Menningeal Disease

fishhead · #21 10/28/08, 08:29 AM

I'm sorry to hear you had to put him down.

powderhooves · #22 10/28/08, 04:33 PM

Thank you. I will miss him. He was an amazing goat.

We had the vet put him down and I have to say I'm conflicted right now. I don't know that I will ever opt for the injection method EVER again. I think shooting them might be more humane. I'd be interested in hearing what others have to say about this. When the medicine was put in his vein he made the most horrible noise I've ever heard and I can't get it out of my head. I've heard the medicine stings. I know it was painful. Nothing would make that noise unless it was hurting. Also...he dropped but was still breathing but not alert. The vet gave him more medication. I fell apart and I don't know that I will recover myself from this anytime soon.

I'd like to hear from other people. I want to weigh the options if this ever comes up again.

Blessings from Yellow Jacket Ridge

QoTL · #23 10/28/08, 04:50 PM

First- I'm so sorry about your boy. You are right- he's running and having a great time now. No more pain.

I've had dogs put down before- usually there's two medications in the syringe. The first one puts them to sleep, the second stops everything. It's peaceful and calm. I don't think I've seen any of them in pain. They get very sleepy, close their eyes, and that's pretty much it.

BUT animals sometimes make a heart breaking sound as they are dying. I don't know if it's muscle reflex, or what. I haven't noticed this in animals put to sleep by the vet, but I'll tell you I had a puppy that died of Parvo after a long hard fight. The vet would have revived her for me, but she had already revived that pup once, and I felt that it was time to let her go. The moaning cry that came out of her as she gave up was awful.. dropped me to my knees. I've heard it since in a kitten that was dying, also. But as I said, not sure if they are already gone at that point or not. Certainly they are pretty out of it. It is awful, and I am so so sorry that you have that memory of your boy.

My point is- I don't know what your vet used for drugs, but that sound might have had nothing to do with the injection at all. I can't speak about shooting an animal, although I imagine that is VERY quick, which the medication isn't necessarily.

(((hugs))) to you. You did everything you could for your boy. He would not have been happy living his life like that. Goats were meant to run around and jump. You made the best decision for him.

Meghan

powderhooves · #24 10/29/08, 07:05 AM

Thank you Meagan. Your message meant a lot to me. Maybe if there is a next time for me I will mention the double drug. I just wish I could get his final cries out of my head. You are right they are meant to run and jump and play and he was suffering. To add to the sorrow his brother just bleats for him. This goat never bleated before. We are all sad......human and animals alike.

fishhead · #25 10/29/08, 01:13 PM

If you study where the brain is a carefully placed bullet is probably more humane than a needle stick. I think you can find the proper angle on the butchering sticky thread above.

I agree that the sound he made wasn't necessarily from pain even if it did sound awful. My young dog groans sometimes when she moves after waking and I'm sure it's not because of pain.

BethW · #26 10/29/08, 01:57 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about Ying

He had a good life with you and you did the right thing. Goats are all about leaping and running and now he's able to do that again.

Hugs to you all, people and animal alike.

Sweet Goats · #27 10/29/08, 03:12 PM

OH Hun, I am so sorry about your loss. I do know how you feel about putting a goat own. Several years ago I sold a wether (my very dear baby) but i new he went to a home that would do nothing but love him. They had two autistic kids and he just livened those boys right yo.
Well she called and told me what was wrong with him, i new right off the bat that he had UC and it was to late to help him. I had to try to get off work to do something.
Long story shot, I found a vet that would put him down for me. As I was holding this 200 lbs wether and I mean bawling like a baby. I kept telling him how much I loved him and that I was only doing this because I did love him.
The noise you heard was just the air coming out of his lungs. He was not in ANY pain at all. Believe me I thought I was going to beat the Vet to death when Cookies started doing it. He assured me that he was not in any pain what so ever. group hug:
I would never ever do the bullet to the head ONLY because I could never do it. I am sure my DH would if needed.:

powderhooves · #28 10/29/08, 05:13 PM

I am going to make myself believe that it was the air from his lungs. Horrible.....just horrible. But.....after he fell the doc listened to his heart and it was still beating so he gave him more medication. So..today I went to pick up insulin needles from my regular vet....the one who was tied up with cattle for a week.....well...they told me he gives a shot to put them to sleep and then the other injection. And...now I have to deal with his brother who is mourning. He just bleats. I have 12 goats now and I can put a wether in with him but they are so attached to their mothers they would probably have fits too. I would like to get another buck but afraid that would cause fighting. What to do...what to do??? I was going to get another buck next year but a little one so they could get used to one another (that was when Ying was here).

I just love this forum and so appreciated the kindred spirits that stop in. Most people just think I'm crazy because I have goats. There are so few of us here. I do have a friend with dairy goats down the road and she and I are like thinkers. Good to have that comradery.

Thank you all again for you heartfelt messages.