Shecky- You are crazy smart.

WinterEmissary- I have hesitated to respond to your post regarding the euthanasia of your family cat because I didn't want to hijack the thread but I really do want to say something.

First, let me extend my deepest condolences to you and your family on the lost of your pet. Euthanasia is a heartrending process and the decision leading up to it is equally difficult.

As a veterinarian the possiblity of a euthansia-gone-bad is one of my great nightmares. I would like to tell you what actually happens. I am not doing this to justify the actions of the other doctor involved or to marginalize your pain, just to explain the process.

At first blush, euthanasia is a simple process involving the injection of an overdose of anesthetic. Usually the primary drug is pentobarb. Some veterinarians will sedate the animal prior to the injection. Some veterinarains will place an intravenous catheter in every euthanasia - others don't and rely on their ability to establish vascular access with a needle.

After 15 years of practice I put a catheter in every euthanasia. Animals that are near the end of their life where euthanasia is an appropriate decision often have very poor veins, perfusion or co-morbid disease that makes it more difficult to reliably access a vein. I administer an intravenous sedative immediately prior to the actual euthanasia. Soemtimes animals may twitch or make a noise when they are euthanized. The sedative eases their passage. It also makes them unaware of what I am doing so that, hopefully, all they hear is the voice of their owner. After the sedative, I administer an intravenous injection of euthanasia solution (pentobarb). Most animals will pass within 30 seconds. If the animal has profoundly compromised perfusion the process takes longer because it takes longer for the drug to reach the target organs.

If the euthanasia solution is accidently extravasated (goes outside of the vein) this can cause discomfort. If the pre-euthanasia sedative is a lower dose it may cause dysphoria (where the animal is disoriented and may become hyper-excitable). If vascular access can not be established, there are other sanctioned methods for euthanasia but I do not even consider them unless I have no other option.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss and the experience that you and your pet went through. I know it doesn't help but I truly believe that the majority of veterinarians are dedicated to minimizing suffering. Please don't write off my entire profession - most of us care deeply for our patients.

Teresa M. Rieser VMD, DACVECC

Shecky- Got it in one although I think human docs get a rough ride, too sometimes. I can not begin to imagine what it is like to deal with family members in an ER with a critically ill family member. Holy stress batman!!

On the positive side, vets enjoy food and are often rewarded with baked goods by their clients.

And we get to work on really wonderful creatures. I have a little dapple doxie in hospital today that I could spend all day snuggling with. And I have a super cool boxer who has the softest ears ever and he gives kisses but he likes my tech more than me. I got one little kiss and she got a whole face wash:) He is going home later today after some rather injudicious dietary choices that landed him in the OR.

Enj and OE: Thanks very much. I wish I always got to be a hero too, but some people can be antagonistic when their animals are ill. I attribute it to stress - it is scary and overwhelming but sometimes they forget that I didn't give the animal the problem I am just the one trying to fix it.

Of course, I also have some super fabulous incredible clients that are fun to work with but when push comes to shove as long as I can do right by the animal I am happy.

IC- that is just down right cool. I do love a good microbology discussion. My husband is a computer guy and is now accustomed to my gross table conversation but I do have to remind myself to stick to neutral topics when out to dinner.

I can still gross my husband out on occasion. I pulled a cuterebra (basically a great big maggot) out of a kitten's neck the other day and that got to him. Kitten did great by the way...

I've got an AB in Chemistry and a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and board certification in small animal emergency and critical care medicine.

I am the first person on both sides of my family to earn a doctorate.

My dad (he died in 1995 on my last day of Vet school) was the smartest person I ever met. He finished high school.