Dog euthanasia: Why did vet make me leave? Was heart stick painful?

I'm sorry for your loss - I know that euthanasia is always hard. I'm wondering if your veterinarian actually said that they performed a "heart stick" procedure. This is a common way of giving euthanasia drugs if the veins and blood pressure are poor. It means that the injection is given directly into the heart through the chest wall. As long as the animal is sedated first, this is not painful for them at all and is a commonly used method of euthanasia in cases where we can't find a usable vein. Again, I'm very sorry for your loss.

The sciatic nerve is quite deep within the muscle bellies and would be difficult, but not impossible, to accidentally hit when performing an intramuscular injection. Without more information as to the specific injection technique used, I cannot say for sure if this is what occurred. It is more likely that the medications used may have burned as they were injected (much like when we get an injection). It is also possible that Sadie’s illness and discomfort made her more sensitive to the injection. My sincerest condolences for your loss.

I am so very sorry you recently lost Mac. Please accept my condolences for your loss. When we put an animal to sleep, they get a sedative first that puts them into a deep sleep. At this stage, they are not aware of anything happening, so when the final injection is given, they just slip away quietly. After the sedative was given, he would not have noticed you weren't there, and he wouldn't be aware what was happening to him. I'm sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry Nat that you had to put Jack to sleep. I work for a home euthanasia company, so I know what it entails quite well. I wasn't there, so I can't say anything for certain, but it may be that he wasn't fully sedated at the time the solution was pushed, or it could have been a natural body reaction to the solution. He may have had what's called agonal breathing, which is normal. I warn owners about the potential of it happening, as it is distressing, but I can assure you it doesn't mean the dog is in distress or feeling anything. I have seen it happen myself. The solution causes no pain to the dog, so I suspect that may be the cause of what you saw. I hope this helps.

I am so sorry for your loss of Cocoa. I know this is a very difficult time for you and I'm sorry the euthanasia procedure traumatized you. There are many ways to perform euthanasia. Typically, I would say most vets, including myself, give a sedative prior to euthanasia however, it is not mandated by any law that this be done. I suggest you speak to your vet directly about the procedure he/she performs as perhaps there was a miscommunication between them and their staff assuming a sedative was already given prior to them performing the euthanasia?? I really think that they need this feedback so they can review their euthanasia protocol and change it in the future for other owners if they don't typically use a sedative prior. Again, so sorry for your loss.

I'm very sorry to hear that you are saying goodbye to Dublin today. Unfortunately, there are no over the counter pain medications that are safe for dogs. Talk to the vet who will be euthanizing Dublin to discuss any sedative or pain management options. Most vets will offer sedation prior to euthanasia to make everything as peaceful and comfortable as possible.

In all truth, yes it's unethical. Dying is not a pain free process, and some dogs suffer terribly before dying. Euthanasia is pain free, and the dog goes without further suffering. I work for a home euthanasia service, so I do this all the time. I do recommend having Frosty put to sleep if it's his time. I'm sorry.