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astrobaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
Registered: 5-22-2006
Location: near San Pedro Martir Park
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Mood: beam me up
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Our dog is very sick, need help with Euthanasia!
Hi all,
We have an 18 year old Basenji, her name is Asha and shes been living with Cushings(pituitary tumor) for a while now and besides voracious appetite
and some other minor things has been very spry for her age. Last fri she had a stroke and consequently can hardly stand. From what our vet has told us
she is apt to go downhill much quicker now and we have to make the hard decision. We have lots of experiences with many animals due to our 20 years on
a horse farm, have had to lose many a precious animal. We SWORE never to use lethal injection again as we have seen it go wrong and the animal suffer
needlessly. Our Asha has a particularly low pain threshold and we would like for her to go quietly and as painlessly as possible with us in her
familiar environment.
I asked our vet back in Canada if it is possible to use oral sedatives like Phenobarbitol in an overdose to put her down ourselves. He said it would
work ,even Valium (impossible to get sans prescription). We asked a vet in Vincente Guerrero if he would sell us some, but all he offered was to put
her down via a needle directly into her heart, so yeah thanks but no thanks we said..
Does anyone know a vet that could help us out perhaps in Ensenada? If worse came to worse we would even rather ask our neigbor to shoot her for us at
least its quick, but thats a last resort..
Mike
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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I think there is a tourist information office south of the Riverra convention center on the main drag that should be able to at least give you a
couple of vets names. Otherwise I'd ask a policemen.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Call Dr. Eduardo Diaz in Ensenada.
178-2672
If for some reason he can't do it, u2u me and I have someone else who will.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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Mike...
my sincerest condolences.
My eyes are tearing as I say this, because I've been through this seven other times with my dogs, plus two cats.
Four years ago I switched my pet needs to an African Grey parrot. I know he will outlive me.
Please don't try to ease your pain by getting another pet too quickly. You need to wait at least three months. You need to make a rational decission.
I know all past pet owners will chime in on this.
I would like to share an hug with you.
Udo
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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greybaby
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 10-8-2004
Location: Idaho - formerly Cantu
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Mood: Missing Baja
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How very sad. We have friends who euthanized their dog with carbon monoxide from their car (put her into a box and hooked up a hose). It was quick
and painless, though I have to say it was hard for them to do. I cannot imagine how difficult this must be. To see your pet suffer and know it needs
to end but no good means to do so..
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jeans
Super Nomad
Posts: 1059
Registered: 9-16-2002
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Mood: Encantada
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I would not go the pill route. I tried that many years ago with a large dog that could not be transported. He gobbled the pills I got from a doctor
friend, encased in cheese but death was slow with lots of respiratory distress. I finally asphyxiated him with a plastic bag...gawd that was
horrible.
When I had to put my horse down (after 11 years), I sold him to an outifitter who took him on a short ride into the mountains and shot him. Quick
& painless.
My condolences for the pain you are going through.
Mom always told me to be different - Now she says...Not THAT different
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
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Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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Most vets should know how to take care of this. Nomads in the area should be able to give you a referral. I have been in your shoes many times and it
never gets easier. My heart goes out to you and I wish you peace and your loving pet freedom from pain. Asha was blessed to have so many years with
folks who truly cared for her...
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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I am so sorry that you have had problems with the lethal injection before. With our precious Lucy and a vet in Yuma, it was fast. I hope you find a
good vet close by who can help you. I would be concerned about the pills as dogs have such different tolerance levels for different meds.
Dang, it hurts to hear about any one facing this decision and loss. We wish you comfort in knowing your decision is a loving one.
Just wanted to share a poem we like---didn't ease the pain, but well, maybe just a little.
If It Should Be
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain prevents my peaceful sleep,
Then you must do what must be done
When this last battle can't be won.
You will be sad, I understand,
Selfishness might stay your hand.
But on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship take the test.
We've had so many happy years,
That what's to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer, So
When the time comes, please let me go.
Take me where my needs they'll tend.
Only -- stay with me until the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know, in time, you too will see
It is a kindness that you do for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Do not grieve it should be you
Who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years....
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
---Anonymous
Good luck, and the right answer will find you.
Diane and John
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
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Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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Ok, here is the best Vet I can refer anyone to even over American Vets. His name is Alejandro Avendano Ruiz he is in Mexicali and his email is
alexavenruiz@hotmail.com, his cellphone number is 122-7907. I had a boxer that ran from my yard during the 4th of July three years ago. She
disappeared for over a week and I received a call that someone saw our add in the paper and saw her in a hay field not far from our house. Well, she
was with a broken leg, as someone ran over her and the bone was coming out of her skin. The Vet in Brawley took X-Rays and did nothing else but refer
me to San Diego Vet or put her down. My son wanted to save her the Vet in San Diego wanted about $5,000 for the operation, care, and follow up. I
had a good friend at work that had told me how this Vet in Mexicali was really great and not afraid to risky operations to save animals. I took the
dog their afte paying the Brawley Vet $350 dollars for nothing and he would not give me the X-Rays as he wanted to approve me taking the dog whoever I
was going to take it to. Long story short I got my dog took it to Mexicali where the Vet had to set the bone, put a screw in and kept the dog for
about 4 days and was also giving her medicine. Additionally, the dog had the screw removed and more medicine. The dog is still with us and can run
down cats, rabbits, and people trying to out run her. The Vet charged me a total of $450 and that included the X-Rays. This Vet is really good with
animals and is quick to respond with calls for an animal in need. I have referred a number of friends to him with sick animals and all are more
than happy with him and the way he cares for the animals he sees. Later--------------------------------- bajafun777
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Natalie Ann
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2819
Registered: 8-22-2003
Location: Berkeley
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I agree with Jeans 100% - DO NOT go the pill route.
I tried it years ago with a large cat... 500 mg. of valium later she was still alive and having respiratory distress. At that point I took her to the
vet for euthanasia.
I'm sorry for your difficult situation.... but short of allowing your pet to die on it's own, I really think the vet provides the best alternative.
Prayers,
Nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2308
Registered: 4-23-2006
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we are getting ready to leave alaska to spemd winter on our huerta in el pescadero. our 14 y/o black lab loves the winter mexican sun...it wont be
too long before his time comes..these accounts of eurhanasia gone wrong have really got my attention. im sure there are some good vets in baja, but to
date ive not encountered one yet.
years ago i euthanized a beloved family pet with a .38...huge mistake...i think about it to this day...i hope to have everything go a well as it can
this time....jdtroter, thanks for the poem
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astrobaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
Registered: 5-22-2006
Location: near San Pedro Martir Park
Member Is Offline
Mood: beam me up
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Thank you all so very much for the compassionate reponses! I could harldly read them out to my Wife last night....
Asha has rebounded somewhat but has a very poor quality of life, still it gives us some breathing space to prepare and decide what we will finally do.
Also thank you for the referrals to vets, perhaps one of them would be willing to sedate her before the task of finding the vein. She gets so scared
at the vets.
I don't think we will be ready for another dog for at least half a year we would like to be moved into the house before we consider another dog.
Besides right now we still have 2 horses and 4 cats, plenty to look after!
I have a pic of Asha the day before her stroke, her new buddy Topo is in the foreground, he belongs to one of our construction workers.
thank you all for being so caring, it meant a lot!
-Mike and Pamela
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Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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| Quote: | Originally posted by pacificobob
we are getting ready to leave alaska to spemd winter on our huerta in el pescadero. our 14 y/o black lab loves the winter mexican sun...it wont be
too long before his time comes..these accounts of eurhanasia gone wrong have really got my attention. im sure there are some good vets in baja, but to
date ive not encountered one yet.
years ago i euthanized a beloved family pet with a .38...huge mistake...i think about it to this day...i hope to have everything go a well as it can
this time....jdtroter, thanks for the poem |
I recently had to come to terms with the failing health of my 12 year old blind lab. When he wouldn't walk or eat- we knew it was time.
Our local Rosarito vet (Dr. Fernando Silva) came to our house in January, sedated our "Oso" and allowed him to fall asleep before the euthanasia. It
was very peaceful because it wasn't rushed. An hour later we drove Oso to meet Victor Kutin (owner of Zatikia Memorial- zatikia@yahoo.com) who
handled the cremation. This sequence of event would have been hard to accomplish in the USA, let alone in your own home. Sadly- we lost another Lab
to a heart attack in April- and it was handled just a well. There are wonderful compassionate people here for our pets in Baja.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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Ken Bondy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3326
Registered: 12-13-2002
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This thread tears me apart, because I have faced the situation too many times with beloved animals. She looks like a very sweet dog astrobob. When
it comes time I hope it goes easily.
I agree emphatically with pacificobob. DO NOT take the gun route. In 1962, that's 46 years ago, I was living and working in a small town in the
northeast of Brazil (Barbalha). I had a small office just off the main road into town. One morning I found a dog lying in blood on the doorstep to
the office. The dog had been hit by a car and had crawled up onto my doorstep. He was in obvious pain, had several compound fractures, seemed to be
fading in and out of consciousness. I couldn't stand to see the animal in such agony, so I borrowed a .38 from one of my Brazilian co-workers (they
commonly packed in those days), and gently carried the dog to the back of the office and shot him in the head. I have been haunted by that experience
for almost 50 years. I still think I see his face. And that was with a dog I didn't know. So think carefully about taking that route. Buena
suerte, ++Ken++
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astrobaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
Registered: 5-22-2006
Location: near San Pedro Martir Park
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Mood: beam me up
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Ken: I don't think I could pull the trigger, or live with the pain of the experience afterwards! I do however feel that for large animals it is the
way to go. We had to euthanise a few of our boarders horses before and it took 4-5 full syringes to end it, often with them fighting it quite a lot.
Whoosh: thats the kind of process we would like for Asha for her to be asleep and then the syringe to end it, on her home tuft with us holding her at
the end. Not sure if an Ensenada vet would come all the way up to the Sierra to do it though. I will try to ask!
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pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
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| Quote: | Originally posted by astrobaja
Whoosh: thats the kind of process we would like for Asha for her to be asleep and then the syringe to end it, on her home tuft with us holding her at
the end. |
First I want to say I am so sorry about your Asha and second I 100% agree that the above is the way to handle it with a dog.
I wish I had the chance to do that with my 11 year old Boxer who had cushings disease. He passed away a year ago in the middle of the night outside
(usually sleeps inside) after choking on what looked like a tamale wrapper that was twisted. To this day I do not know exactly what, where or how he
got a hold of this thing that caused his demise. But as you know a cushings dog will eat anything in sight. I found him unfortunately lying on his
side in the morning with the remnants of what killed him right outside his mouth. I knew he didn't have long for the world but I put him on medication
and thought maybe I had another year with him. If I had known he was going to go this way I would definitely prefer the simple solution of a drug to
put him in a deep sleep and then the syringe. I would of loved to have him fall asleep in my arms knowing he was loved vs choking outside in the
middle of the night alone. This still haunts me.
I feel for you guys who felt you were doing the right thing with the .38...you put a helpless animal out of it's misery. This is a good thing and
don't forget it.
I use this vet here locally who only does house calls. He has two nicknames; "The Pirate" because you never know how much he will charge for whatever
it is he does and "Dr. Death" for how many animals he has euthanized. He has been doing it for 30 years and does exactly what you describe above. He
also takes the animal away and cremates it for those who request it. He is highly respected. I hope you find someone with this type of experience to
handle Asha. It will be peaceful.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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It's not easy, but a 22 caliber round right between the eyes will suffice, quick and painless for your pet. Much harder on you.
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Kell-Baja
Nomad
Posts: 360
Registered: 1-18-2003
Location: San Diego
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What a Beautiful dog. I'm so sorry your family is facing this.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cypress
It's not easy, but a 22 caliber round right between the eyes will suffice, quick and painless for your pet. Much harder on you.
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Is that advice you would follow? Dare I say that is beyond inappropriate!
Ken
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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Astrobaja,
I'm very sorry. As others have posted, I've been through it too. Unfortunately too many times. I've also had a horse that I've had to have dispatched
with and not euthanized. I hope with the vet info you've received, you'll be able to find someone who will be there when you need him/her.
When faced with a pet's failing health I have found that it has worked best for me to plan ahead, schedule a date and have it done. There's nothing
worse than having to do it on an emergency basis, hoping to find a vet available, and then having to settle with just any vet who might not be so
willing to do it your way.
Asha is very lucky to have such kind and considerate owners who put her needs first.
Good luck with your very tough decision in this matter. There are no rights and wrongs, only what is right for your time and circumstance.
P<*)))>{
[Edited on 9-9-2008 by Paulina]
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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