The veterinarian then injects a drug that is a massive dose of anaesthetic. Within seconds, your animal will relax and exhale, as though going to sleep. They may take a few deep breaths but the whole process normally takes no more than 10 seconds.
You may see them twitch or take a final breath. This can be startling, but it's a normal part of the process. Your pet isn't in pain. Use of a sedative makes this step less likely.
Dogs do not know they are being put to sleep, but they can react to underlying pain when being handled by the vet, sense nervous energy, react to the injection, involuntarily vocalize, or have muscle spasms.
Your vet will administer a pet euthanasia solution, often pentobarbital or – more likely and desirable – an overdose of anaesthetic. Once the solution is injected, a peaceful death will usually result in under 30 seconds.
The euthanasia injection
The pet will be given a concentrated overdose of the anaesthetic so that they peacefully fall asleep and then pass away. This usually happens quite quickly, often in less than a minute, and many owners are surprised by this. The injection is not painful.
Occasionally, a dog may give a small cry as the injection is given – as with all anaesthetics, there is a brief feeling of dizziness as the drug takes effect. Unconsciousness follows within seconds, often before the injection is finished. Death occurs within a couple of minutes when the heart stops beating.
The doctor will listen carefully to your pet's heart to ensure it has stopped before pronouncing him or her gone. After that, there is no danger of your pet waking up. This is a very common fear for pet owners.
As with all anaesthetics, your pet will first start to feel sleepy and then peacefully fall unconscious within a few seconds. After a short time, their breathing and heart will stop and the vet will check your pet using a stethoscope. After they pass away, your pet's eyes may stay open.
You will get to choose what happens to your euthanized dog's body. You can keep the body to bury personally, have it buried at a pet cemetery, or choose cremation (either individually or with a group of animals, and with or without the ashes returned to you).
You can also expect a ton of barking, howling, and vocalizations, an attempt by your dog to get your attention about what they know. Watch for lots of following around, extra attention, and melancholy behavior from your doggo, too. Here are a few signs your dog might be giving you if they're sensing death: Barking.
Give them all the things they enjoy most – their favourite toys, their favourite food. You know what will make your pet feel most at ease in the time that remains. If you become tearful, ask a family member, friend or other trusted person to take care of your pet so you can leave the room and have a cry.
The most prominent sign that you will notice is a complete relaxation of the body, your dog will no longer appear tense, rather they will “let go.” You will notice a slimming of the body as the air is expelled from their lungs for the last time and you may notice the lack of life in their eyes if they are still open.
It's not a sign that you've done anything wrong or that you're somehow weak for being emotionally impacted by your pet's departure. After all, you and your pet were close. Feeling guilt is a sign of just how much you cared about your pet.
Following euthanasia, your veterinarian or veterinary nurse or technician will help to gently clean your pet if necessary, and remove any intravenous cannula that was placed. Then, depending on whether you are burying your pet at home, having your pet cremated or are still undecided, a few different things may happen.
You may choose to leave your pet with the veterinarian for burial or cremation, or you may be able to bury your pet at home depending on the ordinances in your area. If you choose cremation, you have the option of communal cremation, which is less expensive, but you won't get your pet's ashes back.
Family members who want to be alone with the pet should be allowed to do so. Some pet owners choose to be present during their pet's euthanasia, but others choose to say goodbye beforehand and not be present during euthanasia. This is a very personal decision and you should do what feels right for you.
The vast majority of animals will benefit from sedation. This is given as a small injection into the back of the neck, no more painful than a normal booster vaccination.
Deep sedation or anesthesia is preferred to ensure the cat is fully asleep prior to administering the final injection. Sedation minimizes fear, anxiety, and pain; lessens the need for restraint; allows for closeness with caregivers; and can lessen unwanted side effects of the administration of euthanasia solutions.
Sometimes dogs will urinate or defecate when they are euthanized due to the total relaxation that happens. If this happens to your dog, it will do so when your dog is no longer aware of what is happening. Euthanasia does not hurt.
During euthanasia, dogs react mainly to general anxiety, pain caused by underlying disease, brief injection site pain, and sedatives. They can also involuntarily react to the euthanasia solution.
Be aware that your dog's body may release urine, feces, and possibly other bodily fluids upon death. This occurs due to the relaxation of all muscles. Know that your dog's eyes will remain open.
Feeling sad, shocked, or lonely is a normal reaction to the loss of a beloved pet. Exhibiting these feelings doesn't mean you are weak or your feelings are somehow misplaced. It just means that you're mourning the loss of an animal you loved, so you shouldn't feel ashamed.
When there are too many bad days in a row, or if the dog seems to be turned off to life, quality of life is compromised. Bad days may mean nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, frustration, unrelenting pain/discomfort, or inability to breathe.
Once you're sure your dog has passed, the next step is to call your veterinarian's office. A vet's office will take your dog's body and either dispose of it for you or store it for you before you have a cremation or burial. They might also know of resources like a pet crematory or a mobile vet service.