Mary Allen
When animals are euthanized, it is a highly emotional experience for the owners. Veterinarian Petra Fernandez from the small animal clinic Klaus in Liestal explains what exactly happens medically.
Sobbing pet owners, almost collapsing over their pets on the examination table. Veterinarian Petra Fernandez from the small animal clinic Klaus in Liestal experiences such scenes again and again. “When we have to put animals to sleep, it’s always very sad. Also for us veterinarians. Even after years, we haven’t become hardened,” says Fernandez, who has been working in the profession for over 30 years. At least one pet is euthanized every day in the small animal clinic, Klaus.
What exactly happens during the process? In the first step, the animal receives a high-dose sedative injection into the muscles. This causes it to become quiet and lie down gently. “We also put a venous catheter in the animal, because the substance, which ultimately has a lethal effect, is administered intravenously,” explains Fernandez. In order to be able to place the venous catheter in peace and without stress for the animal, the sedative injection also helps. It affects the central nervous system, but breathing and circulation still work. Animals that are put to sleep are often already weak and emaciated, which is why there is often not much muscle mass left. “There are very few animals that overreact to the substance and scream,” says the veterinarian. But that only happens once in 100 cats. In addition, it could be that the soothing syringe burns a bit, which the animal feels.
About five to ten minutes after the sedative injection, two anesthetics are injected one after the other through the venous catheter, which ultimately leads to death. “It’s similar to people who seek euthanasia. Here, too, the anesthetic is overdosed, which ultimately has a fatal effect,” says Fernandez.
The Last Picture Sticks
Propofol, an anesthetic, flows first. “The animal then sleeps under deep anesthesia,” says the veterinarian. Shortly thereafter, another barbiturate is used: the animal now comes to cardiac and respiratory arrest after a few seconds without it having to suffer. The veterinarian then declares the official death: “After death, the animals’ eyes remain open and the pupils no longer show any reaction. I also listen to the animal to be sure that the heart has stopped beating.”
What does the experienced veterinarian advise: Should owners be present when their darling is put to sleep? “I always explain the process to people in detail. You can then decide whether you want to be there until the end or leave the animal in the care of the vet. » Because the last picture of the beloved pet is firmly engraved in the memory. However, most pet owners would like to accompany their animals to death. “One cannot say that an animal senses that it is about to die. But the cats and dogs notice exactly what’s going on in their owners,” says the veterinarian. The velvet paws probably clearly perceive that their mistress or master is stressed and releases adrenaline with excitement.
According to Fernandez, dead animals weighing up to ten kilograms can be buried in your own garden if you wish. Alternatively, you can leave the euthanized cat at the veterinary practice, with the animal than going to the carcass collection point. The bodies of the four-legged friends are converted into water, protein, and fat, the substance obtained in this way is used as fuel in cement plants or as ecological fuel. “But many owners have their pet cremated. They keep the ashes in an urn or then scatter them in nature, for example, or bury them under a tree,” says Fernandez. In rare cases, the animals find their final resting place in a pet cemetery.