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01-18-2015, 10:46 AM | #1 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | How to support your dog that is dying How to Care and Support a Dying Animal Not a very comfortable topic, and for me reading this as it may happen for you, it left me questioning some of the decisions I made around my pets deaths. Not in a bad way, but with an open mind, and a soft heart. For me what wasn't addressed so clearly, was the pain concept. I so very clearly remember Zoey's death, and we had wanted an in home euthanasia, but it wasn't to be had. Her timing was on a very busy Saturday, and quite frankly our vet clinic, couldn't support the absence of one of the busy vets that would do in home euthanasia. Questions remain in my mind. Zoey was at peace laying on the blanket with myself and my pack all around her. It was a magical time, soft air and warm for that time of year. While her breathing was not too stressed at all, when the time came to leave for the clinic, she would not get up for my husband - it hurt her to move! She how-ever went with me, every step a little painfull gasp, she would not use our pulley cart, getting her up into the car - more pain - and out of the car more pain. Would she have died later that day - peacefully on her blanket with her family surrounding her with love? IDK. The thought of her being in pain, was just too too scarey for me, pain that we could not relieve. I spent the previous night up with her, giving her Reiki treatments and very gentle massage - I slept when she slept. I think she was ready to go that day - and she might have preferred to do it at home. If there were an option with dogs that are terminal to put in some sort of medical gizmo, that if and when the time came, we could turn up the pain meds, and allow her to slip away, I think we would have made that choice. This is a very hard subject to talk about - there are few vets well versed in the subject and my understanding is that it is not even a part of the teaching curriculum. Death is the natural conclusion to life. And yet we know so little about it. We have no milestones - that we can look at and say to ourselves - awh here we are ...and here is what maybe next. I remember taking my Dad off his ventilator, somehow I thought death would be rather soon - instead it was about 12 hours later - the hospital had moved him out of his ICU room when I had gone out for supper - I came back to trying to find out where he was. He was put onto the general floor - terrible place to die. They had lost all the little memories of home and flowers and such that I had had all around him in his ICU room, as well as the portable radio, with CD's of his favourite artists. I was very angry about that, and did not want to take the time, and/or had the energy to go back home and re-collect some things. He died in a sterile room, with-in a stressed environment and only myself there to be with him.
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
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01-18-2015, 11:37 AM | #2 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| For future reference Gail, speak with your vet about the very feelings you are expressing here about precious Zoey....there ARE IV catheters that can be left in place, in your pet, and your vet can give you pain meds that YOU can give IV, and then increase the dosage when you think the end of life cycle is upon you and your pup. My vet would do this for me in a heartbeat, if I asked for it...but there are so many different laws, rules, and regulations, different countries, different health systems, total trust between vet and owner, .....I am certain there is a huge fear among vets, in relationship to protecting their DVM licensure, about allowing the owner to do this. I remember years ago, we had a horse that severly injured a hind leg, jumping through a fence....that vet handed me a 100cc bottle of Demerol, to administer around the clock as needed for pain, to this poor horse.....I slept in that stall for over a week with that horse, giving the med as ordered.....when I needed more, I went to the pharmacy at the hospital where I worked, to see if I could get the same thing through the pharmacy, maybe a little cheaper.....OMG!!!!! That pharmacist took the bottle from me so he could see what it was I had, and when he realized what he was holding, he ACTUALLY dropped that bottle like it was on fire!! He had never even seen a 100cc bottle of Demerol, and he almost died that I had one in my possession!!! He essentially told me he did not see anything, did not hear anything, take whatever bottle I had and LEAVE from there IMMEDIATELY!!!! So, I figure there is some kind of law about "regular people" walking around with a 100cc bottle of Demerol. But my vet trusted me and knew that med was going to my horse and not the neighborhood! He probably wouldnt have appreciated me announcing to the world, that I had that in my possession.....said all that to say, if your vet trusts you with IV pain med, and will set you up with an IV so you could give the pain med /sedation as needed, at appropriate time, dont tell anyone! |
01-18-2015, 12:15 PM | #3 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Thank you Judy. I will certainly keep that in mind, and will have a discussion with Dr. K. As you know, I have a senior boy, who is quite well at this point; but I know in my heart of hearts the time will be upon us. BTW his bloodwork came back all with-in normal limits....
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
01-19-2015, 09:32 AM | #4 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 7,740
| That is an interesting article and I enjoyed hearing your thoughts (both Gail and Judy) and your concerns too. I like the concept of Hospice care for pets that are dying, and I also see reason for caution of putting drugs in the hands of the owners who could possibly misuse them. Owners often need counseling and consoling more than ever at these times, and a busy vet clinic is not always able to provide that, along with performing euthanasia.
__________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA |
01-19-2015, 04:12 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA
Posts: 5,491
| Very interesting article. Having just gone through hospice care with the passing of my mother at home I truly hope that I am able to do this with/for Buster as well. It is heartbreaking for those of us hoping that we can ease the transition as we try to figure out what is in the best interests of our loved ones.
__________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything." |
01-20-2015, 02:09 PM | #6 | |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| Quote:
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier | |
01-20-2015, 02:39 PM | #7 |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| I hope when the time comes for my boys that we will be able to choose where, preferably at home. Our vet does not officially offer such services, so I will have to look into alternatives. I was comforted to read in many reviews of our vet that the office has a couple of "quiet" rooms for families to be alone with pets for various reasons, including euthanasia. The staff also give the families as much time and attention as they require.
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy |
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