Practical questions about euthanasia

[lovemyoldguy]

I'm putting my old gelding down tomorrow, and I wanted to know if anyone could tell me what to expect. I'm going to ask my vet to administer a sedative first. But in terms of timing, etc, how long does this take? Do we administer the sedative and then wait ten minutes? Or are the shots back-to-back? And once the final drug is administered, how long does it take to kick in? I'm assuming there has to be enough time for the vet to remove the needle from the vein... And does the horse just drop like a stone?

Thanks for your input - I'm just trying to get a handle on what to expect tomorrow morning.

[LouLove]

When I put my mare down she was sedated first. Then after 5-10min we walked her to the place of "lay". She was then given additional sedative - enough so that we could lay her down on her side. (3 people - on knees first - then bum then rolled on side - very calmly)
This was when the vet let me talk to her for about 15-20 seconds with me caressing her head and then she administered the drug. I continued talking and then she was gone within 20-30 seconds. When they pass, they will continue to make little gasps after they are gone. This is the lungs. They are not still alive, but these noises are a little weird.

I send my thoughts that your gelding passes peacefully. He will. You are doing him kindness.

LL

[pintopiaffe]

I'm so sorry... I hope it is peaceful.

A good vet will do their best to make it peaceful, but to be prepared is a good thing. It's a difficult topic, but you are so right to want to know what to expect.

My vet gives a very strong sedative IV first. I've never asked which. The horse gets very sleepy. The wait here is maybe five minutes or so? Not terribly long.

Then he gives the blue stuff. The last one, she laid down very gracefully, did not fall, and honestly, I don't remember if it was pre-blue stuff or not. She laid down as if to go to sleep... she did not go all the way over until the second dose of blue stuff, I DO remember that. He tries to be very, very quick about changing between syringes, I'm sure that's a humane issue, to be sure they get all of the dose as evenly as possible.

Sometimes they do fall. If you are going to have a tough time (emotionally) getting the halter off and you want to save it, put on a cheap halter, because sometimes they go down in an awkward way. I think if they go down 'hard' that is difficult, but you have to remember, they are past feeling it.

Occasionaly a horse will struggle to get up, but that is *usually* those that have not had a good, strong tranq first. I think emotionally that is the hardest to deal with, and thankfully I have not personally had to deal with it.

My experience has been if the horse is ready, it has been very peaceful. The relief is almost immediate for me. Then of course the guilt that I feel relieved. :sadsmile:

Thoughts and prayers for you that it is peaceful for both of you. :sadsmile:

My last one, she took breaths for a very, very long time. She was well gone (the vet checks their eye for that) but she had great big lungs and heart. I felt kind of silly, telling her to let go... when the *vet* knew she was gone. But I stayed until a few minutes after the last expiration.

[TheUnderstudy]

My experience was about the same as LouLove's, but my mare was sedated and within 5 minutes given the drug while she was standing up. My vet who is a very tall man, layed her down-she sat down basically, but she was already very weak-then she was gone within 30 seconds. Luckily she did not make the gasping noises, but my vet warned me that she could. My vet told me all that was going to happen before he did anything, which helped immensely. I had never been through this before, but he made it as easy as it could possibly be.

I hope he goes peacefully, and I'm very sorry for your loss.

[greysandbays]

My mare was already down, but I asked the vet to sedate her first (and my exact words were), " Can we sedate her first? 'Cuz if she fights it, it's gonna be ugly."

Vet said they anethasizeize (sp?????) just like they would for surgery before giving the killing drug. Sounded like that was SOP for them. Looking at the bill, I'm sure this was as much to maximize his profit as to pretty it up for the owner, but that's neither here nor there.

Vet said I was right about her fighting it when he pulled out the THIRD syringe of pink juice, having checked her heart after two.

From first sedating shot (she went from alert to woozey before all of the sedative was in) to anesthetic shot was fairly brief -- maybe just long enough for him to stand up and figure out which of the assistant's handful of syringes of he wanted next, and the killing juice was right after that, two syringes in immediate succession, then pull the needle out and check heart (still beating), pull third syringe, re-insert needle and injected it.

The longest part was him sitting around afterward to make sure she didn't come back to life. I suppose that was at least ten minutes, might have been fifteen or twenty. I'm pretty sure he wasn't on the farm even half an hour.

[Kim]

I will be thinking of you. :(

Chutney was ready to go. She lay down before the vet injected her, and it was very peaceful. I'm hoping that Rebuff's passing will be the same.

(((Hugs)))

[Oldenburg Mom]

Well, this is the first time I've written about it, him being put down that is. It was a little different as he was having a problem (I think it was adhesions) and he was in a lot of pain.

He had been given some dormosedan (sp???) while we were trying to figure out what to do. It was a large dose, but he was through it in about 15 minutes or so ... we had decided to put him down just as he started to get uncomfortable.

I was very very lucky as he had no twitches, sighs... nothing. He was lying down on his side and we were right there stroking him and loving him...he had given up, and if he could have cried he would have. As soon as the first part of the pink stuff hit him, he relaxed—I'm sure it was the relief of pain...and then he just quietly fell asleep. It took a while for his heart to stop beating ... and I thought I would stop breathing myself it hurt so much.

I'm so sorry ... I know I did the right thing for him—as you are doing the right thing for your boy. And I'm so glad I could be with him—no matter how much it hurt me—so he knew he was loved and he was not afraid.

Just tell him you'll see him later ... that's what I told my boy. :cry:

[CB/TB]

Lacey's was pretty much the same. Vet gave her a sedative first. With her arthritic hocks, it had been several years since she laid down so "force of habit, " I 'm sure, everything was "locked" in place and after the final drug she just fell over. That was the worst part, but at that point she was beyond knowing and her vet held her halter to lessen the impact, which was at the point I lost it. Within seconds her heart had stopped. It was very peaceful. With some there are "twitches", but it's mechanical- they are no longer with us. Some will go down different that others. My old, old girl ( down in 1996?) just laid down as if to sleep- very quietly. My old pony who hated vets tried to bite his vet at the moment of injection. A stinker To the end .He had a terrible colic at age 28 and couldn't be saved, but was true to form! He still went down quietly. So very sorry for you . You did the right thing at the right time. Accept it and move on. Remember the good times .

[lovemyoldguy]

Thank you all SO much for your responses. I know it can't be easy reliving your horses' last moments, but it's a real gift to me (and my family - we'll all be there and I've forwarded the link to this thread to them so they'll know what to hopefully expect).

So that the truck from the cremation service can get him afterwards, we're going to put him down in the driveway in front of the barn. I bought two big bales of straw and we're going to make a little 'bed' on the driveway, so that he doesn't have to go down on a hard surface. Hopefully it will be very peaceful and quick for him.

Again, thank you for sharing your experieinces - it's been a huge help.

[luvmywalkers]

The best thing to do is ask your vet beforehand what to expect as for timing and result of the tranq.

When a friend euthanized her horse, we were told to walk him back so he would sit down, before giving him the final shot.

When we had to put ours down, after the tranq he just laid down as if going to sleep - to me, this was just better.

I will take a few minutes before the final air comes out...he'll look as if he just went to sleep.

We'll all be thinking of you...

[BuddyRoo]

(((hugs))))

Much like the others...when I put my BuddyRoo down, we administered a sedative first, then the pentobarb.

A big animal going down can be difficult no matter the precautions. Probably the best piece of advice I can give you after attending to several last moments is to consider having a good friend there in case you are having trouble keeping it together. A good friend can also kind of straighten things up for you after so that you can spend some time w/ your oldie afterwards without the blood or contorted positioning.

I have assisted in several and I think that is an image none of us want burned in our brain. But more to the point, staying calm for your horse is a must.

I would also get a tarp or big blanket so that you may cover your horse up before you leave. I know it doesn't "matter"...but it mattered to me.

(((hugs)))

[Tif_Ann]

Ugh, just went through this a week ago, but I can't thank my vet enough for how he handled it. He also sedated him and gave us about five minutes or so as it kicked in for everyone to say their final goodbyes, etc.... and as his head hung lower and lower and we held it up he came up and gave the two blue shots, if I didn't know he had two syringes I wouldn't know he did two, he was so quick. He then watched closely and asked us to move back and stood in front of him swaying kind of - and when Hottie started to go down leaned into that direction with him so he just sort of laid down rather then fell. He also held on to his halter and laid his head down gently. Hottie's back legs went first, but I don't know how much of that is because of the vet helping. All in all less than a minute from when he injected, and it was very peaceful.

Hottie did have the twitching/gasping but it took about 3-4 minutes for that and everyone else had pretty much left. It was just me and the vet and one other person, but it wasn't traumatic.

The vet also tried to close Hottie's eye before he left, and cried with us when he actually went down. This was a four year old Morgan so it was really hard. All in all I am thought he handled it amazingly.

[2DogsFarm]

Bless you for thinking of your boy and wanting to stay with him to see him out this one last time.

Like others have said, the process takes just minutes.
For me - aside from the obvious heartbreak - it was not at all unnnerving to stay and observe.

My guy was at the vet hospital and I was allowed to go into the very large (16X16?) stall with 3 vet techs and the vet to lay him down after the sedative was administered.
He just sort of folded gently to his knees and then flat out with me cradling his head. The vet then gave him the euth IV and it was over in what seemed like seconds.
I had to close his eyes, and did so after the vet assured me he was gone.

I hope all goes as peacefully for you & your OldGuy
Know that a whole lot of COTH hearts will be there with you tomorrow.
And if you want to, please make sure to take a lock of tail hair as a remembrance.

[lovemyoldguy]

Tif Ann, I'm so, so sorry about Hottie, but I'm glad that your vet was so wonderful doing the whole experience. One of my favorite vets will here tomorrow and I hope that our experience is as peaceful.

BuddyRoo, thanks for the excellent advice. There will actually be several of us here - family plus a close friend - and I know that we'll all get through it together. I also know that I can fall apart and they'll take care of the details, if need be. My mom is bringing a king-size blanket from her bed to cover Rebuff while we wait for the truck, and I'll probably sit with him until the cremation service gets there. It's kind of like a horrible, terrible dream, but I'm glad that we've prepared as much as possible.

[Tif_Ann]

It will help to have friends, that's for sure. Hottie was my sister's boyfriend's horse but we all loved him so it was definitely hard. I managed to hold it together until he was gone when I lost it. I just held his head and rubbed his neck and cheek and kept telling him how brave he was and what a good boy he was.

It's so much harder to face this decision when it's "For the horse's good" rather than emergent, but I guess that's where the "take their pain and make it yours" comes in. Just love your old guy, let yourself feel the emotions, and think of him running free and happy without pain or problems. Hey, someone needs to watch our little boy up there :)

[BuddyRoo]

Oh honey. I'm so sorry. I'm glad you have lots of support.

When I did it, I was alone. But that's what I wanted. I didn't want to console anyone else. I wanted it to just be him and me...like we'd been for so long. I sat for a long time with my BuddyRoo's head in my lap in the mud and rain--it was February....Feb 8 05 to be exact and even with many under my belt to that point, it still just sucked.

He was in my life for over 25 years.

It's always hard to let them go....

[Cashela]

I'm sorry to hear that you are putting your friend down. *HUGS*

Worst part for me was the last breaths and her legs moving and ears twitching. The breaths killed me as I didn't know to expect them and I was telling her to just hurry up and go as my heart was breaking. Vet then told me that the breaths were normal. I will never forget those last exhales for as long as I live.

[summerhorse]

I'm so sorry. The benefit to animal ownership is we can step in and give them a peaceful end so they don't have to suffer more than necessary. I've had to put two down of my own. One was down (he had EMND or is it ENMD?) and she just gave him the first shot and he just went to sleep and she gave him the second one and in he was gone in less than a minute. Very peaceful.

The next one had congestive heart failure and he did not want to sedate her because her blood pressure was already so low it would take longer to get it to her brain. He gave her the first shot and in about 1 second she shut her eyes and was gone. It is hard to explain but you can almost (almost) see the life passing from them and it is peaceful. She did collapse of course and we used the lead rope to guide her down (sometimes they come forwards though so don't stand too close) but that didn't bother me because I knew she was gone mentally already. He gave her another shot and her heart stopped and the whole thing was quiet and only took about 2 minutes from first shot to heart stop. Some younger horses may take more time for the heart/breathing to fully stop but the horse is deeply unconscious just as you would be on the operating table. You may hear some gasping/groaning noises as the air exits esp. in a large animal dropping, these are not conscious noises. The horse is not aware if it falls or spasms afterwards and this is not uncommon in ANY animal (people too) as nerves sometimes take a while to stop firing, the animal does NOT feel this any more than you would if you fell off the operating table after you were unconscious. It is important that the horse be given enough to send him off to dreamland instantly in the first shot though. And the vet should make absolutely sure there are no life responses before he/she leaves.

I've been present at thousands of euthanasias now and I've yet to see one go wrong. I know some people say they have but because they didn't elaborate I'm not sure if what they were seeing was a bad euthanasia or just the after spasms.

[abbydp]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this, but commend you for your strength in being able to make the decision. Your vet will probably take him from you to get him on the ground. It is much safer that way. Like Buddyroo said, if you start to lose it, walk away. Your boy has known a great life, and as far as he knows this is just a shot, no biggie. He won't be scared as long as everyone around him is ok. The getting to the ground is difficult. Just know, if it he doesn't go down easy, he is already out of it. It's so hard with old ones that have physical issues, because stuff doesn't work like it used to. The breathing always gets me. They are already gone, though. I also wouldn't reccomend being out there when they pick him up. It's just a shell.
Just know you have given him everything you can, including a dignified and painless end. It is the final gift of love, that is so hard for us. I will be thinking of you tonight and tomorrow and wishing him a swift and easy journey. You have been a great horse mom.

[Foxtrot's]

These stories are kinder than when our pony had to go. I was there, stroking her, he gave her a shot and seconds later she crashed to the ground, lifeless. Not that she cared, I guess, but I was horrified and unprepared. Hugs, be strong.

[Mallard]

I'm another who's 'been there, done that' a few times now, and it never gets any easier.

Your vet will probably want to hold onto him as he goes down.
They know best how to 'guide' them down so they don't go with a thud.

Is he shod?
If you don't already have one of his old shoes, ask the vet if he'll remove one for you.
And do take a snip of mane/tail hair.
I make up wooden plaques with their shoe and the snippet of hair, with an engraved plate.

[Thomas_1]

I've been with a lot of horses when they've been euthanased and with the lethal intravenous injection, captive bolt and gunshot method.

Personally speaking I'd rather stay with one of my animals to the end and ensure its o.k. I'm absolutely assured they will be calm with me because they trust me and its just something I feel I should do for them. So long as you can hold it together until they're dead you can do what the heck you like after.

I strongly recommend whiskey (large quantity!) listen to Puccini opera, either Tosca or La Bohemme (for total self-indulgence) and a huge box of tissues And whenever someone asks if you're o.k. then snap back "of course I'm not"

Remember though that if you can't hold it together then there will always need to be a handler. So either the vet nurse or you may need to make arrangements for someone else to do it for you. Indeed one of the reasons I've seen so many is that I've handled horses for other people and because they've been too upset. And for the horse its better to be handled by someone calm - in death as in life.

IME its true to say that when you suffer a bereavement that for some time you dwell on the final events and picture in your mind your last experiences and it takes time (sometimes a long time) to come to terms with the bereavement and remember the good and happier times in the past. For some people - and I've got to say, particularly when you're younger, that there's absolutely no need to put yourself in the position of having the final picture of death in your mind. If it doesn't feel right to YOU then don't do it. However my experience is that once the horse is dead they are at peace and the act itself is never as bad as you fear and imagine. But if you know that you can again be confident that when you leave your horse he'll be o.k.

And you should never beat yourself up no matter which course of action you choose. Indeed I think the worse case scenario is doing what you feel uncomfortable doing and then regretting it and filling your mind with "what ifs". To your horse, it truly makes no difference and the important thing is that he's handled calmly and confidently and with kindness and consideration and compassion right to the end and no different as it should be in life.

I've used both gun shot and captive bolt out of necessity and arising from catastrophic accident but with euthanasia that isn't an acute emergency I'd always choose to use lethal injection and purely because its so quick and calm and easy and the aesthethic effect is just altogether less disturbing and upsetting - with no blood, considerably less chance of body movement and no noise. The horse can be sedated beforehand too so its not under stress.

The last one was my own much loved anglo arab who was euthanased by lethal injection 5 years ago this 1st May. He'd had cushings disease for some years and ultimately his kidneys failed.

He was sedated first which is the preferred and normal procedure and then given the lethal injection and just quietly went down and died. This is the typical experience and is always what I've personally witnessed. And trust me, I've been with too many over my lifetime of working with horses. In rare circumstances there is involuntary action as the drug is administered and the horse moves (see later).

Most vets will sedate the horse with a tranquilizer. This allows the handler to better control the fall and reduces the horse's unconscious and reflex movements. A violent fall and reflex movements can be very disturbing to the horse's owner and observers who are not familiar with a horse being euthanised. The drug overdose is delivered via an intravenous injection in the horse's neck. The veterinarian will administer 120ccs a massive dose of barbiturate and anesthetic, directly to depress the central nervous system. The overdose leads to a depression of breathing and cardiac arrest. (NOT suffocation) And its instananeous.

The horse may or may not become ataxic (wobbly) upon delivery of the drug. The drugs will cause the horse to lose consciousness and collapse. Due to their large size most horses tend to drop rather suddenly. Some horses may go over backwards or lunge forward. It is helpful to realize that a horse that is being put under anesthesia for surgery also collapses to the ground in much the same manner. During surgery a horse's eyes will remain open, the same as a horse that has been euthanised. The horse's mouth will open and often their eyes will roll back in their head. This can be very disturbing to the owner and or the horse's caretakers. Again, it is helpful for the observers to understand that these same actions and movement occur when the horse is going under for surgery. The horse is unconscious and feels nothing.

Sometimes following euthanasia, muscle tremors and involuntary jerking take place. The horse's legs may move and there may be an exhalation or gasping sound. The owner and observers may be disturbed by this, but should understand that these are unconscious movements. The horse is actually unconscious and feels nothing just before the initial fall. If you've ever had general anesthesia you'll realize just how quickly the drugs take effect.

The horse's breathing stops and then the heart. Owners and observers must also remember that in a non-emergency euthanasia the horse is in a familiar surrounding. The horse is led outside by a familiar handler and receives an injection. The horse does not realize or know what the veterinarian has in the syringe. There is no panic. There is no pain. There is no trauma.

Be absolutely assured that the method you've chosen is genuinely quick and humane. ALWAYS the most difficult decision and the hardest thing you can do for a much loved horse but the horse genuinely does not suffer and is never distressed.

And in my mind, its not the act of death that is so painful, its the gap left in your life and heart afterwards. Be assured though that in taking the decision to end suffering through euthanasia you are making the biggest and most difficult decision possible. IMO if you treated it casually or were emotionally unaffected by it, I'd be more seriously concerned and worried. And so I highly recommend the uncontrollable sobbing and feeling of total self pity and sadness.

Finally, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

[dogontired]

my baby, a 14 yr old jumper, colic'd a year ago Oct, and while I had been there for my dogs and cats, this was the first time for me with my horse. My vet was fabulous, and we'd been trying to overcome the colic for 14 hours, so by the time we figured out that he'd ruptured (via a belly tap), all of us, including Slots, were already exhausted. We walked him out to the grass and after a couple of minutes of hugging and kissing him, my vet had me stand by his head but not too close, and she administered the shot. He went down VERY QUICKLY and my vet had to pull me out of the way before he landed on me. Do make sure that you are near/in front of your baby if you want to be close. Big hugs to you and your baby, and God speed him to and over the Rainbow Bridge. He'll be waiting for you when it's your turn to cross the bridge. And heads up, I am crying as I write this, I miss Slots every single day.........this will leave a hole in the fabric of your life, but it's our responsibility as parents to be there and help our babies, even for this.

[AKB]

I'd had a bad experience years ago, when the vet tried to save money by just giving the euthanasia barbituate solution without sedative or anesthetic. My husband's horse ran into a tree, broke part of the fence and then collapsed, all with a group of kids watching.

When we needed to put down my horse last year, I asked that my vet do everything possible for a peaceful end. He gave Dormosedan/detomidine sedative, then ketamine as a general anesthetic, then the euthanasia solution. It was a very peaceful death.

Good luck. I know how hard it is to go through this.

[BellaLuna]

Please know that you will be in my thoughts...It's the hardest decision to make - but what a gift for our old friends. **hugs**

[pj]

Oh honey. I'm so sorry. I'm glad you have lots of support.

When I did it, I was alone. But that's what I wanted. I didn't want to console anyone else. I wanted it to just be him and me...like we'd been for so long. I sat for a long time with my BuddyRoo's head in my lap in the mud and rain--it was February....Feb 8 05 to be exact and even with many under my belt to that point, it still just sucked.

He was in my life for over 25 years.

It's always hard to let them go....
When I had my mule put down last June that's how I felt. I wanted only the Vet, myself and John. My husband and a friend argued with me and wanted to be with me but I did not want them.
My Vet also helped John down so he went down gently instead of hitting the ground. He didn't move, no gasping or anything once he was down but his heart did beat for a few min. afterward.
Saying a little prayer that all goes gently, peacefully and quickly for your horse.

[Coreene]

In case you did not know it, their eyes do not close, and if you try to close them they will pop back open. I reminded everyone of this before Willem went, and yes I still did try several times to see if it was true. Giant hugs for tomorrow.

[Blonde Ambition]

Vet said they anethasizeize (sp?????) just like they would for surgery before giving the killing drug. Sounded like that was SOP for them. Looking at the bill, I'm sure this was as much to maximize his profit as to pretty it up for the owner, but that's neither here nor there.

As a point of clarification, the sedative that is the first drug administered is required for humane euthanasia for several reasons. The second drug administered, works in two ways and eventually affects the part of the brain that is responsible for respiration. Without the sedative, the second drug would be very painful to experience and the sedative blocks that pain.

Also, without the sedative, the animal would be horribly distressed to be experiencing the loss of respiration the second drug causes, even for a few seconds, resulting in not only physical pain, but fear and confusion that would that would a horror show for both the animal and the humans.

It is my opinion that if you are suggesting that the sedative is used to "maxamize profits" your conclusions about the drugs' purposes, as well as the doctor's motivation, warrant much deeper consideration.

[Sansena]

<<snip>>. Looking at the bill, I'm sure this was as much to maximize his profit as to pretty it up for the owner, but that's neither here nor there..

I think you need to ask for *just* the Fetal-Plus next time you euth one and see just how much "Pretty" you're getting for that extra cost of sedation.

[greysandbays]

My mare did not get "two drugs". She got three: sedative, general anesthetic, and kill juice. Are BOTH the sedation AND the anesthetic necessary before the final kill juice? Given quickly and how woozy the mare got with just the first sedative, the second (anesthetic) seemed almost like overkill.

I saw one done a couple of years ago with just the kill juice. Other than the horse's eyes getting as big as dinnerplates and the whole body going rigid before he "died" and did the "agonal breath" thing, it wasn't that much different.

BTW, this vet does have a habit of taking people for a ride with his bills (he's got a brand new clinic to pay for). He's perfectly willing to do a little bit more than necessary (all under the premise of "doing everything we can for Poopsie", of course). AFAIK, he doesn't do any actual harm, and one-horse hobbyists who think the amount of money they throw at Poopsie's care proves what a good horse mommy they are are perfectly happy to go along with it.

In any animal health situation, there is a RANGE of acceptable care, from doing right by the animal as economically as possible at the one end, to extravagant measures that make the owner feel better but don't make any real difference in the outcome at the other. I just wish this vet wouldn't crowd the latter end of that range so hard.

[pj]

[QUOTE=greysandbays;3793866]My mare did not get "two drugs". She got three: sedative, general anesthetic, and kill juice. Are BOTH the sedation AND the anesthetic necessary before the final kill juice? Given quickly and how woozy the mare got with just the first sedative, the second (anesthetic) seemed almost like overkill.

I saw one done a couple of years ago with just the kill juice. Other than the horse's eyes getting as big as dinnerplates and the whole body going rigid before he "died" and did the "agonal breath" thing, it wasn't that much different.



QUOTE]
I don't imagine that it is necessary to get the job done but if it makes it easier on the animal I'm all for it. My mules passing was gentle and easy so that made it easier on me, too. I felt that I owed it to him to try to provide an easy passing and I don't think I could have coped if he'd struggled or seemed in distress. So imho bring on the sedative and
anesthetic. If I remember correctly though my mule only recieved two shots. First was given, then the second and the Vet leaned in and sorta folded his legs and he went down gently and never moved or breathed again. His heart did beat for a min. or so

[mhtokay]

I'm glad you're going with the sedation first. I've heard stories about trying it without. A friend did 2 old girls together, but either they didn't do the sedation first, or waited til they took the first one outside the barn before sedating the 2nd one. The 2nd one got anxious when the first one left and so the shots didn't work as nicely.

I euthanized 2 this year and made sure they did the sedative first. I was with them when they left, but i couldn't help bury them. My husband handled that for me and i gave him a cooler to cover them with in the hole.

[S1969]

I've posted this before but my vet clinic does not pre-sedate before euthanasia; however, I'm not sure what combination of drugs are given. I've had this done twice on my farm and they were practically identical; very quick, no distress, and no crashing to the ground. In both cases the horse simply sat back on his haunches and the vet assisted them to the ground.

I am curious to ask my vet what drug combo they give; however both vets (the clinic owner and my own regular vet) said it is their standard practice not to give a sedative as it slows the process down. I would imagine that the type of drug used would make a huge difference in the expected outcome. (E.g. in my case, I can't imagine either one of the horses taking a forward step after the first injection; they were completely glassy-eyed, and 'out of it' almost immediately. The 2nd injection clearly stopped the heart very quickly.)

Ask your vet what his/her practice is, and why. That's how to know what to really expect.

[TikiSoo]

I chickened out when it came time to put my beloved first pony down. I could not be there, I didn't even want to know "when". I donated her to a local equine college, so that future vets could experience euthenasia and learn from her body afterwards.
Almost a year later the class presented me with a wonderful thank you note and her braided tail which I'll treasure forever. I am so glad they had the opportunity to see REAL lungs, REAL heart, REAL digestive system and the like. And once they're vets the euthenasia process will be less emotional for them and they will help us through it better.

But it's so nice to know the horrors of euthenasia are in the past, it sounds perfected and peaceful. Now if we could only have this as an option for humans!

[lovemyoldguy]

Well, he's gone. It was very hard but also the right thing to do.

I called my vet practice on Friday to be sure that they would, in fact, sedate him first and they assured me that they would. The vet on Saturday morning, Dr. Katy Solinski, was WONDERFUL. She explained everything to me first and everything that she said echoed what you all wrote here. We led him out to a bed of straw that I made on the barn driveway, and she gave him the sedative first. Then we waited a few minutes for him to get nice and sleepy, and she and I talked to him the whole time telling him what a good boy he was. Once the sedative had taken effect, she gave him the pink shot and then had me step back. She took his lead from the tech who was holding him and took his halter in both her hands. Facing him, she started to encourage him to rock back into a sitting position. It actually took longer than I thought it would, but his heart was pretty bad (one of the factors that led to my decision) and I think maybe it took longer for the drug to circulate. Also, he's pretty stubborn. ;) He finally started to really snort as he exhaled and his hind end got very wobbly and weak, and I knew he was about to go down.

The only unpleasant part for us was when he went down. The vet was trying her hardest to get him to go down gently, but at the last moment he gave a huge snort and then went crashing over on his side. That was very, very hard to watch, but I know that he didn't feel anything - he was unconcious when he hit the ground. The vet, God bless her, never let go of his head, even as he went down, and that really helped. She was kneeling in the straw at his head and reached for my hand, and together we laid our hands on his face and told him what a good boy he was. His eyes were open, as was his mouth, but I knew from the posts here that that would happen. There was no snorting or exhaling, no involuntary movements that I saw at all. She did gave him a second shot as his heart still had a faint erratic beat, and then he was truly gone. I think I asked her about 17 times if she was sure...

The two men from the crematory service were there also, and after I spent some time with my boy, they helped me to take his tail hair before they loaded him up. They actually have a great system (which I did NOT watch), where they unload an equine rescue sled from an enclosed trailer, roll the horse onto the sled, and then winch the sled into the trailer. So the horse is never dragged up onto a truck, etc, which was one of my fears. Those men were also wonderful, hugging me and telling me that they would take care of my boy for me.

Thank you again, all of you, for your incredibly insightful posts - it was so very helpful to know what was going to happen ahead of time. And while watching him go down hard was difficult, I knew that he didn't feel it (thank you, Thomas_1). I will always be grateful to you all for helping prepare me for this.

[pj]

I'm thankful that it's over and thankful that it went well. I hope that now you'll find Peace with it. I'm crying for you and I'm sure others are, too. All too many of us know exactly how you feel.
Thomas, that was an excellent post and I thank you, too. I've copied the post to reread if I ever have to do this again or to read to any friends that will face this.

[relocatedTXjumpr]

when I put Rudy down in September I had no idea what was going to happen.

Thankfully, the vet explained everything clearly before he ever opened his case to proceed. There eyes do not close, and, even after they are gone they can take what appear to be breathes.

He prepared everything and helped me walk him down to a sunny spot in the pasture. Due to the EPM Rudy was very unsteady, so his guidance here helped so much. The vet held him steady for me to say my goodbyes and then I stepped back. Due to the EPM we were unsure of how steady he would be, so for our safety we stood back a few feet.

He administered a sedative, and because Rudy had EPM, he was already wobbly. He was still up when they administered the pink shot, but went down shortly after. the vet helped him go down, and it appeared as though he went down just to rest.

He did take several of those "breathes" and the vet spoke in a low soothing voice to him and assured me he was gone, it was just his lungs expelling the last bit of air.

The vet then left quietly as I went over to be with Rudy as he went over the bridge.

I would say the vet was there about an hour or so, but once they administered the first shot he was gone in a matter of minutes. I left long before the truck came to pick him up.

I am thankful of the way everything was explained to me and how soothing the vet actually was. I never regretted my decision and I knew Rudy was ready by how quickly he went.

Good luck to you, its hard, no matter what the circumstance. this is the first time I have talked about since that day in september

[monstrpony]

Just a comment--I went back and read the post from Thomas 1, and I believe that post should be archived for reference when this topic comes up, which it does periodically. A better, more accurate, more sensitive description and explanation could not be had.

To the OP, we're still thinking of you, hope you are doing okay.

[BuddyRoo]

(((hugs)))

I'm glad it went okay for you. As okay as it can.

[Tif_Ann]

Thinking of you today, as I did over the weekend, and I hope you are doing ok.

[drifter05]

(((((hugs)))) I'm crying my eyes out here :( I'm so sorry. I understand how much you love him.

[Sansena]

**hugs**

[lovemyoldguy]

Thanks so much for keeping me in your thoughts, and for all the hugs. You don't know how much I appreciate it.

I'm doing ok. I have moments where I almost forget, just for a minute, and then I remember again. Which sucks. Driving to work this morning, I found myself listening to the weather report and thinking about which blankets the horses should be wearing...and then I realized I don't have to do that anymore. It's actually the first time in 20+ years that I *haven't* had to think about that.

There's definitely a huge empty place in my life now. I know that this will get better, and I do at least have peace in knowing that I made the right decision, and that he's running free and happy now. But I really miss my boy.

[Gunnar]

I am glad to hear it went well!:sadsmile: Your post brought me to tears but you did the right thing! As horse owners, sooner or later (hopefull much later) we all will experience this. Your experience will help others!:sadsmile:

Hugs to you and godspeed to your horse! :sadsmile:

[DML]

I'm doing ok. I have moments where I almost forget, just for a minute, and then I remember again. Which sucks. Driving to work this morning, I found myself listening to the weather report and thinking about which blankets the horses should be wearing...and then I realized I don't have to do that anymore. It's actually the first time in 20+ years that I *haven't* had to think about that.

.

I went through this 13 months ago, I still think about him everyday, and cried my eyes out reading this thread.
I as well got mine horse cremated.
I have packed all his stuff away, I am not ready (nor do I ever think I will be, after having him for 26 yrs) to get rid of it.

[saddleup]

I'm so sorry.

I'm sitting here crying, for you and your lost friend, and for all of us who love horses and will have to face this eventually. I have two older, retired geldings, and who knows what the near future will hold for them?

I'm saving this thread. I know it will help when I need it, even though I try to pretend that day won't come.

[username]

I lost my oldest end last October of old age (would have been 40 next birthday) in the calmest most dignified way possible. missed him dreadfully but not as much as his barn-mate did apparently. lost the second one three short weeks later. that one was not as anticipated. I am grateful our vet service employees are kind, gentle and most considerate of the needs of all involved. neither one could have gone more easily from any point of view. I love drugs! worth every penny!

a friend who wrote to me afterward shared her own loss and likened her former horse to a magic carpet who took them so many places that would not have been possible otherwise. I liked that and think it very appropriate. only time will help the sudden "oops!" moments tho. hugs from us here...

[acyates]

I'm a veterinarian and work at one of the large equine clinics in the country, and I wanted to clarify one of the points that I saw reiterated over and over. We do NOT always sedate horses that we are euthanizing. This is clinician preference, but most of our doctors in the hospital do not. The sedation will depress the circulatory system, making it take longer for some horses (especially very sick ones) to die. The horse is held by a technician at the head, the vet administers 100ccs of beuthanasia, and the horses typically sit back and drop to the ground. Just wanted to correct some erroneous information about horses being in distress without sedation.

[Oldenburg Mom]

Just wanted to correct some erroneous information about horses being in distress without sedation.

I promise I'm not trying to be confrontational here ... but with the numerous reports about horses being "in distress" how can you make a statement like this? Obviously, unless all these people are just "making it up" (which I doubt) there *have* been issues—which is why many ask for the sedation. Plus, does it matter how long it takes for the animal to die? It is my understanding that the pink stuff is merely a barbiturate. Doesn't that mean that once it hits, the animal's pain is gone? Why is it important that he/she dies in 10 minutes, as opposed to 30 minutes, especially if he/she is unconscious?

[pj]

I promise I'm not trying to be confrontational here ... but with the numerous reports about horses being "in distress" how can you make a statement like this? Obviously, unless all these people are just "making it up" (which I doubt) there *have* been issues—which is why many ask for the sedation. Plus, does it matter how long it takes for the animal to die? It is my understanding that the pink stuff is merely a barbiturate. Doesn't that mean that once it hits, the animal's pain is gone? Why is it important that he/she dies in 10 minutes, as opposed to 30 minutes, especially if he/she is unconscious?
I don't know what my vet gave my mule, I believe it was two injections and he went down on the second one so maybe the first was a tranq? It "seemed" as if his heart continued to beat for a long time although it probably wasn't more than a couple of min. During those few min. I'm sure I was the one who was suffering not he. While it is most important to me that it's easy on the animal
I really really would have hated for it to take thirty min. My vet had warned me that it "might" take a little longer because of his heart so I was prepared but I just don't know that I could have handled thirty min. especially if he were moving, gasping, etc. :sadsmile:
Maybe the wanting it to be quick is for the people?

[SGray]

since my pony was already down the vet did not sedate first

gave euth. drugs (two doses) - declared pony gone

it took me the better part of two hours to get a friend with tractor over to move the body and when we got up to her she was breathing

took another hour and a half to get vet back out to finish the process

see http://chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.phpt=158896 thread

so I'd recommend that the vet sedate FIRST

[pj]

since my pony was already down the vet did not sedate first

gave euth. drugs (two doses) - declared pony gone

it took me the better part of two hours to get a friend with tractor over to move the body and when we got up to her she was breathing

took another hour and a half to get vet back out to finish the process

see http://chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.phpt=158896 thread

so I'd recommend that the vet sedate FIRST
What a Horrible experience!!!! Would being sedated have avoided this? I guess I was under the impression that the sedation was just to calm and quiet the horse.

[SGray]

I can't state as a fact but my gut is that pony fought the euth. drug and my not have as much if she had been under sedation before it was given

[pj]

I can't state as a fact but my gut is that pony fought the euth. drug and my not have as much if she had been under sedation before it was given
That makes sense.

[Gandolph58]

After having done a euthanasia both ways (with a pre- sedate and without) I will NEVER do it again without!!!

The vet we had for my older mare suggested not using a pre-sedate for the reasons mentioned in a previous post. He said it would slow down the heart rate and take longer for her to expire. I should have gone with my gut.

I will not get into the scary details here, but it was awful and I am haunted by that experience to this day.

I was thinking about you over the weekend and am glad to hear that your boy went peacefully!!

Big {{{{{{{{HUGGS}}}}}}}}}}} to you for the days to come.