distressing thing i heard today - can''t stop thinking about it!

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

I've had mine done in the heart, kidney and leg and all are distressing.  I always have mine sedated first and held them whilst the vet injects them but I have had a couple of horrible experiences when they've injected into the heart.  When a cat is really poorly it's quite stressful to find a vein and sometimes it's virtually impossible.  I've had discussions with different vets about their preferred methods and not all tend to agree.  I went into the other vets the other day and whilst in there someone had brought in a young buzzard that was a little the worse for wear and had to be put to sleep.  I was there whilst they did her and I was amazed to see they injected directly into the brain, I wasn't impressed by this method and it did upset me.  I have parrots and I've had to have the odd one put to sleep in the past and I've always had them sedated with gas and them injected into the wing, again different vets use different methods.

[Wibblechick]

The important thing is to remember that we are able to spare our loved ones much suffering and allow them to go with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Very poignant and VERY true 

[Janeyk]

I have held a couple of mine and would choose to do that if possible but it hasn't always been.

[Teresa Pawcats]

I always hold mine and think I have seen every way over the years;  when injecting through heart or kidneys the cat is more likely to be a "Gasper" causing distress to owners who do not realise that this is an after death reaction.
The important thing is to remember that we are able to spare our loved ones much suffering and allow them to go with the dignity and respect they deserve.

[Desley (booktigger)]

Fortunately all of mine have been able to be done through the leg - I'm not allowed to hold them though, just stroke them, and I have known the exact moment when some of them have gone - Snowy went before the injection had even finished. The first cat I had sedated first needed an extra dose, and it made me paranoid for the next time, but fortunately that was a one off. 2 of last year's weren't text book though, one was my mum's dog, so I was really glad she didn't have to see that.

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Yes i have heard it can be done like that ....
I know someone who's cat had it in the tummy

[Janeyk]

Bunglycat,  Im really glad you posted this because its cleared up something that was worrying me ..... When I had to have my rescued stray, Tabitha Twitchit,  PTS (she had incurable heart problems) the vet injected into her abdomen - I never thought about the vein situation but that makes so much sense.  Tabitha was VERY sick and very scrawny and quite elderley, so I guess finding a vein would have been an awful business.
Those of you who have been able to hold your furbabes have been fortunate - I wasnt allowed to - I think because the vet thought I was to distraught already. 
I was amazed how quick the whole thing was. 
I also received a sympathy card in the post the next day
Its never easy - is it?

Your situation was very similar to ours with our Squeaky, he was our second cat and the vet said it better if we weren't there when she put him to sleep as she said she thought they would have problems getting a vein and it may be too distressing.  I do regret not being with him and don't like to think of it but I do understand the vets concerns too, very difficult.

[Philip]

With my 2 the vet injected into the kidney. It was very peaceful and they didn't suffer. I held them in my arms as they went. The first injection put them under with the second sending them on their way.

I did a lot of research into this when I first had to go through with it and did read that sometimes vets inject into the heart or kidney if they felt it was too difficult to find a peripheral vein. Circulation in very frail cats can be extremely sluggish so injecting into a peripheral vein in these cases can make the procedure more lengthly.

RIP little one xx

[Wibblechick]

Bunglycat,  Im really glad you posted this because its cleared up something that was worrying me ..... When I had to have my rescued stray, Tabitha Twitchit,  PTS (she had incurable heart problems) the vet injected into her abdomen - I never thought about the vein situation but that makes so much sense.  Tabitha was VERY sick and very scrawny and quite elderley, so I guess finding a vein would have been an awful business.
Those of you who have been able to hold your furbabes have been fortunate - I wasnt allowed to - I think because the vet thought I was to distraught already. 
I was amazed how quick the whole thing was. 
I also received a sympathy card in the post the next day
Its never easy - is it?

[CarolM (Wendolene)]

My beloved Smudge was pts at home (4 years ago this Sat) via an injection straight into his heart - this was 2 hours after the vet had originally been and adminstered the injection into his leg, listened to his breathing, declared him gone and left. 

  

[sheryl]

My little Bina had to be injected in her abdomen because her viens had collapsed I am glad to say that she passed peacefully and quickly in my arms.

[Liz]

We have had 2 ladies done this way in the last 9 months Miss gracie and gem neither had good veins and it was very peaceful and fast

Have had the leg method for my old Collie he was done at home with all the cats and Jazz and I and it was peaceful and quick

Our vets have been wonderful during our heavy losses of 2008 and all bar Tiger went peacefully he died in my arms and not much the vet could do its like he held on so I could be at the vets and it wasn't expected either

However they go I think we have been lucky they have been peaceful and quick but loosing them is never easy 

[blackcat]

an injection to the heart is often preferred by the vets as there is less trauma for the cat when it goes well. Obviously it did not in this instance. Looking for the vein in an elderly cat can cause considerable distress. It is also important to remember that an animal (or a human) may continue to receive messages to nerve endings as the brain shuts down which result in movement that can be distressing to watch but which is not a voluntary response, just the nerves. It does not mean the animal is experiencing distress ... 

[Stuart]

Hamish was so badly dehydrated the vet couldnt find the vein, and although he had been sedated heavily he
flinched when the vet tried, She then injected directly into the kidney and within seconds He was gone 

not really sure if it matter's where it goes?? as long as it enters the system ??

what a terrible thing to happen Jasmine 

[Jasmine]

My beloved Smudge was pts at home (4 years ago this Sat) via an injection straight into his heart - this was 2 hours after the vet had originally been and adminstered the injection into his leg, listened to his breathing, declared him gone and left.  I was too distraught at the time to make an official complaint of what I think was gross negligence and I never got an apology, or even a card of condolence. 

Anyhow, to anyone having to make that awful, final decision and gift of love, please, please, don't let my horrendous experience put you off.

However, do be aware that if you are present, it isn't always - for want of a better expression, 'text-book'.  I now choose to take on elderly cats and have had to go through this twice since, and although it's been a far pleasanter experience (I always hold them close and sing and once the needle goes in it has been almost instantaneous) but if, as in the case of Reggie, they are very poorly, it can take a while to find a vein in the leg that doesn't collapse.  This is why (to my understanding) the vet will sometimes need to inject an organ direct instead.

[Bonkers Mad!!!]

my old cat peanut (22) had become so frail over the weekend before i had her pts that the vet didnt think hed be able to inject into her leg without hurting her.  he did it into her abdomen and i'd never seen or heard of that before.  the difference is that my old girl just went as easily and peacefully as if they'd done it the conventional way.

[MrsR]

OMG thats shocking and really upsetting 

[bunglycat]

I was talking to a lady today who went with her friend to have her elderly cat put to sleep - i didn''t ask too many details ,but it was 17 and was deteriating badly .
The vet said instead of shaving the leg and doing it taht way -they would do the injection straight into the heart - has anyone ever heard of this .
The lady said the cat did not go peacefully this way and she was as distressesed as her friend was .
I did say i would have been hysterical by that time and would probably have hit the vet afterwards -then sued her .
I cannot stop thinking about this since she told me .
Rip little cat -hope you are free from pain and at the bridge now.