Sorry you're in this situation, and for your previous experience. We changed veterinarians due to the 'protocols' our previous vet was using during COVID, and it seems you should do the same. Regarding your immediate needs, find another vet if that's what it takes...Definitely a NO for the DIY route in my opinion.

Euthanizing your boy is a compassionate thing for you to do for him, and can be done very compassionately. We have a local Emergency clinic that has a room dedicated for the last visit together with your pet, family members and their sibling pets if you so choose. They have couches, a gas fireplace, calming music if you like, subdued lighting, etc. The take take your beloved cat/dog away briefly to provide a slight sedative and insert an IV Catheter and then bring them back to the room to spend their last/final time with their people, of which there is no stated time limit. When you're ready, you press a button which lets the vet who administers the injection know you're ready. I could not have been more compassionate!

I had to put my dog down recently.
I couldn't afford the cost of at home service. She didn't mind vet visits, so she was ok going in and being there. She loved getting a soft ice cream cone as a treat when we go out together.

We had an incident in past where we almost lost her due to an injury. She was taken care of at the vet. I'd like to think that she knew that they are there to help her with pain. She was always calm when we went there.

It took about six weeks afterward to get out of dog owner mode.
Found myself rushing home a few times to take her out. Miss hearing her greet me at the door. My cooking companion always looking for cut offs while prepping food or for dropped items.

Funny story about one of the ice cream cone treats... A few years back, the young man getting the ice cream was annoyed when I asked about the sizes of the soft cones. I explained that it was for my large dog. He replied, "don't worry, I got you". He comes from behind the counter with the largest soft ice cream you can imagine. It had to be at least 8" tall on a tiny sugar cone. It was hard to tell as lt was curled like a cashew from being so tall. He smiled and said,"I like dogs too."

I’ve been involved in euthanizing a lot of animals.
Smells are important, so are noises. You are most important. Your comforting, cheerful presence that tells them everything is going to be ok.
If it’s possible do the home euthanasia- if she/he doesn’t like your vet, get a different one to do it - they will come to your house for a fee. Oh, it would be super nice if they didn’t come wearing their scrubs, but from their end of it they’re going to get some body fluids on them (very likely), so at least if they’re fresh washed clean, it’s not as scary.

Most pets know what the vet clinics smell like. I have one friend who is a tech that stops by every so often after work, and whenever she walks up one of my pups will pee right there on the sidewalk, because he can smell her coming without seeing her.
Nice as it would be to have their buddies around, it can be very challenging to keep their noses out of the work that needs to be done, so I would keep them in a different room. If possible find a shady oak tree or a special spot in the yard that they love…or a special spot in the house they love…lots of treats and lots of scratches.
Be there. Hold them. Tell them you love them. This is when they need your strength and confidence most, so they aren’t frightened or confused, but feel secure and safe.

My heart goes out to you. This is never an easy decision, and even harder to follow through, esp if they are still having “good” days.
Most vets and techs are pros at it, so unless you have a really bad inkle, trust their judgment.

ETA: as rogue said, pentobarb is a controlled substance.. I’m not sure what field you work in, but typically you will not be able to access it, and even if you did, you wouldn’t want to get the dosage wrong. One of my jobs in a facility I worked at was recording and monitoring the controlled drugs: every month I had to go through a locked safe and verify (down to the milliliter) what we had in stock, and check it against our chain of custody logs.

Last dog was first one put down at home. Only way to go for me from now on.

The wife is crying like a baby reading this thread with me, I can hear her but it's blurry at my end too.

Yeah, no go on the pentobarbital. I was digging a hole until dark tonight, a little more to go tomorrow. In home euthanasia unlikely with Mrs. R's recent surgery and follow up bills, I think I can work something out with the vet we've been with for thirty years. The Covid ugliness will always stick in my craw but that's old news now.

I cannot tell you how much everyone's responses have meant to us, thank you.

I've been through this so many times that I've lost count (my girlfriend is a certifiable Cat Lady). Twice I've sworn never to have a pet again, but we always find more, currently two rescue cats.

A cautionary word, if you'll allow me: Consider how you would feel if you tried it yourself and messed up. I've been through a couple euthanasias that were difficult, but at least the Vet was doing it and handled the situation.

I understand being broke thanks to medical bills, since my GF went through breast cancer surgery, radiation therapy, and then bankruptcy including the loss of our home.

We haven't done a fundraiser on the forum for several years, and it may be that Para won't like it, but if he OK's it, I'm sure we can help you out.

If a home visit isn’t an option, ask the vet if they will come out to your vehicle.
Our dogs have loved to travel with us and are always ready to go for a ride.
Having scheduled an appointment for the event, I went into the office and slipped the receptionist a note that we were in the truck in the parking lot. He came out to the truck. The Vet had agreed to this and it was a familiar place, yet offered some privacy.

It is important to other pets to have a last sniff, even if they aren’t there for the “event”. In my experience they accepted it much better than I did. Otherwise, as mentioned above, the surviving pet looks for the missing friend and has some trouble understanding.

Sorry for what you are about to go through with your family member. Propofol burns when administered to people. Probably the same with dogs.

I made our vet give precedex first for sedation and anti anxiety Med. Then we waited and gave propofol. Both the dogs I did like this went very peacefully. Just a suggestion.

I am an anesthesiologist by profession. That is how I know.

I've been through this 3 times and all the vets gave an anti anxiety shot prior to the final sedation. Pretty sure they teach that in vet school.

If there are financial limitations preventing Ripley from easing the path, we should have a fundraiser, as a member has contacted and asked me about.

So, whoever wishes to lead the way, please go ahead.

We had Lap of Love guide Alice, our 13 1/2 year old Pomeranian, over the Rainbow Bridge.

Compassionate, professional and every step just right. Alice was in my wife's arms when she passed, as comfortable and as loved as she could be.

They also have arrangements with a crematorium.

We asked the vet why she chose what has to be an emotionally challenging job. She said her Mom had been a hospice nurse and she grew up knowing how much that meant to the patient's loved ones.

I wouldn't do it any other way now.

I'll keep a look out for any fundraiser for Ripley, or any other forum member in similar circumstances.

I'll suggest Pay Pal, since there isn't much time.

Ripley, how can we get money to you? I can do Pay Pal and I bet a few other members could as well. I'm thinking you won't need more than a few hundred dollars.

I’ll happily contribute to get a proper at home crossing done. Sad coincidence we’re having Lap of Love come by tomorrow evening to take care of our 14yo Cairn terrier, also for kidney failure. Been a great ride glad we can have her go at home in peace and not at the vet even though they’re great people.

Ripley, contact Lap of Love and see how they can help. I didn't know about them, or maybe would have used their services myself.

If Pay Pal or the like doesn't work for you, I'll collect from whoever in the hive is willing, then send you a check.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:
If a home visit isn’t an option, ask the vet if they will come out to your vehicle.

That's exactly what I've arranged with the vet, it'll go a long way in easing the process.

EVEYONE ELSE!! Please, we have this covered. I can't justify the cost of an in-home visit. We have good insurance, it's just not covering everything at the moment so excess cash is prioritized at this time. We're fine.

We checked Lap of Love and they had no one locally but they're not the only in home service available. And yeah, over $300 generally, and I think that's too much. I'm happy our vet will compromise.

And wow, I am so grateful for the offers of help, this raises spirits that really needed raising. That said, I imagine I'll continue being an acerbic asshole who some times pushes the envelope a little too far, apologies in advance .

ps Mrs R is really moved and sends heartfelt gratitude, she's crying again.

I'm glad to hear your Vet will work with you, honestly most of them will, in my experience.

You know how much our pets mean to us, if you decide we can help, just ask.

Sorry for what you are about to go through with your family member. Propofol burns when administered to people. Probably the same with dogs.

I made our vet give precedex first for sedation and anti anxiety Med. Then we waited and gave propofol. Both the dogs I did like this went very peacefully. Just a suggestion.

I am an anesthesiologist by profession. That is how I know.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:
If a home visit isn’t an option, ask the vet if they will come out to your vehicle.

That's exactly what I've arranged with the vet, it'll go a long way in easing the process.

That's great that they are willing to do that!

Many of us know how hard this is. Think of all the good years you had spent together. I hope that the good memories will ease your pain of loss of a loved one.

quote:

Originally posted by Ripley:

quote:

Originally posted by Chris42:
If a home visit isn’t an option, ask the vet if they will come out to your vehicle.

That's exactly what I've arranged with the vet, it'll go a long way in easing the process.

EVEYONE ELSE!! Please, we have this covered. I can't justify the cost of an in-home visit. We have good insurance, it's just not covering everything at the moment so excess cash is prioritized at this time. We're fine.

We checked Lap of Love and they had no one locally but they're not the only in home service available. And yeah, over $300 generally, and I think that's too much. I'm happy our vet will compromise.

And wow, I am so grateful for the offers of help, this raises spirits that really needed raising. That said, I imagine I'll continue being an acerbic asshole who some times pushes the envelope a little too far, apologies in advance .

ps Mrs R is really moved and sends heartfelt gratitude, she's crying again.

I am crying, too. Just thinking about losing our dog, who was a "pound rescue".

My last 5 dogs were given a sedative injection before the final lethal one. Calmed the dogs down before their final moments...sucks anyway you do it but being there in their final moments is important.