Putting a Dog down at Home
When a dog is dying slowly, the owner may want to help the dog pass away easily, and a good way to help a dog die naturally is to euthanize it.
When you think of dog euthanasia, you may want to consider using over-the-counter drugs (OTC) if you can’t pay for the service of a vet.
Of course, yes, using OTC drugs to euthanize your pet has its merits and risks.
However, it’s important to understand how to euthanize dogs with over-the-counter drugs in the most painless way.
Also, you should know how to choose the right medication for your dying dog and what to expect after euthanasia has been performed.
How to Help a Dog Die Naturally at Home?
If you would like to euthanize your pet with prescription drugs such as xylenol PM, Benadryl, or Xanax, the first thing is to talk with your vet.
A veterinarian understands better the state laws about animal life and safety, and would you on the best course of action based on your dog’s circumstances.
It is important to be upfront with your vet about any other medications your dog is taking, as well as any allergies, as this could affect the drug they recommend.
The dosage of the drug will also be based on your dog’s weight, so it is important to get this information from your vet before proceeding.
Once you have the recommended drug and dosage from your vet, you should always follow their instructions when performing euthanasia.
How to Put a Dog Down with Pills?
The most common prescription and over-the-counter pill used for euthanizing dogs is pentobarbital.
Pentobarbital is barbiturate, which means it acts as a central nervous system depressant.
It is typically used as an anesthetic agent, but can also be used to induce coma and death in high doses.
Pentobarbital typically comes in pill form, but can also be injected into the veins and muscles of the animal.
How to Use over the counter drugs to kill a dog?
Most dog owners can not inject their dogs, of course, yes, your vet should do it.
Therefore, the easiest way to administer pentobarbital to put down a dog is by mixing it with her food or water. It is typically given intravenously, but it can also be given orally.
Once your dog has ingested the food with the pentobarbital, the pill takes effect within 30 minutes to 1 hour, and your dog goes on a long sleep.
The dog will first become drowsy and may lose consciousness.
The dose of pentobarbital required for dog euthanasia varies depending on the weight of your dog.
As a rule of thumb, you can give between 50 to 100 mg/kg. In high doses, pentobarbital will stop the heart and lungs from functioning, leading to death.
Benefits and Challenges of using Pills to Euthanize Dogs?
While exploring how to euthanize dogs with over-the-counter pills and euthanasia solutions, you should have in your mind that there are advantages and disadvantages of using pentobarbital or other drugs to euthanize dogs.
Some of the pros include its availability, affordability, and ease of use.
Also, pentobarbital is considered to be humane when administered correctly.
However, there are also some disadvantages to using pentobarbital on animals.
One of the main drawbacks is that it is not always reliable to help a dog pass away.
Also, it may cause a prolonged or painful death to your dog if the pentobarbital is not administered correctly.
Moreso, pentobarbital is a controlled substance, which means that it can only be obtained with a prescription from a doctor.
A common side effect of pentobarbital is vomiting, which can occur in up to 30% of dogs.
Pentobarbital can also cause seizures, muscle twitching, and diarrhea in dogs.
In rare cases, pentobarbital can cause anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Conclusion
Using over-the-counter drugs to euthanize dogs has both advantages and downsides.
The main benefit is that the drugs are readily available in drug stores and affordable.
The main disadvantage of using pentobarbital in killing a dog is that they are not always reliable.
When deciding to euthanize your dog, it is important to consult with a veterinarian beforehand and know exactly how to euthanize dogs with over-the-counter drugs.
By taking into consideration factors such as allergies, medication, and weight, and following the recommended steps, we can ensure that the euthanasia process is performed humanely and with the utmost care and compassion for the dog.
