From:
moorgannandorf
Date: 2002-06-22 23:18:00 UTC
Subject: About Tigger
I just had a horrible experience...
Tigger was doing really bad today, and this evening my wife noticed a
hard place around her belly area that looked bruised. She was
breathing really heavy, and we decided to go to XXX in
X, WV. I put this in caps because if anyone values their pet,
even if euthanasia is an option, do NOT take your pets here.
My wife and I were very upset over this option, but decided it was
the best for her. All the other veterinarians were closed at this
time, and the nearest vet that puts animals asleep humanely is away
on a week's vacation.
I called XXX, and asked how they would put a ferret to
sleep, and the person on the phone specifically said "through IV." So
my wife and I made the decision to do this.
When we got there, we waited for about 15 minutes, then the doctor
called me back. He said, "So i guess you want him euthanized..." I
politely and tearfully said, "Yes, please." He pulled out a syrringe,
and I asked him, "This is going to be through an IV, correct?" His
reply was, "No, I am going to give her a shot." A look of horror came
over my face. I heard horror stories from some people where their
ferret needed to be put to sleep, and the vet just plunged the drug
straight into her chest. So I said politely to him, "I was told on
the phone that you were to do this through IV." The vet's reply
was "Well where the hell you think I am going to find a vein on THAT
THING?"
I immedietely took her out to the lobby, and I made sure everyone
heard me, and I said to my wife "Come on, all he wants to do is
plunge a syrringe into her chest."
My attitude would have been a LITTLE BIT different if he were to say
to me, "I know you are concerned, and she does look like she is
dying, but I do not know much about ferrets, and this is the best way
I know how to handle it." But to stand there and say, "Where am I
going to find a vein on that thing?" - people like this should not
even be in the profession.
When we got home, Tigger had to go to the bathroom really bad. We did
not take a cage with us; I held her in a towel and she hardly moved.
When we got home and after I gave her the normal dose of prednisone,
for the FIRST TIME in 3 weeks, she pooped out blood.
I do not want her to suffer, but I would rather have her put to sleep
in a way that is somewhat dignified. I would rather have her die here
in my arms or in her home RATHER THAN someone treating her like she
was insignificant. She deserves better than that, and something that
is more dignified than what this yahoo at XXX wanted
to do.
I am sorry if I sound derrogatory - but people like this should not
even be in the profession. Some people may not like me anymore
because I did not let the euthanasia happen. I am OK with that if
people hate me because of that - but I see no reason to treat an
animal in a way that makes them seem insignificant.
I know she is in pain right now, and that she may not make it through
the night - but I love her enough not to allow someone to treat her
like she doesn't mean anything.
[moderator's note: obviously a very upsetting situation. Please write directly to the author if you need to know the clinic name - note that it is in West Virginia.]