Helping the Client during the Euthanasia Appointment
On the day of the appointment your client will be anxious and probably upset. The last thing they want is to be sitting in an open waiting room with other customers.
Administering the Intravenous Barbiturate
Once you and the owner are ready, you can administer the barbiturate.
Select each title to learn more about administering the final injection.
You can provide more space for the owner to comfort their pet by using a long drip line. This leaves the pet’s head free for the owner to hold and stroke. Smaller pets may be placed in the client’s lap, care should be taken to ensure your client is warned about and protected against any bodily fluids.
It is recommended that you don’t put dogs onto an examination table, which suggests a routine procedure and may make dogs anxious, instead a dog bed or similar is more in line with creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Just before you administer the injection ask your client to firmly hold their pet. Do not talk after this point, the client may not want your voice to be the last thing heard by their pet.
The injection should only take place once the pet is secure, calm and lying down. Slowly administering the injection can reduce the levels of agonal breathing.
There are alternatives to an intravenous injection. These include intracardiac, intrarenal, intraperitoneal or intrahepatic.
If you chose the intraperitoneal the volumes of barbiturate should be increased to between 5 and 10 times the volume.
The Patient’s Transition in the Process
It is difficult for owners to accept the rapid transition of their pet once the final injection has been given.
Using a pre-euthanasia sedative will help to provide the experience of the pet falling asleep, which, we believe, is what most owners want.
However, you should inform your client of any post euthanasia behaviours they are likely to witness, such as expelled air, twitches and involuntary gasps.
Select the button to learn more about the patient transition.
