, though certainly not the most common. It is considered humane when the pet is unconscious from propofol.

[BuddyRoo]

I am not a veterinarian. However, if the pet was sedated with propofol then administered potassium chloride to interrupt the heart, it would certainly be humane and effective. It’s just not standard in my experience through mult clinics and hundreds of euths that I’ve participated in.

[Julius]

I guess that’s the key…hoping they’re adequately ‘out’ from the propofol before the potassium chloride is injected.

Thanks for the responses.

[CindyCRNA]

[QUOTE=Julius;8722052]
I guess that’s the key…hoping they’re adequately ‘out’ from the propofol before the potassium chloride is injected.

Thanks for the responses.[/QUOTE]

I’m sure they were. Propofol acts very quickly.

[animaldoc]

According to the AVMA panel on euthanasia - potassium chloride is acceptable in unconscious or anesthetized patients (like after propofol)…

So sorry about your kitty…

[SquishTheBunny]

Sorry for your loss.

Propofol (or any general anesthesia) with lethal dose potassium chloride is a humane euthanasia. Pentobarbital is generally used especially in awake patients, and often in every circumstance…however we have euthanized with potassium chloride before under anesthesia.

[jen-s]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

[shiningwizard255]

Very sorry for your loss. Godspeed to your kitty.