The Puffer Forum

Any of you ever do it? You believe in taking it upon yourself to relieve an animal/fish from suffering? Do you just let them live it out? Discuss....

I worked for a place that would stick things in a freezer, still alive. But they assured me that they couldn't feel anything....

I've euthanized fish with MS-222 and clove oil. I don't let any of my animals go through unnecessary suffering. Ever. If there is little hope for survival then I let them go while they still have a decent quality of life (granted this is more difficult for fish). If it's something other than fish then the vet takes care of them.

Flutter wrote:I've euthanized fish with MS-222 and clove oil. I don't let any of my animals go through unnecessary suffering. Ever. If there is little hope for survival then I let them go while they still have a decent quality of life (granted this is more difficult for fish). If it's something other than fish then the vet takes care of them.

+1. I used to work at a vet clinic and I have no problems saying that IMHO, it's quality over quantity. If I know my dog is suffering, I would never, ever, keep her here. I wouldn't be able to let her go through that. As long as she's healthy, happy and has a long life, when it's time to put her down, I won't like it, but I know I did everything I could. I have had to put 3 animals down growing up-- it's not pleasant, but seeing them suffer, for me, is always worse.

Define quality of life. I just wonder because the life of an aquarium fish seems pretty low quality.

goldielocke76 wrote:

Flutter wrote:I've euthanized fish with MS-222 and clove oil. I don't let any of my animals go through unnecessary suffering. Ever. If there is little hope for survival then I let them go while they still have a decent quality of life (granted this is more difficult for fish). If it's something other than fish then the vet takes care of them.

+1. I used to work at a vet clinic and I have no problems saying that IMHO, it's quality over quantity. If I know my dog is suffering, I would never, ever, keep her here. I wouldn't be able to let her go through that. As long as she's healthy, happy and has a long life, when it's time to put her down, I won't like it, but I know I did everything I could. I have had to put 3 animals down growing up-- it's not pleasant, but seeing them suffer, for me, is always worse.

Forget that. My dog will go at home, with me there. And then I'll get another one that looks just like him, cuz dogs are great like that.

Five freedoms (designed for livestock):
Freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor.
Freedom from discomfort - by providing a suitable environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
Freedom from pain, injury and disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Freedom to express normal behavior - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animals own kind.
Freedom from fear and distress - by ensuring conditions that avoid mental suffering.

For my pets I go by personal judgement where the animal's welfare is the focus. That being said, I'd never keep an animal if I couldn't provide for it's 5 freedoms. IMO if an animal has all 5 of it's freedoms then it would have a good quality of life.

ETA: I had 2 dogs PTS last year and both were done at home. If you're a good client your vet should travel to your home. On both occasions I held the dogs while they were injected. I held their veins as well for the vet. Heartbreaking but both dogs were PTS where they laid down at home. Both were planned but we didn't even move the dogs from their location to let them go. Other than having them fall asleep and never wake up it was the best way for them to go.

Excellent guideline. Too bad people can't get that...

About a year after I returned home from the USMC my old dog was hit by a truck - quite deliberately, I might add. I live out in the country and there is no vet to take him to, but he was so badly injured he wouldn't of made it anyway. So, I had to handle it myself.

El Scorpio wrote:About a year after I returned home from the USMC my old dog was hit by a truck - quite deliberately, I might add. I live out in the country and there is no vet to take him to, but he was so badly injured he wouldn't of made it anyway. So, I had to handle it myself.

Dogs are sentient beings. They know things...

Oh wow, that had to be really tough!

Kalvin tore up an opossum over the summer & hubby had to crush it's skull with a 2x4. I couldn't watch.

El Scorpio wrote:About a year after I returned home from the USMC my old dog was hit by a truck - quite deliberately, I might add. I live out in the country and there is no vet to take him to, but he was so badly injured he wouldn't of made it anyway. So, I had to handle it myself.

I did this out of kindness for one of my dogs about 10 years ago. She was a rabbit hunter that loved to be in the woods and running all the time. She went in to liver failure at the age of 12, was dying slowly, was blind, and the vet wanted to put her down. I took her on one last hunting trip, she could barely stand at home but when she hit the ground in the woods the tail went up and the nose went to the ground and she started hunting. She died a very happy dog.

That's similar to what we did with the latest dog. At home she was clumsy and confused but out on a walk she was pulling on the leash, playing, trying to run around. A completely different dog. We took her for one last walk, when we got back she went to sleep. Once her HR returned to normal we woke her up with a bear hug and a needle

The night before we put our last JRT down, she brought me her ball.

I've never had a vet put my pet or any animal down... It's better done quick and done yourself. I know many people disagree, but that's the way I was raised. It's part of the responsibility you take when you take on a pet. Even with fish I've had, with out the details, I think it's more humanely done quick (no freezing or clove or what not). That said, I would give any animal every chance to survive, but will never let one suffer.