From:
Mike Janke
Date: 2001-04-18 18:39:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Euthanasia
I believe it can be done subcutaneously. I am almost positive there
is one shelter operator I know that has it done this way. I
understand that it takes 20 minutes or so for death to occur, and
while it appears to be a gradual and peaceful way, I can't help but
wonder what the ferret is experiencing during that long period of
time.
My last two were put to sleep by intracardial injection. Please
understand that they were HEAVILY sedated prior and as I said in a
previous message, there was absolutely no reaction, not even an
involuntary bottle-brush of the tail. Still, I will not allow this
method again, if at all humanly possible. Those two were at moments
of stress and distress, and I allowed my vet to convince me that it
would be painless, which it seemed to be. However, even if it was
painless for the ferrets, it was not painless for me to have to
witness this method.
I plan to discuss this topic with my vet well in advance this time
and determine all possible methods and have the decisions made before
it's needed, in a time of less pressure.
-mike
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Glenn Johnson" <johno@c...> wrote:
> We should question the whole procedure, as is still being practiced
by some vets. Why can there not be a simple subQ injection that will
let them go to sleep peacefully and never awaken? Why do they have to
be hurt one more time before they die?
>
> Glenn and Chuki