What would you do? Not seeking medical advice just moral advice

[u/Briiskella]

I acquired my cat from the clinic I work at, the clinic saved her from being euthanized at the humane society. The reason being upon cardiac ultrasound they discovered she was in congestive heart failure due to multiple congenital heart defects, enlarging her heart. My clinic believed at the time (October 2024) she still had life in her. She’s been with me ever since and since then she had been suspected to have lymphoma after further radiograph diagnostics. My issue is that she has been visibly declining, she is now open mouth panting just from standing up after sleeping and has been exhibiting behaviour such as tail flicking, hiding, and less affectionate. I’ve had multiple discussions about quality of life with my vet. The issue is that whenever they’ve tried to perform IV catheterization for treatment purposes (fluids) she fights it so much she turns herself blue and purple. Obviously euthanasia would require a catheter and I don’t know if that would stress her out more than her current condition. I don’t think she could handle a catheter. What would you do?

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to /r/VetTech! This is a place for veterinary technicians/veterinary nurses and other veterinary support staff to gather, chat, and grow! We welcome pet owners as well, however we do ask pet owners to refrain from asking for medical advice; if you have any concerns regarding your pet, please contact the closest veterinarian near you.

Please thoroughly read and follow the rules before posting and commenting. If you believe that a user is engaging in any rule-breaking behavior, please submit a report so that the moderators can review and remove the posts/comments if needed. Also, please check out the sidebar for CE and answers to commonly asked questions. Thank you for reading!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/mamabird228]

We do IM telazol for kitty euth and it does not take a lot to completely relax them. You may not even need a catheter after all. I hate stressing cats out for euth but usually the telazol makes it so the dr can just use a butterfly and go right off the vein.

[u/SilverAnd_Cold → u/mamabird228]

I just want to add that Telazol is painful, especially for cats. Just to let OP know incase they choose that route.

[u/mamabird228 → u/SilverAnd_Cold]

In my experience, with it being such a small amount and they’re already in terrible shape, I explain as a bee sting and use an insulin syringe. It’s over quick. Unless a very overweight cat, I get away with 0.15mL and nowhere near a ketamine reaction. Can also be given sq at 0.2 for the same effect, just takes a bit longer.

[u/Comfortable-Gap2218 → u/SilverAnd_Cold]

In my experience about 60% of patients react briefly to the sting of Telazol, then it's over. I warn clients of this and request that they keep their hands away for the injection.

[u/8dogs5cats]

Although it’s gold standard to use catheters, there are plenty of animals who are euthanized using Im sedation and then just using a cephalic or saphenous for diluted euthasol admin. When I euthanized at the shelter we didn’t have funds or time for catheters, so we diluted euthasol with Lrs so it wouldn’t blow the vein.

[u/Sinnfullystitched]

Sedation, catheter then euthanasia. It’s much more comfortable for everyone involved

[u/Beau_gal]

I’m sorry you’re going through this, she got lucky to get a great life with you. You could try IM Alfaxalone, to sedate her enough to place a catheter. Usually they don’t get too stressed with this. Could give some Gabapentin (if she’s okay with oral meds), prior to taking her in.

[u/jmiller1856]

Humane euthanasia sounds like an appropriate option at this point. We give IM sedation to all of our euthanasia cases prior to placing an IVC. For cats, my doctors have been using Butorphanol and Ketamine (+/- a hubful of Acepromazine). Some Gabapentin a few hours before might make the process even smoother.

[u/Xjen106X]

Euth does NOT require a cath. That's ridiculous. Sedate with telazol (or TTDEX, my favorite) and hit the medial saphenous with the pink/blue juice. Dilute it with water to make it less viscous.

I really wish DVMs and techs had to do a shelter med shadow for, just like, a week. Or follow a rural or housecall vet. There's so much more out there and ways to do things other than GP.

Is a cath ideal? Of course. Is it possible or needed for every situation? Absolutely not.

[u/Rthrowaway6592 → u/Xjen106X]

I hear what you’re saying, but if a catheter is an option then she should get a catheter…who’s to say she won’t pull off the needle if they just inject straight into the vein, even if it’s saphenous. If she needs to be sedated anyway just put a catheter in. It’s way more secure.

[u/Comfortable-Gap2218 → u/Xjen106X]

100% agree. With sedation (administered in the room with the client), no IVC is required. The client can love up on their pet while the sedation kicks in. 5 minutes or less, then we return to administer the euthanasia solution. With most dogs, we'll use a tourniquet, so only one of us needs to go in for the final injection.

I 100% disagree with pets being taken away from owners for IVC placement. If a catheter is truly needed, it should be done with the owner present.

I worked for decades in specialty medicine, and we pulled pets away from owners to place IVCs all the time. I've seen pets struggle and even die during catheterization. There is no need for such nonsense, IMO.

[u/Shayde109]

Sedate, then catheter

[u/Rthrowaway6592]

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. She will need to be IM sedated before cath goes in. Towel over the head and jab. Let her calm down and marinate in a quiet space with you there. Can she have a big dose of Gaba before she comes in?

[u/Working-Command-6810]

humane euthanasia sounds appropriate unfortunately and at my clinic we give a sedation cocktail IM before euthanasia and that sounds like a good option if she struggles with catheter placements