jackie_a1

On this topic.... Do you think animals have souls? Edit: I have heard and read that animals don't have souls. Do you think it's a comfort thing for us to think otherwise?

Cos there is no difference it is sad regardless. Just my opinion I like sedation but some people prefer not to use it that's fine too. I just don't want to have to do that again regardless. I would prefer my dogs die old and happy in their sleep. Quick edit to say: Cos just a couple posts up

He fought the sedation yes. BUT what you are failing to see is after a small fight he laid down gently within a MAXIMUM of thirty seconds. Then was euthanised. Now think about it logically. If he had just been injected with the lethabarb he would have been thrashing around for a minimum of a minute I had my hand on his heart and it took a minimum of a minute to stop maybe longer. So I prefer my dog to thrash for a few seconds then to be waiting for the lethabarb to take affect and him be dazed and wandering around distressed. I think if you're going to euthanise your pet it's your responsibility to be aware of what options are there for you. I don't know many responsible pet owners who would go into it so blindly.

Cosmolo that is you rearranging my words to I did not once say or imply that at all. 'Jata a shelter is VERY different to a vet clinic with someone who is bringing in a pet in comparison to someone who is putting down an animal from a shelter. Shelter euthanasias wouldn't require a sedation because generally they don't have owners there present to be distressed by the animals thrashing.' So no owners are present therefore sedation may not be needed the vet does not have owners present to ask for permission for sedation. Or if the animal does fight then (the nurse) or whomever is present may comfort the dog whilst the lethabarb takes affect there will be no distraught owner to witness to be upset or cry or even make a complaint. 'Shelter animals are usually dumped, abondened, given up etc so the owners would rarely stay with the animal to watch it be euthanised.' Simply the truth. I did not once say a shelter dog's passing is less important or less distressing. And nor did I imply it.

Generally speaking right Crisovar? So wouldn't it be better as a precautionary method to prevent the potential distress and fight of lethabarb to sedate? Then to say well many dogs I've euthanised haven't fought so we wont sedate and then that one animal who fights euthanasia comes along and the owners are in shock. So tell me what is it you're trying to say? Because you haven't seen or experienced an animal fighting euthanasia that you prefer it without sedation? That's fine that's your decision however what I am saying is I prefer sedation. Period.

So what is it that you are trying to debate? That vets do not sedate or that they shouldn't? I know vets who sedate. My own dog was sedated. And as I stated it made everything go much much more smoother. You have to take into account the condition of the dog also. If your dog was in palliative care, terminally ill, weak etc obviously the animal would not have strength or health to make a fuss thrash etc. If you are euthanising a dog who is relatively healthy or even a completely healthy dog would it not seem feasible that the dog (or animal) would have the strength and piece of mind to be frightened and thrash around? Take into account the size of the animal too. Lucky was 65 kilos holding Lucky to the ground whilst waiting for lethabarb to take affect would have been distressing as well as dangerous. Edit to say: Anyway back on topic....

http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/pe...e_humane_option

Jata a shelter is VERY different to a vet clinic with someone who is bringing in a pet in comparison to someone who is putting down an animal from a shelter. Shelter euthanasias wouldn't require a sedation because generally they don't have owners there present to be distressed by the animals thrashing. Shelter animals are usually dumped, abondened, given up etc so the owners would rarely stay with the animal to watch it be euthanised. I'm talking SPECIFICALLY about PET(s) as in your pet not shelter animals. If you've had a your pet put down without sedation and it was peaceful then lucky for you I was not so lucky.

I like dog parks but they are no longer for me. Razor is a (bull breed) and since baby Boss has come to the family he is quite protective. Razor used to attend tafe with me and enjoy the other dogs and socialization he is a great well balanced dog HOWEVER having Razor unleashed at a dog park with fluffies and other dogs equal or bigger than his size for me is like playing Russian roulette. Especially when not just the dogs are unfamiliar but so are the owners. Some people hyperventilate and over react when they hear or see a low growl or reaction from a dog and panic others are completely ignorant and allow there dogs to escalate the situation without stepping in or handling the situation. I take Razor to a fenced off park in my area him and Boss run around happily together alone. Now dogs will often approach the fence and Razor always greets them with a high flagged tail and confident stare. Most dogs sniff him and leave happily running to their owners but there is the one dog that will raise his hackles and growl and bark then obviously Razor reacts. If I was to have Razor unleashed in a dog park and him to react like that, it would be irresponsible of me. Some breeds in my own opinion are just not suited to off leash dog parks. [Quick edit to say Razor and Boss are fenced in the park the dogs cannot get inside they meet with a fence between them]

They insert a catheter into the animals leg first as they did with my Lucky, I don't know of any vets (although their may be some) that don't insert a catheter first before sedation therefore it's the one injection so they are not being continually injected. Once the catheter is inserted its as simple as injecting it into the catheter. Then once the sedation takes affect they use lethabarb, and it is relatively quick but animals don't just get injected and die straight away. It needs to be absorbed into the organs and blood stream first then the pet passes. Sometimes it can take 30 seconds sometimes it can take longer regardless the animal still has time to thrash about and become frightened. Lucky was sedated and he still thrashed and fought the sedation. Had the vet not sedated him before he was euthanised he would have been seriously distressed as would I have been. And you are wrong there Lucky didn't peacefully go to sleep he whined and whimpered and didn't close his eyes. Some euthanasia's animals don't close their eyes so it's not like literally peacefully going to sleep. I don't sleep with my eyes open. Just my own opinion.

They have to sedate before euthanasia so the animal is calm and relaxed rather than fearful. Also so the animal isn't thrashing about in distress before the lethabarb takes effect. The last thing you'll want to see is your precious whimpering whining and thrashing about. The sedation is so the animal is calm and rested and the lethabarb can be gently injected to a still animal.

Rastus enough of that nonsense talk. You did more than enough for him. You gave your pup a great life and let him know what it was to be loved, to sleep in a warm bed, to go to bed with a full tummy and wake up in the morning with another full tummy, to run and play and jump, to have a name, to be kissed for no reason and to be hugged for wrong reasons, you gave him love and he gave you reason. You did what was best for him and he will be eternally in your debt. I was a little angry when I left my vet surgery. I carried Lucky's collar and leash out and walked outside to pay and I had five or six gawking staring eyes at me. Not the staff but people waiting in the waiting room. I was furious. How rude. Obviously I was upset and distraught I was carrying my dogs possessions it does not take a genius to know DON'T STARE! Especially when I was crying my eyes were blood shot and gasping like a mad woman. I don't care what you say. Regardless if you had no idea of the situation didn't your Mother tell you not to stare? Not a nice feeling.

Jimmay Razor wants me to ask you if next time you make a film if he could co-star in it. Not be the main star cause he reckons Tyson has that in the bag (no pun intended) but more like Batman and Robin. Razor says he has a few rules. He refuses to have an onscreen pash with a girl. YUK. He wants his own trailer or kennel and he doesn't want to be mobbed by adoring fans. Also he wants to know if Tyson is taken.... haha Great video!

Aww Dogue! I'm sure if you do pup will be there to lick those salty tears right off your face! And then continue licking just for good measure!

HAHAHA! Funny as frack!

But I'm not that keen to push it all behind me either. I'll never forget having to euthanise my pet, but it makes me appreciate my animals a whole lot more. I'm not asking for details and if any one is not comfortable replying than please don't.

It's unfortunate you haven't gotten to owning a dog sooner. Expect more of this behaviour but add a teaspoon of grief, a tablespoon of laughter, a cup full of loyalty and a bucket full of love. Dogs are God's way of letting us know we'll never be alone

So as you guys know on Feb 16 of this year I had to euthanise Lucky my (great dane cross mastiff) he was nine years old, he was suffering from skin cancer and a secondary condition of severe atopic dermatitis. I stayed with him the entire time including while he was passing. I couldn't stand the thought of letting the last thing he see on this earth be an unfamiliar face. I am a vet nurse student so we have gone over numerous amounts of times euthanasia lethabarb etc and have watched videos and during work placement I witnessed a few euthanasias first hand myself. It's always devastating regardless of what or who's animal is being euthanised. My question is, how many of you have had to euthanise your pet? And who of you stayed through the entire process? Rest in Peace my beautiful big boy. I miss you.

Ok so does that apply to owners of toy breeds? Min Poodle owners and chi's and the like? I'm sure (and correct me if I'm wrong small dog owners) that owners don't think when they see their dog asleep in the lounge room WOW a wolf in our lounge room. I think her theories are to broad and opinionated.

I personally disagree with her theories that dogs did not descend from wolves. Sas is right discovery did do a doco about it and I watched it with great enjoyment. Personally I feel her ideas contradict themselves and that (from what I can comprehend) she isn't certified (educationally/scientifically) enough to be able to support her theories. Her theories to me are just that [theories ] and have no evidential claim behind it. In my own opinion.

Ok so a friend sent me this link some time ago and I have been meaning to bring this up in this forum. What do you think. Did dogs descend from wolves or does this person have the right theory? I won't discuss my opinions just yet just want to see what you all think. http://www.nonlineardogs.com/100MostSillyPart1.html Be sure to read all of the information.

On the 16th of Feb I sat with my best friend as he departed this world. I made the decision to have him euthanised due to a chronic and painful dermatitis that was a secondary condition to skin cancer. He was my best friend and guardian and I made him a promise to never let him suffer. I adopted him from Blacktown pound nine years ago. A frightened emaciated twelve month old bag of bones. He was scared of his own shadow. But it was love at first sight the minute I laid eyes on him I put him on hold and picked him up the next morning. The name registered on his chip was 'Harley.' He had a new life and a new name, we renamed him 'Lucky.' The breed registered was great dane cross. We never really did find out his exact breed. It didn't matter from the minute he came home with us he made it his duty to serve the family loyally and without question. I used to wonder why God puts such beautiful creatures on the earth to live such torment. Then I met Lucky. God puts them here for you. There is a dog out there for every good person. To teach them how to grow, how to love, and more importantly how to nurture something greater than yourself. I saved his life and he completed mine. Travel well my big boy. It saddens me to know that you are not at the rainbow bridge. For as loyal as you are you will wait for me at the gates till I return.