Euthansia

i couldn't find anything on here about Euthanasia.  So , here it goes. I just put one of my babies down today. i always hear how easy it is. My cat as sweet and purry as she is. Has anxiety.  The Doctor asked me if she has any anxiety.  I said yes.  so they suggested a muscle relaxant or something to keep her calm.  i said yes to that as well.  They put that in her muscle.  They said we have to wait 5 to 7 minutes for the muscle relaxant to work. so while we waited ... she got very relaxed and then with in 4 mins she started howling.  I thought what the heck.  She must have gotten sick either from the shot or she was getting sick like she usually does because she is dying.  They came back in to see what was the matter. Then her stomach was pumping until she thru up.  Then they layed her on her side. shaved a spot on her foot for and I V.  They told me they were going to start to administer.  a nurse was on one side and the doc on the other. so really didn't get touch her much.  i felt something wasn't right. Isn't this suppose to be quick and relaxed ?  All of a sudden her body was looking like she was being electrocuted. Crazy , very scary contortion type with her legs stretching in different directions.  This just seems all wrong. when they put the muscle relaxant in her , her eyes dilated. Also when she died. Her eyes stay open. The doc said that was normal..  My sister had her dog put to sleep and his eyes shut.  I'm gonna have nightmares for a while

 I feel guilty for letting her go through this. 

I'm so sorry you had to go throught this.

Your vet should have explained that, although most times it is a peaceful passing, sometimes it isn't. Mine did, so I was prepared for whatever. She explained several possible cenarios, on of them being exactly what you explained. She also said that most reactions are not physical pain, but a reaction to an unknow feeling (numbness, or alike). And that sometimes they move after passing (spasms).

I was "lucky" though, as Zoya just fell asleep peacefully and we were stroking her the entire time.

And her eyes were open too. The vet closed them afterwards.

I know that it will be harder to pass because of the bad experience, but try to remember that this was done to end the prolonged suffering of your loved kitty and he/she is at peace now.

Huge hugs.

Since the relaxant had already been administered, I would think she had been reacting to the feelings of the drug going to work on her system and possibly the feeling of having to throw up, which comes from the stomach muscles relaxing. Several of my cats howl before they throw up, they can feel it coming and don't like it. The drug entering the system would cause that 'spasm', it is an unpleasant feeling, but not painful, like that 'warm' feeling you get when taking the medicine for a upper GI.  Having the eyes stay open is a natural happening in death too, the eyes are usually shut afterwards. 

I'm so sorry you had to go through this, watching someone you love go through this is never a pleasant thing to witness. But you being nearby meant the world to her, and I'm sure she clung to your presence and love. You saved her from unnecessary suffering, remember that. However unpleasant those last moments were, they were over quickly and she did not linger for days or weeks like so many can. I can tell you the nightmares will continue, try to forcibly get them out of your dreams by concentrating on what that little girl met to you and how much she brought into your life. I truly wish all of our little ones could die of old age in their sleep, but it so seldom happens that way. The bond you have with her can be used to send her your love and comfort, what you did you did out of love and compassion and she knows that. She would never want you to be so sad because of her, she loves you too much for that. Let happiness and sunshine enter your heart once more, for that is where she dwells now in spirit, and she needs you to go on with your life's journey until you meet again. Bless you for giving that sweet little girl a home and your love, your life is all the richer for it. Take care........

I am so incredibly sorry that you both had to go thru this. Yes, ordinarily their passing is peaceful but sometimes there are negative reactions to the meds. Please believe that she wasn't in pain and that she knew you were there. Despite the awful sequence of events, you and the vet did do the right thing for her. I've held all my beloved furs in my arms while they went to their eternal sleep, none of their eyes closed, this is normal for an animal.

I will say I went thru a couple of more traumatic experiences similar to yours, myself. Since then I have a new vet,  the vet hooks up an IV in their leg, so the med can be administered right into the blood stream. They give them a calming med, then they bring me my bundle of fur and we spend however much time together that I want and I call them when I'm ready to have them do the final dose. It is moments later when they take their final breath and my vet stays with us until I"m ready to leave. I know every place is different and has other protocol. I love our vet for making those last few moments as easy as possible for all of us. Realistically when we have animals we have to face this at some point. Please, be kind to yourself, neither you or your vet did anything wrong, may time be gentle and ease your heartache and sweet memories of years together abound.

I am so sorry both for loosing your kitty and the passing not being peaceful.  Unfortunately sometimes it happens like this.  You're kitty is at peace now and free of her sick body.

I had nightmares too.. my lips holding my kitten in his blanket.. the shot made him jump going in,.. the meow..him going limp.. i did not have the horrible end u had to endure.. but the guilt and the sorrow were totally all consuming.. to add what u went thru.. i cant imagine.. Im so sorry you and your girl had to endure that tragic ending.. but on the other hand i am so glad u were with her .. she is at peace.. no illness no body that is failing.. U gave her the best life and were with her in death.. do not be afraid or remember those very last moments, she would never want u to hurt or be frightened of her.. remember the love.. heal ..

Lily Paddy said:

but the guilt and the sorrow were totally all consuming.. to add what u went thru.. 

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Ditto, just knowing you are bringing her to the vet under these circumstances is painfully difficult for you.  We tend to have second thoughts, anxiety and most of all sorrow.  It is not easy or comfortable for anyone to endure and when it is your precious friend it is even harder.  You made the best decision for her and she is jumping and frolicking at the Rainbow Bridge now with all the other felines.  It will take time to grieve but her memories will last forever in your heart. 

Oh my goodness, my heart goes out to you, truly!!!  I am so so sorry for the loss of your precious baby, and I am especially sorry that you were led to believe that all crossings are peaceful because that simply is not true.  I had to say goodbye to my precious girl Tiger  a year and a half ago, and I can honestly tell you, i still have nightmares on occasion because y Tiger's  crossing was anything but peaceful, in fact, it was very similar to yours.  What you must do is forgive yourself, first and foremost.  It is the absolute worst and hardest thing in the world to say goodbye to our loved ones, even under the best of circumstances.  I believe that your precious kitty loved you and knew that you were doing what was in her/his best interests, not letting her/him suffer ever, that is the most important point.  That is what I try my best to hold onto during my worst moments, you do what you know is the right thing at the moment...... I know it will seem pointless at the moment, because you are too traumatized right now, but please try to read this post by Gareth, in the Crossing The Bridge Section of this forum--it has been a source of comfort for me.  

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/237066/when-the-moment-comes

Thank You to all of you who replied. That means everything to me. I feel like my cat family just wrapped their loving arms around me and helped me thru this. Thank you so much. i forgot to tell everyone her name was JIllian.   Her nick names my son gave her were Dilly , Dilly Bar and Armadilly ...lol  I ended up calling her Dill.  or Jills  She was the Tiger in the pic. Her brother George has been lonely and clingy for weeks. He knew.  When i get this thing to work . ill post a nice pic of her.  And one of George   Bye for now

I'm sorry and I'm crying. I had no experience with this but I will have to go through this very soon because my cat is sick.

Her brother has been sleeping near her, I think he knows. 

I hope you have the strength to move on.

Sending you much love. 

<3

sattycat said:

 
i couldn't find anything on here about Euthanasia.  So , here it goes. I just put one of my babies down today. i always hear how easy it is. My cat as sweet and purry as she is. Has anxiety.  The Doctor asked me if she has any anxiety.  I said yes.  so they suggested a muscle relaxant or something to keep her calm.  i said yes to that as well.  They put that in her muscle.  They said we have to wait 5 to 7 minutes for the muscle relaxant to work. so while we waited ... she got very relaxed and then with in 4 mins she started howling.  I thought what the heck.  She must have gotten sick either from the shot or she was getting sick like she usually does because she is dying.  They came back in to see what was the matter. Then her stomach was pumping until she thru up.  Then they layed her on her side. shaved a spot on her foot for and I V.  They told me they were going to start to administer.  a nurse was on one side and the doc on the other. so really didn't get touch her much.  i felt something wasn't right. Isn't this suppose to be quick and relaxed ?  All of a sudden her body was looking like she was being electrocuted. Crazy , very scary contortion type with her legs stretching in different directions.  This just seems all wrong. when they put the muscle relaxant in her , her eyes dilated. Also when she died. Her eyes stay open. The doc said that was normal..  My sister had her dog put to sleep and his eyes shut.  I'm gonna have nightmares for a while

 I feel guilty for letting her go through this. 

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You did no wrong. Repeat that hourly if you need to. I did no wrong. I choose to release her from her pain. I did not wrong. Right after no matter how peaceful it is we start second guessing. Thank you for staying there with her.