Lidocaine for euthanasia of dogs dose calculation. All about euthanasia of cats: pros and cons, indications, process

Typically, such inhumane methods are resorted to by unlicensed veterinarians or those people who cannot afford to purchase drugs for more humane killing.

Video: how to euthanize a cat at home

If the cat is incurable or painfully dying, euthanasia may be performed. A veterinarian can assess this need. Euthanasia can be humane. In this case, the process can proceed in two stages. There are also less humane methods, but they are used less often. You have to pay to put someone to sleep in a clinic. Additional costs will result from calling a specialist for euthanasia at home. After killing, the body must be buried or cremated.

Lidocaine for euthanasia of a cat

The state the cat is in after the first part of the procedure is called vegetative coma. You can take one last look at your pet. After this, the veterinarians will ask you to go out into the corridor. This is done for humanitarian reasons. After some time (about 20 minutes), the veterinarian administers the second drug. Gradually, the animal's heart slows down and stops.

Forced euthanasia is used in cases of rabies; in other cases, the final word remains with you.

Termination of life is usually recommended for the following diseases:

oncology of important organs (liver, lungs, kidneys, metastases to the spinal cord);
serious injuries after an accident (multiple fractures near important organs);
inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord, its rupture (as a consequence of renal failure);
severe infectious infections that threaten an epidemic (rabies, distemper, various infestations of advanced parasites, such as leptospirosis, dirofilariasis and others).

This stage is not so much needed by the animal as by its owner. It consists of a detailed consultation with the doctor who will perform the procedure. After such a conversation, you should not have any questions or doubts.

It is important to ensure that burial of the corpse is not prohibited in the chosen location. You cannot bury a corpse in public places. If you don't want to look at the body, cremation can be done.

Any cat that has been euthanized can be cremated if the veterinary clinic has a crematorium. You need to pay extra for this procedure, but burying the ashes will not be so troublesome. In some clinics you can leave the body to the veterinarians, they will cremate it themselves and then bury it.

Clinics, as a rule, offer to leave the body - they decide this issue themselves.

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Possible complications

If the doctor’s prescriptions are not followed, or an allergic reaction begins to develop in the dog’s body, the following complications may occur:

dysbacteriosis, accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea;
disturbances in the functioning of the kidneys, manifested by uncontrolled urination or a change in the color of urine to dark brown;
problems in liver functionality, up to liver failure.

When examining the dog, the doctor will detect severe anemia and an increase in the number of platelets in the blood.

Safe use

Before administering an injection of Lidocaine, the doctor tests the animal to identify allergic reactions; if there are none, treatment using this medicine is prescribed. For example, local anesthesia can be performed using medications such as Lidocaine + Nalbuphine; the dosage of the solution in this case is less (about 3.5 mg/kg).

Hopelessly ill cats are euthanized using this medication; this cannot be done at home, otherwise the pet will experience a painful death. "Lidocaine" has a blocking effect, causes vascular collapse, and does not allow cardiac signals to pass through.

Ways to reduce risk

The use of lidocaine can cause many painful reactions in cats:

respiratory paralysis;
brachycardia;
anaphylactic shock;
cardiac arrest;
collapse.

But the cat is not initially doomed to such horrors. If it is necessary to use lidocaine, your veterinarian can do a test. If no adverse reactions occur, he may prescribe the drug. The reaction to lidocaine is one of the reasons why the doctor must give the first injection of an antibiotic with an analgesic himself, even if in the future the owners intend to inject the cat themselves at home.

Sometimes lidocaine is used for local anesthesia. In this case, some veterinarians recommend using two drugs (for example, nalbuphine + lidocaine), which reduces the amount of lidocaine and the likelihood of pathological reactions to it. The dosage of Lidocaine for a cat in this case is approximately 3.5 mg/kg, but only a doctor can make the final decision. But more often, cat anesthesia for operations is done by other means.

This reaction to lidocaine is species specific. The dog perceives the drug differently.

Lidocaine for euthanasia of cats dose

When all vital signs are zero, the veterinarian will inform the owner that the animal has died.

I have never had to euthanize my pets, for which I am very grateful. But I know people who are less fortunate. When such a decision has to be made, the owner is tormented by remorse. And sometimes some time after euthanasia. I believe that a loving owner should feel whether he is mentally ready and whether he has said goodbye to the animal. And if the desire to alleviate suffering is stronger than self-pity, then you can decide.

There is also a less humane way of euthanasia. It involves the use of drugs that forcibly stop the functioning of the heart and lungs. In this case, the animal can “beat” in agony.

Directions for use, dilution and dosage

To treat cats, the drug is most often used in the form of intramuscular injections. This method of administration ensures rapid absorption of the active substance into the bloodstream and its subsequent delivery to the site of infection through the tissues and fluids of the body.

Precise instructions for the use of ceftriaxone in each case should be obtained from your veterinarian.

The general rules for taking and dosing the drug include the following scheme:

Ceftriaxone is pre-diluted with lidocaine or water for injection.

To obtain a medicinal solution, the product is diluted with special water for injection in a ratio of 3.6 ml per 1 g of powder. If these proportions are observed, 1 ml of the resulting solution will contain 250 mg of ceftriaxone.
When diluted, the liquid is injected into the bottle from a syringe directly through the rubber stopper. To ensure proper dissolution of the powder, the bottle must be shaken well. After the liquid is drawn into the syringe, you need to change the needle to a new one.
The standard daily dose of the drug for cats weighing up to 2 kg is 0.5 ml once a day. If the pet's weight exceeds this figure, then the dose is increased to 1 ml once a day.
Injections are given in the hind leg, in the thigh muscle.
Treatment with ceftriaxone lasts from 7 to 10 days.

Due to the painful injections of this antibiotic, it is often diluted with painkillers - lidocaine or novocaine. There are diametrically opposed opinions regarding the preferability of their use.

The indications for the use of lidocaine indicate that it is used as a solvent for cephalosporin antibiotics, which include ceftriaxone. Lidocaine has a much more pronounced anesthetic effect than novocaine and is less likely to cause allergic reactions. But in cats, its overdose can have a serious impact on the functioning of the cardiovascular system in the form of arrhythmia and circulatory disorders.

To reduce unnecessary risk, veterinarians prescribe ceftriaxone in combination with 0.5% novocaine. The proportions of the drugs, the dose and frequency of their administration remain the same as when diluting the antibiotic with water for injection.

Important! If a veterinarian prescribed an antibiotic with lidocaine to treat a cat, this means that all the pros and cons have been weighed, and this is the combination of drugs that is applicable in a particular case.

Lidocaine for euthanasia of cats at home

Performing this procedure, an experienced veterinarian injects a potent hypnotic medication into the animal’s body, which puts the cat into deep sleep due to the slowdown of all physiological processes. Then the pet's heart stops.

In addition to this traditional method, there are other methods that veterinary clinics can offer:

Air embolism is when air bubbles are released into the animal's bloodstream, causing cardiac arrest.
Cervical dislocation, which is a displacement of the cervical vertebrae. This method only works with small pets.
Electrocution. Practiced exclusively for large pets.

Any of these three methods is possible for euthanasia, but they are not practiced in veterinary clinics licensed to kill animals.

What is euthanasia in dogs

The literal translation of this term is “good death.”
This refers to the approach of death through the influence of third, uninterested parties on it. In this case, it is the veterinarian who confirms the need for euthanasia and carries it out. Confirmation of the need for euthanasia occurs only after all possible types of treatment have been used and a complete examination of the animal. How to humanely kill a dog? The main principle of euthanasia is painlessness. The sick animal is given anesthesia and then a sedative. There are many types of the latter. There is a list of strictly prohibited methods of killing an animal as euthanasia: drowning, suffocation, euthanasia with potent poisons and electric shock.

Euthanasia is common in the fight against homeless animals. Many animal rights activists oppose such methods of getting rid of stray dogs, but, for example, in the United States, about five million stray animals are killed in this way every year. A similar trend is observed in European countries.

Lidocaine for euthanasia of a cat dose

And if medications no longer help, the veterinarian raises the question of euthanasia. However, you should not immediately agree to euthanasia. It is recommended that you first contact one or even two more specialists in other veterinary clinics.

Sometimes it happens that the veterinarian may make a mistake and make an incorrect diagnosis. If they all confirm the diagnosis and say that it is better to euthanize the animal, then the owner will have to emotionally prepare for the difficult day ahead. An experienced veterinarian will help clients in difficult times by telling them in detail about euthanizing a cat, as well as what is required from the owner.

There are several methods of euthanasia, but the most humane of them all is through medication. And in our country, all animal clinics use only this method.

The topic of pain relief is a pressing issue for pet owners; cats react especially acutely to medications. For example, a medicine such as Lidocaine is used only as prescribed by a veterinarian, under his supervision. Seriously ill animals are euthanized using this medication. It is not recommended to treat your pet yourself; such actions can harm the animal.

When is Ceftriaxone used for cats?

Pets often get sick if they are poorly cared for. They have infections that are also common to humans, but in addition, cats also suffer from special diseases. Animals that walk outside are especially susceptible to them. If your furry pet is sick, it is best to contact a veterinarian. Often, when there is an infection, doctors prescribe Ceftriaxone for cats. The instructions recommend using it in the following cases:

The indicated dose may vary according to the professional's criteria and especially taking into account the size, age and health of the animal. It is important to consider the varying degrees of susceptibility and reaction of each patient in particular. Penobarbital has a shorter duration in ruminants than in other species due to faster oxidative microsomal metabolism. Some animals require slightly higher doses for general anesthesia.

Assess risk in animals that may be highly susceptible to pentobarbital. Do not use any more medications above this point. The procedure for intravenous injection of penta-hypnol should last at least 3 minutes with frequent pauses while the central nervous system gradually assimilates the drug.

for sexually transmitted diseases, for example, chlamydia;
in case of sepsis development;
after castration or sterilization surgery to prevent the development of infection;
during the recovery period after surgical treatment of urolithiasis;
with otitis;
meningitis;
cystitis;
for bacterial infections of the respiratory system;
for infections of the skin and soft tissues.

"Ceftriaxone" for cats: instructions for use

Sterilize injection equipment using boiling water.
Avoid using strong disinfectants on equipment. Keep it clean at all times. Keep needles sharp and clean. Use needles of the appropriate length and gauge. This product should be used with great caution in animals with liver, kidney or respiratory disease, or in anemic or hypovolemic animals. The same caution should be taken in geriatric patients in whom the metabolism and excretion time of the drug are increased.

Contraindications: in what cases should it not be used?

Kidney failure.
Liver disorders.
Pregnancy, lactation.
Stomach ulcer.
Allergy.

Lidocaine solution for cats is used if the expected result from the injection exceeds the negative side effects, namely cardiac arrest, anaphylactic shock, respiratory paralysis, collapse. Veterinarians claim that the negative effect of the drug on cats is not considered a pattern, but rather an individual characteristic of the animal.

Today we bring to your attention an article on the topic: “how to euthanize a cat yourself at home” from professionals for people. We tried to fully cover the topic. If something is not clear, then experts are ready to answer all questions in the comments.

Contraindications to the use of the drug

This antibacterial agent is very strong. Ceftriaxone often causes side effects, and there have even been cases of animal death due to improper use of the drug. Therefore, it can be used for treatment only after examining the animal in order to exclude the presence of contraindications. It is not recommended to use Ceftriaxone for cats in the following cases:

Do not administer perivascularly because soft tissue may be irritated. Avoid intra-arterial injection. The dose should be administered with caution. It can be absorbed through the skin. Should not be administered to animals with respiratory, hepatic or renal impairment.

How to give a cat an injection correctly

A period of transient apnea of short duration is usually observed. Hypersensitivity or allergy reactions to barbiturates are rare but may occur as a result of previous sensitization, especially in allergic patients, which manifest as blepharitis, chelitis and dermatitis, which resolves with the administration of an antihistamine. This can cause anaphylactic shock in some animals.

How to put a cat to sleep. Painful and painless ways

Almost every pet owner, hearing the word “put to sleep,” paints a sad picture in his head: old age, serious illness, long, painful pain, the bitterness of parting and death. Many people simply mentally discard this process, preferring to believe that the moment of losing their mustachioed friend will never come.

This procedure is carried out in stages by intramuscular or intravenous administration of potent drugs. As a result, the cat first falls into deep sleep, and then its respiratory and cardiac activity stops.

World organizations call for the use of drugs that do not cause death throes in the cat, but not everyone listens to this. Some veterinarians administer barbiturates such as Lidocaine, Ditilin, Hexenal and others, which, if the dose is incorrectly selected, only lead to suffering.

There are two options for euthanizing a pet - taking it to a veterinary clinic or doing it at home.

Of course, euthanizing him at home has its advantages.

The owner must make a decision knowing how the pet will be euthanized. If you think that the specialist is hiding something, you can contact another clinic.

Advantages and disadvantages of euthanasia in a veterinary clinic

Sometimes there are situations when the owner decides to euthanize a cat at home.

But you cannot do this only on the basis of your own desire. When you contact the clinic, there is a chance to save your pet’s life, because veterinarians fight for the animal’s life to the last.

In addition, the doctor will conduct all the necessary tests. However, the specialist cannot persuade the owner; The owner will have to make the decision. But the veterinarian will provide documentary evidence (certificates) of the need for euthanasia. The advantage of this method is that it will be easier for the owner to survive this procedure.

Some cat owners feel strongly about the responsibility of euthanizing their pet.

The problem of pain relief during veterinary procedures is one of the most serious for animal lovers. Cats react especially acutely to certain narcotic drugs. Thus, the well-known Lidocaine can be given to a cat only in exceptional cases, and only under the supervision of a doctor. This drug is often used to euthanize seriously ill cats.

Milgamma (injections): how to inject the drug correctly, indications and contraindications

B vitamins are responsible for the processes of hematopoiesis, the functioning of the musculoskeletal system and the normal functioning of nerve fibers in the human body. In order to compensate for their deficiency, Milgamma is used: intramuscularly or orally (Milgamma is not administered intravenously). Intramuscular administration of Milgamma allows you to quickly eliminate painful sensations, since with this method of drug administration the necessary therapeutic concentrations are achieved within 10-15 minutes after the manipulation.

Despite the harmlessness of the drug, there are some recommendations on how to inject Milgamma correctly. Therefore, before starting use, you must contact a qualified specialist at the Yusupov Hospital, who will answer all questions, the most common of which are: “How many times a year can you inject Milgamma?”, “What time of day is it better to inject Milgamma - when is it better to inject Milgamma: in the morning or in the evening?”, “What syringe should I use to inject Milgamma?”, “How often can Milgamma be injected intramuscularly?” etc.

Difficult choice problem

The question of whether a cat can take lidocaine is one of the most controversial. Review folders of veterinary clinics and specialized forums are filled with terrible stories about the death of animals after the use of lidocaine. At the same time, almost as often there are references to the absence of a pathological reaction to this drug in caudate patients, and veterinarians sometimes recommend diluting antibiotic powder (for example, Ceftriaxone) with a 2% solution of Lidocaine.

Proponents of the use of lidocaine are usually confident that severe consequences are the result of exceeding the dosage or using the drug in too high a concentration.

The conclusion from what has been said is simple. There is great individual variation in the response of cats to lidocaine. In addition, this drug often causes severe allergic reactions, even in humans. Therefore, its use in cats should be avoided if possible. Only a doctor can authorize its use, and he must carefully determine the dose and be sure to inject the drug himself.

Side effects after using the drug

Ceftriaxone for cats is often prescribed by veterinarians, but not all animals tolerate this drug. Many people experience serious disruptions in the functioning of many organs and systems when using it. The following side effects may occur:

Hypothermia can occur, so it is recommended to constantly monitor the temperature and take steps to keep it adequate. You can increase the recovery period. Some dogs exhibit significant delirium or agitation during recovery and may exhibit whining, scraping, arousal to stand or walk, and flailing leg movements.

To eliminate this unwanted behavior, narcotic analgesics or tranquilizers such as phenothiazine, acepromazine, and ketamine are administered. In cats anesthetized with pentobarbital, neomycin administration causes complete neuromuscular paralysis, which is believed to be due to persistent neomycin binding of Ca-inducing sites in the motor endplate of skeletal muscle.

nausea and vomiting;
flatulence, constipation, intestinal upset;
allergic reactions, urticaria;
difficulty breathing, bronchospasm;
dysfunction of the liver and kidneys;
deterioration of blood composition;
problems with the urinary system;
fungal diseases;
headaches, dizziness.

Last help

Lidocaine is most often used to euthanize hopelessly ill cats. But for such a death to be truly easy, an ampoule with the drug is not enough. Lidocaine blocks the passage of cardiac signals and causes vascular collapse. To euthanize a cat, it must be injected into a vein, not into a lung - this will be a painful death from respiratory paralysis.

Humane euthanasia is a complex process. So you can euthanize a cat with Lidocaine at home and without suffering, but to do this you will still have to contact a veterinarian. Doing it yourself will be cruelty to the animal.

There are several rules for euthanizing cats with Lidocaine.

Before deciding to euthanize, you should consult with several veterinarians to ensure that the disease is incurable. The sick appearance of an animal does not mean much - perhaps simple treatment will help him.
Before administering Lidocaine, general anesthesia must be used.
The dose of the drug is determined by the veterinarian - it depends on the age, weight, and condition of the animal.
You should only seek such a service from a trusted doctor, known for his humane treatment of tailed patients.

However, a true cat lover, attached to his purr, will fulfill all these requirements without any reminders. After all, he will think not about saving money, but about the interests of the animal.

There are cat lovers who oppose the euthanasia of even terminally ill older animals. But their point of view is objectionable, since in this case the last days of their pet will be filled with dubious “pleasures”. Properly carried out euthanasia under general anesthesia (for example, Lidocaine) in a hopeless situation is the only correct decision in case of an incurable disease.

Trying to treat animals on your own is just as bad as trying to treat people. For its affection and goodwill, the cat deserves human treatment. And Lidocaine is a drug that can bring him more than just benefits.

No matter how much we would like, our beloved pets do not stay close forever; a cat’s lifespan is much shorter than a human’s. Some cats die not from old age, but from incurable painful diseases. Many owners, unable to bear to see their pet suffering, think about helping it get rid of its suffering by ending its life. In what cases is this justified? How is the euthanasia procedure carried out? Is it possible to do it at home?

"Ceftriaxone" for cats: instructions for use

You can use this antibiotic to treat your pet only as prescribed by a doctor, and strictly following the dosage. The drug is available in powder. Therefore, first you need to dilute it with Novocaine. Cats should not use Lidocaine for dissolution. For 1 g of antibiotic, you need to take 2 ml of painkiller and 2 ml. The medicine is administered to the cat intramuscularly or intravenously through a catheter. In the latter case, this must be done by a doctor.

Indications for use

Apnea and death have also been reported in a dihydrostreptomycin-treated dog that initially breathed spontaneously during recovery from pentobarbital anesthesia.
The above examples illustrate the problems that may arise in a patient who appears to be recovering from anesthesia and surgery without complications. Protection of neuromuscular transmission should be considered when anesthetics, neuromuscular blocking agents, and antibiotics that impair neuromuscular function are used in multiple drug regimens. How much Ceftriaxone should be injected into a cat? The dosage is calculated depending on the weight of the animal:

for small cats weighing less than 2 kilograms, no more than 0.5 ml of the drug solution can be administered at a time;
larger pets need to be administered 1 ml of Ceftriaxone.

Injections should be given once a day, but sometimes the doctor recommends dividing the daily dose into two times. Treatment lasts from 7 to 10 days, depending on the severity of the animal’s condition. If the cat feels better before the end of this period, the injections are not stopped. You need to complete the full course prescribed by your doctor.

The effect of chloramphenicol on the suppression of microsomal enzyme activity and the depressive effects of pentobarbital anesthesia were discussed. The anesthetic effect of pentobarbital can be enhanced by the administration of dextrose, fructose, lactate, pyruvate and glutamate.

Interaction with other drugs

Pentobarbital-acepromazine anesthesia can be quickly and permanently reversed in atropinized cats by administering intravenous 4-aminopyridine in combination with intravenous yohimbine hydrochloride. In cats pretreated with xylazine, intravenous yohimbine alone reversed the effects of the xylazine-pentobarbital combination anesthetics.

Animal owners need to know that after treatment with Ceftriaxone, the cat cannot be mated for 3 months, otherwise there may be complications during pregnancy, and the kittens may die.

Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic familiar to many from painful injections and is also used in veterinary medicine. They treat diseases caused by microorganisms. If ceftriaxone is prescribed to treat a cat, it means that there is an infectious disease of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory or genitourinary systems, otitis media, inflammation of bone or soft tissues.

Dogs treated with fentanyl-eridol-pentobarbital pain medication may be best induced by an intravenous mixture of naloxone and doxapram. Thyroid hormone, a tripeptide, may function as an endogenous analeptic agent. It can reverse the narcotic effects of pentobarbital and other central nervous system depressants.

Do not administer this product during cesarean operations or in pregnant animals due to its depressant effects on the respiratory system, affecting the fetus or newborn. Do not consume milk from treated animals until 6 milkings after the last use. Pentobarbital is a powerful and calming hypnosis drug. If there is an overdose, give assisted breathing using an endotracheal tube and use analeptics.

Indications for euthanasia of a cat

Euthanasia is the intentional infliction of death on a seriously ill, suffering animal or person. Translated from Greek, the term means “good death” and quite accurately describes this painless way of dying. Typically, euthanasia of cats is carried out in the presence of an incurable disease, when there is no way to alleviate the suffering of the pet.

Sometimes euthanasia is resorted to without medical indications (bad character, aggressiveness). In our country there are no documents regulating this procedure, and the fate of the pet depends entirely on the will of its owner. It is impossible to prohibit the owner from euthanizing for reasons unrelated to the health of the animal, although from a moral point of view it raises questions.

In veterinary practice, there is only one disease in the presence of which a cat must be euthanized - rabies. It is contagious, transmitted from animals to humans, cannot be treated and leads to the rapid death of the sick person. Characteristic symptoms of the disease are lack of appetite, aggression or apathy, excessive drooling, fear of water, increased sensitivity to light, convulsions.

Euthanasia of a cat for medical reasons is carried out in the following cases:

terminal stage cancer;
severe injuries incompatible with life (fall from height, collision with a car);
serious congenital pathologies in kittens;
significant deterioration in quality of life due to old age;
staying in a long coma;
decompensated chronic diseases of the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys.

Composition and release form

Ceftriaxone is a 3rd generation beta-lactam antibiotic. Class cephalosporins. They are used widely in medicine and veterinary medicine, more often in the presence of pathogen strains resistant to cephalosporin drugs, penicillins and aminoglycosides.

They produce a white or yellow powder for intravenous and intramuscular injections. In glass bottles. The bottle contains 1 g of ceftriaxone sodium salt

The action of the drug is based on inhibition of the activity of the enzyme transpeptidase and disruption of the biological synthesis of peptidoglycan in the microbial cell wall.

The drug is active against gram-negative and gram-positive microflora:

Staphylococcus aureus.
Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Streptococci.
Enterobacteriaceae.
Kine stick.
Haemophilus influenzae.
Klebsiella.
Moraxella.
Morganella.
Nesseria.
Proteus.
Serration.
Blue-green stick.
Clostridia.
Salmonella.
Shigella.
Bacteroides.
Providence.
Citrobacter.

How to decide on euthanasia?

Deciding to euthanasia is always difficult, because with his decision the owner ends the life of a pet, and not everyone is capable of taking on such responsibility. You need to make sure that the diagnosis is correct. If there is even the slightest doubt, it is advisable to contact several specialists - the possibility of a medical error always exists. Another veterinarian may be able to suggest a treatment option that offers a chance of recovery or at least improvement.

If experts are unanimous, the pet can no longer be helped and is experiencing terrible suffering, euthanasia is a humane way to alleviate its fate. If a veterinarian advises euthanizing a cat, it means that its death is inevitable, and therefore helping it pass away easily and painlessly is the right decision.

What is the procedure like at a veterinary clinic?

Euthanasia of a cat in a veterinary clinic is carried out in several stages:

Signing by the owner of a consent to euthanize his pet, indicating the reason.
Introducing the patient into anesthesia. After the sedative is administered, the animal falls into deep sleep. It continues to breathe, its heart beats, but the nervous system is switched off, it does not feel pain and does not react to external stimuli. At this stage, you usually say goodbye to your pet.
Administration of drugs leading to blocking of the respiratory center and cardiac arrest. For humanitarian reasons, the owner is taken out of the office.

Properties of the drug "Ceftriaxone"

It belongs to the group of cephalosporins. It is active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It is very effective against a large number of microorganisms due to the fact that it disrupts the permeability of their cell membranes, which leads to their death. Staphylococci, streptococci, colibacteria, clostridia, shigella, salmonella, enterobacteria, and many others are especially sensitive to its effects.

It is also indicated for the management of convulsive conditions caused by poisoning, postpartum eclampsia, epilepsy and others. Intravenous injection of pentobarbital is the most acceptable method of administration. This route should generally be used for all species.

As a sedative: 5 ml per 5 kg of live weight. Euthanasia is usually used twice to triple the dose. Above this weight, pentobarbital has a significantly smaller safety margin. Recovery from anesthesia occurs quickly. For doses in many other species, consult: Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Why is it necessary to euthanize your pet at home yourself?

Sometimes owners decide not to contact a veterinarian, but to kill the animal with their own hands at home. Typically, this decision is explained by living in places remote from populated areas and the high cost of the procedure. Putting a pet to sleep at home, much less with your own hands, is not the best option for impressionable owners. This is morally difficult, and besides, the place where the cat passes away will remain a reminder of the loss for a long time, evoking difficult feelings and memories.

If visits to the clinic were regular and the cat treats them calmly, it is better to euthanize it in a hospital.

conclusions

Thus, with high-quality local anesthesia, it is possible to reduce the dose of general anesthetic, and sometimes limit it to only hypnotic agents, improve the animal’s condition after surgery, and therefore shorten rehabilitation. The use of local anesthetics does not significantly increase the cost of the operation, but it improves the image of the clinic and allows it to perform a wider range of operations. I express my gratitude to the entire operating team and the rehabilitation department, without these people it is impossible to improve our work, we are one team! (Vilkovysky I.F., Chernyavskaya A.V., Plyarpa I.A., Masalov V.V., Gekova N., Smirnova Yu.)

How to carry out the procedure quickly and painlessly?

Carrying out the procedure at home requires the participation of a veterinarian. It is unlikely that you will be able to help your pet die quickly and painlessly on your own. Only a professional can calculate the dosage of drugs so that the pet falls asleep peacefully without experiencing suffering and agony. Independent actions can turn euthanasia from an easy way of dying into a painful and painful one.

Preparing for euthanasia

The procedure does not require any special preparation, the main thing is to prepare for it mentally. It is necessary to decide on the place in the house where it will take place. Children need to be taken out of the house - they may receive psychological trauma from what they see. It is not worth killing one pet in front of another, so healthy animals should be isolated. It is necessary to decide in advance the question of the future fate of the body.

If you decide to trust a professional, you need to find a veterinarian who has experience in performing the procedure. The date and cost of euthanasia, the drugs that will be used to induce anesthesia and stop vital activity, and the course of the procedure are discussed with him in advance.

Drugs used

To induce narcotic sleep, anesthetic drugs (propofol, lidocaine, droperidol) and barbiturates (sodium thiopental, pentobarbital, hexenal, phenobarbital) are used, which have a depressant effect on the central nervous system. In large doses, these drugs cause respiratory arrest. Killing of sick animals is carried out either by subsequently increasing the dose of these drugs, or by administering one of the following drugs (the animal must be immersed in a narcotic sleep):

Depolarizing muscle relaxants - ditilin, listenone, adiline, succinylcholine, suxamethonium. In small doses they immobilize, in large doses they cause respiratory arrest due to relaxation of the respiratory muscles.
Magnesium sulfate. Respiratory and cardiac activity cease due to vascular collapse.
Lidocaine. Local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic agent, acts similarly to the previous drug.
Potassium chloride. Relaxes the muscle tissue of the heart, causing it to stop.

These medications are actively used in Russia, and other drugs are used abroad. In the United States, dying animals are often given euthanasine. Its active ingredients are procaine hydrochloride and potassium chloride. They reduce contractile activity, conductivity and excitability of the myocardium, causing cardiac arrest.

In European countries, the drug “T-61” is used for euthanasia. It contains the powerful opioid analgesic embutramide, the muscle relaxant mebesonium iodide and the local anesthetic tetracaine hydrochloride. First, anesthetic substances act, plunging the cat into a narcotic sleep, then the muscle tissue relaxes, the heart and breathing stop. Sometimes this sequence is disrupted, the animal remains conscious and suffers, so preliminary use of sleeping pills is mandatory.

Progress of the procedure

Manipulations performed at home are similar to those performed in the clinic. The cat is given an injection of a drug that has an anesthetic and hypnotic effect. When narcotic sleep occurs, a medication is administered that blocks the respiratory center and causes cardiac arrest. The process takes 15–20 minutes.

Establishing the fact of death

Veterinarians establish the fact of death based on the cessation of cardiac and respiratory activity. To do this, the chest is listened to using a phonendoscope. The main signs of the death of an animal: lack of consciousness, heartbeat and breathing, mucous membranes and skin becoming bluish.

Euthanasia of animals is a consciously necessary decision.

Euthanasia*
- this word reeks of death. The question is always relevant: is it possible to delay this moment, maybe the disease has not taken root so deeply in the animal’s body, perhaps there is a way out, maybe it will be saved in another place? If, unfortunately, the answer is obvious to you, then the last thing you can do for your pet is to contact specialists who will professionally confirm your concerns and make a truly informed and objective decision (is it really necessary to euthanize dogs or euthanize cats in this particular case? ?).

It is in such matters that not only the qualifications of a veterinarian are demonstrated, but also his integrity. Remember! An honest professional will never euthanize young, healthy animals (only if these animals do not show extreme aggression towards their owners, and this happens in exceptional cases).

Unfortunately, we will never know what kind of pain an animal experiences and we can guess about it only by indirect signs. Therefore, this decision must be made jointly by the doctor and the owner. In fact, this decision is made by the owner, but the doctor in any case necessarily acts as a “third party” who is obliged to inform the animal owner about the further development of the disease, talk about the prognosis, and determine the chances of recovery.

We recommend!

Before making this decision, be sure to carefully examine the animal and listen to the opinion of several independent doctors; there is always a chance!
Attention!
If, relying only on your words, without a thorough examination, doctors agree to euthanize the animal, leave this clinic.
These are unprofessionals!!!
But some diseases and conditions inevitably lead to incurable consequences and painful death of the animal.

Oncological diseases come first, because tumors in an advanced form begin to decompose, metastasizing to the abdominal organs and lungs, disrupting the functioning of the organs and systems of the body. Remember!

Animals tolerate chronic pain differently, they become tense, quiet, and it may seem that everything is normal, that this is a mild ailment, but the animal will experience severe pain. If the tumor metastasizes to the lungs, the animal begins to suffocate, because The lung tissue is irreversibly degenerated, and what could be more painful than trying to breathe while being conscious and physically not being able to do it? (Although up to a certain point, animals with metastases in the lungs can be provided with a tolerable and even good quality of life, but, unfortunately, the disease usually progresses quite quickly).

Chronic renal failure is the final phase of its development, when the kidneys degenerate and are replaced by connective tissue. Thus, all body wastes, urea, nitrogen, etc. remain in the blood and poison the animal’s body, which leads to a severe condition, encephalopathy (coma, convulsions), and subsequently, often to edema of the brain or lungs.

The same can be said about decompensated hepatopathy, although the prognosis for this disease is much better and it is less common. Chronic heart failure - with this disease, you can ensure a good quality of life for a long time with the help of medications. Even if decompensation occurs, these patients die quickly, and not long and painfully, as from the above diseases. But sometimes, there are animals that painfully choke (especially brachycephalic breeds), have difficulty walking, urinate on themselves, and periodically lose consciousness.

Even for heavy animals that do not get up, suffer from shortness of breath, bedsores, pain, you can make life easier for a while, but for this you need to devote all your time to the animal. Strictly follow doctors' orders (although often doctors are powerless), wash, and care for the animal as if it were a bedridden patient. Think about it and make your decision with a cool head, weighing the pros and cons, maybe a little cynically. Can you make sure that your pet passes away with dignity, and it won’t turn out that he will die in a stench, bedsores, suffering from unbearable pain. If for some reason (we are all human) you cannot provide quality of life for your animal, do not create illusions, let him go.

For your information!

Pharmacology and methods of euthanasia of animals: (optimal euthanasia scheme according to leading experts)

The introduction of a large dose of anesthesia drugs, which turn off consciousness and depress the respiratory center. Best to use: Sodium thiopental (or any barbiturates) or Propofol. In this case, the animal instantly (on the needle) falls asleep, breathing stops, and after a while the heart stops. Death occurs quickly, without agony, convulsions, etc. The only drawback of this method is that the drugs have to be administered intravenously, which is not always possible or convenient. If intravenous access is difficult or drugs are not available, because Barbiturates are not approved for use by veterinarians, then a different scheme is used.
First, standard anesthesia is administered intramuscularly, for example Rometar (Domitor) + Zoletil, and then, after the animal’s consciousness is turned off, one of the drugs is administered intravenously or intracardiacly: Ditilin, Magnesium sulfate, Lidocaine.

Ditilin is a powerful muscle relaxant (relaxes muscles). When Ditilin is administered, the muscles relax, including the respiratory ones, which leads to respiratory cessation, and after a while the heart stops.

Remember:

You can euthanize Ditilin only if the animal is in a state of deep anesthesia. Administration of Ditilin without anesthesia leads to painful death from suffocation, without loss of consciousness.

Magnesium sulfate - when magnesium sulfate is administered, vascular collapse develops with paralysis of the respiratory center, which leads to respiratory arrest and death. Magnesium sulfate also has a general sedative effect, which deepens narcotic sleep.

Lidocaine is a strong local anesthetic, as well as a drug that affects myocardial conductivity and automatism of the sinus node. During euthanasia with Lidocaine, vascular collapse and inhibition of conduction in the heart develop, which leads to bradycardia and further cardiac arrest. In the absence of venous access and difficulties associated with the introduction of the drug into the heart cavity, Lidocaine can be administered subaccipitally, which leads to immediate cessation of breathing due to paralysis of the respiratory center. (The animal must be under anesthesia!).

* Euthanasia

- from the Greek words “eu” (good) and “thantos” (death). Euthanasia is usually called the approach of death of a patient at his request, by any actions or means, including the cessation of artificial life-sustaining measures performed by a disinterested person.

(Lidocaini hydrochloridum). 2-Diethylamino-2″, 6″-acetoxylide hydrochloride, or a-diethylamino-2,6-dimethylacetanilide hydrochloride, monohydrate.

Synonyms: Xycaine, Xylocaine, Lidestin, Acetoxyline, Alocaine, Anestacon, Anestecain, Astracaine, Dolicaine, Dulcicaine, Esracaine, Fastocaine, Leostesin, Lidestin, Lidocaine, Lidocard, Lidocaton, Lignocain, Maricain, Nulicaine, Octocaine, Remicaine, Solcain, Stericaine, Xycain, Xylesin, Xylocain, Xylocard, Xylocitin, Xyloton, Xylotox, etc. White or almost white crystalline powder. Very soluble in water, soluble in alcohol. According to its chemical structure, xylocaine is an acetanilide derivative. Unlike novocaine, it is not an ester, is metabolized more slowly in the body and acts longer than novocaine. Due to the fact that during its metabolism in the body there is no formation of para-aminobenzoic acid, it does not have an antisulfonamide effect and can be used in patients receiving sulfonamide drugs. Trimecaine belongs to the same group of local anesthetics. Pyromecaine is close to them in structure. Along with local anesthetic activity, lidocaine has pronounced antiarrhythmic properties. Lidocaine is a strong local anesthetic that causes all types of local anesthesia: terminal, infiltration, conduction. Compared to novocaine, it acts faster, stronger and longer. The relative toxicity of lidocaine depends on the concentration of the solution. In low concentrations (0.5%) it does not differ significantly in toxicity from novocaine; with increasing concentration (1% and 2%), toxicity increases (by 40 - 50%). For infiltration anesthesia, 0.125%, 0.25% and 0.5% solutions are used; for anesthesia of peripheral nerves - 1% and 2% solutions; for epidural anesthesia - 1% - 2% solutions; for spinal anesthesia 2% solutions. The amount of solution and the total dose of lidocaine depend on the type of anesthesia and the nature of the surgical intervention. As the concentration increases, the total dose of lidocaine is reduced. When using a 0.125% solution, the maximum amount of solution is 1600 ml and the total dose of lidocaine hydrochloride is 2000 mg (2 g); when using a 0.25% solution - 800 ml and 20OO mg (2 g), respectively; 0.5% solution - total amount 80 ml, and total dose 400 mg; 1% and 2% solutions - the total amount is 40 and 20 ml, respectively, and the total dose is 400 mg (0.4 g). To lubricate the mucous membranes (during tracheal intubation, bronchoesophagoscopy, removal of polyps, punctures of the maxillary sinus, etc.), 1 - 2% solutions are used, less often - a 5% solution in a volume of no more than 20 ml. Lidocaine solutions are compatible with adrenaline; add ex tempore 1% solution of adrenaline hydrochloryl, 1 drop per 10 ml of xycaine solution, but not more than 5 drops for the entire amount of solution. The use of lidocaine as an antiarrhythmic agent is mainly due to its stabilizing effect on the cell membranes of the myocardium (an effect characteristic of some other local anesthetics, adrenergic blockers and other drugs that have an antiarrhythmic effect). It blocks the slow flow of sodium ions in myocardial cells and is therefore capable of suppressing the automaticity of ectopic foci of impulse formation. In this case, the conductivity function is not inhibited. Like other local anesthetics, it promotes the release of potassium ions from myocardial cells and accelerates the process of repolarization of cell membranes, shortens the duration of the action potential and the effective refractory period. According to the mechanism of action, lidocaine (like other local anesthetics) differs from quinidine-like antiarrhythmic substances (see Antiarrhythmic Drugs). Indications for the use of lidocaine as an antiarrhythmic agent are ventricular extrasystole and ventricular tachycardia, especially in the acute phase of myocardial infarction; prevention of ventricular fibrillation in acute myocardial infarction. For supraventricular arrhythmias, lidocaine is not prescribed (due to ineffectiveness and the risk of increased ventricular contractions - with atrial flutter and fibrillation). Lidocaine is administered intravenously as an antiarrhythmic drug, first in a stream (over 3 - 4 minutes) at an average dose of 80 mg (50 - 100 mg), after which it continues to be administered dropwise at an average of 2 mg per minute. The duration of the infusion depends on the patient's condition and the results of using the drug. For infusion, dilute a 2% (ampole) solution of lidocaine in an isotonic sodium chloride solution (to obtain a solution containing 2 mg in 1 ml, dilute 6 ml of a 2% solution of lidocaine in 60 ml of an isotonic sodium chloride solution). The total amount of solution administered per day is about 1200 ml. They also initially administer 80 mg intravenously and simultaneously intramuscularly 400 mg (4 ml of a 10% solution); then every 3 hours - intramuscularly 200 - 400 mg (2 - 4 ml of 10% solution). There is evidence of the epidural use of lidocaine to relieve pain and reduce arrhythmias in the acute period of myocardial infarction. Lidocaine is usually well tolerated and does not cause local irritation. With rapid entry of the drug into the bloodstream, a decrease in blood pressure and collapse may be observed; reducing the hypotensive effect is achieved by administering ephedrine or other vasoconstrictors. Lidocaine is contraindicated in case of weakness of the sinus node in elderly patients, atrioventricular block of the 2nd - 3rd degree (except when a probe is inserted to stimulate the ventricles), severe bradycardia, cardiogenic shock, severe liver dysfunction, and increased individual sensitivity to lidocaine. Release form: 1% solution in ampoules of 10 ml; 2% solution in ampoules of 2 and 10 ml; 10% solution in ampoules of 2 ml. Storage: list B. In a place protected from light: Abroad, lidocaine (Lidestin) is also produced in the form of an aerosol for local (superficial) anesthesia in dentistry, otorhinolaryngology, in surgery - when changing dressings, opening abscesses, etc. The aerosol can contains 750 doses of 10 mg lidocaine. The amount of sprayed drug depends on the surface to be anesthetized. In adults, the dose should not exceed 200 mg, i.e. 20 sprays; in children - correspondingly less. The aerosol should not come into contact with the eyes.

Cat euthanasia is a procedure that, for various reasons, any animal owner may encounter.

Moral aspects of the issue. What are the indications for euthanasia? How and where to euthanize an animal if such a decision is made?

Living for many years together with his smaller brothers, a person tends to experience a strong sense of affection for his pet, which often becomes a full member of the family, and for a lonely person, sometimes the only friend.

It is clear that if an animal experiences pain from which it is not possible to relieve it, the owner also experiences suffering from the awareness of his helplessness, and this is probably the only case when the decision to euthanasia is justified from a moral point of view.

But, in addition to unbearable suffering, there are many other reasons when the owner of an animal decides to euthanize the animal and not always for this, there is a good reason, in these cases it would be good to remember, “we are responsible for those we have tamed” and instead of killing, try place the animal if it becomes uncomfortable.

There are also many diseases, including those related to the age of the cat, when the veterinarian may suggest euthanasia to the owner.

Since the euthanasia procedure for animals is not regulated in any way in our country, that is, any animal owner has the right to make such a decision, regardless of the reasons, whether the animal is sick or there are less serious reasons for this, then making a decision on euthanasia is a matter conscience, personal beliefs and simply the strength of emotional attachment of the owner of a cat or dog.

The Church has different opinions on the issue of euthanasia of animals, some church ministers consider it unacceptable, as well as the use of euthanasia in relation to humans, others believe that a person has the right to dispose of the life of an animal, in cases where the animal suffers and when, in order to treat the animal, a person has to deprive your family of a lot.

Pros and cons of euthanizing an animal without the help of a veterinarian

Euthanasing an animal at home without the help of a specialist is associated with a number of difficulties. There is no magic pill that allows you to euthanize an animal easily and painlessly. It is difficult to obtain medications for euthanasia, and even more difficult to calculate the dosage. Most drugs are administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Trying to cope with this task without experience means causing unnecessary suffering to the poor animal.

If you still managed to find a drug that stops the heart, it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase the narcotic drug that turns off consciousness necessary for an easy death. Without it, your pet will die a long and painful death.

Euthanasia of an animal on your own is complicated by the psychological aspect. Giving a cat a lethal injection is morally difficult; in the future, the owner runs the risk of experiencing remorse from the fact that he personally killed the pet, and suffering from difficult memories. The only advantage of self-euthanasia is that it saves money, but you will still have to pay for the removal and cremation of the body.

For travelers

Transportation is always stressful for a pet. In order not to expose him to unnecessary anxiety, you need to purchase sedatives for the trip in advance. At the same time, if you are planning a short trip lasting up to 1 hour, substances with short-term effects are suitable. For longer trips and air flights, you need to euthanize your dog for the entire duration of the journey. In this case, medications of medium and strong effects will be needed.

Sleeping pills for dogs should be selected by a veterinarian on an individual basis. Self-administration can have serious consequences, including the death of the animal.

Sometimes sleeping pills for dogs become very necessary. As a rule, most of the different drugs do not cause harm to the pet’s health. On the contrary, some of them also have a sedative effect, gradually restoring the activity of the nervous system of an overly excited dog.

Today, there are a large number of varieties of sleeping pills that are used specifically for dogs. But before purchasing the product, you should definitely consult a veterinarian. After all, much will depend on the purpose for which the sleeping pills are to be used.

There are short-, medium- and long-acting medications for dogs.

Noxiron and Cyclobarbital are drugs that have a short-term effect. They are able to calm the animal for a short time. And it is recommended to use them only during an attack of aggression or in cases of excessive activity, when this is completely unacceptable.