Again and again one hears the myth in the dog park that a dog howls and screams when put to sleep and suffers tremendous pain.
However, the dog’s well-being is the top priority when it is put to sleep, so such behavior is rather unusual.
So that you know how putting your dog to sleep really works, this article explains everything you need to know.
Why does a dog scream and howl when euthanized?
Dogs are sensitive beings. Therefore, they sense when their owners are sad and often react with anxiety.
Even if they don’t understand euthanasia themselves, they notice the grief that befalls their owners at the appointment.
This can also trigger fear in them, as they cannot identify the cause of the grief, especially when their owners are also showing strong emotions, such as crying.
This fear manifests itself in many dogs by barking, barking, yelling, and howling.
Also, of course, the cause of the euthanasia can be so distressing to the dog that it almost screams out its pain.
How does euthanasia work?
For very sick or restless dogs, your vet will first administer a sedative into the muscle.
For the actual means of putting you to sleep, he then inserts a so-called venous catheter. This is an access to your dog’s vein.
The drug is then injected over it, which leads to respiratory arrest or cardiac arrest.
The medication used for this ensures that the euthanasia is absolutely painless and without fear for your dog.
What methods of euthanasia are there?
Many veterinary practices offer home visits for euthanasia when the situation allows.
Then the dog can die in a familiar environment and in the midst of his family, so that he is spared the stress of visiting the doctor’s office.
The drugs used are the sleeping pill pentobarbital, the anesthetic embutramide or potassium chloride, which causes cardiac arrest.
All three remedies are given in slight overdoses. It takes effect after a few seconds, so the dying process is short and peaceful.
The three drugs are well tested and researched, so your dog can safely fall asleep pain-free and without suffering.
Does a dog know it’s being put to sleep?
Whether a dog feels the dying process has hardly been researched so far.
Through both natural causes and euthanasia, some owners report that their dog seemed to sense that something had changed.
Some believe that their dog sought a special closeness with them before taking their last breaths.
Although there is no scientific evidence on this, it seems conceivable that a dog could sense the pain and suffering being relieved by being put to sleep.
Is euthanizing painful for the dog?
The welfare of the dog is the top priority when euthanizing. Therefore, only remedies that numb or otherwise prevent pain are used.
Anxious dogs or dogs with a lot of pain are also given appropriate medication in advance, which relieves cramps, takes away feelings of anxiety or relieves pain.
What mistakes can happen when euthanizing?
Your vet is unlikely to make mistakes when euthanizing. Nevertheless, of course it can happen.
If a venous catheter is misplaced, the drug enters the surrounding tissue instead of the vessels. This is very painful.
To prevent this, the flow of a catheter is always first tested with a harmless saline solution and, if necessary, re-inserted.
In rare cases, the usual dosage may not be sufficient, for example in the case of a dog that is overweight or has many previous illnesses.
However, a second dose can then be injected without delay until the desired effect is achieved.
How do I make the euthanasia process as stress-free as possible for my dog?
The best thing you can do for your dog is to stay with him, even if it is very difficult for you and involves a lot of tears and emotional pain.
Although the medication has a calming effect, many dogs are restless beforehand because they feel alone.
If you stick with it, you can accompany him in his last moments. Pet him to calm him down and give him the rest he needs to let go.
Many vets will take precautions when a euthanasia appointment is coming up and give you the space and quiet to say goodbye.
Putting a dog to sleep: experiences from other dog owners
“Olli made it to his 15th birthday. Almost toothless and blind as a mole, but when he smelled liverwurst, he brought the place to life.
We noticed a long time ago that he was declining. Every day the walk became harder for him and his appetite diminished.
So at some point we planned a dying program with our vet, just in case. He should definitely die at home, with us, and he should have wonderful last few weeks.
We took him to the sea again and carried him across the beach. There was liverwurst and low-fat quark in abundance – his favorite food.
And when he barely left his basket and started showing pain, we called our vet and said goodbye very quietly.”
«Tammy got hit. The driver is not to blame, she had broken free and was chasing a squirrel.
It was awful, there was blood all over her and she was screaming in pain. I’ve never heard such a terrible sound as that howling.
At the vet’s office, they gave her a lot of painkillers. There she lay, very still, looking at me. Like she’s telling me it’s okay, let me go.
We hardly needed the X-ray, it was clear that she would not survive.
She then fell asleep peacefully while I stroked her head.”
Conclusion
Putting a dog to sleep is sometimes the last resort to avoid a painful death.
Care is taken to ensure that dying is painless and free of fear.
Nevertheless, one often hears the prejudice that the dog screams and howls when it is put to sleep. But this does not correspond to reality.
Have you ever had to put a dog to sleep? How did that go? And how did you do it? Tell us your story in the comments.