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Lethal dose of morphine for a cat
When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do
it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. |
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My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want
to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. One thing to consider is that morphine is a controlled substance. You won't be able to get it yourself. You will probably have to ask your vet to get it and come to the house to administer it legally. I've been told that morphine overdose is a good way to go if administered properly. They get very high and feel great, then get unconscious then their organs stop. You just don't want the organs to stop while they're conscious. That might be scary and painful. Generally the vet gives valium to calm the animal, sets up an IV then gives pheno to stop all organs. It's almost instant. I think they should give enough valium to get the cat unconscious first, then the pheno. |
My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want
to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. One thing to consider is that morphine is a controlled substance. You won't be able to get it yourself. You will probably have to ask your vet to get it and come to the house to administer it legally. I've been told that morphine overdose is a good way to go if administered properly. They get very high and feel great, then get unconscious then their organs stop. You just don't want the organs to stop while they're conscious. That might be scary and painful. Generally the vet gives valium to calm the animal, sets up an IV then gives pheno to stop all organs. It's almost instant. I think they should give enough valium to get the cat unconscious first, then the pheno. |
Kathryn Stein wrote:
(A.J. Rivett) wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The most humane euthanization, imho, would be to have the vet make a house visit. I've had that done and it was very peaceful. Agreed. In the drugged-tuna scenario, there's no way to be sure the cat wouldn't vomit the drug, or if he would eat enough of it mixed in food in the first place. Opiates cause vomiting in a percentage of humans, I would expect the same in cats. A semi-conscious cat aspirating vomit could turn this idealized scenario into a nightmare. -- jamie ) "There's a seeker born every minute." |
"A.J. Rivett" wrote in message om... When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The problem with administering it orally is that it slows the sytem down and by the time you get a fatal dose in them, the organs don't work enough to process it, leaving the animal more or less in a coma situation for hours or days on end. (You don't even want to know why I know this.) Depending on your animal's underlying health issues that make this a necessary decision, some organs might not even work enough to get even a sedative dose of a drug into the system and certainly won't process it enough for death to occur. That's not humane. There's also the issue of regurgitation, which can happen, and with the cat sedated enough that the gag reflex is disabled, the cat could choke to death on the vomit. Also not humane. Really, the only effective way to euthanize an animal is through injection. Most vets will come to your home and do this for you and it's much less stressful than you packaging up and going to their office. It's far more peaceful than you may think, and you can be there at the end after their last supper and hold them while they pass. It's quick, and painless, which an oral dose of any drug is NOT. If you love your cat, give her the final best gift any owner can give, which is a quick and painless death--from your veterinarian. |
"A.J. Rivett" wrote in message om... When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The problem with administering it orally is that it slows the sytem down and by the time you get a fatal dose in them, the organs don't work enough to process it, leaving the animal more or less in a coma situation for hours or days on end. (You don't even want to know why I know this.) Depending on your animal's underlying health issues that make this a necessary decision, some organs might not even work enough to get even a sedative dose of a drug into the system and certainly won't process it enough for death to occur. That's not humane. There's also the issue of regurgitation, which can happen, and with the cat sedated enough that the gag reflex is disabled, the cat could choke to death on the vomit. Also not humane. Really, the only effective way to euthanize an animal is through injection. Most vets will come to your home and do this for you and it's much less stressful than you packaging up and going to their office. It's far more peaceful than you may think, and you can be there at the end after their last supper and hold them while they pass. It's quick, and painless, which an oral dose of any drug is NOT. If you love your cat, give her the final best gift any owner can give, which is a quick and painless death--from your veterinarian. |
"A.J. Rivett" wrote in message om... .... I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. Normally, I just killfile these types of posts, but I'm curious how you know 1. that morphine may be more expensive, and 2. that it's a nicer way to go. |
"A.J. Rivett" wrote in message om... .... I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. Normally, I just killfile these types of posts, but I'm curious how you know 1. that morphine may be more expensive, and 2. that it's a nicer way to go. |
From: (jamie)
Kathryn Stein wrote: (A.J. Rivett) wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The most humane euthanization, imho, would be to have the vet make a house visit. I've had that done and it was very peaceful. Agreed. In the drugged-tuna scenario, there's no way to be sure the cat wouldn't vomit the drug, or if he would eat enough of it mixed in food in the first place. Opiates cause vomiting in a percentage of humans, I would expect the same in cats. A semi-conscious cat aspirating vomit could turn this idealized scenario into a nightmare. Also, how many cats that are so ill that euthansia would be considered would even be able to eat? I've had the vet come to my house too and I think that's the least stressful. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm |
From: (jamie)
Kathryn Stein wrote: (A.J. Rivett) wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The most humane euthanization, imho, would be to have the vet make a house visit. I've had that done and it was very peaceful. Agreed. In the drugged-tuna scenario, there's no way to be sure the cat wouldn't vomit the drug, or if he would eat enough of it mixed in food in the first place. Opiates cause vomiting in a percentage of humans, I would expect the same in cats. A semi-conscious cat aspirating vomit could turn this idealized scenario into a nightmare. Also, how many cats that are so ill that euthansia would be considered would even be able to eat? I've had the vet come to my house too and I think that's the least stressful. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm |
If you give a cat morphine (if you could even OBTAIN morphine) it will
go wild...climb the walls. etc. Morphine also stimulates horses. I, also, suspect a troll. |
If you give a cat morphine (if you could even OBTAIN morphine) it will
go wild...climb the walls. etc. Morphine also stimulates horses. I, also, suspect a troll. |
"Annie Wxill" wrote in message ...
"A.J. Rivett" wrote in message om... ... I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. Normally, I just killfile these types of posts, but I'm curious how you know 1. that morphine may be more expensive, and 2. that it's a nicer way to go. 1. Stupid question. What do you think humans get when they are given a little too much pain killer and why do you suppose morphine is a controlled substance? 2. Why do you think there are so many heroin addicts out there? For a curious person, you are pretty clueless. |
"Annie Wxill" wrote in message ...
"A.J. Rivett" wrote in message om... ... I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. Normally, I just killfile these types of posts, but I'm curious how you know 1. that morphine may be more expensive, and 2. that it's a nicer way to go. 1. Stupid question. What do you think humans get when they are given a little too much pain killer and why do you suppose morphine is a controlled substance? 2. Why do you think there are so many heroin addicts out there? For a curious person, you are pretty clueless. |
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olitter (PawsForThought) wrote in message ...
From: (jamie) Kathryn Stein wrote: (A.J. Rivett) wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The most humane euthanization, imho, would be to have the vet make a house visit. I've had that done and it was very peaceful. Agreed. In the drugged-tuna scenario, there's no way to be sure the cat wouldn't vomit the drug, or if he would eat enough of it mixed in food in the first place. Opiates cause vomiting in a percentage of humans, I would expect the same in cats. A semi-conscious cat aspirating vomit could turn this idealized scenario into a nightmare. Also, how many cats that are so ill that euthansia would be considered would even be able to eat? I've had the vet come to my house too and I think that's the least stressful. Lauren Thank you for your response. I was aware of the vomiting scenario as this is a problem in humans. I will probably opt for the vet visit although when the initial sedative was given to one of my previous cats, it was not appreciated by the cat. She couldn't figure out why she was losing her coordination and she became agitated. That is why I'm looking to something that will allow her to sleep without knowing that she is being snuffed. My belief is that cats know when somebody is trying to off them and a needle in the butt is a sure sign that something's up. |
olitter (PawsForThought) wrote in message ...
From: (jamie) Kathryn Stein wrote: (A.J. Rivett) wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The most humane euthanization, imho, would be to have the vet make a house visit. I've had that done and it was very peaceful. Agreed. In the drugged-tuna scenario, there's no way to be sure the cat wouldn't vomit the drug, or if he would eat enough of it mixed in food in the first place. Opiates cause vomiting in a percentage of humans, I would expect the same in cats. A semi-conscious cat aspirating vomit could turn this idealized scenario into a nightmare. Also, how many cats that are so ill that euthansia would be considered would even be able to eat? I've had the vet come to my house too and I think that's the least stressful. Lauren Thank you for your response. I was aware of the vomiting scenario as this is a problem in humans. I will probably opt for the vet visit although when the initial sedative was given to one of my previous cats, it was not appreciated by the cat. She couldn't figure out why she was losing her coordination and she became agitated. That is why I'm looking to something that will allow her to sleep without knowing that she is being snuffed. My belief is that cats know when somebody is trying to off them and a needle in the butt is a sure sign that something's up. |
In article ,
enlightened us with... (Paulette) wrote in message ... If you give a cat morphine (if you could even OBTAIN morphine) it will go wild...climb the walls. etc. Morphine also stimulates horses. False True. Sort of. http://opioids.com/morphine/felinemania.html Quote:
-- -- ~kaeli~ Can you be a closet claustrophobic? http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace |
In article ,
enlightened us with... (Paulette) wrote in message ... If you give a cat morphine (if you could even OBTAIN morphine) it will go wild...climb the walls. etc. Morphine also stimulates horses. False True. Sort of. http://opioids.com/morphine/felinemania.html Quote:
-- -- ~kaeli~ Can you be a closet claustrophobic? http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace |
From: (A.J. Rivett)
(PawsForThought) wrote in message ... From: (jamie) Kathryn Stein wrote: (A.J. Rivett) wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The most humane euthanization, imho, would be to have the vet make a house visit. I've had that done and it was very peaceful. Agreed. In the drugged-tuna scenario, there's no way to be sure the cat wouldn't vomit the drug, or if he would eat enough of it mixed in food in the first place. Opiates cause vomiting in a percentage of humans, I would expect the same in cats. A semi-conscious cat aspirating vomit could turn this idealized scenario into a nightmare. Also, how many cats that are so ill that euthansia would be considered would even be able to eat? I've had the vet come to my house too and I think that's the least stressful. Lauren Thank you for your response. I was aware of the vomiting scenario as this is a problem in humans. I will probably opt for the vet visit although when the initial sedative was given to one of my previous cats, it was not appreciated by the cat. She couldn't figure out why she was losing her coordination and she became agitated. That is why I'm looking to something that will allow her to sleep without knowing that she is being snuffed. My belief is that cats know when somebody is trying to off them and a needle in the butt is a sure sign that something's up. Yes, unfortunately, I also had a bad experience when one of my cats was euthanized. She was very ill and the vet had a hard time finding a vein, plus she was protesting greatly. My husband tried to remind me that anything a vet did to Queenie always made her upset. But still it was really horrible. So like you, I would also like to know of a better way. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm |
From: (A.J. Rivett)
(PawsForThought) wrote in message ... From: (jamie) Kathryn Stein wrote: (A.J. Rivett) wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The most humane euthanization, imho, would be to have the vet make a house visit. I've had that done and it was very peaceful. Agreed. In the drugged-tuna scenario, there's no way to be sure the cat wouldn't vomit the drug, or if he would eat enough of it mixed in food in the first place. Opiates cause vomiting in a percentage of humans, I would expect the same in cats. A semi-conscious cat aspirating vomit could turn this idealized scenario into a nightmare. Also, how many cats that are so ill that euthansia would be considered would even be able to eat? I've had the vet come to my house too and I think that's the least stressful. Lauren Thank you for your response. I was aware of the vomiting scenario as this is a problem in humans. I will probably opt for the vet visit although when the initial sedative was given to one of my previous cats, it was not appreciated by the cat. She couldn't figure out why she was losing her coordination and she became agitated. That is why I'm looking to something that will allow her to sleep without knowing that she is being snuffed. My belief is that cats know when somebody is trying to off them and a needle in the butt is a sure sign that something's up. Yes, unfortunately, I also had a bad experience when one of my cats was euthanized. She was very ill and the vet had a hard time finding a vein, plus she was protesting greatly. My husband tried to remind me that anything a vet did to Queenie always made her upset. But still it was really horrible. So like you, I would also like to know of a better way. Lauren ________ See my cats: http://community.webshots.com/album/56955940rWhxAe Raw Diet Info: http://www.holisticat.com/drjletter.html http://www.geocities.com/rawfeeders/ForCatsOnly.html Declawing Info: http://www.wholecatjournal.com/articles/claws.htm |
"PawsForThought" wrote in message ... From: (A.J. Rivett) (PawsForThought) wrote in message ... From: (jamie) Kathryn Stein wrote: (A.J. Rivett) wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The most humane euthanization, imho, would be to have the vet make a house visit. I've had that done and it was very peaceful. Agreed. In the drugged-tuna scenario, there's no way to be sure the cat wouldn't vomit the drug, or if he would eat enough of it mixed in food in the first place. Opiates cause vomiting in a percentage of humans, I would expect the same in cats. A semi-conscious cat aspirating vomit could turn this idealized scenario into a nightmare. Also, how many cats that are so ill that euthansia would be considered would even be able to eat? I've had the vet come to my house too and I think that's the least stressful. Lauren Thank you for your response. I was aware of the vomiting scenario as this is a problem in humans. I will probably opt for the vet visit although when the initial sedative was given to one of my previous cats, it was not appreciated by the cat. She couldn't figure out why she was losing her coordination and she became agitated. That is why I'm looking to something that will allow her to sleep without knowing that she is being snuffed. My belief is that cats know when somebody is trying to off them and a needle in the butt is a sure sign that something's up. Yes, unfortunately, I also had a bad experience when one of my cats was euthanized. She was very ill and the vet had a hard time finding a vein, plus she was protesting greatly. My husband tried to remind me that anything a vet did to Queenie always made her upset. But still it was really horrible. So like you, I would also like to know of a better way. A IM injection of a sedative and then a direct cardiac stick with the euthanasia drug would be easiest on an animal that had hydration problems or other issues with finding a vein. Unfortunately, most pet owners are more upset by this procedure than repeated attempts to find a vein. A direct cardiac stick on an already sedated patient is painless and exceedingly quick. It's just not "pretty". I've participated in probably 200 animal euthnasias by a veterinarian with me acting as a tech, and on the small kittens or sick cats, this was the optimal procedure for shelter animals because it was the most humane. The vet rarely offered this to any but the most medically knowledgable pet owners however, because of the poor reaction that most of them had to the image of a needle to the heart. |
"PawsForThought" wrote in message ... From: (A.J. Rivett) (PawsForThought) wrote in message ... From: (jamie) Kathryn Stein wrote: (A.J. Rivett) wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. The most humane euthanization, imho, would be to have the vet make a house visit. I've had that done and it was very peaceful. Agreed. In the drugged-tuna scenario, there's no way to be sure the cat wouldn't vomit the drug, or if he would eat enough of it mixed in food in the first place. Opiates cause vomiting in a percentage of humans, I would expect the same in cats. A semi-conscious cat aspirating vomit could turn this idealized scenario into a nightmare. Also, how many cats that are so ill that euthansia would be considered would even be able to eat? I've had the vet come to my house too and I think that's the least stressful. Lauren Thank you for your response. I was aware of the vomiting scenario as this is a problem in humans. I will probably opt for the vet visit although when the initial sedative was given to one of my previous cats, it was not appreciated by the cat. She couldn't figure out why she was losing her coordination and she became agitated. That is why I'm looking to something that will allow her to sleep without knowing that she is being snuffed. My belief is that cats know when somebody is trying to off them and a needle in the butt is a sure sign that something's up. Yes, unfortunately, I also had a bad experience when one of my cats was euthanized. She was very ill and the vet had a hard time finding a vein, plus she was protesting greatly. My husband tried to remind me that anything a vet did to Queenie always made her upset. But still it was really horrible. So like you, I would also like to know of a better way. A IM injection of a sedative and then a direct cardiac stick with the euthanasia drug would be easiest on an animal that had hydration problems or other issues with finding a vein. Unfortunately, most pet owners are more upset by this procedure than repeated attempts to find a vein. A direct cardiac stick on an already sedated patient is painless and exceedingly quick. It's just not "pretty". I've participated in probably 200 animal euthnasias by a veterinarian with me acting as a tech, and on the small kittens or sick cats, this was the optimal procedure for shelter animals because it was the most humane. The vet rarely offered this to any but the most medically knowledgable pet owners however, because of the poor reaction that most of them had to the image of a needle to the heart. |
"A.J. Rivett" wrote in message om... When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. From where are you going to get morphine? |
"A.J. Rivett" wrote in message om... When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. From where are you going to get morphine? |
"A.J. Rivett" wrote in message om... I will probably opt for the vet visit although when the initial sedative was given to one of my previous cats, it was not appreciated by the cat. She couldn't figure out why she was losing her coordination and she became agitated. Either your vet is an asshole or he had no training in euthanasia. Your vet should have used a catheter to ensure that your cat died peacefully, without adverse effects. After the saline flush he should have used a rapid acting barbiturate - like thiopental, which puts the cat into a mellow state of relaxation and then anesthesia before the final drug. Euthanasia should be conducted like a ceremony. Its the final gift that we lovingly bestow upon our dearly loved cats. I make absolutely sure our terminally ill and dying cats' euthanasias are conducted with the same respect and reverence as my own. I have no tolerance for vets who simply kill cats as part of a day's work. |
"A.J. Rivett" wrote in message om... I will probably opt for the vet visit although when the initial sedative was given to one of my previous cats, it was not appreciated by the cat. She couldn't figure out why she was losing her coordination and she became agitated. Either your vet is an asshole or he had no training in euthanasia. Your vet should have used a catheter to ensure that your cat died peacefully, without adverse effects. After the saline flush he should have used a rapid acting barbiturate - like thiopental, which puts the cat into a mellow state of relaxation and then anesthesia before the final drug. Euthanasia should be conducted like a ceremony. Its the final gift that we lovingly bestow upon our dearly loved cats. I make absolutely sure our terminally ill and dying cats' euthanasias are conducted with the same respect and reverence as my own. I have no tolerance for vets who simply kill cats as part of a day's work. |
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A IM injection of a sedative and then a direct cardiac stick with the euthanasia drug would be easiest on an animal that had hydration problems or other issues with finding a vein. Unfortunately, most pet owners are more upset by this procedure than repeated attempts to find a vein. A direct cardiac stick on an already sedated patient is painless and exceedingly quick. It's just not "pretty". I've participated in probably 200 animal euthnasias by a veterinarian with me acting as a tech, and on the small kittens or sick cats, this was the optimal procedure for shelter animals because it was the most humane. The vet rarely offered this to any but the most medically knowledgable pet owners however, because of the poor reaction that most of them had to the image of a needle to the heart. Thank you. This is helpful. |
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A IM injection of a sedative and then a direct cardiac stick with the euthanasia drug would be easiest on an animal that had hydration problems or other issues with finding a vein. Unfortunately, most pet owners are more upset by this procedure than repeated attempts to find a vein. A direct cardiac stick on an already sedated patient is painless and exceedingly quick. It's just not "pretty". I've participated in probably 200 animal euthnasias by a veterinarian with me acting as a tech, and on the small kittens or sick cats, this was the optimal procedure for shelter animals because it was the most humane. The vet rarely offered this to any but the most medically knowledgable pet owners however, because of the poor reaction that most of them had to the image of a needle to the heart. Thank you. This is helpful. |
"Phil P." wrote in message ...
snippy I have no tolerance for vets who simply kill cats as part of a day's work. Unfortunately, that's how a lot of vets and techs approach it - especially if the guardian refuses to be present. One of the most upsetting things I witnessed was a tech euthing an 8-week old FIP kitten all the while laughing and joking with another tech. It was just so damn disrespectful. I silently wept. -L. |
"Phil P." wrote in message ...
snippy I have no tolerance for vets who simply kill cats as part of a day's work. Unfortunately, that's how a lot of vets and techs approach it - especially if the guardian refuses to be present. One of the most upsetting things I witnessed was a tech euthing an 8-week old FIP kitten all the while laughing and joking with another tech. It was just so damn disrespectful. I silently wept. -L. |
"-L. :" wrote in message om... "Phil P." wrote in message ... snippy I have no tolerance for vets who simply kill cats as part of a day's work. Unfortunately, that's how a lot of vets and techs approach it - especially if the guardian refuses to be present. One of the most upsetting things I witnessed was a tech euthing an 8-week old FIP kitten all the while laughing and joking with another tech. It was just so damn disrespectful. I silently wept. In my younger days when I volunteered in a municipal shelter, a vet tech used an amphetamine to euthanize a cat - he thought it was funny to see the cat bouncing off the walls of the cage until his heart exploded. Since the tech thought it was so funny, I thought he would enjoy bouncing off the walls, too, for about 20 minutes. I was wrong... he didn't enjoy it. I don't think the tech will ever forget that cat. |
"-L. :" wrote in message om... "Phil P." wrote in message ... snippy I have no tolerance for vets who simply kill cats as part of a day's work. Unfortunately, that's how a lot of vets and techs approach it - especially if the guardian refuses to be present. One of the most upsetting things I witnessed was a tech euthing an 8-week old FIP kitten all the while laughing and joking with another tech. It was just so damn disrespectful. I silently wept. In my younger days when I volunteered in a municipal shelter, a vet tech used an amphetamine to euthanize a cat - he thought it was funny to see the cat bouncing off the walls of the cage until his heart exploded. Since the tech thought it was so funny, I thought he would enjoy bouncing off the walls, too, for about 20 minutes. I was wrong... he didn't enjoy it. I don't think the tech will ever forget that cat. |
On 16 Sep 2004 09:44:25 -0700, (A.J. Rivett)
wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. Have a vet come to the house, and you can sedate the kitty first, before the vet arrives. If you can, get your regular vet to give you medication for it. If not, the human antihistamine chlorpheniramine (Chlor Trimeton) can really knock a cat out at a dose of 2-4 mg. When we had to euthanize my kitty, who had a painful cancer, we had a vet come to the house. Since we already had pain medication for him, (torbutrol), I gave him an oral double dose before the vet arrived. Then we set up a nice little pillow with a trash bag over it and a towel over the trash bag. (bodily fluids can leak at death. In our case they didn't, probably because poor Victor was not eating or drinking.) It was nice to have it be like a special place and a little ritual. The vet then gave him a shot of sedation, which was very quick and since Victor was already pretty out of it, he didn't react much to. I held him in my lap, petting him during the shot. Once he was unconscious, we put him on the pillow, the vet gave him a stick to the heart and then it was over. We carried the body out to the vet's van and he took care of all the cremation and getting the ashes back to us. That was very helpful, not to have to deal with all that. I kind of wish I hadn't watched the cardiac stick, though. It's how I remember Victor now and that's hard on me. On the other hand, it DID leave me absolutely sure Victor was dead, and so I didn't have the fear that some people do that their cat was still alive, might have woken up in the van all alone. (irrational fear, yes, but some people go through all kinds of stuff as part of grieving.) It's wasn't cheap, but it was done with love, respect, no fear and virtually no pain. If I ever have to euthanize another cat, that's how we will do it again. BTW, is your cat already ill? We let one of our cats die of old age (22 years old.) Some people act like you HAVE to euthanize your animals but our old cat, who was in kidney failure, went very peacefully during the night. Not all things that kill cats are painful and she had a good quality of life up till the end. __________________________________________________ _ Camilla Cracchiolo Registered Nurse Los Angeles, California webpage temporarily down |
On 16 Sep 2004 09:44:25 -0700, (A.J. Rivett)
wrote: When the time comes and I have to euthanize my cat, I would like to do it in the kindest way. I think this would be a nice meal of tuna juice and tuna with some morphine in the tuna juice. I have been told that 5 mg of morphine should be enough and that my cat would just fall asleep after eating her last meal. She wouldn't be traumatized at all and her last thoughts would be how nice the tuna tasted and now just a long nap until her next life. My question is whether 5 mg of morphine is about right. I don't want to traumatize the cat by having someone give her a needle or by having to take her to the vet (she hates the vet). I know that they don't give morphine, they give potassium chloride or something like that and I think morphine may be more expensive but it's a nicer way to go. Have a vet come to the house, and you can sedate the kitty first, before the vet arrives. If you can, get your regular vet to give you medication for it. If not, the human antihistamine chlorpheniramine (Chlor Trimeton) can really knock a cat out at a dose of 2-4 mg. When we had to euthanize my kitty, who had a painful cancer, we had a vet come to the house. Since we already had pain medication for him, (torbutrol), I gave him an oral double dose before the vet arrived. Then we set up a nice little pillow with a trash bag over it and a towel over the trash bag. (bodily fluids can leak at death. In our case they didn't, probably because poor Victor was not eating or drinking.) It was nice to have it be like a special place and a little ritual. The vet then gave him a shot of sedation, which was very quick and since Victor was already pretty out of it, he didn't react much to. I held him in my lap, petting him during the shot. Once he was unconscious, we put him on the pillow, the vet gave him a stick to the heart and then it was over. We carried the body out to the vet's van and he took care of all the cremation and getting the ashes back to us. That was very helpful, not to have to deal with all that. I kind of wish I hadn't watched the cardiac stick, though. It's how I remember Victor now and that's hard on me. On the other hand, it DID leave me absolutely sure Victor was dead, and so I didn't have the fear that some people do that their cat was still alive, might have woken up in the van all alone. (irrational fear, yes, but some people go through all kinds of stuff as part of grieving.) It's wasn't cheap, but it was done with love, respect, no fear and virtually no pain. If I ever have to euthanize another cat, that's how we will do it again. BTW, is your cat already ill? We let one of our cats die of old age (22 years old.) Some people act like you HAVE to euthanize your animals but our old cat, who was in kidney failure, went very peacefully during the night. Not all things that kill cats are painful and she had a good quality of life up till the end. __________________________________________________ _ Camilla Cracchiolo Registered Nurse Los Angeles, California webpage temporarily down |
Camilla Cracchiolo wrote in message . ..
BTW, is your cat already ill? We let one of our cats die of old age (22 years old.) Some people act like you HAVE to euthanize your animals but our old cat, who was in kidney failure, went very peacefully during the night. Not all things that kill cats are painful and she had a good quality of life up till the end. My cat is on her third comeback. I don't know how many she has left at 16 but to make a long story short, she has a better living environment now and she is much happier and healthier than even a month ago. I am constantly amazed at the recuperative power of this little female. I'm going to give her every chance to live without making her life a series of medical interventions. She still enjoys a nice meal and stroking and she is still fond of the outdoors so until she gets really unstable and unhappy, I'll let nature take its course. I appreciate the suggestions of the stick to the heart after an IM sedative even if it isn't 'pretty' as one writer noted. I hope that she goes out on her own agenda but I won't let her get unhappy. |
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