sedation prior to euthanasia - feline

Re: sedation prior to euthanasia - feline

Rob Loxley — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:55:03 GMT

[quote user="Amanda Magrath"]Can anyone share any effective methods for owners to administer a sedative at home to a nervous cat, prior to bringing in to the clinic for euthanasia?[/quote]

ACP tablet ground up in food; domitor squirted in it's mouth? However, is it going to be more stressful for them to give a sedative than for you to sedate it when it arrives? Or why not do a home visit and sedate / inject it there?

Re: sedation prior to euthanasia - feline

plantagenet — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:27:59 GMT

I do agree, I always aim for the kidney and warn the client it may be quick, but if it is just i.p. I wait till the cat's asleep and then put a bit more in the kidney. I tend not to tell the owner that I am aiming at the kidney because I am not sure they like the idea. I have never had a cat appear to even feel it - resp rate, behaviour remain the same throughout. I hate the idea of struggling to get evnous access in the poor thing's last minutes.

Re: sedation prior to euthanasia - feline

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:13:28 GMT

I have said before, just go into the kidney, really easy as just as fast as IV. Never had a pain reaction to that whereas I most certainly have to cephalic IV's! The owner can cuddle the head, there's no need to take the cat away from the owner.

Re: sedation prior to euthanasia - feline

plantagenet — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 12:51:35 GMT

I find i.p. pentobarb if given slowly with small, new needle, very painless, the cats just tend to lick their lips a bit and go off to sleep - I dont think its nausea, they never seem distressed. This could be ok as a sedative, it may die on the way back to the surgery quite peacefully. I am careful if there are any respiritory signs since if they cannot put effort into laboured breathing they can get distressed. I usually cover the cat with a little blanket so that the client doesn't see the nedle entry which they may find distressing and explain it as 'just popping a bit of anaesthetic in the space round the tummy..' warn the client it can result in very rapid effect, I suppose depending on where exactly the needle goes. I think slow advance of the needle is critical and new needle after withdrawl from the bottle.

Re: sedation prior to euthanasia - feline

Aurelijus vet — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:05:59 GMT

I use Perytol ( Cyproheptadine) 2-4 mg/ kg. tablets or diazepam, tavegyl.Very well-to calm Mix Zoletil/Xylazine.

Re: sedation prior to euthanasia - feline

Andrew Mellor — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:28:04 GMT

I would try torbugesic orally aparently is absorbed as fast as if given IV , or diazepam tablets