How to put a dog to sleep to trim its fur

What is euthanasia?

Euthanasia or a happy death is a painless death not only for people, but also for animals. When carried out correctly, the procedure is painless and allows for the development of stress in the pet’s body. Euthanasia of dogs is carried out in 2 stages. At the initial stage, the animal is euthanized in order to suppress the perception of surrounding perception and save it from suffering. Only after the effect of anesthesia is fully achieved is the drug for euthanasia administered.

Euthanasia does not mean murder. To carry out the procedure, it is strictly forbidden to use methods that bring additional suffering to the animal.

Euthanasia is completely humane for a dog. The following methods of killing should not be used in veterinary clinics or at home:

• drowning;
• suffocation;
• use of toxic chemicals;
• exposure to high frequency electric current.

These killing techniques are not humane and are not included in the definition of euthanasia. In addition, they fall under the Russian Federation bill on cruelty to animals.

Euthanasia is used not only to rid animals of serious diseases. The procedure helps reduce the number of stray dogs that actively spread diseases. Among the latter, the most dangerous is rabies. Animal advocates oppose the use of euthanasia for stray dogs, but for now this is the only way to protect domestic animals and people from the spread of serious pathologies.

During euthanasia, the danger to the dog may be the negligence of the doctor or the drug he uses. Euthanasia medications should be prescribed by an experienced veterinarian. As the basis for his decision, the specialist relies on the individual characteristics of the animal: age, gender, presence of concomitant diseases, body weight.

To avoid the development of unpleasant consequences during the procedure, you need to read the instructions, composition and reviews of the proposed drug. Euthanasia is not carried out using potent toxins:

• Ditylin;
• Listenone;
• Adilin and Adilin are super.

When they are administered, the dog quickly develops a painful shock, accompanied by intense muscle cramps. Despite the quick death, the animal will suffer greatly before death.

The procedure should only be performed by the veterinarian who examined the dog. If the drug is administered by a nurse or an unfamiliar specialist, it is recommended to refuse euthanasia in this clinic.

Types of sleeping pills for dogs and cases of use

Sleeping pills for dogs may be needed in the following situations:

• with poor tolerability of some procedures. For example, hair and nail trimmings, vaccinations;
• for transportation in public transport and air travel;
• when catching;
• in cases of strong excitement, manifestations of aggression;
• during medical operations;
• before euthanasia.

Depending on the duration of exposure, there are three types of sleeping pills.

Means of short-term effect

Short-term sleeping pills for dogs are used during medical procedures, capture, transportation and to regulate sleep. They are also useful for trimming nails or fur if your pet doesn’t tolerate them well.

The medicine will act for about 30 minutes - during this time you can carry out all the necessary actions painlessly.

The most famous products in this group:

1. "Xylanite" - has a calming and analgesic effect. Used during medical procedures, before general anesthesia and during transportation.
2. "Cyclobarbital" - this product gives a quick effect, but it does not last long. It is addictive, so frequent use is prohibited. Should not be used for liver and kidney diseases.
3. "Thiopentone" and "Introval" are fast-acting drugs. Give to animals in an aggressive state.

Medium-acting drugs

Medications with a medium-term effect are used before anesthesia, after surgery, for severe pain and convulsions.

Among them are known:

1. “Barbital sodium” is quickly eliminated from the body and is considered relatively harmless. It can be given before anesthesia, for sleep disturbances and overexcitation.
2. “Phenobarbital” is a sleeping pill for dogs used for plague, stress and seizures. Its action is aimed at reducing the excitation of motor centers in the brain. Has a calming effect.
3. Noxiron is a lighter product than the previous ones, with a similar effect.

Long term drugs

This type of dog sleeping pill is used to put the animal to sleep for a longer period of time. It is done extremely rarely - mainly before surgery or in case of serious sleep disorders. Such means include:

1. "Chloral hydrate" is considered a sleeping pill and analgesic drug. It is usually prescribed for chronic diseases aggravated by serious pain, oncology, and for overexcitation in animals.
2. "Etaminal sodium." Produced in tablets, it has a long-term effect. May be addictive, so frequent use is not advisable.
3. "Carbromal" and "Barbamil". Suitable for pathological behavioral disorders.

Any strong sleeping pill for dogs is available only with a prescription from a veterinarian.

Indications for euthanizing a dog

Euthanasia of dogs is carried out only for medical and social reasons. The first category includes cases where the animal suffers from a serious illness and its chances of survival are almost impossible. In such a situation, the owner of a sick pet should consult a veterinarian, conduct a full diagnosis and obtain a prognosis for the further outcome. If a high probability of death is confirmed, there is a need for euthanasia. It is prohibited to euthanize a healthy dog ​​without indications.

The procedure must be carried out in the following situations:

• for terminally ill pets with diagnoses: malignant neoplasm, inoperable cyst, massive internal bleeding that cannot be treated;
• a large number of injuries with a low probability of recovery;
• for old or weakened dogs;
• in the presence of congenital pathologies that create great discomfort for the pet’s full life;
• infection with a deadly infection for humans: the rabies virus;
• bites of exotic insects, snakes without an antidote.

It is strictly forbidden to use a tranquilizer if a pet with a disability is in good health. The procedure should not be performed if there is a high chance of survival in the presence of a malignant tumor or infectious disease. In the latter case, the pathology should not be dangerous to humans.

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Social indications for euthanasia include aggressive behavior of a dog. Such measures are necessary if the animal cannot be trained and becomes dangerous to others. If a dog attacks an adult or child for no reason, causing severe physical harm, the court decides to euthanize the pet.

How are dogs euthanized in veterinary clinics?

Many owners euthanize their pets at the veterinary clinic to avoid complications and the administration of incorrect dosages of drugs. The procedure is carried out in 2 stages: introduction to deep sleep and injection of a solution for euthanasia. Euthanasia is painless for the dog.

When performing general anesthesia, the owner must be nearby and the pet. His presence will help calm the animal, which will more easily tolerate medical procedures next to the owner. After falling into deep sleep, the veterinarian administers a drug to euthanize the dog. It may take some time for cardiac and respiratory activity to stop. The total duration of the procedure does not exceed 10-15 minutes.

In some cases, additional injection may be required, but this will not affect the animal’s condition in any way. At this point, the dog is asleep and does not respond to the lethal injection. If a pet has the rabies virus, anesthesia is removed remotely so that the doctor can avoid contracting the infection. In such a situation, the duration of the procedure may take from 30 to 45 minutes.

Injections

To perform euthanasia painlessly, veterinarians use euthanasia injections. The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia and the administration of anesthetics. The following drugs are allowed to be used as the latter:

• Pentobarbital to stop the central nervous system, lungs and heart;
• Propofol in the form of a solution for intravenous administration to suppress respiratory function;
• Sodium thiopental for analgesia and hypnotic effect;
• Xylazine is an anesthetic agent that has a muscle relaxant and hypotensive effect;
• Zolarepam to relieve pain;
• intravenous tranquilizer Droperidol, which reduces motor activity and has a calming effect on the animal’s body.

After this, muscle relaxants are administered for euthanasia. To achieve the desired effect use:

1. Aredan. A synthetic agent that relieves neuromuscular excitability. The drug inhibits nerve conduction and can be used for general anesthesia.
2. Ditilin. Relaxes the diaphragmatic muscle.
3. Lidocaine. It has a powerful analgesic effect and relaxes the smooth muscles of internal organs.
4. Magnesium sulfate. The drug has an effect on the water-electrolyte balance in the dog’s body. When a high dose is administered intravenously, blood pressure drops, muscle spasms are relieved, and respiratory depression occurs. As a result, the heart stops and the animal dies.

After the administration of some drugs, convulsions may develop. Seizures are a post-mortem side effect of medications. Despite motor activity, the animal’s brain does not function at this moment.

Pills

To release the animal without pain, oral agents are used. They are available in tablets. This is humane for dogs that do not tolerate transport to the clinic well. In such a situation, it is recommended to call a doctor at home or purchase the pills yourself.

At the same time, veterinarians do not use euthanasia pills. active substances are slowly absorbed into the blood, causing only deep sleep. In addition, they have a number of side effects: they can cause muscle spasms, paralysis and convulsions. If necessary, the tablets can be used as a sleeping pill before the injection for euthanasia:

• Sibazon;
• Diazepam;
• Phenazepam;
• Seduxen;
• Relanium.

How much does it cost to euthanize a dog?

The cost of the procedure depends on the weight of the dog. The larger the animal, the more euthanasia costs. This is due to an increase in the required dosage of the drug to euthanize a pet. On average, veterinary clinics quote the following prices:

• the price of 10 kg ranges from 1000 to 2000 rubles;
• from 10 to 20 kg - 2000-3000 rubles;
• about 30 kg of weight require 4,000 rubles;
• to euthanize a pet weighing from 30 to 50 kg, you need 5,000 rubles;
• with a body weight of about 70 kg you need from 6,000 to 7,000 rubles.

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Pricing policy may vary depending on the region by 25-35%. When you call a veterinarian to your home, euthanasia costs less. A doctor's visit costs 1,500 rubles. At the same time, veterinary clinics include in the cost of euthanasia the subsequent cremation of the animal and the delivery of its ashes to the owners in an urn. Veterinary clinics offer discounts for complex services, so it is not recommended to order individual services.

Details

Sometimes, some dog breeders and veterinarians also add uncontrolled dog aggression to this list. But here the decision to euthanize should be made only after the cause of its appearance has been established. It often happens that even in relatively peaceful breeds, not to mention breeds with potential anger, the level of excitability and the desire to constantly attack and snap is associated with a disease that has a depressing effect on mental health.

Parasites, diseases of internal organs, even some seeing tumors - all this can push the animal to antisocial behavior. This is why many veterinarians refuse to euthanize dogs without a preliminary examination, since this behavior can be cured.

Some careless dog owners ask to euthanize an old or unwanted pet, but most often such people are refused access to reputable clinics, since this is not only inhumane, but also inhumane towards our smaller brothers.

IMPORTANT: the process of euthanizing all domestic and stray animals is regulated in the Russian Federation by Federal Law-498 of December 27, 2018, the main principle of which is “speed and absence of pain.”

If, in agreement with your veterinarian, you still make this difficult decision in order to stop the animal’s suffering, it will also be important for you to know how dogs are euthanized. The process is two-phase - first, the dog is put into a state of deep sleep or coma through anesthesia, and then a drug is administered that shuts down the heart or central nervous system.

No other methods, be it lethal gas poisoning, injecting poisons or killing with electricity, are suitable for euthanizing dogs. The process should not bring additional pain to the animal, and the dog should not be conscious when the depressant drug is administered directly.

Euthanasia of dogs without pain should always be carried out by a specialist, and it does not matter whether this happens in a clinic or at home, because in this matter it is very important to correctly calculate the dose of all drugs involved in the procedure so that everything goes quickly and without tormenting the dog.

IMPORTANT: do not agree to euthanasia with muscle relaxants, as they do not turn off the animal’s consciousness, but simply immobilize it.

An important factor when deciding to euthanize an animal is the will of the owner, not just in making such a decision, but also in the moment whether it is necessary to be present during the procedure. Cowardly citizens usually leave the animal in the care of a doctor and come back to collect the body.

Doctors, in turn, say that even seriously ill dogs in the last minutes look for their person with their eyes. The animal understands everything and is waiting for support, so please get together and do one last favor for your tailed friend. Yes, the procedure will bring you to tears, but it is better to grieve than to regret later and live with the feeling of betrayal by your dog.

Ideally, euthanize your dog at home so that it does not experience additional stress. Many veterinary clinics provide this service. In such a situation, it is better to be close to the dog in a familiar environment, so that before anesthesia the dog calmly falls asleep in your arms.

How to euthanize a dog painlessly at home?

To euthanize a dog, you yourself need to know the rules of veterinary medicine. This problem is considered by 65% ​​of owners who want to take their dog on its final journey independently in the comfort of a familiar room. At the same time, most experts do not recommend euthanizing an animal at home, because the dosage of potent drugs can be incorrectly calculated. Due to the high dose, an overdose will occur, and the dog will die in agony.

Euthanasia products are sold in veterinary pharmacies. The drugs are sold in several dosage forms:

• in the form of tablets;
• muscle relaxants in the form of a solution;
• soothing drops to slow heart rate;
• injection solutions;
• inhalations, for which the animal must wear a special mask.

If for any reason you have decided to euthanize yourself at home, it is recommended to call any veterinary clinic for a consultation. The doctor will give the exact dose, instructions and necessary recommendations for using the drug.

In the absence of experience, it is prohibited to install IVs or administer euthanasia solutions to a dog intravenously. This can cause severe pain to the pet, and the animal can fall into a coma. If the needle is inserted incorrectly or the integrity of the needle is damaged, the help of a specialist will be necessary.

It is allowed to give the animal drugs in tablet form. To do this, you need to spread the dog's mouth and fix the jaws with one hand, and then place a spoon with the medicine on the root of the tongue. If the animal reflexively spits out part of the tablet, the procedure should not be repeated. In such a situation, the animal swallowed part of the product, which may be enough for euthanasia. In addition, the dog will refuse to take a repeat dose of the expensive drug.

After successfully using the tablet, you should give your pet a drink of water. If the animal is weakened and is not able to lap up the liquid on its own, you should give the dog something to drink using a spoon. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the pet does not choke. In cases where people refuse fluids, there is no need to force water into them. If vomiting occurs after taking the drug, you must repeat the procedure after 2-6 hours. During this period, the dog should completely calm down.

Veterinarians do not recommend urgent inhalations, because when putting on a mask the animal strongly resists. Before using this method of euthanasia, it is necessary to give the dog a sedative. As soon as the drug takes effect, the pet will not try to rip off the mask. Therefore, you can put it on and carry out the procedure calmly.

Euthanasia using deep anesthesia is allowed. This technique is practiced at home using a special drug - Zoletil. The cost of one bottle reaches 1500-2000 rubles. The medication puts the animal into deep anesthesia, turning off pain receptors. To carry out euthanasia itself, it is necessary to use other medications: 2% injection solution of Lidocaine for intravenous administration or 25% solution of magnesium sulfate.

For painless euthanasia, it is possible to use depolarizing muscle relaxants. At the same time, the use of Listenone and its analogues is prohibited. This drug is administered intramuscularly and quickly spreads along with the blood throughout the body. The drug has a powerful therapeutic effect, paralyzing not only the skeletal, but also the smooth muscles of the organs. As a result, the dog will die from acute respiratory and heart failure, experiencing severe pain.

After euthanasia, the animal must not be buried in the ground. Pet bodies are required by law to be burned. Cremation helps prevent the grave from being destroyed by stray dogs or the spread of disease.

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How to give correctly

Before euthanizing your pet, you must obtain instructions on how to use the prescribed drug from your veterinarian. The specialist will assess the situation and the individual characteristics of the animal. Independent uncontrolled use is unacceptable!

However, there are general recommendations on how to give your dog sleeping pills.

The drug in the form of drops is quite simple to use. When it's time to feed your pet, you can add it to food or water.

If your veterinarian prescribes sleeping pills for dogs, you may need to try a few things:

1. Put the pill in food. Usually the dog eats everything in the bowl. But, if the tablet is discovered, the animal will no longer touch this food.
2. Form a small cutlet from the minced meat, then put the medicine inside. The pet will be delighted with the treat and will not notice the catch.
3. If the previous two options do not work, you will have to give the pill by force.

Temporary euthanasia

Temporary euthanization of an animal is carried out in exceptional cases when the dog’s life is in danger. Anesthesia helps slow down metabolic processes and reduce the activity of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In such a situation, the owners have the opportunity to calmly bring the animal to the veterinary clinic for urgent surgery to stop massive bleeding or serious injuries. This is similar to a medically induced coma for a person.

In some cases, temporary euthanasia is necessary to transport an aggressive pet that is capable of biting the doctor.

At the same time, it is not recommended to temporarily euthanize your pet yourself. Incorrect calculation of the dosage of the drug can lead to death. To carry out the procedure, sedatives are used, which help to temporarily calm the animal, relieve muscle spasms and reduce heartbeat.

How to decide to say goodbye to a friend?

Putting a pet to sleep is extremely stressful. But there are times when this is necessary. There is no need to consider it a sin and blame yourself for the death of your pet. A dog cannot make its own decisions, so the burden falls on its owner. It is important to remember that the animal will soon die on its own. The owner’s main task is to make his care easier without dooming him to further suffering.

Euthanasia will help relieve your dog of additional pain and stress. Euthanasia should be treated as a routine procedure that benefits the pet.

Natural sedatives

Sometimes dog breeders note that their pet’s own reactions prevent them from falling asleep: anxiety, fear, aggression, depression. In this situation, natural sedatives will be sufficient to eliminate stress.

The safest are herbal drops, decoctions, and infusions. According to the degree of strength of the effect, they are distinguished: valerian, motherwort, passionflower, Baikal skullcap. Among pharmaceutical products with natural ingredients, it is worth mentioning the following: “Cat-Bayun”; "Fitex"; "Dbd Relax Plus"; Hormone Balancer Flower Essence. They provide the body with useful substances and have general strengthening properties.

We have: a 4 year old English Cocker Spaniel with a bad temperament and a habit of biting. He doesn’t like to be combed and doesn’t allow himself to be combed; he manages to remove the muzzle, thank God not every time

Summer, hot. The dog is suffering. Previously, they cut hair with clippers and scissors. He growled, but endured. This year is terrible. All the paws are dreadlocked like Africans. The ears are the same. It's impossible to hold on.

Valerian does not take it.

What if there is some safe means of putting the dog to sleep for an hour so that the dog can be restored to its divine form?

Published 13 July 2021, 16:42

How to cope with the loss of a pet?

Many owners suffer greatly after losing a pet. This is normal, because the dog has become more than just an object of leisure. After the death of a friend or family member, there is no need to bottle up your emotions and suffer alone. A funeral ceremony should be held, and there should be a lot of crying and grieving. At the same time, there is no need to fall into apathy and depression. You need to find the strength to let go of the animal and move on.

If a person is not ready to adopt a new dog, you can become a volunteer. Taking care of other animals will help you take your mind off the loss and preserve in your memory joyful moments with your departed friend. Psychological support from other people who have experienced a similar situation helps most effectively.