Sometimes dog owners have to take responsibility not only for the life, but also for the death of the animal. Helping a seriously ill or aged dog die without prolonging his torment is a difficult step, which is not easy for a loving owner to decide on. Therefore, many are trying to facilitate the care of their pet with the help of euthanasia, performed not in a veterinary clinic, but at home, in a dog's usual environment.
Why can't you put the dog to sleep on your own?
Not trusting veterinarians or wanting to fully accept responsibility for the euthanasia, the owners sometimes try to find a way to kill the animal on their own using drugs from the home medicine cabinet. Doing this is strictly prohibited, since drugs sometimes have different effects on humans and animals. The use of drugs that are not intended for this can lead not to a quick and painless death of a dog, but to prolonged torment. In addition, without special knowledge, owners may miscalculate the dose, which will also only prolong the dog's suffering.
Almost all methods of killing animals, except for euthanasia, are extremely painful and unacceptable. The use of such methods is justified in the only case - if the animal is suffering, and there is no way to get to the veterinarians in the coming days.
How is the sedation procedure performed?
Veterinarians have special tools that allow the animal to go into another world in a matter of minutes and without suffering. As a rule, euthanasia at home is carried out in cases where the animal does not move independently, however, at the request of the owners, a doctor can come if the dog can still walk. After examining the animal, the doctor will once again be convinced of the presence of veterinary indications and the need for the procedure, select the dose of the necessary means for euthanasia in accordance with the weight, age and condition of the dog.
First, the doctor injects a drug that puts the dog into a narcotic sleep. An intramuscular injection is usually given to relax the muscles and relieve pain. At this time, the owner can be close to his pet - in a familiar environment, the animal behaves more calmly, strangers nearby do not cause him to feel anxious.
Some time after the first injection, a second injection will follow, designed to stop the heart and breathing. The arrest of cardiac activity occurs gradually, so the veterinarian may ask the owners to leave for a short time - although the animal no longer feels anything, convulsions and respiratory movements may be observed for some time.
If the animal behaves aggressively and does not admit either the doctor or the owner, the drug to relax the muscles will be administered remotely. In this case, it will take a little longer than usual before the dog falls asleep.
After the doctor ascertains the death of the animal, it will be possible to discuss the issue of burying the pet. If necessary, the dog's body will be taken out for cremation at a special station. Self-burial of animals in our country is allowed only on the territory belonging to their owners. If the animal was euthanized due to unusually aggressive behavior, attacked people, it is forbidden to cremate it - the dog's body must be handed over to veterinarians to determine if the dog was infected with rabies.
