Cat euthanisia - does this sound right?
Discussion
Sadly 10 days ago my friend of 12.5 years had to be PTS. The experience was worse than it should have been because she hated vets and worse, the vet had no empathy with cats (or people). She couldn't even get her out of the carrier. It was all very distressing and my cat died on the table being held down by a nurse. I was given no option to hold her or have her on my lap. She was, in hindsight, just killed.
That aside, I'm sure that only two injections were given, a sedative and the final one. A friend who came with me thinks so too. But when the mist cleared and the brain came back to life I examined the receipt and it said as follows:
Cat euthanasia £37.44
Injection ACP Injection 2mg/ml 20 ml £15.67
Injection Alvegesic 10mg/ml 10ml £15.38
Injection Narketan Injection 10ml £11.82
They told me that the first line includes the lethal injection so that makes four in all. They checked with the vet who said yes, it was because the cat was very distressed. But my memory says otherwise. Question is - is the above treatment reasonable?
That aside, I'm sure that only two injections were given, a sedative and the final one. A friend who came with me thinks so too. But when the mist cleared and the brain came back to life I examined the receipt and it said as follows:
Cat euthanasia £37.44
Injection ACP Injection 2mg/ml 20 ml £15.67
Injection Alvegesic 10mg/ml 10ml £15.38
Injection Narketan Injection 10ml £11.82
They told me that the first line includes the lethal injection so that makes four in all. They checked with the vet who said yes, it was because the cat was very distressed. But my memory says otherwise. Question is - is the above treatment reasonable?
My cat was euthanised on Thursday - she was nearly dead already to be fair so no sedation would have been required. But it was a straight £61 charge and a single injection.
Been through it twice before and at most it has involved 2 injections. A sedative first then the final one.
The vets involved have always tried to make it as easy as possible for cat and owner.
Been through it twice before and at most it has involved 2 injections. A sedative first then the final one.
The vets involved have always tried to make it as easy as possible for cat and owner.
Sadly the injections can be mixed which would reduce the number of "jabs" physically required, but I hope the volumes you describe are incorrect or part of the strength description of the drug ie mg/ml.
It is always disappointing to hear that peoples' experience of the worst day at the vets is so poor. I have employed a few vets over the years who should never deal with people or animals, but they are getting more frequent for a variety of reasons. I wish it was possible to make every young vet have to deal with the experience of putting their own pet to sleep, it would open a few ignorant eyes and teach a valuable lesson. I had my first dog from almost the day I qualified as a vet, and it was 13 years later I put her to sleep, and for years after I couldn't really speak to owners as their pet got put to sleep as I choked up too often, but I tried very hard to reduce the anguish, but it took those 13 years to really see how important it was to owners, friends, clients and pets.
So sad that it was a crap day for you. Maybe try and change vet or ask not to see that one again. I'd like to know if my staff aren't up to the job.
It is always disappointing to hear that peoples' experience of the worst day at the vets is so poor. I have employed a few vets over the years who should never deal with people or animals, but they are getting more frequent for a variety of reasons. I wish it was possible to make every young vet have to deal with the experience of putting their own pet to sleep, it would open a few ignorant eyes and teach a valuable lesson. I had my first dog from almost the day I qualified as a vet, and it was 13 years later I put her to sleep, and for years after I couldn't really speak to owners as their pet got put to sleep as I choked up too often, but I tried very hard to reduce the anguish, but it took those 13 years to really see how important it was to owners, friends, clients and pets.
So sad that it was a crap day for you. Maybe try and change vet or ask not to see that one again. I'd like to know if my staff aren't up to the job.
Thevet said:
Sadly the injections can be mixed which would reduce the number of "jabs" physically required, but I hope the volumes you describe are incorrect or part of the strength description of the drug ie mg/ml.
Thanks all. The details of the jabs are exactly as on the receipt. It did seem enough to me to kill a horse, but the vet was afraid of the cat. I suspect some odd psychology going on.Simpo Two said:
Thevet said:
Sadly the injections can be mixed which would reduce the number of "jabs" physically required, but I hope the volumes you describe are incorrect or part of the strength description of the drug ie mg/ml.
Thanks all. The details of the jabs are exactly as on the receipt. It did seem enough to me to kill a horse, but the vet was afraid of the cat. I suspect some odd psychology going on.I'm so very sorry for your experience at such an already distressing time.
As mentioned 3 of those drugs would have been in one syringe. Your cat would definitely NOT have had the volumes mentioned. It would be practically impossible to inject that much for a start. The receipt has only shown the bottle sizes not the actual amount given (which would have been nearer 0.1-0.2ml of each drug mixed together)
Once a sufficient sedation was given it really should have been just you with her if you wanted that (not every owner does). Sometimes it is necessary for a nurse to be the holder but personally if that is the case I always make sure an owner can talk and fuss their friend. I would not scruff/hold down either. If that is needed more sedation is required. If a (cat especially) is fractious it can make for a very difficult situation but I do feel that they did not cope well,they can't have otherwise you would not be feeling this way about what happened now and for that I am very sorry, communication is so very important and if I feel a vet isn't doing this well I will.
Do talk to them about how you feel, I am sorry again
As mentioned 3 of those drugs would have been in one syringe. Your cat would definitely NOT have had the volumes mentioned. It would be practically impossible to inject that much for a start. The receipt has only shown the bottle sizes not the actual amount given (which would have been nearer 0.1-0.2ml of each drug mixed together)
Once a sufficient sedation was given it really should have been just you with her if you wanted that (not every owner does). Sometimes it is necessary for a nurse to be the holder but personally if that is the case I always make sure an owner can talk and fuss their friend. I would not scruff/hold down either. If that is needed more sedation is required. If a (cat especially) is fractious it can make for a very difficult situation but I do feel that they did not cope well,they can't have otherwise you would not be feeling this way about what happened now and for that I am very sorry, communication is so very important and if I feel a vet isn't doing this well I will.
Do talk to them about how you feel, I am sorry again
Edited by bexVN on Monday 26th December 07:51
Thanks Bex, I was hoping you'd be able to add the inside view as you must have witnessed many. The frustrating thing is that my usual sense of right and not-right was swept away by the moment and I wasn't able to respond as I would normally. You've also solved the riddle of the number of injections. However when I asked the receptionist about this when I went to pay, she checked with the vet and the answer that came back was 'It was because the cat was very distressed' - implying extra dosage.
The practice is otherwise very good and so are the other vets, but I do feel that the top vet/director, who is also brilliant with cats, should know.
The practice is otherwise very good and so are the other vets, but I do feel that the top vet/director, who is also brilliant with cats, should know.
We had our cat PTS earlier this year after lots of treatment to try and prolong her life.
Luckily, perhaps, our vet was amazing and really seemed to love cats.
I was able to hold her as she was PTS.
I think that the cost was about £60 too.
She is asleep in our garden now and greatly missed.
Luckily, perhaps, our vet was amazing and really seemed to love cats.
I was able to hold her as she was PTS.
I think that the cost was about £60 too.
She is asleep in our garden now and greatly missed.
Gretchen said:
I've nothing to say that will help. And I wish I didn't click these threads. Now sat crying my eyes out at work. I'm so sorry for your loss :'(
Thanks Gretchen. As one door closes another one opens of course; in the new year Lord Simpo will be looking for his next Apprenticat, and the cat-shaped space will be filled once more.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff