11-08-2010, 01:12 PM
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 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.