From:
Ulrike
Date: 2010-09-23 08:39:14 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Euthanasia IP injection question
To: FHL <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
My vet used to put ferrets to sleep by anaesthetising them with gas
and then injecting the euthanasia solution into either the heart or
jugular vein. But the last 3 ferrets were put to sleep by IP
injection while they were licking a sweet paste. This seemed a very
gentle way to let them go. The euthanasia solution my vet uses is
called Euthatal, "Presentation: Blue solution for injection. Each ml
contains Pentobarbital Sodium 200mg and excipients: Patent Blue (E131)
0.01mg."
Now my vet injects 2 ml all at once but I heard that other vets inject
1 ml first, wait, then inject the other ml. I was wondering whether
one way is better that the other or whether it doesn't matter? I
remember back in the 90's, when I first joined the FML, there were
horror stories where animals were euthanised and suffocated while they
were still conscious because the euthanasia solution stopped or
paralysed the respiratory system before stopping the heart or causing
the animal to become unconscious. Not sure what was used back then and
can't remember details but I do remember suffocation.
I recently had a hedgehog put to sleep and my vet injected the 2 ml
into the abdomen after the hedgehog was anaesthetised and at some
point she said the breathing had stopped but the heart was still
beating. So I got worried again and was just wondering if somebody
here could explain to me how the euthanasia solution works (what part
of the body is shut down first etc.), are the animals completely
unconscious and unaware when the respiratory system stops? Or is it
important to give the euthanasia solution in a certain way to ensure
the animal is unconscious before breathing stops. I'm just really
paranoid and scared, facing another ferret loss, and the last thing I
want is the euthanasia to cause suffering in any way.
Ulrike
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