Two Shot Vs. One Shot Euthanasia

[Calamber]

@pezk

I PTS one of my dogs in Feb. just like the JRT you described. It was horrible. There was no peace about it. The dog was terrified, she fought the vets and the drugs. Her will to live was strong even in her condition. I failed her, the vets failed her. I will never forget. No more dogs for me. Ive had animals of all kinds thru my life. But no more.

I had the same issue with my Jack, he did not go peacefully and was very stressed over the taste of the drug they use to anesthetize, he was climbing my person as they were trying to give the euthasol. Horrifying, stressful and sad to think of it today and it has been more than 2 years. My Clancy deserved better than that. So sorry for your loss but I could not let this keep me from another dog, I understand and you have to do what is best for you but the companionship of a good dog is something I cannot live without so I just have to be more aware when going into the situation what I can do to try and prevent that from ever happening again. My beloved Labbbie Abby was very sick and he just gave her the one infection and she was gone in seconds, Clancy was different. He wanted so badly to live and was struggling to get into my arms, that was horrible.

[StGermain]

The last dog I had euthanized, my doberman Annie, was sick - probably some unknown tumor had ruptured, she was bleeding internally, and she just wanted to lean against me. The vet did the one-injection and she just peacefully died in my arms. No fear, just an end to the pain. My vet is an old guy - in his 70’s, I think. I don’t know if he offers the 2 shot method, he’s only ever done one shot for me. I don’t know if the 2 shots is more for the animal or the owner.

StG

[mommy_peanut]

@Marshfield

This is what I do in my place as well. I warn families that this one injection might sting, but that it’s the last bit of pain. They typically just gently “fall asleep”. Standard in ER is catheter, propofol, and then euthanasia. I prefer my way as I hate taking a pet away from the owner for catheter placement.

Curious why you’d need to take the pet away just to put a catheter in? My vet does it right there with me holding my dog. I’ve never had any vet take the dog away for it (when preparing to euthanize) & I’ve been with many animals needing to be euthanized.

[RedMare01]

All of mine (one dog, one cat, on horse) have been euthed with two shots and all went peacefully. They were all old and sick but not in acute pain. Hugs to you. <3

[Marshfield]

@mommy peanut

Curious why you’d need to take the pet away just to put a catheter in? My vet does it right there with me holding my dog. I’ve never had any vet take the dog away for it (when preparing to euthanize) & I’ve been with many animals needing to be euthanized.

Inevitably in the ER they’re tough catheter placements, often requiring multiple attempts to place. Few technicians are comfortable trying this in the room. Er’s are often lightly staffed, and if there are critical inpatients, someone is tied to treatment . So, the pet needing a catheter is brought to treatment

[Big_Tag]

My cat that had to be euth’d due to kidney failure did have the 2-injection method. It was peaceful as could be. He was such a lovely cat. Purred all the way through shot 1; and then just laid down. I remember being shocked at how big he looked. It occurred to me later it was probably that he was so hunched up in pain those last few days, and with that first shot he finally relaxed. He never looked to be concerned. I was upset, but he was such a cheerful kitty, he was just happy that everyone in the room was paying attention to him.

[PeteyPie]

@Fessy's Mom

I had to have our wonderful English Bull Terrier put to sleep on Friday due to several health issues. When I was a kid and worked at a vet clinic, we used one shot to put animals to sleep and it was quick and painless. I don’t remember it ever not going that way. Perhaps I was lucky, because for some reason, vets now administer two injections when euthanizing. Why is this?

The reason I ask is that of the three dogs I’ve had put to sleep using this method over the past few years, all three have been horrible - neither quick nor painless. The first was a JRT that after receiving the initial injection which they said was to calm her before the final injection, served to worry her to the point of horrible whining and fighting the medication and she struggled the entire time. It broke my heart because this was NOT the last thing I wanted her to know. The second wasn’t as bad, only because the dog was very ill, but even he wasn’t “relaxed” after the initial shot and seemed very worried and scared until the final injection.

On Friday, once again, they gave Ozzie an injection to tranquilize him, but instead, after TWENTY MINUTES he was wobbly but scared and struggling while I tried to calm him as we sat on the floor and I held him on my lap. The vet was like “huh, he should be asleep by now” gave him some more which still didn’t put him completely out before then placing a catheter (!) to inject the final medication.

I much prefer the method of injecting them with the medicine and they are pretty much gone before they even realize what’s happening. :no:

Those three instances were hardly “quick” or “painless”. So why on earth have they switched to this new procedure and can I request the one shot be done the next time it is necessary? It’s tough enough being in the room when one of your best friends dies, but you stay to make it easier for them, and this just doesn’t seem to do that at all and I feel horrible.

I just had my horse put down and the vet explained that the second injection when it hits can act like a sudden adrenalin spike and cause the horse (or other animal) to react physically and dramatically. The effect is very very short-lived because the medicine kills them quickly thereafter. But it can be very upsetting to see the animal leap, or convulse or move dramatically right before dying. He said that with horses, the sedative which is given first causes them to relax and their head drops a bit but they stay on their feet. He said for any other animal, the sedative normally causes them to lie down and sleep, but since horses are prey animals, their instinct is to stay on their feet as long as possible. So when my horse was given the “kill” shot, she was standing and suddenly fell, and it was clear that she was literally dead before she hit the ground. She was gone without a twitch or quiver, thank goodness.

It was very comforting when my vet explained what was going to happen and what the purpose of each shot was, and I was relieved that it was so fast.

In the case of your dogs, I wonder if the doses were correct? The first shot should have made your pets fall asleep. The good thing, from your pets’ point of view, is that the first shot should not have caused any pain at all, it was simply a tranquilizer which wasn’t strong enough. The fact that it took so long must have been very distressing for you, though, and I am sorry you had to suffer through that. I wonder if you could explain to your vet the next time that you want a really strong initial tranquilizer dose?

[BAC]

I don’t know what the drugs are that my vet uses, but its a very peaceful end. First he gives some sort of injection, they get drowsy and are almost asleep and my vet leaves me in the room alone with my cat to say goodbye. He comes back a little later, asks me if I am ready, then they put a catheter into the hind leg IIRC and inject the drug that causes death immediately. From all appearances it is as painless and peaceful as can be, I don’t think the animal is really aware of much, if anything, after the first injection.