Continued
Last week, I referred to the ‘Frequently Asked Ques-tions (FAQ)’ relative to the actual putting-to-sleep pro-cess. Unfortunately, some other considerations, within the context of the often displayed vacillation of the owner to make and implement that final decision, had to be addressed. Today we’ll look at those FAQs.
How is the vet going to eutha-nise my pet? Is the process quick and painless?
There are many methodologies, some even gruesome though speedy and functional. I’ll quickly mention some of the methods 
that the vet (for very convincing reasons, I’m sure) or you the owner might want to carry out.
Drowning:
Don’t even think it. I remember a supposed pet lover and animal activist holding a bundle of kittens under water. A more repulsive scene is difficult to imagine. Her argument, though, was quite sanguine to herself. The kittens do die quickly.
Tying a weight onto the dog or cat and then throwing the entire bundle overboard also achieves the same objective – but a more monstrous death, I cannot imagine.
Decapitation/cervical
dislocation:
Decapitation is really chopping off (severing) the head. Cervical dislocation is breaking the neck. In the poultry and fish businesses, these methods are used. And that is why, technically, this is not euthanasia, it is slaughter. Not to be used on pets!
Captive bolt/gunshot:
In this case, the special Captive Bolt gun or a pistol (or rifle) is placed against the animal’s skull and the bolt/bullet is fired into the animal’s brain, causing instant death. It might sound terrible, but it works – if the shooter is experienced. The trouble begins when the first shot is not successful. The whole activity then becomes very messy. I will not recommend it for pets, other than perhaps horses.
Gassing:
The GSPCA spends an enormous amount of money to euthanise animals humanely and safely. We will not use carbon monoxide (car exhaust fumes). We have in the past used a chloroform box, which is a totally sealed box into which we placed kittens and wads of cotton wool soaked with chloroform. This system works quite well, but the dark, unaccustomed environment causes the kittens to cry (until the chloroform begins to work). This can be quite unnerving and upsetting. It is much easier, though more expensive, for us to sedate the animal first, and then place a cotton wool ball saturated with liquid Halothane (a substance used in anaesthetics) or chloroform over the nostrils. Again, that can be quite uncomfortable for the staff.
Lethal injections:
This is the euthanasia methodology of choice. There are several chemicals one can inject into the blood stream (via the heart or veins). In the earlier days we used to use an overdose of Chloral Hydrate (mainly in horses), or a concentrated Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom salts) solution, or Potassium Chloride, etc, injected into the blood stream. All of these are now considered unacceptable, not lastly because it is believed that some pain is involved. Also, these chemicals do not work instantaneously.
[If the case of injecting a solution of Epsom salts into the blood, the animal often writhes and vomits/defecate/urinates. All very untidy.]
There is really no need to use those chemicals any longer – unless there is no other alternative. Vets and the GSPCA would firstly sedate the animals and then inject, into the blood stream, an overdose of a drug (Pentobarbitone Sodium) which is used as a short acting anaesthetic. The veterinarian is literally putting the animal to sleep – but, in this case, the overdose ensures that the animal will not wake up. The drug enters the animal’s blood stream and suppresses the function of the animal’s heart and brain, causing instant loss of consciousness and pain sensation and stopping the beating of the animal’s heart, thereby causing death whilst the animal is deeply asleep. This is where the term “put to sleep” comes from. The animal peacefully and instantly falls asleep (undergoes anaesthesia) and then passes into death without any pain.
Should owners/children be in the room to witness the euthanasia?
When it comes to euthanasia, there is no one way or right way of doing it. Each person has his or her own way of coming to terms with death and each person has his or her own opinion and feeling about whether he or she can bear to be present for an assisted death. Some people feel bad, if they are not with their pet bringing comfort to it in its last moments, whilst other people cannot bear to see their pet die, and would prefer to have their last memories of their pet as a living, breathing animal. It is not wrong of you to elect not be present for the euthanasia and to leave your pet with the veterinarian to put down. The right answer is whatever is right for you during this difficult period.
Where the presence of children in the Euthanasia Room is concerned, well, my answer is always no; irrespective of age and level of maturity of the child. If readers wish to deal with this particular issue in more detail, especially the reasons/arguments associated with my decision, let me know, and I may accommodate the wish.
We will deal with the other two FAQs next week.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
