Voluntary Euthanasia

Yeah, but if they weren't dying, it wouldn't kill them.

Well drug overdose is common, so it's possible. Granted a terminal pts tends to get a buttload of narcs and sedatives so there's a difference in volume. But most people do OD off narcs and sedatives.

Well drug overdose is common, so it's possible. Granted a terminal pts tends to get a buttload of narcs and sedatives so there's a difference in volume. But most people do OD off narcs and sedatives.

You're saying the dosages ordered for terminal patients would kill a non-terminal patient?

You're saying the dosages ordered for terminal patients would kill a non-terminal patient?

It's definitely possible. Morphine depresses the respiratory reflex. How much would kill them depends on the patient.

You're saying the dosages ordered for terminal patients would kill a non-terminal patient?

The dosages ordered for non-terminal patients can kill non-terminal patients, that we have various monitoring protocols for patients receiving opiates, that's why we use narcan. Along with other potentially harmful CNS depressive effects, opiates reduce the drive to breath. In non-terminal patients we use dosages intended to limit this effect, in some terminal patients we're trying to reduce the drive to breath in treating dyspnea. The dosages required varies by patient and their condition, but in some instance such as a terminal wean, the dosages required can be quite large.

Ok I know this makes me a grammar Nazi, but this is driving me crazy.

Breath is a noun. "She took a breath."

Breathe is the verb. "He continues to breathe."

You're saying the dosages ordered for terminal patients would kill a non-terminal patient?

Possibly, but there are way too many variables in place. I've seen pt med lists that had enough narcs on there to kill me many times over, but because they had built up a tolerance, it didn't effect the pt the way it would me.

Just like with drunks. One can look/act stone cold sober at .300 when that would kill someone who never drinks.

Ok I know this makes me a grammar Nazi, but this is driving me crazy.

Breath is a noun. "She took a breath."

Breathe is the verb. "He continues to breathe."

I'll mention that to my autocorrect.

There is no way to make a terminal, suffering, cat comfortable. Just what they have to DO to them to get them to the place where they are getting "comfort" measures is horrendous and horrific for the animal.

Ever start an IV in a scared, confused cat who is in pain? They have to be around other animals who likely scare them, which makes it worse, and not to mention it's not exactly easy to medicate a healthy cat, never mind a sick one.

Euthanasia isn't cheap, neither is cremation or burial. Digging a hole isn't much fun either. It would actually be more convenient to leave the animal at home and wait for them to keel over, but someone who loves their animals couldn't care less about convenience, I assure you.

The last pet we euthanized died from "sudden lead poisoning"...pretty inexpensive. That probably wouldn't "work" for many folks.

The last pet we euthanized died from "sudden lead poisoning"...pretty inexpensive. That probably wouldn't "work" for many folks.

Well, I was responding to your comment that there are ways to keep animals comfortable. You're argument was that there were ways to prevent suffering...and euthanasia wasn't for the benefit of the pet, but the parent.

You clearly just like stirring up the pot, and frankly, you don't sound like a very compassionate or respectful person, which is a scary thought considering that this is a nursing forum.............

Possibly, but there are way too many variables in place. I've seen pt med lists that had enough narcs on there to kill me many times over, but because they had built up a tolerance, it didn't effect the pt the way it would me.

Just like with drunks. One can look/act stone cold sober at .300 when that would kill someone who never drinks.

I see what you're saying. I know for my Nana, the morphine certainly helped her slip away faster but it wouldn't have been enough of a dose to OD her had she not already been dying. I would think that is the case more often than not, no?

I was really just busting your chops, but you do make a valid point. :)

It almost seems as though you are now out to intentionally antagonize. Many people view pets as family, and this is a sensitive issue for them. This type of comment reflects a lack of respect for that view.

I view pets as an animal member of the family. We are kind and considerate and loving with our house pets. When they are dying they are euthanized in short order in the most effective means available to us. It is quick and merciful.

It is interesting to me that there is so much emotional upheaval about euthanisia of animals in the meat of a thread about euthanasia of humans. Why personalize the views of another, especially when those views cause you emotional distress?