Pet Euthanasia, long thread thoughts welcomed.

[@ndy]

I've been a vet nurse now for 10 years+

I've euthanasia, or helped to euthanasia many animals.

Even to the point of wringing a baby bunny’s neck with my bare hands
I found it on the road, it was an RTA and I could feel it's spine was broken :-/
My instincts at that time told me not to let it suffer and help it to pass, and I killed it - was tbh one of the hardest things I have ever done.

It's never an easy thing, but I've always felt I was doing the kindest thing for the animal. It obviously comes easier when an animal is right at the end of it's time and you can aid it's passing peacefully in the arms of it's loving owners.

Today I helped with 2 deaths, one was with the owners, the 2nd is the one that is making me think.

It was a timid cat admitted with ataxia. Typical scenario, the owners had gone home, when we ran the blood sample it was obvious that the poor mog was in end stage renal failure and was ataxic from the build up of toxins in its blood.
The vet explained to owners fluid therapy would prolong life but the kidney function was unlikely to improve to a point were the cat would be comfortable. So owners decided euthanasia.

It's something I've done so many times.
I'm good with cats I find it easy to sooth them and they relax with me easily so I barely need to restrain them. I did what was to be done and the cat died in my arms.
I've never really before considered to much there 'spirit' or what they experience when they leave there body.
I also wondered today for the first time ever if my soothing this cat was an act of betrayal, this cat trusted me totally - I let it know it was safe with me, like I do.
Then we took its life from its body.
It's not that I've taken this lightly in the past, it’s just that I've never questioned so much if this is the 'right' thing to do.


I'd be really interested in some other views on what is classed as 'Humane' euthanasia of pets.

[Eddie]

This is a terrible thing to deal with.

About 10 years ago, I had to euthanize a beloved orange tabby cat. He was everything one could want in a cat. I held his paws as the vet administered the toxin, and felt the life drain out of his body.

I took his body home and buried it in one of our flower beds. For years afterward, we planted orange or yellow flowers in that bed in his honor.

That cat lingered with us after death. He stayed in our house as a ghost cat for 9 1/2 years, until we moved away. We could hear him walking on our hardwood floor at night, feel him jump onto our bed, etc. I think he just wanted us to know that he was OK.

We still miss him. He was a great cat.

[@ndy]

Awwwww Eddie that's lovely

I don't think of it as a terrible thing - It's emotional for sure.
People have a very special bond with animals they love and it's quite a privilege to see how much there pet means to them and enable the pet to die in there arms rather than slowly under a bush somewhere.

It very often brings tears to my eyes, but there tears of love for the bond I see

Before today, I've never questioned that we were doing the right thing....... in fact most vets I've work with would refuse to euthanasia an animal unnecessarily.

What has made me think is - the energy I project to the animal, that it is loved and have its best interests at heart and that it is safe with me.

Is it wrong to project that when there life is about to end?

[Lorna]

i would strongly suspect that animals are more acutely aware of the impending end of an incarnation than humans, and i would suspect that includes euthenasia as well as natural deaths
and i think owners would feel an instinctive aversion to making that decision if the animal's soul was resistent to it
in which case, what you are projecting to the animal is absolutely honest and true

[unity100]

Even to the point of wringing a baby bunny’s neck with my bare hands
I found it on the road, it was an RTA and I could feel it's spine was broken :-/
My instincts at that time told me not to let it suffer and help it to pass, and I killed it - was tbh one of the hardest things I have ever done.

my cat's spine was broken, vet said he could walk with only 1% probability, i went on with treatment, and he walked. and ran.

i think one should try anything s/he can, before s/he takes the terminal route.

[Monica]

@ndy, thank you for starting this thread! Our 2D brethren share our planet and their lives are inextricably bound with ours. They are part of our families. It's an important topic.

My first experience with euthanasia was with a cat who was crippled, with a spine disorder that got progressively worse, despite my many attempts to help him using holistic medicine as well as therapies from the vet. My main concern was always whether he was in pain or not. He was, so I finally made the decision to have him euthanized, because I didn't want him to suffer from the chronic pain.

I psychically talked to him and explained why I was doing this, and asked him to please come back to our family next time he incarnated, and we would welcome him back. I held him and felt at peace about the decision.

But, what happened next totally devastated me emotionally!

After hearing the expression 'put the cat to sleep' so many times, I fully expected him to just go limp. But that's not what happened. He SCREAMED.

I couldn't believe it! No one told me that cats sometimes scream as they die. I literally felt his life leave his body, and I will never forget the look in his eyes as he died. I felt betrayal in those eyes.

Maybe that was just my own guilt. I had not expected him to do anything but go limp.

A few years later, I had to have another cat euthanized. She was a beloved member of our family, not any more than the first cat, but for many years longer. She was elderly and all treatments, both allopathic and holistic, had been exhausted. She was in severe pain.

This time I went to a different doctor, and expressed my horror at what had happened with the first cat. This vet explained to me that sometimes this happens, and that's why at her clinic, they offer sedation, so that the animal doesn't feel any pain or shock. So we had her sedated, and I held her the whole time, tears streaming down my face, and she passed quietly and peacefully.

Later, when we were burying her discarded body, I saw her on top of the roof, carefree and happy. I believe she was letting me know that she was fine, and that she understood and forgave me.

The first cat, the one who screamed, came back to us a few months later, as new stray kitten, with exactly the same unique mannerisms. I have found that cats seem to reincarnate very quickly. I've had a number of cats return to me in new bodies.

In answer to your question, @ndy, I don't think these cats and dogs are feeling betrayed by you. Their humans already made the decision to euthanize them. So you didn't betray them. Neither did their humans betray them, in most cases, as it was likely a difficult, even agonizing decision.

Rather than feeling that you are betraying them, I suggest focusing on the love you are giving to them. If you weren't working in that clinic, who would provide that love and comfort to the animal?

You are providing a beautiful service, to assist the animal in making his/her transition.

[Joseph326]

@ndy, your questions have gotten me thinking, and I am trying to come to an understanding of pets that is as close to the Law of One as possible.

2D animals operate mainly on instinct, without much of a perception of their self as an individual. The decisions they make center mostly around orange-ray functions such as survival. If a 2D animal entity is at a point in their spiritual evolution that they wish to prepare for 3D work, they may choose to become attached to a 3D individual or family that can provide the desired catalyst. As a part of this, which may well be a conscious decision, the entity is entrusting its life and general wellbeing to the 3D individual or family. I do not wish to make this sound like a one-sided deal, as a 3D entity can learn much from an animal and both can share love, affection, and friendship. I would think, then, that the decisions that one would make concerning the pet would be up to the caretaker's judgement.

If you have a loving, trusting relationship with your pet, you should be able to tell if what you are doing is in alignment with the pet's best interest. They will definitely tell you otherwise if it is not. We had an old, blind cat several years ago that I was very close to. During the final vet visits, she sent a very clear message that she wanted nothing to do with it and preferred to stay home. We shared a few more months than we thougt we would have with her, and she passed peacefully and painlessly with us as we lay in bed. It was quite sad at the time, but I preferred the quiet togetherness, and I felt that was what she wanted as well.

The point I am attempting to make is to trust your judgement, and if for some reason you do something out of alignment with it (as I did by taking Kitty to the vet) the pet will let you know if it is an issue (hissing, screaming, and spitting in the vet's face might be a sign of that). As a veterinary technician or doctor, it might be best to trust the judgement of the family that the pet has agreed to have care for it. Above all else, it is your intentions that matter, and no matter how an animal reacts it will still know that you mean well for it.

Eddie, it is wonderful to hear that your cat continued to grace you with its presence. I can share a similar experience. Kitty has been with us ever since her passing, and we also experience her walking on the bed at night. If we are lucky we catch glimses of her around the house. My two year old daughter even said 'look, a kitty cat' and pointed to where I had buried the cat in the yard when there was no way she would have known. She was not born yet when Kitty passed. Funny, as I write this she is in the livingroom with me

Unity, great job having faith in your cat's ability to heal! I think it all depends on the judgement of the pet's caregivers, but I would certainly hope that each would exhaust all options before throwing in the towel. I know I would appreciate that if I were a pet.

Monica, your observation regarding reincarnation with the cats is quite interesting. You must be doing something right if they come back to you! Maybe there's more that he wanted to learn with you that he did not get the chance to finish.

[Lavazza]

Hey Andy,

Before I say anything else, let me tell you that the service you provide in your career is invaluable. When it comes to euthanasia your job can be especially difficult I am sure- but that you are a loving person and so focused on the experience of the animal in question makes you probably the best person for such work in my opinion. Worded shortly, thank you. It takes a lot of love to do the right thing in a situation that which isn't easy.

As for your concerns about betrayal feelings at the time of passing, I think there is a chance this could be true on a most primitive level, but lets not forget that the second density creature isn't a fully self-conscious entity like we are here in third. Conscious, yes, and a part of the Creator, of course, I'm just saying that there isn't as much awareness of the situation and so naturally you are projecting some of your emotions in to the situation. Very likely the response you are seeing is a sudden realization of what is happening and simple "fight or flight" reaction, that we might equate as a red-ray surge / activation. The body complex is perhaps becoming aware of the situation at the last moment and, due to instinct, trying to do something about it. Animals will always elect an attempt at survival because they are wired that way. You don't see animals committing suicide in other words Our bodies are wired to survive as well, but then we also have more complex minds and emotions that over ride that.

As a vet and more over, a compassionate third density entity, you have the mantle of wisdom in the situation and the understanding of the animal's situation. Together with other third density entities who love the animal, a decision is made about what to do when a terminal illness, or great suffering comes in to it's life. I would view it (as I gather you do as well) as an honor/duty to help in it's passing, and that you are gentle, loving and caring for the pet in it's last moments is not a betrayal but a supreme act of loving kindness. Consider the alternative, if you only gave the creature the cold shoulder or no reassurance? That's much worse I think.

Again, I commend you, Andy. I think it would be tough, tough work... I would be a mess in that role! We had a much loved family dog when I was growing up who eventually became disabled due to spinal problems, and we eventually had to put her down. I was really broken up at that time, being younger especially... But the bottom line was she just wasn't enjoying her life anymore. She couldn't run, or take care of herself anymore. When you understand that life never ends and that everything begins again a-new it almost seems cruel to let it continue. Let it pass on in to larger life and come back as a new puppy, fresh and excited, ready to go.

On some level, I feel the same way about us. The nature of our health care system is to keep you alive at all costs. It only becomes a question when you run have people in comas, etc... At the end of the day it's a personal decision, which is why it's really important to have a will setup. My wife's grandma nearly died last year. She's in her mid-eighties. Great lady, lots of spunk! But when she fell ill it got really bad and she ended up in the hospital. After a few days she was barely hanging on. They ended up getting a lung specialist and were able to extract some fluids which ended up saving her life, but the process was terribly painful for her. Later she said that if she ever gets in to that situation again that they should let her go peacefully instead! God bless, I say.

L&L, ~L

[@ndy]

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts


Monica what a distressing experience you had.
To euthanize animals an overdose of anaesthetic is used.
I have experienced what you describe very rarely during the induction of anaesthetic.

If an anaesthetic is not induced fast enough then the stages that are passed before we enter the first plane of anaesthesia can be observed.

It sounds like you saw your lovely cat in the 2nd stage of induction, this is after a loss of consciousness, but can include vocalisation or peddling of the paws... we call it 'excitement'
I'm not sure if it will be any comfort to you, but as a nurse I'd say it was likely this you experienced rather than your cat passing in distress.
http://www.ccac.ca/en/ccac_programs/etcc...11/09.html - there is a little guide that explains the stages before the animal is ready for surgery.

In the case of Euthanasia a large overdose is given so the animal rapidly passes threw the phases and the heart and respiration stops.
Normally it is practically instant - but if an animal is very ill or there circulation is compromised it can take longer meaning that the stages may be observed.

[Monica]

It sounds like you saw your lovely cat in the 2nd stage of induction, this is after a loss of consciousness, but can include vocalisation or peddling of the paws...

Thank you for the reassurance, but that doesn't seem to fit. He appeared to still be quite conscious. His eyes were open and he had a very surprised, stricken expression as he screamed.

[@ndy]

I understand. I can't be certain as I was not there.

Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_anaesthesia explains it better in there stages of Anasthesia bit.
The loss of consciousness in stage one is more of a conscious awareness rather than 'asleep' the excitement phase is a form of delirium.

[Monica]

I understand. I can't be certain as I was not there.

That's fine. Thanks! My new vet says they sedate the animal first, with a mild sedative, before administering the actual drug, to avoid it. I will gladly pay extra for that, in the future.

@ndy, the animals at your clinic are fortunate that you are there to help them with love during this transition. They will experience it anyway, so having a loving person there must be better than someone who is cold and just doing it as a job.

My suggestion is to be very honest with the animal. Mentally tell them what is going to happen. They will understand your thoughts and intentions. This would erase any question of betrayal. Be honest about what is happening, tell them to let go and move on, and escort them with Love. This will make it easier on them. This is difficult, but since it is happening anyway with or without you, by you offering your love, support and compassion, you are doing a good thing.

[@ndy]

My suggestion is to be very honest with the animal. Mentally tell them what is going to happen. They will understand your thoughts and intentions. This would erase any question of betrayal. Be honest about what is happening, tell them to let go and move on, and escort them with Love. This will make it easier on them. This is difficult, but since it is happening anyway with or without you, by you offering your love, support and compassion, you are doing a good thing.

Thanks Monica, I think in a way you have hit on my underlying thoughts.

In some ways I was excited for this animal to be passing over - to a safe place of love, were it would no longer feel ill. I just wondered if this was inappropriate in someway.
The thoughts here have helped me realise that I'm just doing what comes natural to me

[unity100]

Unity, great job having faith in your cat's ability to heal! I think it all depends on the judgement of the pet's caregivers, but I would certainly hope that each would exhaust all options before throwing in the towel. I know I would appreciate that if I were a pet.

i didnt have any faith regarding anything at that point. it was what needed to be done. i fixated on it and kept going on.

[Monica]

Unity, great job having faith in your cat's ability to heal! I think it all depends on the judgement of the pet's caregivers, but I would certainly hope that each would exhaust all options before throwing in the towel. I know I would appreciate that if I were a pet.

i didnt have any faith regarding anything at that point. it was what needed to be done. i fixated on it and kept going on.

In the case of the 2nd cat, I persisted longer than I should have. I kept trying more possible remedies, to no avail. It's difficult to make the decision, when the animal may be in pain.

[norral]

dear ndy

thanks for sharing your experience. truly a wonderful thread. i would say
this, if i had a pet that had to be euthanized i couldnt think of another
person who i would rather have involved in the process than you. i dont
see it as u deceiving the animal so much as you easing the transiton for
the animal. there comes a point in the life of all of us either animals or
humans where we realize that our time is short on this earth. at that point
we actually look forward to leaving this body behind as it has become
more of a prison than a joy. when we go over to the other side we receive
a new rejuvenated body without all the physical limitations we we having
with this one. so i would say that u are performing a true service for our
little friends and i for one thank you for your loving kindness to them

norral