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Old 03-02-2021, 03:52 AM   #11
Petite
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Default Re: Euthanasia

Many thanks, GhostsInSnow, for that information. If I am ever in the position of having to help a hammy along at the end, I will know what questions to ask. It's good to know about the eyes too. I didn't know about the hamster being wrapped either. We only have the one vets' practise on the island, so there are no other options.

Yasmin mentioned above about the disposal of pets' bodies by the vet. I don't know how they are disposed of and feel I should know so that I can make appropriate decisions in the future. It's not a comfortable subject, but I would be grateful for a little enlightenment.
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Old 03-02-2021, 04:45 AM   #12
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Default Re: Euthanasia

I can't speak for every practice, only the ones I've worked in, however, there are general 3 options. You take home to do burial yourself or arrange with a private pet cremator, you opt for an individual cremation where they go and are cremated by the pet crematorium individual and you get the ashes back or you opt for cremation with no ashes back. This is routine cremation where they are cremated at the crematorium with all other animals that have gone for routine cremation and then are generally scatter in a remembrance garden at the crematorium.
That's how it works with us. They don't get disposed of in clinical waste or anything like that. If being dealt with by the vets, they should only ever go for cremation and should never be disposed of in any other way. We have really strict rules regarding disposal of pretty much everything even down to blood tubes and syringes etc and there are heavy fines if these aren't followed
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Old 03-02-2021, 04:49 AM   #13
Ria P
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Default Re: Euthanasia

I also want to thank GhostsinSnow for sharing her side as a veterinary professional.

I didn't know that one could request to be present when the hamster gets the injection which is something i would definitely do. That way i would be reassured that the hamster is fully anaethetised and i would be able to be with the hamster right to the end.
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Old 03-02-2021, 05:15 AM   #14
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Default Re: Euthanasia

Obviously being there for the injection very much depends on your practices Covid 19 protocols. The ability to be with an animal at the end, we assess on a case by case basis and will always try our very best to enable it to happen but as I say, it's very much practice and vet dependant but there is no harm in asking
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Old 03-02-2021, 05:29 AM   #15
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Default Re: Euthanasia

Quote:
Originally Posted by GhostsInSnow View Post
Obviously being there for the injection very much depends on your practices Covid 19 protocols. The ability to be with an animal at the end, we assess on a case by case basis and will always try our very best to enable it to happen but as I say, it's very much practice and vet dependant but there is no harm in asking
Oh yes, i was referring to normal circumstances not the present covid situation. It is good to know though should i ever be in the situation where i feel that a hamster needs to be euthanised that i can ask this question.
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Old 03-02-2021, 05:53 AM   #16
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Default Re: Euthanasia

I have yet to find a vet that would let me be with a small animal at the time of injection. From what my vet friend has told me, the transission from gas tank to the injection is there and then so as to make it quick as possible.

During Covid times I've sadly had to say goodbye to 3 of my furbubs and have found the process actually more intimate. They phone me and some kept me on the phone to tell me at what stage (with my consent) and held the phone (or so they said but I have no reason to doubt) to say goodbye before the injection.

I have always had them handed back to me nicely wrapped up. One even drew a flower on a tissue and laid it on top and some have sent sympathy cards (even the PDSA charity).

Not to be morebid, but on the eyes front. As a archaeologist, we did foresnsics and was told it was due to muscles. Muscles are actively needed to close the eyes and they only close after rigamortis has begun to set in due to the muscle shrinkage. Thus, if you don't wish to see your furbub eyes open, wait a few hours and then they will look like they are sleeping.

My vet friend also said it is best practice, if not unspoken rule to gas first and any vet not doing so would likely be reported as their ethos is to cause no harm
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Old 03-02-2021, 06:37 AM   #17
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Default Re: Euthanasia

Also thanks to Ghosts in Snow and Amethyst. I think it is good to hear that it is standard practice (or virtually standard practice) to anaesthetize first now. It may be the directives have been sent to vets on this in the past few years.

My vet practice is very clear they will only do anasethetic gas first because they think it is kinder and more humane. And I trust them in this as a result. I do think, if you haven't been to a vet before. It is a case of ringing around and asking questions. My former vet practice about four years ago, the answer was "if you want us to". But I did feel the info was very sketchy and didn't trust them - the vet on the day (emergency appointment) was uncaring and a bit snappy and rude. It was a horrible situation as my gut feeling was to leave and go somewhere else. But it was an emergency situation so no option but to go ahead. I moved practices afterwards.

While you can't be there, they usually give you some time alone to say goodbye and it really helps to take a familiar cosy place for the hamster. I used a snooze cube the last couple of times and they happily sit in there, cosy and dark, and can be carried away in it without knowing who or where they are being carried. The vet then just leaves them in the house/nest/snooze cube and that is put in the tank.

I feel much more reassured now I have had a smooth process the last twice and a better vet protocol.

As regards eyes, I have noticed also that even with a natural death in the cage, this can also happen. And found it very sad. I am sure it is just a muscular thing as mentioned above. And maybe that it is also quick.

Sleeping under anaesthetic may not be the same as going to sleep with eyes closed. Eg if the anaesthetic is quick they could become unconscious before going to sleep and closing their eyes - if that makes sense!

It is the difficult thing with small animals as with larger pets it can be done at home with injection into a vein and much slower and gradual, so the owner can be with them.

I can recommend an enclosed cuddly hide for taking them in - a favourite place. And having a few moments before the vet takes them.

A hugely emotive topic! But it can be helpful to reassure others as I felt very much like Ria the first time. All I can say is - always ask the vet if they do anaesthetic gas first and see what the reply is. If they say - always we won't do it any other way, then feel reassured. If they give you the option - then I might wonder if they would actually do it.
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Old 03-02-2021, 06:41 AM   #18
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Default Re: Euthanasia

Can I just ask for confirmation, Ghosts in Snow, about the info on the previous page about self administered anaesthesia at home being absolutely not a good thing for the hamster. And that vet anaesthesia is the only way for it to be done without suffering.
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Old 03-02-2021, 06:51 AM   #19
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Default Re: Euthanasia

I can perhaps answer that too as in the rat community, many people (attempt) home CO2 chambers due to either breeding, numbers or own ethics.

However, while it is very appealing it has a HUGE margin of error and when you get it wrong, it is one of those horrible situations where you have to keep going and then watch your pet suffer.

Trying to get the concentrations right to not burn the lungs or cause suffocation is hinged on many factors such as tank size, concentration and release time. It really is very tricky to get right.

Only once has a breeder allowed me to take my rat to her to use her tank. She did it and when I got my rat back his eyes were like mercury. It did not sit well with me.

As such, I think it is wise to avoid any home attempt at euthanasia
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Old 03-02-2021, 07:16 AM   #20
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Default Re: Euthanasia

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Can I just ask for confirmation, Ghosts in Snow, about the info on the previous page about self administered anaesthesia at home being absolutely not a good thing for the hamster. And that vet anaesthesia is the only way for it to be done without suffering.
Absolutely not good to be doing it at home. There's a whole host of ways that this can go wrong. The purpose of euthanasia is to prevent suffering so I'd argue that doing it at home, would go against this. Just my personal opinion.

On the subject of being there, like I said it's practice to practice dependant etc. Also depends on the layout of the practice, how quickly an animal can be transferred from the anaesthetic gas back to the consulting room for example.
From my own personal and professional experience I would always rather have the time beforehand with my animals and then have them back once the injection has been given as a client. Obviously if I'm taking a hammy in with me to work to be euthanised I'm able to be there from start to finish as it's where I work. If I were going to a completely different practice I would much rather not be there for the injection.
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