Traditional methods of equine euthanasia involve either shooting, or an overdose into the vein via needle. In both cases, the horse may react violently (though unconsciously), which for legal reasons often makes it too dangerous for the owners to be allowed to hold their horses safely.
Epitaph aims to offer a service that is more in line with what we offer our small animal owners. When Epitaph are requested to perform an equine euthanasia, we know immediately that there is a very special bond between owner and horse, and we have made it our mission to honour this as much as possible. When we arrive at your property, we ask you to greet us as ‘normally’ as possible, even to the point of putting the kettle on and making a cuppa!
We greet your horse, and make as much or as little of a fuss of them as they are normally allowed from visitors, and once they are comfortable with our presence in their space, we give one injection into the vein that contains two drugs. One part of the injection is a potent pain reliever, that will settle any aches and pains your friend may have been experiencing. The second part is an anti-anxiety medication. This is not given because your horse is inherently anxious, but because you are likely to be, and your horse may be very sensitive to your moods. We don’t what them to pick up on your emotions, so we prevent that pharmacologically. After about 20mintues your horse will be sleepy and relaxed. During this time we take care of the paperwork and payment details. Also during this period we will talk through the euthanasia process, to make sure that everyone present is comfortable with what we will be doing, especially if children are to be present.
Once your horse is relaxed, the nurse and the vet will place an IV catheter into one of the jugular veins in the neck. This is usually placed with minimum distress or fuss using a small amount of local anaesthetic, and most patients hardly notice it going in. However some horses (especially those who have had several IV’s in the past) may resist slightly. We take our time, and don’t pressure them at all, and usually things proceed very smoothly, and we secure the catheter with superglue, occasionally a suture, and some tape. Once the catheter is secure, we attach an ‘extension’ line which is about 1.5m long, and bandage the catheter securely. Once the catheter is in place, then you have the opportunity to help your horse settle again.
When your horse is comfortable, and when you feel ready, using the extension line attached to the catheter, we administer an anaesthetic agent which will cause your horse to fall asleep slowly, then lose consciousness; just as if they were to have a surgery. This is the time that you will NOT be able to hold your horse due to the risk of injury. Due to the size of equids, they may hit the ground with a bit of a thump, and the advantage of the anaesthetic being used before the overdose injection, is that this often smooths the process. While many people wish to be with their horse while they pass awy, often they would prefer not to see them fall, and this method allows people to go inside, and come back out again once their horse is unconscious. Once your horse is asleep, we can arrange their head a neck on large pads, and you may also have their head in your lap if you wish. At this point, most owners start to release the tears they have been bravely holding in. Their horse is no longer aware of the emotions, and is peacefully sleeping. We can usually keep your horse safely under anaesthetic while you say your goodbyes, and then, when you are ready, we will administer the overdose that will deepen their anaesthesia from unconsciousness to coma and then death. |
