persephone Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I don't understand why some vets don't allow the owner to hold their "baby" as they go to sleep. because some owners are understandably upset..and may 'grab at the dog in a hug..moving the dog,causing a possible needlestick injury to staff..or a messy and painful injection Also because some dogs may be upset/aggressive... and it's not fair on an owner to see their dog's final minutes spent in a struggle. ... also because sometimes the owners faint or collapse seen all of the above ..except the needlestick, thank goodness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Idon't understand why some vets don't allow the owner to hold their "baby" as they go to sleep. because some owners are understandably upset..and may 'grab at the dog in a hug..moving the dog,causing a possible needlestick injury to staff..or a messy and painful injection Also because some dogs may be upset/aggressive... and it's not fair on an owner to see their dog's final minutes spent in a struggle. ... also because sometimes the owners faint or collapse seen all of the above ..except the needlestick, thank goodness. I was allowed to hold the dog while he was put under. I just felt sorry for the vet and the nurses that they had to witness me lose it after. Tough job, guys, and they probably dont teach you psyche101 when you study to become a vet or vet nurse. High five to all of you. To my vet nurse who is a member on here - please dont cry if ever I bring a dog in to be put down. You'll spin me out, babe. Just give me the bill and make me do something practical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 For you guys who work for vets - how do you ask for the bill after putting a dog down? I've only been with one dog when he was put down. He wasnt mine but the owner was outside and couldnt cope. I was such a mess there's no way I'd have the means about myself to pull out a credit card so do you sort of discretely ask for payment prior? I remember being at emergency one night with a sick dog and a young woman was in the consulting room sobbing her heart out so I only guessed her dog was being put to sleep. How do you ask for payment?Icky question - sorry In most cases, particularly when owners are very upset, we tell them not to worry about it then and to just head on home when they're ready and they can settle the account at a later time, eg picking up ashes or after we've posted the account a week or so later. In cases of new clients coming in to have their pets pts, we will ask if they'd like to settle before they go in, so like Cris said, they can leave straight away after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lab_Rat Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I have lucky enough to be with most of my animals when they have been put to sleep.....I think our first ridgebck was the worst though, I was bawling, the vet was bawling and the vet nurse was bawling too.........When she had gone, we all had a big snotty group hug....Was the best!! We were lucky with our mare too, beautiful young vet came out. My sister and I sat with Sal and stroked her while Angel the vet did her thing. Another teary group hug!! I understand though vets not wanting owners to be hugging animals though........Its such an emotional traumatic time, and they just want to get over asap Im thinking....I wanted to be a vet when I was at school. Somehow I dont think I would have cut it though, far too much of a sook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 A couple of times I have been the one to take friends' animals to be PTS ..animals I had known and loved..and was very upset. I phoned beforehand and explained..and got an agreement from teh staff to not speak to me,or ask me anything, or pat me on teh shoulder.... it was the only way I could stay 'together' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 In cases of new clients coming in to have their pets pts, we will ask if they'd like to settle before they go in, so like Cris said, they can leave straight away after. I'd want to pay you first, Stormie. I'd be so flipped out about making you feel bad after, or crying infront of you - just kick me out the door and tell me to go home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 A couple of times I have been the one to take friends' animals to be PTS ..animals I had known and loved..and was very upset. I phoned beforehand and explained..and got an agreement from teh staff to not speak to me,or ask me anything, or pat me on teh shoulder.... it was the only way I could stay 'together' I'm the same as you, Pers. Dont touch me or I'll lose it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Gifts Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 A female vet I knew socially used to have a real issue with dead beat pet owners. I remember the story of a puppy who'd had it's leg broken when a door was closed on it. Instead of taking it to the vet the owner sticky taped paddle pop sticks to it. Of course the pup's health detiorated and by the time he took it to the vet it had been in incredible pain for a couple of weeks. My friend gave him an exorbitant price to repair the damage or the pup could be pts for free. He chose the latter as she knew he would. She said her conscience wouldn't let her fix that puppy and then send it home to an owner who would not follow whatever post op care was required. She said that pup was in for a life of neglect and suffering with a person like that and she didn't want the pup to suffer anymore. Not everyone will agree with this approach but that was how she took control and coped. I have had the same vet (and vet nurses) for 20 years. They adored one boy I took in to be pts and talked me out of it. They said they weren't ready for him to go. Sent me home with drugs and a new appointment time. I spent 2 lovely days just lying around enjoying his company and took him back and he passed over the bridge quietly and comfortably. They wrapped him in a colourful blanket I'd brought with me, took his collar off and then wrapped him in calico and then plastic and carried him to the car for me. No charge for the pts and the next work day flowers and a card arrived at home. All the staff had personally written on the card. Totally unexpected, but I've been at that surgery on numerous occassions when other people were bringing their beloved pets in for the last time. You can tell. I guess some vets and vet nurses are able to make something beautiful for the owner out of something so sad. Angels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I guess some vets and vet nurses are able to make something beautiful for the owner out of something so sad. Angels! That's really beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staranais Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Thanks Cris.How do you ask a basket case to pay money in that situation, say if their dog suddenly got hit by a car? For example I wouldnt have a problem paying the bill but I wouldnt be able to stop shaking long enough to get my plastic out of my wallet so would you just tell me to go home and tell me I'd receive a bill or are people so shell shocked they just pay at the time? Really morbid question, I know. Technically, the vet is legally (as well as morally!) required to PTS the dog (or treat it, if they'd prefer) in that situation, even if the owner can't or won't pay. We'd like to be paid for it so we're not out of pocket, and all clinics I've worked in will send a bill afterwards, but the situation is a little different to elective procedures since the dog will be PTS by the vet regardless of whether the owner pays or not. If that makes sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danois Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 When I lost Angs there was no comment even made re paying the bill. I sorted it out later by phone. I do remember Stormie having to call me to tell me that their usual place was unable to take Angs' body as he was too big and giving me the options. In hindsight - I can imagine it must be hard to call a client on something like that but from memory we had a bit of a laugh about the matter at hand. I have to acknowledge that my vet and Stormie's compassion etc made the whole process a lot easier than it could have been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 (edited) Also dont know how they do it One of my cats was PTS at a Sydney Specialist place last week after being there for days- and long illness- 3 years The staff were so kind-I think I blocked one room there for over 2 1/2 hours- I apologised- the vet said- no- you are the most important person here right now. I held my girl on my lap when he gave the injection. I just went out later and waved my credit card at reception in tears. Euthanasia wasn't on the bill- not sure if that will arrive in the mail- or when I pick up the ashes. My local vet who was on holidays during that time was ringing them and me over those awful days- and sent me flowers a couple of days later and has said I can ring him if I need to talk. The vet compassion and caring really helped at an awful time. Edited January 30, 2011 by Frankie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remarkabull Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I don't understand why some vets don't allow the owner to hold their "baby" as they go to sleep. I always have been there for mine as I feel the last face they see should be their owners not some stranger. After all they know what's happening.We usually get a card from our vet when one of our kids has gone over. The majority of vets would prefer a nurse to hold the patient for euthanasia and have the owner pat their head or elsewhere. The reason for this is owners (most of them) would not know how to restrain a dog or cat for an intravenous injection. If you've seen a euthanasia where the animal has moved and the needle has come out of the vein, it's not pretty. Especially because the drug used stings alot when injected anywhere other than into a vein. Although, some can be done just with the vet. Usually very sick/old ones, or those that may have been sedated. Hope that made sense. In all the time I worked as a vet nurse we were only ever required to hold for Euth when the vet or owners asked us to. I have never had a vet tell me that I couldn't hold my own dog while it was PTS. Holding a leg for injection is not rocket science and anyway the vets I've been to and worked for have used a tornique (sp?) when euthanising while the owners are present. I was ok for almost everything that happens at a vet clinic but there were definitely times where emotions would run high and I would want to (and sometimes did) cry. The hardest one was when a really old couple that obviously didn't have much money (they were very thin and dirty and were wearing very old, smelly clothes) bought in their ancient Whippet who was also thin, dirty and very smelly, but was also very much loved by the old man, to be PTS. The old man just couldn't bring himself to be there while it was done and asked me to hold the dog and tell her how good she was while she was dying. His eyes were so bloodshot and silent tears just kept falling from them and it just broke my heart to carry the lifeless body of his much loved companion out to his car and lay her in the back seat so they could take her home to bury her. Somedays really sucked and others were great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 The hardest one was when a really old couple that obviously didn't have much money (they were very thin and dirty and were wearing very old, smelly clothes) bought in their ancient Whippet who was also thin, dirty and very smelly, but was also very much loved by the old man, to be PTS. The old man just couldn't bring himself to be there while it was done and asked me to hold the dog and tell her how good she was while she was dying. His eyes were so bloodshot and silent tears just kept falling from them and it just broke my heart to carry the lifeless body of his much loved companion out to his car and lay her in the back seat so they could take her home to bury her. yep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swizzlestick Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 In all the time I worked as a vet nurse we were only ever required to hold for Euth when the vet or owners asked us to. I have never had a vet tell me that I couldn't hold my own dog while it was PTS. Holding a leg for injection is not rocket science and anyway the vets I've been to and worked for have used a tornique (sp?) when euthanising while the owners are present. With us it depends on the state the animal is in and which vet is doing it, but only one in our clinic doesn't use a nurse. I let the owners cuddle/hold their pet if they're up to it, and just hold the leg/elbow. The many greyhounds I have to do I do by myself too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I do remember Stormie having to call me to tell me that their usual place was unable to take Angs' body as he was too big and giving me the options. In hindsight - I can imagine it must be hard to call a client on something like that God I can imagine, especially because Stormie has become your friend but it's good that you could take some of the heat off by a light hearted moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 The bodies ........... Unfortunately back when I was working , bodies were bagged,collected, and 'mass buried' ....not many went home to be buried, and almost none were cremated. I do remember a few that had been in car accidents.... bagged and waiting, when the family decided they needed to come 'say goodbye' and I had to hurriedly wash/brush /arrange the poor little bodies so they were respectable .... Dark humour was, and I guess still is a part of coping ... and we had our share of moments ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog_Horse_Girl Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Sorry you had an uninformative Vet LM.Local hurts more than the staples generally, so if the dog's brave enough we just do the staples very quickly. Otherwise you have an upset dog who's had a bunch of needlesticks into the wound to get a good anaesthetic and then they won't let you near the leg to stitch it up. For stitching we GA, no ifs, buts or maybes. Possibly they could have a deep sedation but for a 'gaping' wound it takes quite a few stitches and often a 2 layer closure. Lilly most definitely didn't have a GA for the stitching. We were charged for a local so I can only assume she administered it. She didn't want anyone near that leg for about a month afterwards. Every dressing change was horrible. And I felt so terrible for making her go through such torment every second day for nearly 2 wks. But I had to change the dressing...flush the wound with saline...ensure it wasn't getting infected. When I left it open about a week after the stitches went in, she chewed half of them out but the wound has closed together enough that it held okay - only just though. Because of that I had to re-dress the wound and keep it dressed...on my regular vet's advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 (edited) I've never paid for PTS. and the vets always come to the house. I"ve always held mine. The vets are a terrific support. The thing that put my girlchild off being a vet was the big decision of PTS. she said she could never say it to someone..and didn't want to. she did put our cattle dog to sleep though, as it was a blessing after a long battle with cancer. she was 15. It was comforting having the girlchild do it, the dog was desperate to 'go'. A very tough thing for my daughter to do. We had a 'wake', vets too. (how's that for anthropomorphism ) All the bodies((at vets) went in a freezer in a bag.(and then elsewhere which shall be nameless) unless owners took them home or organised cremation. mine are all here at home in the garden. Edited January 31, 2011 by Monah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aspenleaf Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Such a sad thread. Vets and vet nurses are amazing people. I have no idea how they do what they do. Thank god for them. How sad is that story that Persephone told about the man and his 'mate' in the birdcage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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