Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We had Mom and 3 children all under 10 years bring in a pet rat of 3 1/2 years to be euthanized. The procedure was done in a protocol for companion animals like cats and dogs. I had the role of executioner by lethal injection. I acheived this role through experience and skill. Rats are injected into the heart since no suitable veins are present (this is a gravely ill companion). I miss the first shot and only draw back puss from the lung, the rat gasps for breath and struggles as I make my second attempt. I am wondering the entire time if this approach is more humane than what my snake would do to live prey. Honestly, I think the snake's capture and kill is easier on the rat. All in a day's work for me...but, usually it's cats or dogs and the method is simplified, gentle, and without unplanned incident. Absolutely, without a doubt, an incredibly selfless act-the last choice we have for a pet.

I come home thaw out a rat for my male, clean the enclosure while it's thawing. Eventually I pick up the thawed rat whose skin just peeled off the bones of the tail, let it drip, then fling it onto the opposite side of the enclosure from my snake.
My snake doesn't eat it ( he is conditioned to accept fresh kill) and the rat gets taken to the dumpster.

Somethings I wonder how it is that I can keep snakes that eat fresh kill when most of my working hours are about nuturing the relationship between companion mammal and human. I know I'm rambling, but I just needed a safe palce (maybe I won't be attacked).

Experiences like this make me not want to support the frozen (killed by co2 market) because although I realize it to be more beneficial to the snake/keeper, I'm still not certain it's the best way for the rat.

Linda

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"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance- that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer

I have to say my day at work was far less eventful than yours.
Your good days must be exhilerating yet I see your bad ones are really bad. I really do think the healthiest amongst us are those who experience the full range of emotions regularly. What did Jim Valvano (that basketball coach who died of cancer) say in his farewell speech; I think it was something like 'Cry a little every day, laugh a little every day'.
I bet your probably a pretty well rounded, healthy person.
Hopefully tomorrow will be a much better day.
Paul

Thanks for your reply, sometimes I think the exhilerations are just too far from one another. I liked the quote, I think it is true.

Linda

"sometimes i do what i want to do...the rest of the time...i do what i have to do."

have a good day, chris

That quote reminds me of one of my favorites.

"The only real freedom a human being can ever know is doing what you ought to do because you want to do it."

Anyone know where that came from? (I know to whom credit is due)

Linda

I had to do a little hunting to find that it originally came from Goethe.
Jeff

>>That quote reminds me of one of my favorites.
>>
>>"The only real freedom a human being can ever know is doing what you ought to do because you want to do it."
>>
>>Anyone know where that came from? (I know to whom credit is due)
>>
>>Linda
>>
>>
>>
>>

Jeff,

I didn't even know who the actual originator of the quote was. It makes me feel better that you hunted for it. I trust it is correct. I knew in was from the Big Book by "another great man" but I had no idea who that meant. I often wondered if you were familiar with that book.

Linda

Linda,
. I learned a little about AA when I took psychiatric nursing in college. AFAIK The Big Book is the book that outlines the 12 step program that AA is based upon. The great man referred to is Bill W one of the two original founders of AA.
Jeff

>>Jeff,
>>
>>I didn't even know who the actual originator of the quote was. It makes me feel better that you hunted for it. I trust it is correct. I knew in was from the Big Book by "another great man" but I had no idea who that meant. I often wondered if you were familiar with that book.
>>
>>Linda

You either have an excellent memory, or you're not too far from graduated.

Linda

Hey Linda,

Euthanizing animals is always hard. At my hospital, I'm a vet technician but not registered to perform euthanasia personally. Rather, I'm usually the one Doc calls in to hold the animal and hold off the vein (in the case of two guinea pigs not too long ago, I had to hold them down while she found the heart...just like for rats)....
I cried over that more than for the dogs and cats who go quietly to sleep. Hearing those little guys squeel broke my heart.

I felt, at the time, it was cold, cruel and that there must be another way. However, I really feel that even though we have to inject it into the heart and that pain is not so great for them, the euthanasia was almost instantaneous thereafter, far more quick than a snake would do it (at least my snakes).

I get thoughts that are kind of all over the place when dealing with euthanizing animals. It makes you feel horrible even though it's not your pet...just shows you have great compassion for the animals and that's who we need working in this field, rather than someone that doesn't like the type of animal and could care less that this was someone's baby we had to put down.

Big 'ol hugs. I'm there with ya girl.

Amanda Rose

Thanks for the kind words.

Linda