Caroline
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Post by Caroline on Feb 8, 2009 20:04:31 GMT 1
Horrible question to have to ask - sorry!
My friend's horse has cancer and is beyond help. I am the last person to agree with PTS unless absolutely the best thing for the horse, but I have to agree with her decision here.
She has asked me what the best method is and I promised to canvass opinion and get some people's opinions and experiences. I remember that at the horse sanctuary I used to work at, we would shoot rather than inject because shooting is instant whereas injecting can take a little while, during which the horse may stumble around, fight it and hurt itself when it collapses.
Would people here agree with that?
Many thanks in advance for your input - and I am sorry to ask you to rake up painful memories. I want to help her find the best way out for her horse.
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varkie
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Post by varkie on Feb 8, 2009 20:09:31 GMT 1
The honest answer has to be that the best one is the one the owner feels most comfortable with.
There are people who can tell you positives about both methods, and those who can tell you negatives about both methods.
If injecting goes well, the horse should not stumble around, it should be pretty quick. There are of course times when it goes wrong - I've seen it myself. But I have equally heard stories of where shooting has gone wrong.
Pick the method that sits best with her, and then get someone in to do the job who is experienced with that method.
And support your friend, whatever she does. It's a rough thing to have to do, however right it is.
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Post by Liz on Feb 8, 2009 20:14:29 GMT 1
All mine who've reached the end of their days have been shot either by our local huntsman who was brilliant and kind or by our local abbatoir - appointment only so no waiting around. It's tough, which ever way our beloved friends go and I wouldn't say one is better than the other. I chose shooting as I was certain the person would do a good, clean job.
I think Varkie has offered sound advice.
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Post by mags on Feb 8, 2009 20:18:20 GMT 1
Again I agree with Varkie. Iv seen it go wrong with both. I wouldnt rate either of those worse for the horse from what I know of just the two cases where I saw it go wrong but from my point of view having the gun fired twice has always stuck with me..
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laura
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Post by laura on Feb 8, 2009 20:20:10 GMT 1
agree with varkie .... you will hear good and bad about both. I have only personally been involved with injection ( although was around when one shot) and both times it went very well. Both times horses were ok with vets .... both times horses were hand fed treats for sedation injection and when the lethal injection was given they just went down onto knees /side. It might not have gone well if horse had been nervous about vet / injection so one has to know the horse really. Don't know if it is usual but when the horse was shot there was loads blood and I was the one that hosed the yard ( owner far too distressed). very sad situation to be in no matter the method used whatever method used it is having friends / supporters around that helps the most ((((((o)))))
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lc
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Post by lc on Feb 8, 2009 20:39:42 GMT 1
My pony was PTs with injection, I couldn't choose as it was an emergency and the vet didn't have a humane killer, however it went very well and I was able to stay with her, until the very end. My friend had her horse PTS with the humane killer as she donated his body to the local zoo, the circle of life and all that! Again it went well but obviously she was not present at the very end so went for a walk around the farm.
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Post by julz on Feb 8, 2009 20:46:09 GMT 1
Oldie was PTS last year by injection.
Ofcourse the vet doing the injection needs to get the right doseage for the weight of the horse.
However another horse I know also had the injection and he did fight it.
Your friend must do what she feels is right for her horse.
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varkie
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Post by varkie on Feb 8, 2009 20:53:07 GMT 1
This may sound weird, but if the horse knows his time has come, they will not fight the injection. Ofcourse the vet doing the injection needs to get the right doseage for the weight of the horse, but other than that, there will likely be no fight, horse will go down and go peacefully. I think this is a very dangerous thing to say, and should be thought thru. It could potentially be very hurtful to those who have had a horse PTS and had it go wrong. PTS going wrong with injection is not all about whether or not the horse is ready for it or not. It is to do with how the body absorbs the drug.
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Post by mags on Feb 8, 2009 20:56:09 GMT 1
Afraid iv seen a very bad reaction to the injection on a horse that was good as dead... and if left would have been a very painful death
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Post by K8 on Feb 8, 2009 21:03:05 GMT 1
Ours have always been shot. I think if they're already 'down' then the injection wouldn't be so bad.. but its the thought of them falling down if they're not 100% gone that worries me.
Varkie i agree with you.. i think its a very personal decision.
i hope it goes as smoothly as possible which ever choice is made. Xxx
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Post by beany1 on Feb 8, 2009 21:17:16 GMT 1
My oldie hates the sound of gunfire, I mean really hates, so I will not have the sound of a gunshot being the last thing he hears. He trusts vets and me so I will choose the injection for him.
My TB however hates vets and trembles/sweats etc when injected, so I will not have the injection for him. I think we have to go with our gut instinct, as we know our horses best, and just pray it goes peacefully.
And I know what Julz was saying, animals do sometimes know when it's time and some do fight right til the end, as do humans when they are dying. She was trying to offer comfort to the OP.
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Post by graymare on Feb 8, 2009 21:26:48 GMT 1
I think that if I ever have to make that final decision, my choice would be to have her shot. Done by a professional, it would be instantaneous. I suppose my concern regarding lethal injection is whether the horse would become distressed and struggle through the initial stages of sedation...and there's no way of knowing as it would depend on the phsyiological condition of the horse at that time.
There's no easy answer for this most difficult of questions. What will make his ending most comfortable for him, and his owner.
For us, it will be a kilo of polos and a skilled huntsman.
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Post by donnalex on Feb 8, 2009 21:38:46 GMT 1
Ive seen the injection go horribly wrong. Been around to see quite a few shot by various knackermen and never a problem. I would not have a vet shoot a horse as they are not doing enough of them to be good at it and neither would I ever use a young knackerman. They have to learn from their mistakes and I daresay, in the early days, most have had a few blunders. I would get an experienced specialist horse slaughterer at home.
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Azrael
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Post by Azrael on Feb 8, 2009 22:00:54 GMT 1
I think either can be fine depending on the horse. I've got one that really hates needles so would want her shot. Otherwise I have no preference for one over the other and it really depends on who is doing it and what method they are experienced with. I've seen injection done by experienced vets who really knew what they were doing and it was as ok as something like that could be.
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sazjayp
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Post by sazjayp on Feb 8, 2009 22:10:36 GMT 1
I've only ever been present once, and this was with an injection - the horse in question was dehydrated however and it took some time to find a vein which made an awful situation even worse - so I guess I'd prefer my horse to be shot, quick and instant.
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