Lidocaine for cats - dosage and how to inject

Typically, such inhumane methods are resorted to by unlicensed veterinarians or those people who cannot afford to purchase drugs for more humane killing.

Video: how to euthanize a cat at home

If the cat is incurable or painfully dying, euthanasia may be performed. A veterinarian can assess this need. Euthanasia can be humane. In this case, the process can proceed in two stages. There are also less humane methods, but they are used less often. You have to pay to put someone to sleep in a clinic. Additional costs will result from calling a specialist for euthanasia at home. After killing, the body must be buried or cremated.

Lidocaine for euthanasia of a cat

The state the cat is in after the first part of the procedure is called vegetative coma. You can take one last look at your pet. After this, the veterinarians will ask you to go out into the corridor. This is done for humanitarian reasons. After some time (about 20 minutes), the veterinarian administers the second drug. Gradually, the animal's heart slows down and stops.

Forced euthanasia is used in cases of rabies; in other cases, the final word remains with you.

Termination of life is usually recommended for the following diseases:

• oncology of important organs (liver, lungs, kidneys, metastases to the spinal cord);
• serious injuries after an accident (multiple fractures near important organs);
• inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord, its rupture (as a consequence of renal failure);
• severe infectious infections that threaten an epidemic (rabies, distemper, various infestations of advanced parasites, such as leptospirosis, dirofilariasis and others).

This stage is not so much needed by the animal as by its owner. It consists of a detailed consultation with the doctor who will perform the procedure. After such a conversation, you should not have any questions or doubts.

It is important to ensure that burial of the corpse is not prohibited in the chosen location. You cannot bury a corpse in public places. If you don't want to look at the body, cremation can be done.

Any cat that has been euthanized can be cremated if the veterinary clinic has a crematorium. You need to pay extra for this procedure, but burying the ashes will not be so troublesome. In some clinics you can leave the body to the veterinarians, they will cremate it themselves and then bury it.

Clinics, as a rule, offer to leave the body - they decide this issue themselves.

Feniks, forum visitor

https://m.nn.ru/t/29137263

Ceftriaxone: instructions for use in veterinary medicine

According to the instructions for use, Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin antibiotic and is administered to cats at a dose of 20-40 mg per 1 kg of body weight intramuscularly once a day for 5-7 days. The main characteristics of this drug are shown in the table.

Mechanism of action

Ceftriaxone has bactericidal properties (kills bacteria), as it prevents the formation of their cell membrane and the “crosslinking” of its fragments. It is active against microbes that produce enzymes that destroy penicillin, including beta-lactamase.

In cats, this drug destroys the causative agents of the following infectious diseases:

• borreliosis (spirochete Borrelia);
• infectious anemia, or hemobartonellosis (hemobartonella felis);
• yersiniosis (yersinia);
• pseudotuberculosis (Yersinia pseudotuberculosis);
• salmonellosis (salmonella);
• staphylococcosis (Staphylococcus aureus).

Watch the video about infectious anemia in cats:

The drug has no effect on viral infections.

Pharmacokinetics

After an injection of the drug, the maximum concentration in the blood is reached within 2-3 hours. It is important that intramuscular administration does not differ in strength from intravenous administration, but is slightly behind in the speed of the effect.

The drug penetrates well into all biological fluids and tissues of the cat’s body:

• lungs and upper respiratory tract;
• heart;
• kidneys;
• brain;
• bones, skin;
• liver and bile ducts;
• cerebrospinal, pleural and joint fluids.

Throughout the day, it circulates in the blood and accumulates in the inflammatory organ. Its amount is sufficient to suppress the growth and reproduction of microbes. Ceftriaxone binds to protein molecules, then turns into inactive compounds under the influence of intestinal microflora. If the animal’s liver is damaged, then the excretion of the antibiotic through the kidneys increases, and if renal function is impaired, the main part is excreted with bile and intestinal contents.

Contraindications to antibiotics

Compared to the many contraindications for other potent antibiotics, Ceftriaxone has a short list:

• intolerance to cephalosporins;
• severe impairment of the kidneys and liver;
• pregnant and lactating cats;
• kittens immediately after birth up to 1 month.

One of the contraindications to Ceftriaxone is the pregnancy of the cat.
From the moment of administration of the antibiotic to mating, about 3 months should pass, as there is a risk of negative effects on the offspring.

Possible complications in a cat

Complications of using Ceftriaxone in cats include:

• refusal to eat;
• vomit;
• loose stools;
• bloating;
• attacks of suffocation;
• sneezing;
• lacrimation;
• itchy skin;
• hair loss;
• decreased amount of urine;
• lethargy, low physical activity;
• changes in blood composition - decrease in cells (leukocytes, platelets, red blood cells), increase in eosinophils, activity of liver enzymes, nitrogen-containing compounds.

Most often, elderly and emaciated, weakened cats have a hard time tolerating the antibiotic. Therefore, the drug is administered to them under medical supervision. Local reactions include the formation of a lump or swelling at the injection site, which can be painful. Special treatment is usually not required, the infiltrate gradually resolves on its own.

Safe use

Before administering an injection of Lidocaine, the doctor tests the animal to identify allergic reactions; if there are none, treatment using this medicine is prescribed. For example, local anesthesia can be performed using medications such as Lidocaine + Nalbuphine; the dosage of the solution in this case is less (about 3.5 mg/kg).

Hopelessly ill cats are euthanized using this medication; this cannot be done at home, otherwise the pet will experience a painful death. "Lidocaine" has a blocking effect, causes vascular collapse, and does not allow cardiac signals to pass through.

Ways to reduce risk

The use of lidocaine can cause many painful reactions in cats.:

• respiratory paralysis;
• brachycardia;
• anaphylactic shock;
• cardiac arrest;
• collapse.

But the cat is not initially doomed to such horrors. If it is necessary to use lidocaine, your veterinarian can do a test. If no adverse reactions occur, he may prescribe the drug. The reaction to lidocaine is one of the reasons why the doctor must give the first injection of an antibiotic with an analgesic himself, even if in the future the owners intend to inject the cat themselves at home.

Sometimes lidocaine is used for local anesthesia . In this case, some veterinarians recommend using two drugs (for example, nalbuphine + lidocaine), which reduces the amount of lidocaine and the likelihood of pathological reactions to it. The dosage of Lidocaine for a cat in this case is approximately 3.5 mg/kg, but only a doctor can make the final decision. But more often, cat anesthesia for operations is done by other means.

This reaction to lidocaine is species specific. The dog perceives the drug differently.

This is interesting: Why are cats afraid of the vacuum cleaner?

Lidocaine for euthanasia of cats dose

When all vital signs are zero, the veterinarian will inform the owner that the animal has died.

I have never had to euthanize my pets, for which I am very grateful. But I know people who are less fortunate. When such a decision has to be made, the owner is tormented by remorse. And sometimes some time after euthanasia. I believe that a loving owner should feel whether he is mentally ready and whether he has said goodbye to the animal. And if the desire to alleviate suffering is stronger than self-pity, then you can decide.

There is also a less humane way of euthanasia. It involves the use of drugs that forcibly stop the functioning of the heart and lungs. In this case, the animal can “beat” in agony.

Lidocaine for euthanasia of cats at home

Performing this procedure, an experienced veterinarian injects a potent hypnotic medication into the animal’s body, which puts the cat into deep sleep due to the slowdown of all physiological processes. Then the pet's heart stops.

In addition to this traditional method, there are other methods that veterinary clinics can offer:

• Air embolism is when air bubbles are released into the animal's bloodstream, causing cardiac arrest.
• Cervical dislocation, which is a displacement of the cervical vertebrae. This method only works with small pets.
• Electrocution. Practiced exclusively for large pets.

Any of these three methods is possible for euthanasia, but they are not practiced in veterinary clinics licensed to kill animals.

Lidocaine for euthanasia of a cat dose

And if medications no longer help, the veterinarian raises the question of euthanasia. However, you should not immediately agree to euthanasia. It is recommended that you first contact one or even two more specialists in other veterinary clinics.

Sometimes it happens that the veterinarian may make a mistake and make an incorrect diagnosis. If they all confirm the diagnosis and say that it is better to euthanize the animal, then the owner will have to emotionally prepare for the difficult day ahead. An experienced veterinarian will help clients in difficult times by telling them in detail about euthanizing a cat, as well as what is required from the owner.

There are several methods of euthanasia, but the most humane of them all is through medication. And in our country, all animal clinics use only this method.

The topic of pain relief is a pressing issue for pet owners; cats react especially acutely to medications. For example, a medicine such as Lidocaine is used only as prescribed by a veterinarian, under his supervision. Seriously ill animals are euthanized using this medication. It is not recommended to treat your pet yourself; such actions can harm the animal.

Contraindications: in what cases should it not be used?

• Kidney failure.
• Liver disorders.
• Pregnancy, lactation.
• Stomach ulcer.
• Allergy.

Lidocaine solution for cats is used if the expected result from the injection exceeds the negative side effects, namely cardiac arrest, anaphylactic shock, respiratory paralysis, collapse. Veterinarians claim that the negative effect of the drug on cats is not considered a pattern, but rather an individual characteristic of the animal.

Today we bring to your attention an article on the topic: “how to euthanize a cat yourself at home” from professionals for people. We tried to fully cover the topic. If something is not clear, then experts are ready to answer all questions in the comments.

general description

Ceftriaxone is available in the form of a white or yellowish powder. For its packaging, glass bottles are used, which are sealed with rubber stoppers and closed with aluminum caps. They allow you to maintain the tightness of the drug. Since the drug is used in the form of injections, the powder is diluted with water for injection or novocaine before use. 0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 g of ceftriaxone sodium salt is placed in the vials.

Containers with powder are packaged in cardboard boxes of 10 pieces, but in many pharmacies they are sold individually. The shelf life of unopened bottles is 3 years from the date of production if stored away from sunlight at a temperature of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. The prepared solution cannot be stored.

Important! The antibiotic should not be used after the expiration date, so always pay attention to the date on the package.

How to put a cat to sleep. Painful and painless ways

Almost every pet owner, hearing the word “put to sleep,” paints a sad picture in his head: old age, serious illness, long, painful pain, the bitterness of parting and death. Many people simply mentally discard this process, preferring to believe that the moment of losing their mustachioed friend will never come.

This procedure is carried out in stages by intramuscular or intravenous administration of potent drugs. As a result, the cat first falls into deep sleep, and then its respiratory and cardiac activity stops.

World organizations call for the use of drugs that do not cause death throes in the cat, but not everyone listens to this. Some veterinarians administer barbiturates such as Lidocaine, Ditilin, Hexenal and others, which, if the dose is incorrectly selected, only lead to suffering.

There are two options for euthanizing a pet - taking it to a veterinary clinic or doing it at home.

Of course, euthanizing him at home has its advantages.

The owner must make a decision knowing how the pet will be euthanized. If you think that the specialist is hiding something, you can contact another clinic.

Advantages and disadvantages of euthanasia in a veterinary clinic

Sometimes there are situations when the owner decides to euthanize a cat at home.

But you cannot do this only on the basis of your own desire. When you contact the clinic, there is a chance to save your pet’s life, because veterinarians fight for the animal’s life to the last.

In addition, the doctor will conduct all the necessary tests. However, the specialist cannot persuade the owner; The owner will have to make the decision. But the veterinarian will provide documentary evidence (certificates) of the need for euthanasia. The advantage of this method is that it will be easier for the owner to survive this procedure.

Some cat owners feel strongly about the responsibility of euthanizing their pet.

The problem of pain relief during veterinary procedures is one of the most serious for animal lovers. Cats react especially acutely to certain narcotic drugs. Thus, the well-known Lidocaine can be given to a cat only in exceptional cases, and only under the supervision of a doctor. This drug is often used to euthanize seriously ill cats.

Administration of medication

Important to remember: Ceftriaxone is not administered subcutaneously! Cats are injected intramuscularly. There are several general rules that must be followed to treat an animal at home .

• It is better to use insulin syringes - it is easier to measure the dosage, and a short needle does not carry the risk of significant damage.
• It is better to stab in the hind leg, slightly above the hock joint.
• The needle is inserted quickly, and the solution itself is inserted slowly.
• The needle must be inserted at an acute angle (about 45 degrees) towards the base of the tail.
• The cat must be immobilized before the procedure (you can wrap it in a towel). But, since the injection is unpleasant even with an anesthetic, she will almost certainly twitch her paw convulsively.
• In order not to torture the animal in vain, you should alternate paws during the course of treatment (back-front or right-left). In the front paw you can inject into the muscle near the shoulder.

If the owner is not confident in his abilities as a “nurse” or has an animal “with character,” it is better not to trust his own abilities. The cat may jerk violently and damage the muscles with the needle. And the owner may get it from him for lack of dexterity. The veterinarian will give the injection better in any case. If it is not possible to visit a veterinarian for each injection, you need to ask him to give at least the first one in order to better master the technique.

The total dosage of Ceftriaxone (that is, the number of injections per course of treatment) is determined only by the veterinarian. It can be adjusted along the way.

Although Ceftriaxone begins to act within 2-3 hours after administration, you should not hope for such a quick effect. But, if after several days of using the drug no noticeable improvements are observed or the disease progresses, the cat should be immediately taken to a specialist.

Despite the number of restrictions and contraindications, many veterinarians successfully use Ceftriaxone for cats. There are no ideal drugs, but this antibiotic has repeatedly proven its effectiveness.

Ceftriaxone is a third-generation antibiotic that fights against many pathogens.

It is considered an antibacterial agent, which is prescribed for both people and pets (including the antibiotic Ceftriaxone prescribed for cats).

Indications for use: Ceftriaxone is considered a powerful antibiotic and can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Difficult choice problem

The question of whether a cat can take lidocaine is one of the most controversial. Review folders of veterinary clinics and specialized forums are filled with terrible stories about the death of animals after the use of lidocaine. At the same time, almost as often there are references to the absence of a pathological reaction to this drug in caudate patients, and veterinarians sometimes recommend diluting antibiotic powder (for example, Ceftriaxone) with a 2% solution of Lidocaine.

Proponents of the use of lidocaine are usually confident that severe consequences are the result of exceeding the dosage or using the drug in too high a concentration.

The conclusion from what has been said is simple. There is great individual variation in the response of cats to lidocaine. In addition, this drug often causes severe allergic reactions, even in humans. Therefore, its use in cats should be avoided if possible. Only a doctor can authorize its use, and he must carefully determine the dose and be sure to inject the drug himself.

Release form and composition

If in a conversation with a veterinarian we are talking about the antibacterial drug ceftriaxone, it means that the cat’s body is severely affected, and treatment must be started immediately. Bioavailability is high, and the effect begins within two hours after administration of the drug. In what form is the drug released?

Only injection powder can be purchased for administration to cats. Packaging from the manufacturer in bottles of 250, 500, 1000 or 2000 mg of active ingredient (sodium salt).

To dilute ceftriaxone, you need water for injection and an anesthetic like lidocaine.

The owner of the animal must understand that injections are very painful for cats, so you can dilute ceftriaxone powder with 0.5% novocaine. You can also take lidocaine, but there are allergic reactions to it, including heart and breathing problems. If you take only water, without painkillers, then this means dooming your pet to severe pain.

One bottle of ceftriaxone (1 g) requires the administration of 5 ml of novocaine (0.5%). The product is mixed and a beautiful, homogeneous yellow solution is obtained.

The remaining solution of the antibiotic ceftriaxone from the administration is only thrown away; it cannot be stored.

Last help

Lidocaine is most often used to euthanize hopelessly ill cats. But for such a death to be truly easy, an ampoule with the drug is not enough. Lidocaine blocks the passage of cardiac signals and causes vascular collapse. To euthanize a cat, it must be injected into a vein, not into a lung - this will be a painful death from respiratory paralysis.

Humane euthanasia is a complex process. So you can euthanize a cat with Lidocaine at home and without suffering, but to do this you will still have to contact a veterinarian. Doing it yourself will be cruelty to the animal.

There are several rules for euthanizing cats with Lidocaine.

• Before deciding to euthanize, you should consult with several veterinarians to ensure that the disease is incurable. The sick appearance of an animal does not mean much - perhaps simple treatment will help him.
• Before administering Lidocaine, general anesthesia must be used.
• The dose of the drug is determined by the veterinarian - it depends on the age, weight, and condition of the animal.
• You should only seek such a service from a trusted doctor, known for his humane treatment of tailed patients.

However, a true cat lover, attached to his purr, will fulfill all these requirements without any reminders. After all, he will think not about saving money, but about the interests of the animal.

There are cat lovers who oppose the euthanasia of even terminally ill older animals. But their point of view is objectionable, since in this case the last days of their pet will be filled with dubious “pleasures”. Properly carried out euthanasia under general anesthesia (for example, Lidocaine) in a hopeless situation is the only correct decision in case of an incurable disease.

Trying to treat animals on your own is just as bad as trying to treat people. For its affection and goodwill, the cat deserves human treatment. And Lidocaine is a drug that can bring him more than just benefits.

No matter how much we would like, our beloved pets do not stay close forever; a cat’s lifespan is much shorter than a human’s. Some cats die not from old age, but from incurable painful diseases. Many owners, unable to bear to see their pet suffering, think about helping it get rid of its suffering by ending its life. In what cases is this justified? How is the euthanasia procedure carried out? Is it possible to do it at home?

conclusions

Thus, with high-quality local anesthesia, it is possible to reduce the dose of general anesthetic, and sometimes limit it to only hypnotic agents, improve the animal’s condition after surgery, and therefore shorten rehabilitation. The use of local anesthetics does not significantly increase the cost of the operation, but it improves the image of the clinic and allows it to perform a wider range of operations. I express my gratitude to the entire operating team and the rehabilitation department, without these people it is impossible to improve our work, we are one team!

(Vilkovysky I.F., Chernyavskaya A.V., Plyarpa I.A., Masalov V.V., Gekova N., Smirnova Yu.)

Indications for euthanasia of a cat

Euthanasia is the intentional infliction of death on a seriously ill, suffering animal or person. Translated from Greek, the term means “good death” and quite accurately describes this painless way of dying. Typically, euthanasia of cats is carried out in the presence of an incurable disease, when there is no way to alleviate the suffering of the pet.

Sometimes euthanasia is resorted to without medical indications (bad character, aggressiveness). In our country there are no documents regulating this procedure, and the fate of the pet depends entirely on the will of its owner. It is impossible to prohibit the owner from euthanizing for reasons unrelated to the health of the animal, although from a moral point of view it raises questions.

In veterinary practice, there is only one disease in the presence of which a cat must be euthanized - rabies. It is contagious, transmitted from animals to humans, cannot be treated and leads to the rapid death of the sick person. Characteristic symptoms of the disease are lack of appetite, aggression or apathy, excessive drooling, fear of water, increased sensitivity to light, convulsions.

Euthanasia of a cat for medical reasons is carried out in the following cases:

• terminal stage cancer;
• severe injuries incompatible with life (fall from height, collision with a car);
• serious congenital pathologies in kittens;
• significant deterioration in quality of life due to old age;
• staying in a long coma;
• decompensated chronic diseases of the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys.

Relevance of the topic

The use of local anesthesia is primarily aimed at reducing the negative effects of general anesthesia, reducing doses of intravenous anesthetics, and reducing pain in the postoperative period. Contraindications include only individual intolerance and skin damage at the injection site. Local anesthesia (anaesthesia localis) is an artificially induced, reversible inhibition of sensitivity (primarily pain) in limited areas of the body, which is provided by blockade of the peripheral nervous system at different levels.

Highlight the simplicity and necessity of using local anesthesia, based on literature data, as well as your own results.

Methods Local anesthesia is divided into: – terminal (anesthesia of the organ surface); – infiltration (impregnation of tissue with anesthetic); – regional: paravertebral, intercostal, stem, sacral, anesthesia of the jaw area; – spinal (subarachnoid); – ​​epidural (epidural); – intraosseous ;– intravenous regional;– cross-sectional anesthesia.

Materials To administer local anesthesia, the first items required are an anesthetic agent, injection needles (for small animals), spinal needles (for large animals), and epidural catheters. The anesthetics currently used are chemical derivatives of cocaine, a plant alkaloid. Already by 1960

An analogue of lidocaine was invented. When choosing an anesthetic, you need to focus on its properties. The price is no less important (lidocaine is tens of times cheaper than bupivacaine and ropivacaine). Knowing the characteristics of the active substance, you can make the right choice or choose the right combination and combine drugs.

The site of action of the anesthetic is the lipid membrane of nerve cells, therefore an important characteristic is solubility in fats, which determines the activity of the substance. Another interesting indicator is pKa; the closer this figure is to physiological pH, the faster the local anesthetic begins to act.

In an alkaline environment, adrenaline is unstable, so anesthetics containing it (ultracaine, ubistezin) have a pH of about 4-5, therefore, they begin to work more slowly than anesthetics to which adrenaline is added immediately before work. A similar problem arises when anesthetizing inflamed areas (where the pH value is low), where the effect takes longer to develop.

The addition of adrenaline increases vasoconstriction, the absorption of the anesthetic decreases, and the duration of its action increases, but this is only relevant for short-acting anesthetics (lidocaine); it is ineffective for bupivacaine and ropivacaine. It is natural that for cats the doses of anesthetic are usually lower, since the toxic effect is achieved earlier and the period of action is shorter.

Toxicity and effects on the body Cardiovascular system: overdose of lidocaine causes arrhythmias and circulatory depression; entry of ropivacaine into the bloodstream leads to AV block, ventricular arrhythmias and convulsions. Respiratory system: lidocaine eliminates reflex bronchospasm; blockade of intercostal nerves can lead to apnea. CNS: Mild toxicity due to pre-sedation. Sometimes there may be muscle twitching (especially during insertion).

How to decide on euthanasia?

Deciding to euthanasia is always difficult, because with his decision the owner ends the life of a pet, and not everyone is capable of taking on such responsibility. You need to make sure that the diagnosis is correct. If there is even the slightest doubt, it is advisable to contact several specialists - the possibility of a medical error always exists. Another veterinarian may be able to suggest a treatment option that offers a chance of recovery or at least improvement.

If experts are unanimous, the pet can no longer be helped and is experiencing terrible suffering, euthanasia is a humane way to alleviate its fate. If a veterinarian advises euthanizing a cat, it means that its death is inevitable, and therefore helping it pass away easily and painlessly is the right decision.

What is the procedure like at a veterinary clinic?

Euthanasia of a cat in a veterinary clinic is carried out in several stages:

1. Signing by the owner of a consent to euthanize his pet, indicating the reason.
2. Introducing the patient into anesthesia. After the sedative is administered, the animal falls into deep sleep. It continues to breathe, its heart beats, but the nervous system is switched off, it does not feel pain and does not react to external stimuli. At this stage, you usually say goodbye to your pet.
3. Administration of drugs leading to blocking of the respiratory center and cardiac arrest. For humanitarian reasons, the owner is taken out of the office.

Why is it necessary to euthanize your pet at home yourself?

Sometimes owners decide not to contact a veterinarian, but to kill the animal with their own hands at home. Typically, this decision is explained by living in places remote from populated areas and the high cost of the procedure. Putting a pet to sleep at home, much less with your own hands, is not the best option for impressionable owners. This is morally difficult, and besides, the place where the cat passes away will remain a reminder of the loss for a long time, evoking difficult feelings and memories.

If visits to the clinic were regular and the cat treats them calmly, it is better to euthanize it in a hospital.

How to carry out the procedure quickly and painlessly?

Carrying out the procedure at home requires the participation of a veterinarian. It is unlikely that you will be able to help your pet die quickly and painlessly on your own. Only a professional can calculate the dosage of drugs so that the pet falls asleep peacefully without experiencing suffering and agony. Independent actions can turn euthanasia from an easy way of dying into a painful and painful one.

Preparing for euthanasia

The procedure does not require any special preparation, the main thing is to prepare for it mentally. It is necessary to decide on the place in the house where it will take place. Children need to be taken out of the house - they may receive psychological trauma from what they see. It is not worth killing one pet in front of another, so healthy animals should be isolated. It is necessary to decide in advance the question of the future fate of the body.

If you decide to trust a professional, you need to find a veterinarian who has experience in performing the procedure. The date and cost of euthanasia, the drugs that will be used to induce anesthesia and stop vital activity, and the course of the procedure are discussed with him in advance.

Drugs used

To induce narcotic sleep, anesthetic drugs (propofol, lidocaine, droperidol) and barbiturates (sodium thiopental, pentobarbital, hexenal, phenobarbital) are used, which have a depressant effect on the central nervous system. In large doses, these drugs cause respiratory arrest. Killing of sick animals is carried out either by subsequently increasing the dose of these drugs, or by administering one of the following drugs (the animal must be immersed in a narcotic sleep):

• Depolarizing muscle relaxants - ditilin, listenone, adiline, succinylcholine, suxamethonium. In small doses they immobilize, in large doses they cause respiratory arrest due to relaxation of the respiratory muscles.
• Magnesium sulfate. Respiratory and cardiac activity cease due to vascular collapse.
• Lidocaine. Local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic agent, acts similarly to the previous drug.
• Potassium chloride. Relaxes the muscle tissue of the heart, causing it to stop.

These medications are actively used in Russia, and other drugs are used abroad. In the United States, dying animals are often given euthanasine. Its active ingredients are procaine hydrochloride and potassium chloride. They reduce contractile activity, conductivity and excitability of the myocardium, causing cardiac arrest.

In European countries, the drug “T-61” is used for euthanasia. It contains the powerful opioid analgesic embutramide, the muscle relaxant mebesonium iodide and the local anesthetic tetracaine hydrochloride. First, anesthetic substances act, plunging the cat into a narcotic sleep, then the muscle tissue relaxes, the heart and breathing stop. Sometimes this sequence is disrupted, the animal remains conscious and suffers, so preliminary use of sleeping pills is mandatory.

Progress of the procedure

Manipulations performed at home are similar to those performed in the clinic. The cat is given an injection of a drug that has an anesthetic and hypnotic effect. When narcotic sleep occurs, a medication is administered that blocks the respiratory center and causes cardiac arrest. The process takes 15–20 minutes.

Establishing the fact of death

Veterinarians establish the fact of death based on the cessation of cardiac and respiratory activity. To do this, the chest is listened to using a phonendoscope. The main signs of the death of an animal: lack of consciousness, heartbeat and breathing, mucous membranes and skin becoming bluish.

Pentobarbital

Pentobarbital (pentobarbital sodium, etaminal sodium) is a drug from the barbiturate group, used in medicine as a hypnotic and anesthetic. An overdose of this drug is one of the most effective ways to quickly and humanely euthanize animals. It can be sold under the commercial names Morbital, Nembutal, Pental, etc. Application by injection into a vein is recommended. If the veins are difficult to access, the drug can be injected into any organ rich in blood vessels.

After pentobarbital is injected into a vein, within a few seconds the animal’s consciousness turns off, and then cardiac arrest and death occur. The drug affects the central nervous system, relieves pain, relaxes muscles, puts the animal into a state of narcotic sleep and causes respiratory arrest. Typically, death occurs within a few seconds after the drug is injected into a vein. In approximately 10% of cases, action is possible within a minute.

At the request of the animal owner, sedatives or anesthesia may be used before administering pentobarbital. It is recommended to use such drugs in cases where the animal is depressed, anxious or excitable.

Pentobarbital is one of the most convenient, humane, fast-acting and effective agents used to euthanize pets. However, its widespread use, especially in the provinces, is difficult due to the position of the federal drug control authorities. Note that the Humane Society of the United States recommends the use of sodium pentobarbital to euthanize animals. Its effectiveness turned out to be so high that the drug was even used to carry out death sentences in several North American states.

Similar in action to pentobarbital are other drugs from the group of barbiturates and, more broadly, anesthetics: hexenal, phenobarbital, sodium thiopental, profopol. Most of them can be successfully used both as anesthesia and for euthanasia. In the latter case, an increased, lethal dose of the drug is used.

Pros and cons of euthanizing an animal without the help of a veterinarian

Euthanasing an animal at home without the help of a specialist is associated with a number of difficulties. There is no magic pill that allows you to euthanize an animal easily and painlessly. It is difficult to obtain medications for euthanasia, and even more difficult to calculate the dosage. Most drugs are administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Trying to cope with this task without experience means causing unnecessary suffering to the poor animal.

If you still managed to find a drug that stops the heart, it is unlikely that you will be able to purchase the narcotic drug that turns off consciousness necessary for an easy death. Without it, your pet will die a long and painful death.

Euthanasia of an animal on your own is complicated by the psychological aspect. Giving a cat a lethal injection is morally difficult; in the future, the owner runs the risk of experiencing remorse from the fact that he personally killed the pet, and suffering from difficult memories. The only advantage of self-euthanasia is that it saves money, but you will still have to pay for the removal and cremation of the body.