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#31
February 8th 04, 10:09 PM
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She slipped away peacefully, but it was still devastating because I so
wanted her to know I was right there by her side until the very end no matter what, but I'll never know if she knew I was there. I'm very, very sorry, Megan. Natasha and Saide were truly lucky girls. Candace (take the litter out before replying by e-mail) See my cats: http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace "One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human." (Loren Eisely) 
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#32
February 9th 04, 06:49 AM
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#33
February 9th 04, 06:49 AM
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#34
February 9th 04, 12:36 PM
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"Sunflower" wrote in message ... "AJ" wrote in message om... Hi My first time posting here, but I need to say something that might prevent others from having the sad experience I had yesterday regarding our wonderful cat, Merlin. Snip painful story AJ, what you went through was very traumatic and I'm sorry. You had the bad luck of being one of the few that expereience a problem with euthanasia. What sounds like happened is that your cat was dehydrated somewhat from his illness. Dehydrated animals are very hard to find veins on. Unfortunately, not enough education goes on in vet schools about exactly what to do in a problem situation involving euthanasia, and I'll bet this was the first time your vet has been confronted with it himself, despite having been in practice for a while. Or, maybe he was reluctant to go to the abdominal method immediately, because that sometimes causes the owners more stress than the cat. Either an intramuscular or interabdominal shot of a small portion of the euthanasia solution would have allowed your cat to become unconscious. (Cats have their eyes open when sedated, so don't fear that the animal wasn't "asleep" when he finally passed.) Then, as your animal was difficult to get a vein on, the vet should have explained to you than an intracardial stick now that the animal was sedated would be the quickest and most peaceful route for your animal to go. The direct shot to the heart is not something vets really enjoy doing, much less in front of a pet's owner, but it would have been a lot better than many attempts to find a vein. Again, your experience is atypical. But, that doesn't resolve your vet of the responsibility of communication with you and he should have talked with you and reassessed the situation after the second attempt to find a vein. As I said, euthanasia doesn't receive much coverage in vet school, and sometimes vets need additional training in their people skills and communication as well. Do rest assured that your animal *was* asleep when the fatal dose was administered. He was probably dreaming of the good times with you. I had a similar thought about difficulty finding a good vein. Like others have already said, don't beat yourself up over this. You did what you thought was best. Sometimes they just don't go easily but I believe this to be the exception not the rule. My Ralf would have had it easier if I had never taken him to the vet at all. He was quietly near death when he got there. They had to start an IV which I'm sure wasn't easy as he was extremely dehydrated. When that kicked in he started having hallucinations and throwing himself around the cage. Then he started having breathing problems. When we finally put him down they didn't have a problem getting a vein as he already had that set up from the IV but he didn't go quietly. He cried. I don't know if he knew I was there with him or not. I just have to believe that wherever our beloved pets go they get a peek back to know that we were there for them at the end and were only doing the best we could. W
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#35
February 9th 04, 12:36 PM
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"Sunflower" wrote in message ... "AJ" wrote in message om... Hi My first time posting here, but I need to say something that might prevent others from having the sad experience I had yesterday regarding our wonderful cat, Merlin. Snip painful story AJ, what you went through was very traumatic and I'm sorry. You had the bad luck of being one of the few that expereience a problem with euthanasia. What sounds like happened is that your cat was dehydrated somewhat from his illness. Dehydrated animals are very hard to find veins on. Unfortunately, not enough education goes on in vet schools about exactly what to do in a problem situation involving euthanasia, and I'll bet this was the first time your vet has been confronted with it himself, despite having been in practice for a while. Or, maybe he was reluctant to go to the abdominal method immediately, because that sometimes causes the owners more stress than the cat. Either an intramuscular or interabdominal shot of a small portion of the euthanasia solution would have allowed your cat to become unconscious. (Cats have their eyes open when sedated, so don't fear that the animal wasn't "asleep" when he finally passed.) Then, as your animal was difficult to get a vein on, the vet should have explained to you than an intracardial stick now that the animal was sedated would be the quickest and most peaceful route for your animal to go. The direct shot to the heart is not something vets really enjoy doing, much less in front of a pet's owner, but it would have been a lot better than many attempts to find a vein. Again, your experience is atypical. But, that doesn't resolve your vet of the responsibility of communication with you and he should have talked with you and reassessed the situation after the second attempt to find a vein. As I said, euthanasia doesn't receive much coverage in vet school, and sometimes vets need additional training in their people skills and communication as well. Do rest assured that your animal *was* asleep when the fatal dose was administered. He was probably dreaming of the good times with you. I had a similar thought about difficulty finding a good vein. Like others have already said, don't beat yourself up over this. You did what you thought was best. Sometimes they just don't go easily but I believe this to be the exception not the rule. My Ralf would have had it easier if I had never taken him to the vet at all. He was quietly near death when he got there. They had to start an IV which I'm sure wasn't easy as he was extremely dehydrated. When that kicked in he started having hallucinations and throwing himself around the cage. Then he started having breathing problems. When we finally put him down they didn't have a problem getting a vein as he already had that set up from the IV but he didn't go quietly. He cried. I don't know if he knew I was there with him or not. I just have to believe that wherever our beloved pets go they get a peek back to know that we were there for them at the end and were only doing the best we could. W
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#37
February 9th 04, 03:01 PM
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In article ,
enlightened us with... Hi My first time posting here, but I need to say something that might prevent others from having the sad experience I had yesterday regarding our wonderful cat, Merlin. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I've had several cats euthanized, and none of them ever went through that. That must have been so very hard. Know that he is in a good place now with no more pain and that he knows you loved him. You didn't fail him - it's not like you knew this was going to happen. He knows you did what you thought was best. He's romping over at Rainbow Bridge, playing with the other kitties and waiting for you. -- -- ~kaeli~ A plateau is a high form of flattery. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
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#38
February 11th 04, 04:06 AM
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kaeli wrote:
In article , enlightened us with... Hi My first time posting here, but I need to say something that might prevent others from having the sad experience I had yesterday regarding our wonderful cat, Merlin. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I've had several cats euthanized, and none of them ever went through that. That must have been so very hard. Know that he is in a good place now with no more pain and that he knows you loved him. You didn't fail him - it's not like you knew this was going to happen. He knows you did what you thought was best. He's romping over at Rainbow Bridge, playing with the other kitties and waiting for you. I'm sorry too. Sorry to piggyback, but can't see original post. You did what you thought was best, and now Merlin is at peace and watching over you. Karen
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#39
February 11th 04, 04:06 AM
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kaeli wrote:
In article , enlightened us with... Hi My first time posting here, but I need to say something that might prevent others from having the sad experience I had yesterday regarding our wonderful cat, Merlin. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I've had several cats euthanized, and none of them ever went through that. That must have been so very hard. Know that he is in a good place now with no more pain and that he knows you loved him. You didn't fail him - it's not like you knew this was going to happen. He knows you did what you thought was best. He's romping over at Rainbow Bridge, playing with the other kitties and waiting for you. I'm sorry too. Sorry to piggyback, but can't see original post. You did what you thought was best, and now Merlin is at peace and watching over you. Karen
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