Page 4 - Compassion Understood - Euthanasia

The euthanasia injection
The euthanasia solution is called pentobarbital which is a barbiturate anaesthetic. This is usually a coloured solution, such as yellow, pink or blue,
so it is easily distinguishable. The pet will be given a concentrated overdose of the anaesthetic so that they peacefully fall asleep and then pass away. This usually happens quite quickly, often in less than a minute, and many owners are surprised by this. The injection is not painful. If your vet hasn’t already placed a cannula then there may be a short sharp scratch of the needle – the same as when we have blood taken ourselves at the hospital or have an intravenous injection. If your pet has been sedated in advance, then they are usually not aware of anything.
Before the vet gives the injection, they will usually ask you if you are ready, and then if you wish to, you can usually hold your pet’s head, paw or body in the final moments as he or she passes away.
After your pet has passed, your vet will check your pet’s heart with a stethoscope and confirm to you that the heart has stopped and your pet has died.
Smaller pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rats, hamsters, reptiles and birds
Whenever possible rabbits, small furries, birds and exotic pets should be kept in familiar surroundings such as a home cage, a travel cage with their own bedding material to hide in or their own aquarium. It is ideal to give a sedative first to smaller pets as these animals are even more unaccustomed to being away from home than larger pets, so are often more difficult to handle and give injections to. Your vet will guide you in any sedation needed.