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Euthanasia
Euthanasia - what happens
considering euthanasia for cats with feline leukemia
also see feline leukemia
Q: I didn't look very hard at your site, but just put a 15-year-old cat to sleep today (kidney failure). For whatever reason, I'm very curious about the procedure and am amazed at its seemingly instantaneous result. The cat had a shot of blue fluid and we didn't ask questions at the time. I'm sure many other pet owners want to know what happens in this case. I'm sure it's humane, but you wonder what the cat experienced and just what happens. Thanks.
A: This is a very good question and no one has asked it yet. There are variations in the agents used for euthanasia but most of them are a concentrated barbiturate, so I will answer the question based on what happens when these are injected.
Thiobarbiturates have three effects that can induce death. They are fairly potent depressives of the central nervous system activity in the brain stem, which leads to depression of all bodily functions controlled by the brain stem. This action is responsible for the loss of conciousness associated with barbiturates in adequate doses. In large doses barbiturates have a direct depressant effect on the heart muscle as well and will cause the heart to cease to function. This is probably the actual cause of death in most instances when barbiturates are used for euthanasia. There is also a respiratory depression associated with barbiturates but it is probably not a factor since the other effects are more rapid. In surgical uses of barbiturates this can be a very important factor and must be monitored closely.
As far as we can tell, unconsciousness precedes the cardiac depression and this is painless, as far as can be determined.
I am sorry to hear or your loss and hope that this helps make it a little easier, at least in understanding what happened.
Mike Richards, DVM
Considering euthanasia for cats with feline leukemia
Q: I found out today my cat has feline leukemia. The vet wants to put him to
sleep because he is suffering and only has 2 to 3 months to live. Is there
anything that will help my sweet little boy I don't want to lose him. I
also. have other cats should I have them tested?A : Pat-
Whether or not to consider euthanasia for cats with feline leukemia depends
a lot on their condition and on the circumstances of their lifestyle. It is
important to confine cats with this condition so that they do not infect
other cats. If this is possible then living with the condition seems
reasonable to me. Most cats that are persistently viremic (have positive
feline leukemia tests on at least two tests, taken at least 3 weeks apart),
will eventually die from complications associated with the virus. Many can
be maintained with a good quality of life for several years before this
happens, though. Aggressive treatment of other conditions that affect them,
maintaining good nutrition and providing as stress free a lifestyle as is
possible all help to prolong their lifespan.Without knowing if your cat has a specific problem, such as difficulty
breathing, anemia, secondary cancers or other problems that are
life-threatening, it is hard to tell you what you can currently do. If you
remain unsure about the best course of action it would be best to get a
second opinion. When euthanasia is recommended and you are unsure about the
need for it that is almost an automatic reason to get another opinion.Mike Richards, DVM
Last edited 09/17/02
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