Why did my dog have to suffer before his Euthinasia

[Tjoyce]

I have been desperately seeking an answer about why my dog suffered.  Was the doctor to blame?  When my beloved 15 year old peekenese had terminal cancer and after a couple of operations to remove it hoping for more time, it was to no avail and the time came that he had to be euthanized.  I expected that my dog would have been given some sort of tranq and that it would have been a painless without any sort of suffering.....what the word actually means.  However, the vet seemed unable to insert the needle into his arm and in his continued efforts my dog kept screeming with pain and anxiety.  This went on for at least 10 minutes, as the vet left the office for what seemed like different solutions and different injections.  Each time my dog wasn't able to calm down and he screemed for what seemed like 10 minutes straight, leaving me with no only the sadness of loosing my beloved friend but the lifelong rememberence of his last moments on earth, which were the most anquishing 10 minutes of my life.  I still now sob at writing this, not to mention the numerous sobbing sessions prior to falling off to sleep.  I just want to know what and why whatever went wrongj.  I want NEVER to have any other pet suffer like that and need to know what I can do to insure that.  Please someone help me understand why my dog had to suffer.  The vet did say he had trouble inserting the needle into his veins but my dog had been eating and drinking, so I don't believe he was dehidrated.  I just hope someone can help me understand if this type of thing is common and if it is can't anything be done so that it won't happen?  Should the vet have offered me a pill to give my dog an hour before the proceedure to insure it will be peaceful?  What should/could the vet have done differently and what could I do in the future?  I am an animal lover and all of my animals came from shelters (as this one or were rescued in some way like my other wonderful dog who was living on the street and of course we took in 2 stray cats looking for their next meal.  I love all animals.  I appreciate whatever advise you can give me on this sad but unfortunately necessary part of animal ownership subject

[Bennys_Meryl]

After all these years you posted your heart felt story I am reading it. I feel for you and I'm crying as I post this. I searched on Google because I took our 15 year White German Shepherd dog into the vet and witnessed one of the most heart wrenching sights.
We are using a new to us vet and they seem very compassionate and caring. I realize now I have to discuss with the doctor our experience because it is unacceptable and I don't want to ever see Benny go through something like this again.
I can just imagine what it would have been like if this was the prelude to euthanizing him. I pray we don't have to and he dies peacefully in his sleep. But I can assure you I will do everything in my power to prevent this occurrence again.
Our dog is very loving and social, he's peaceful and happy and beautiful. He has become very crippled, most likely from arthritis. His labs are always good and he is in pretty good health otherwise.
The Vet techs trying to find a vein for his blood draw. First they put a cone on his head. We've never seen any other clinic do that. Secondly they spent around 15 minutes poking him and trying to find a vein. He is so old that he rarely vocalizes anymore, but he cried and yelped from the pain and agony of the procedure.I was so upset I had to leave the room and then the building while my brother stayed with him.
It was a horrible ordeal for him and for us and I now ask myself,why didn't the vet tech ask the doctor to try, after she obviously wasn't being successful and was hurting him? I wish I would have stopped them and told them we would bring him back again and for another vet tech or the vet to try the blood draw.
I just wanted to tell TJoyce I am so sorry for her and wish her peace and that her beloved pet is happy playing in the happy hunting grounds where the faithful pets know no pain or suffering.
I want to send her a hug and my sympathy.
Meryl

[lonewolf07]

At least the vet admitted he made a mistake.  He probably feels almost as bad as you do.

Don't know if this will help but a few years ago my daughter's Siberian husky, MooMoo  began to act strange.  The vet did a few things but couldn't find out what was wrong with him.  Then in the middle of the night my daughter felt really strongly that MooMoo was dying so we took him to a 24 hr vet clinic.  It took every penny I had but we paid to have him looked after till we could get the dog to the vet where she was working at that time.  I don't know how many pain patches they put on this dog.  Two vets looked at the X-rays and so did we.  The vets thought he had gas - I had no idea.  When MooMoo went to his usual vet - by taxi - he began crying again and the driver was so incredibly understanding.  At the vet's MooMoo was examined and got more pain meds.  His crying and screaming - a dog screaming - was awful.  We had to have him euthanized.  The vet was crying, partly because my daughter worked with him and partly because he thought he had made a mistake that caused MooMoo to die.  How could we blame him; nobody knew what was really wrong with the dog.

My Siberian had died the year before - still in his harness.  It was quick and better for him but I still miss him so much - even after five years.  I do think the vet we took him to was incompetent.

All this writing about death and dying .... eventually you'll be able to look back at things that made your dog so special.  The poor little guy - if there is a Heaven I'm sure he's up there eating, drinking and lifting his leg.

My daughter now works at the 24 hr clinic where MooMoo first went and the vets who looked after him remember her and one of them is extremely kind to her.  Strange how things turn out.

Our Siberian husky has to be sedated just to get her nails cut .... what a princess

I look forward to seeing the pictures.

Hugs to you ....

wolf

[Tjoyce]

Oh, I just read your loving message and I want to thank you so much.  Well, yes, this is a public forum but you are all respoindng to me, my post, my question.  Ok, if we can stop crying about this horrible subject for a moment, now, ok, as far as my vet.  He was always there for my animals in every way, even beyond the call of duty.  He has his own small practice and employees another vet (a female) but for some reason we have always used him.  I hate to tell you but it has been 3 months already since you know what, and I have not been back to the office.  I think my 2 cats are due so I better think this through once and for all already.  That's why I posted my question as well.  He blew it, he knows he blew it for us, my husband and I were both there, I had to leave the room to go to the waiting room sobbing (we were the only people in the clinic) but my husband remained in the room and all I heard was my Charlie crying and screeming and watching my vet leave the room a couple of times trying to avoid my wet eyes to get another syringe or potion of some sort.  My husband still tells me to this day that he is emotionally distraught about what he witnessed and we just don't talk about it.  Ok, as I have already posted, for my current and future beloved animals I will never bring them into the vet's office prior to getting a tranq pill down their throat so that they mentally and physically feel no pain.   I would recommend this proceedure to anyone at this time just to insure the outcome doesn't go like my Charlie's.  Oh, please check back in a couple of days because I am going to add some photos which I would like you to see.  In the meantime, please know that I really appreciate your words and personal interest.  I wish you and your cats and dogs continued good health and peace.  (( hugs ))  Tjoyce

[lonewolf07]

Sedated can be in pill form if the dog can handle it.  If they are in a lot of pain it would have to be injected.  Based on what my daughter has told me, a technician is more likely to find a vein although the vet has to do that actual euthanasia.  Jaybay is completely right in what she said about your dog's BP - it would make finding a vein difficult.  If the owners are present for the euthanasia, a "shunt" can be inserted into a vein in the dog's leg and used to insert IV lines and eventually the drug that euthanizes him/her.  If it's a small dog, gas can also be used to sedate the dog. There "shouldn't" be any difficulties but a lot of times there are.

If the owner's aren't there .... I don't even want to go there.

Maybe I was too quick to judge your vet.  Can you talk to him openly and honestly about this whole thing?  You said he had been a good vet till this happened.  Also, the animal clinic where my daughter works is big, charges a lot of money and is in Canada.  If this is the only mistake he made - there might be other considerations.  I don't know any vets who want to euthanize an animal.  Just a thought.

And I'm close to crying again.  I can't stand the thought of losing one of my cats or dogs.  Our Akita is 12 yrs old and has arthritis.  You wouldn't believe how many people hear her age and tell us to have her euthanized.  It makes me sick.  I just identify with people who have had to euthanize their pets because I've been through it.

I know this is a public forum but .... to tjoyce

((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))

wolf

[Tjoyce]

Thank you for your kind words.  I didn't realize that my post might help someone else but I can see how others might be more prepared now so they don't go through what I went through, like you.  I am glad I could have been of some help in that way.  All my best wishes to you and your furkid.   I appreciate your sharing.  Tjoyce

[Misfits4Me]

OMG!!  My heart goes out to you...This has opened up my eyes....I too, have a furkid (An old, ill, Senior that I adore), that blood cannot be drawn from a leg vein. For whatever reason, it is not possible. Learned this not long ago. After 5 tries, I finally threw up my hands and said, "No more!" From then on, it has to come out of a neck vein. (I made them make notes on his chart to exactly how it worked so he does not go through the same pain again.)  However, I have not thought about euthanasia in this manner. I do have the tranquilizer (At home) plan in place, but I fear I would have blown the rest; I'm sure it's hard to think clearly at the time. OMG!  Thank you for posting this.........I'm so sorry for your loss and heartache.  Please know that you have helped me with a better plan. Your in my prayers........Karla