For the ferret care giver inquiring (and other inquisitive ferret
folks) about the use of a heart stick for euthanasia.

I am a certified (CET) euthanasia technician, I attended several
seminars and practicals administered by Douglas Fakkema for HSUS.

Euthanasia means peaceful passing.. or the good sleep and is
administered to keep an animal from suffering any more than he or
she already has.

One thing we learned first off was why NOT to use a heartstick - (IC
Intracardiac) procedure - on any animal.

It is never to be administered to animals who are awake. This is the
most painful route for administering sodium pentobarbitool. Accidental
injection into the lung is common. It is considered inhumane to give
to an animal unless it is deeply anesthetized - (stage 3 or 4) due to
pain caused by the injection.

The pain is caused from a sheath of nerves which covers the ribs &
breastplate of all animals. The needle must penetrate through this
area and a shock of pain occurs during this process.

Though it is the most efficient route of administration, for this to
occur the injection must be into the heart chamber (ventricle) not
the heart muscle. The site for ICP is right or left side between the
fourth & fifth rib (called the fourth intercostal space). Clearly there
are more obstacles and pain factors to making this a peaceful passing.

The IP (intraperitoneal) injection is the recommended euthanasia
technique recommended for small animals, puppies (younger than 2-3
months) cats and kittens. The IP process places the fluid into the
abdominal cavity but not into organ. This is an easy route causing
little or no pain or discomfort to the animal. Within 3 to 5 minutes
the animal is in stage 3 and passes away within a 30 minute time
frame from administration.

It is recommended (training seminar) that the animal be placed in
a darkened - less stressful environment post injection to minimize
excitement (anesthetic reaction). Though all the ferrets we have
needed to take to the vets for this process were calm & relaxed in
our arms when this was administered.

Veterinarians are trained the heart stick IC method because it is the
quickest way and the fastest way thus freeing up clinic rooms faster.

IV intravenous for ferrets is not an easy feat for many as the animals
veins are so small.. and is it painless to go through getting the
catheter in place in order to push the sodium pentobarbitol in? None
of that is necessary with a simple IP injection.

We hold the ferret belly up while offering its favorite treat, the stab
is done and within 30 seconds they are getting groggy, falling off to
sleep. NO stress, no pain, no fuss. Plenty of time to hug them, praise
them and let them know they are not alone in this passing.

The pet owner has the right to specify preferred method of
euthanasia.... but of course the vet needs to know how to give the IP
injection for it to be effective ( not hitting organs such as liver,
kidneys etc.)

I would suggest inquiring before the procedure is needed to know if
your vets office can provide the procedure. (Personal experience with
this technique is that many times our ferrets have passed away in 5-20
minutes).

There is always a period of loss, grief, maybe guilt, but knowing
that if euthanasia is require your ferret has not had to deal with a
headache from isoflourane gas, a shocking pain from a needle injection
before the passing, is a wonderful thing,

I highly recommend any rescue / shelter personnel that has the
opportunity to attend this seminar offered by HSUS do so. I took this
at a time when I had numerous conflicts with euthanasia processes.
Dealing with sick ferrets day in and day out and trying to determine
when was the right time, feeling guilt over decision making, having
nightmares, etc.

Every shelter person goes through these conflicts. It was only after
I learned and understood the process of correct euthanasia and the
results of the administration - animal enters stage 3 which is
equivalent to pre surgery anesthesia the drifts asleep peacefully ..
was I able to deal with the decision making for those charges who were
not living a pain free or healthy life. Take the time to speak with
your veterinarians.

Fondly in ferrets,

Alicia at Ferret Wise
www.ferretwise.org

If I can pass on a few words of wisdom as a ferret owner, care giver,
and shelter person it is to understand the process before the time it
is needed. It will allow you to go through the normal grief processes
easier.

[Posted in FML 6531]