Euthansia

[Shortliner]

So, our 11 year old Golden Retriever is at the end of his rope. He's pretty much down to eating bread with butter (he won't eat dog food anymore) and he's losing weight like a Super model on a crash diet. We have begun Hospice care (my mom is a hospice nurse, so she's taken care of dying people) for the dog, but honestly, I think it's more humane to perform Euthanasia at this point. He isn't even wagging his tail anymore. I know he isn't happy, I can see it in his eyes. Right now we've doubled up on his pain meds (2 pills, three times a day), but honestly, I think at this point we're just delaying the inevitable.

So, has anyone else ever had to put down a pet?

[Erick_Cantu]

Great album, really.

[jtr1962]

Unfortunately, we had to do this several times:

1) Teddy, a collie we found abandoned, age unknown, had trouble with his hind legs and was unable to walk.

2) Tabitha, a blind cat whom was 14 years old, just had her vital functions start shutting down. She was practically in a coma when we bought her in.

3) Lucky, another cat, was nearly 20 years old when she had to be put down last year. She was doing relatively OK for an old cat until she just stopped eating, and had labored breathing. Given her age and the symptoms, the vet basically said the end was near anyway, so no point prolonging her suffering. Her discomfort was obvious.

Thankfully, as many of our pets died on their own, sparing us this difficult choice:

1) Kimba, our first pet, caught FIP. The disease progressed and he died before we even got the blood test results. He was 13.

2) Tiger, one of Lucky's sisters, and still the cat I was closest to, died in my arms when she was 15. She had a tumor in her throat which interfered with her breathing. She was comfortable up until that last moment, and aware, so not enthanizing her didn't prolong her suffering.

3) Suzette, Tiger's stepsister, died in the vet's office at 16. She looked very sick so bought her in to be checked. She probably died of a heart attack from the stress, but I doubt she would have survived the day even if we hadn't bought her to the vet.

What it ultimately comes down to is the animal's quality of life. Even if their illness is terminal, if they're not in pain, aware, and responsive then I couldn't euthanize them. If it's obvious the animal is suffering with no hope at all of getting better, and death is inevitable soon anyway, euthanasia is the more humane course.

[rpicardi1]

The quarter horse, John, suffered a stroke at age 34 and fell in the doorway of the barn during the night New Years Eve. Ever try getting a vet at 5:00AM New Years day? I had pads and pillows packed around his head and back to keep him somewhat comfortable until the vet could get out to put him down properly. I had that horse for 32 of those years.

Then, the real fun, finding someone with a backhoe to dig a hole big enough to bury him before the nosy neighbors from across the road find out. (The other alternative, the rendering company, was driven out of business long ago thank you environmentalist and animal rights.)

The old pony that outlived four owners, I got her when she needed a retirement home, made it to 40 before she caught a respiratory infection and just gave up. Naturally, that happens on a Sunday when you have to call the emergency service for a vet. It was doubtful if she was going to make it through another winter as she had lost an infected molar, was living on Equine Senior, and had such bad knees that she needed help to get up. (More problems with the nosy neighbor across the road and the zoning inspector snooping days later.) At least, I didn't need a backhoe for burial.

Thankfully, we have the ability to have our pets humanely put down to end their suffering when that time comes.

Which leads to a very frightening issue, should human euthanasia become legal and should it be available to end the suffering of a loved one suffering from a terminal illness, crippling injury, or severe loss of mental capacity?

Who would make the decision to go beyond pulling the plug on the life support equipment when there is no hope for survival or to honor the signed "Do Not Resuscitate" card? In the future, can a relative, the insurance company, health care provider, or the Government order expensive life saving treatment with held as a cost saving measure when there is little hope of full recovery? Will it be used to reduce nursing care cost by putting down those suffering from stage 5 Alzheimer? Will it be used to cull the population of those born with birth defects or severe mental retardation? Will it be used to reduce prison population? Will it be used to eliminate the opposition? Will it be used as a means of population control beyond that of abortion? (Think gas chambers in Nazi Germany.) Will history repeat itself?

Euthanasia of a pet to end their suffering is the most humane thing to do when that time comes. Just don't even think of opening that Pandora's Box of legalizing that procedure for humans.

BTY, human euthanasia is legal to perform under a court order in several states and has been upheld by the Supreme Court. It is called execution by lethal injection.

[rdamurphy]

I think any human euthanasia would require a Court Order, a warrant issued by a Judge, to satisify the Constitution, and the rights and dignity of the impending decendent.

I don't think it's a Constitutional right to commit suicide, nor do I believe in "euthanasia" per se. I do think one has the right to refuse any and all life extending medical treatment or devices, and should be allowed to pass with dignity.

Robert

[trainrover]

Just by the very ease alone of sussing out several closet cases' lurking about this board, finding those who are just dying to do themselves in's gonna be a piece of cake...

[Shortliner]

Well, we've decided to have our dog put to sleep on Thursday.

[rpicardi1]

Well, we've decided to have our dog put to sleep on Thursday.

For the sake of your pet's quality of life, get it done, say your goodbyes, go through the grieving process, and move on with your life. There are plenty of other dogs out there dying to have the good life that you provided for your pet all of those years.

You will have the option at the vet to be by his side for the procedure. If you have a back yard and the zoning law doesn't prohibit it, you should also be able to take him home for burial - take a blanket along to wrap him in. Otherwise the veterinarian service can handle that part for you.

There may also be a local pet cemetery should you wish to use the burial option and can't do so on your property. Check that out before Thursday should you decide to take the formal burial route.

[Shortliner]

I think any human euthanasia would require a Court Order, a warrant issued by a Judge, to satisify the Constitution, and the rights and dignity of the impending decendent.

I thought the Republican party goal was to limit Government involvement in our personal lives.

I don't think it's a Constitutional right to commit suicide, nor do I believe in "euthanasia" per se. I do think one has the right to refuse any and all life extending medical treatment or devices, and should be allowed to pass with dignity.

I do agree with euthanasia when a person's or pet's life has come to a state where their quality of life is pretty much nill. I know I wouldn't want to be kept alive by a machine.

[jtr1962]

I do agree with euthanasia when a person's or pet's life has come to a state where their quality of life is pretty much nill. I know I wouldn't want to be kept alive by a machine.
Same here. I can't see a person going through most of their money, or even worse using public money, to stay alive in pain a few more months. I'd rather leave the money to next of kin who would put it to better use. Since I'll probably have nobody when that unfortunate time comes, I'll probably go out the Roman way. Just lie in a bathtub, open my veins, and wait till death comes. As for when, I'd probably say whenever my quality of life has reached the point where I'm starting to be unable to do basic things for myself, and there's no medical intervention which will make me better. I won't stick around until the point where I have to depend upon someone else to do the deed for me.

[Paul1953]

Take the "Long Walk". Istead of them scraping whats left off the porcelain, you can feed a tree!

[jtr1962]

Take the "Long Walk". Istead of them scraping whats left off the porcelain, you can feed a tree!
Or feed the fishes if I take the long walk off a bridge. That's a thought since I'm big on recycling. :rolleyes:

[Paul1953]

Well, some folks say "Ashes to ashes..." so it makes sense.

[rdamurphy]

Or it could be the ultimate revenge! Cut open an artery, write the name of somebody you're trying to get back at in blood with the words "So-and-so killed me!" and then slit your throat! And make sure that the victim finds your body to place him or her at the scene! Perfect. It would be even better if they tried to erase their name.

Hmmm, devious, aren't I?

Robert

[Paul1953]

Time to turn off the TV there, Robert!:eek:

[Shortliner]

Welp, we did the deed. He was first put on anesthesia, and after he fell asleep, the vet gave him the lethal dose.


Serria Summer
1997 ~ 2008

[Gixxer86g]

I'm sorry for your loss,Sean.I know the pain you are feeling,but it was for the best.

[EMD E8A]

Unfortunately our family had to put down our cat 2 weeks ago. She was diabetic (we didn't know until it was too late), had kidney failure, and she had liver problems. It was really sad to see her go. She was my best friend, and I miss her.

I understand how it is. I'm sorry about your pet.

[Conrail Tweety]

I know it's hard to lose a pet.

I've raised a few rabbits, never having more than two at a time.

The friendliest one ever was attacked by a cat the day she was one month old. A quick trip to a vet and we got some medicication for a slightly damaged eye. The claws scratched the white part but missed the cornea. A few days later an infection around her other eye caused her to lose her balance. An emergency vet came to my house. He mixed antibiotic doses to be injected twice a day for a week.

After hearing the news about the dizzy bunny, my dad built a channel out of plywood just wide enough for the bunny to fit into. This allowed her to walk without falling over while her head was still spinning. After about a day and a half of this therapy, she was back to about 95% and she fully recovered following series of shots.

The day of the cat attack was the last day they lived outside. I moved their "wirehouses" into my garage. I would release them at least once daily for supervised play inside or outside depending on the weather.

The one that was attacked became the friendliest bunny I've ever had. She would follow me around and jump onto my lap when I sat down.

Just after her first birthday, she was running in the yard and had a hard collision. I saw this happen and she just fell over motionless. I tried to revive her without success. The collision had broken her neck.

It was one of the hardest days of my life. I still have her sister, and she just turned six years old this week.

I wish the best for you and your family during these sad times.

[muskokaandtahoe]

Congratulations Poop! You've just joined my ignore list.

For everyone else... see the link "User CP" near the upper left of this page? Click that and in the list on the left, under Settings and Options, there is another link called "Edit Ignore List". Click that and in the new screen, where it says "Add a member to your list", you type Poop and click on Okay. That's all you need to do. :cool:

[muskokaandtahoe]

Ahhh, it works really well.

All I see now is:

"This message is hidden because poop is on your ignore list. "

Peace and tranquility reigns again. :)