Veterinarian at home How to euthanize a rat painlessly at home

• General issues

Sometimes a dog owner has to make a difficult decision - watch the suffering of a dying pet or euthanize it. Not everyone will decide on euthanasia, especially if the animal is quite young and there is at least the slightest hope for recovery. The decision whether to euthanize a dog or not lies entirely with the owners.

Unfortunately, there are owners who euthanize animals that are quite active but crippled: missing a paw or blind in one eye. In this case, it is only a matter of conscience, because animals do not worry about the absence of a paw and are able to give many more joyful moments. Although a good veterinarian will refuse to euthanize a dog that has a chance to recover or is quite active.

But when an animal is of advanced age and is given a disappointing diagnosis, for example, cancer, then everyone has to decide: to inject painkillers and watch the slow death, realizing their helplessness, or to interrupt such an existence. In any case, the decision to euthanize should be made only after consultation with a good veterinarian. And perhaps not even just one.

Veterinarians believe that it is important to choose the right moment for euthanasia. And this must be before the animal begins to experience physical suffering. When, afraid to decide on euthanasia, the owners think for a long time, they only allow the pet to suffer too much. In addition, only a veterinarian can humanely carry out the procedure of euthanizing a dog.

Euthanasia - basic issues

• Cats, dogs, rodents, birds are euthanized. As a rule, these are very old or terminally ill animals. In some cases, for example, the death of the owner, healthy pets have to be euthanized.
• Euthanasia is carried out only by qualified veterinarians, in compliance with all the rules for the humane euthanasia of pets .
• After euthanasia or in case of natural death, the veterinarian can take the animal’s corpse for general cremation; individual cremation is possible.

In what cases is it necessary to euthanize a decorative rat?

It is under no circumstances acceptable to euthanize an animal yourself; this is no longer a humane step, but a cruel murder. Euthanasia should be carried out by a veterinary specialist for pathologies that are incompatible with life or bring unbearable suffering to the rodent.

A specialist prescribes euthanasia of a domestic rat in the following cases:

• pathologies with a poor prognosis and no chance of cure: cancer tumors with the formation of numerous metastases in internal organs, severe cardiovascular failure;
• severe injuries to the spine and head, mechanical damage to internal organs, in which the animal is unable to exist;
• neurological disorders manifested by aggression towards owners;
• severe pain and metabolic disorders due to the advanced age of the domestic rat;
• autoimmune and congenital diseases that cannot be treated.

How do you know when it’s time to euthanize an animal?

We are talking about old and sick animals and usually adhere to the following criteria:

• the animal does not eat or cannot digest the food it eats;
• an animal of significant weight (more than 30 kg) cannot walk;
• the animal cannot urinate on its own and defecate, or when defecating and urinating on its own, there is no way to maintain hygiene;
• the animal has opened, suppurating tumors on its body and has no reaction to antibiotics and is unable to maintain hygiene;
• the animal has continuous convulsions that cannot be relieved by medications;
• the animal shows obvious signs of pain that cannot be relieved by medications;
• the animal is in a lethargic state or falls into a coma if effective treatment is impossible.

Is it possible to euthanize a dog at home?

If the dog is so sick that it is difficult for it to move, it is better to call a doctor at home for euthanasia. In this case, euthanizing the dog at home would be the best option. But before that, you should ask what drugs this veterinarian uses for euthanasia. In other cases, it is better to euthanize the dog in a specialized clinic.

There are many types of euthanasia: bleeding, calcination of the spinal cord, asphyxiation with nitrogen (argon), injection of ethyl alcohol, potassium chloride, hydrochloride, air embolism and others. But most of them cause painful death.

The most humane is a medicinal procedure consisting of two stages. First, the doctor introduces a complex anesthetic composition, which anesthetizes and turns off the animal’s consciousness. The dog goes into deep anesthesia and stops feeling anything.

After this, potent drugs are administered that stop the animal’s breathing and cardiac activity. It is best if the veterinarian uses barbiturates for such euthanasia: sodium thiopental, hexenal, etc. With their help, the pet simply slowly falls asleep and feels nothing as its heart gradually stops.

It is better when the pet owner is not present during euthanasia. And, since self-burial of animals is not encouraged by law and is subject to fines, it is better to hand over the animal’s corpse to a special station and order its cremation.

Recommendations and tips

Here are some guidelines to follow when making this difficult decision:

• Fix the problem
  . Before making any decisions, get an accurate diagnosis from your rat veterinarian. There may be a simple solution to your pet's health problem.
• Separate the sick rat from the rest of your pets.
  This will not only help prevent the spread of any possible disease, but will also make the environment more comfortable for the animal.
• Clean and sterilize your pet's living space.
  It is possible that a contaminated home has a negative effect on the rat. Clean and disinfect the cage thoroughly. Replace all bedding and food. Change the water. See if this affects your pet's health and behavior.
• Keep the rat in a quiet place.
  Don't keep your rodent in the busiest part of the house. Keeping your pet in a quiet place will help relieve stress, which is critical to their health. Don't let children bang on the cage or disturb his sleep.
• Limit handling of your pet
  . If your pet is sick, do not move him unnecessarily or pick him up to play. Emphasize the importance of this to all children in the home.
• Consider your pet's age.
  Young rats have a much better chance of bouncing back and recovering from illness. Older rats are less resistant to disease and are often weaker.
• Discuss your options with your veterinarian.
  Your pet's veterinarian can provide an accurate diagnosis and prognosis regarding your pet's health. Ask about all treatment options and discuss euthanasia methods for your pet. If necessary, carry out the procedure yourself.

Euthanasia procedure

1. First, the veterinarian examines the animal and discusses treatment options with the owners; if there is no hope for a positive outcome of the disease, then they begin to euthanize the animal.
2. Depending on individual factors and the condition of the animal, euthanasia may take from 5 to 30 minutes.
3. Euthanasia of animals consists of several stages (the stages move from one to another and can be a single intravenous injection).
4. In the first part of euthanasia, the activity of the central nervous system is suppressed for the purpose of pain relief. There is no pain or adequate reaction to stimuli, but reflexes, as a rule, are preserved.
5. In the second part of euthanasia of animals, inhibition of nervous activity increases until breathing and heart stops or the respiratory and cardiovascular centers are blocked.
6. Usually, the breathing function stops first, and after 3 – 25 minutes the heart stops, but it can be the other way around, but after the heart stops, breathing disappears very quickly.
7. Sometimes, when clinical death occurs, the agony continues for 10 - 20 minutes - while the animal does not feel anything - the brain does not work, but due to the automaticity of heart contractions, rare respiratory movements continue, and there may be convulsions. Unfortunately, it is impossible to prevent such events and influence them, because the automatic abnormal functioning of the heart does not respond to any medicinal substances. One thing is certain - animals do not experience suffering and do not feel anything at all - the brain is dead.

How to make a decision about euthanasia?

When a pet has a terminal illness and medical options for successful treatment are not available, it can be understood that euthanasia is the best option at this time. One of the most important parts of helping owners make these decisions is obtaining a definitive diagnosis of the rat's health. This important point eliminates doubt, reduces guilt, and provides the owner with a greater level of comfort when making future decisions to treat or not treat.

Establishing a diagnosis may involve proper examination, drug treatment, or surgical procedures. A diagnosis can make a big difference during this difficult time. Some people just need a diagnosis to feel comfortable, while others don't want to continue watching their pet decline.

The rat should take pain medication daily if necessary and medically appropriate to ensure maximum comfort until the time comes. Your veterinarian may have several options depending on your pet's illness and condition.

Price for euthanasia of dogs and cats at home

Below is the approximate cost of euthanizing a dog or cat at home, depending on the size of the pet. Prices are relevant for large cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc.). The quotes indicate the price of animal euthanasia for residents of Ukraine. The cost of euthanizing a dog will be 20-30% less if you live in a small city.

Without a veterinarian visiting your home, the cost of euthanasia will be less. The visit of a veterinarian itself costs about 1000-1500 rubles. In addition, you will be offered additional services, such as removal of the animal's body for subsequent cremation. They can even return the ashes in a special vessel, but such a service will be much more expensive than general cremation.

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By the way, many veterinary clinics include in the cost of their services the removal of the body to the crematorium and cremation of animals (of course, if the customer agrees). The price is lower because if you order cremation separately, it will be more expensive, since you will need to come for the body and take it away. After euthanasia, the body is taken away, when they go back and are taken to the crematorium for cremation. However, some veterinary hospitals may require additional fees for any other services other than euthanasia, so it is better to find out about everything in advance.

Note. Prices for euthanasia of dogs and cats in rubles are very approximate and are more relevant for large cities in Russia. However, even in St. Petersburg, there are offers from veterinarians for euthanasia with a home visit costing 1,300 and up to 3,000 rubles maximum. Sometimes all services (visit of a doctor, anesthesia, euthanasia, removal of the body and cremation), even for euthanasia of a dog weighing 60-70 kg, will cost 5000-7000 rubles. The main thing is not to chase the price, but the professionalism of the doctors. Talk to your friends about choosing a good veterinarian in your city.

Putting a cat to sleep: the price of the procedure

If the veterinarian comes to the conclusion that it is impossible to help the animal, then it is better to euthanize the cat. The price (cost of euthanizing a cat) of the procedure is approximately 1,500 rubles. You can call a veterinarian to your home, in which case your pet will spend the last minutes of its life in a familiar environment. He will not experience the fear that grips many of our four-legged friends even during a routine visit to the clinic. The cost of euthanizing cats most often includes the price of two drugs - a sleeping pill and one that stops cardiac and respiratory activity.

First of all, before euthanizing the animals, it is necessary to administer anesthesia: a combination of veterinary drugs Romater and Zoletil. It can also be the medical drug “Propofol” or veterinary analogues. After the animal is completely under anesthesia, the specialist administers a drug that stops the animal’s heartbeat and breathing. This algorithm for euthanizing animals is the most humane and painless.

When is it necessary to euthanize a rat?

This is always the most difficult decision for pet owners. Most people make the decision to euthanize their pet either too soon or too late. Rats are very resilient animals. Being at the bottom of the food chain in the wild, our pet rats have retained the ability to mask their symptoms for as long as possible to avoid being the “weakest” ones who are most often eaten.

However, you should not think that it is too late to do something about it and euthanasia is the only option. Even in cases of advanced respiratory disease (after a long chronic illness), when a rat begins to have asthma attacks, it can survive. There is a good chance, as long as the rat is still eating, drinking and active, that it will recover from the choking attack in a short time and continue its normal life, at least for a while. In such cases, daily doses of Prednisone help. However, when attacks begin every day, each time for longer periods, it is best to end the animal's suffering.

When is actually the right time to euthanize your beloved pet? This is when all medical alternatives have been tried to no avail and the rat is no longer enjoying its life. This is most often evidenced by a pet that is no longer active, stops eating, drinking, and generally appears unhappy. This does not mean that a pet that has just had surgery, suffered a painful injury, or is very ill should be euthanized if they are inactive and losing their appetite. The animal must be given time to recover before making this irreversible decision.

How quickly will the animal fall asleep?

In the vast majority of cases (about 90%), an intravenous injection of pentobarbital has an effect within a few seconds, and the remaining 10% are effective within a minute. Euthanasia of animals most often occurs in a veterinary clinic, but if the owner wishes, the procedure can be performed at home. After the drug has had its effect, the veterinarian will definitely confirm the death of the animal, checking the absence of a heartbeat and assessing the color of the mucous membranes and the reaction of the eyes to light or touch.