Golden Retriever

       Euthanasia, as the name implies, is death without pain. When dogs suffer from incurable diseases and endure pain uncontrolled by medication, owners usually cooperate with veterinarians to perform euthanasia. However, many owners report that after witnessing the entire euthanasia process, it is not as peaceful as expected.

       There are three euthanasia methods:

Potassium Chloride Method

Rapid intravenous injection of 10% potassium chloride solution at 0.3-0.5 ml per kilogram of body weight.

Barbiturate Sodium Method

Rapid intravenous injection at 15 ml or 75 mg per kilogram of body weight.

Saturated Magnesium Sulfate Method

Rapid intravenous injection of 40% magnesium sulfate solution at 1 ml per kilogram of body weight.

       Currently, the most commonly used method in domestic pet hospitals is the first one, but it is also highly controversial. The lethal principle of potassium chloride is to cause a sudden high blood potassium level through injection, which leads to cardiac conduction block, weakened contraction force, and ultimately suppresses the myocardium causing the heart to stop beating. Although sedatives or anesthetics are injected before potassium chloride, if the anesthetic dose is insufficient or ineffective, the dog will experience a painful death because potassium chloride causes intense burning, and the dog may suffer a period of full-body muscle rigidity.

       To allow dogs to truly die peacefully, the second method—barbiturate sodium—is generally recommended overseas. Barbiturate sodium is commonly used in animal anesthesia experiments; after injection, animals quickly become drowsy and anesthetized. At high doses, it suppresses respiration causing death by respiratory paralysis. Injecting barbiturate sodium does not cause obvious pain to dogs, so many organizations and owners prefer this method.

       The saturated magnesium sulfate method is another way that causes rapid death without struggle. Its principle is that magnesium ions inhibit the central nervous system, cause loss of consciousness, and directly suppress the respiratory and vascular centers in the medulla. It also blocks the transmission at the neuromuscular junction, causing skeletal muscles to relax.

       When you need to face euthanizing your dog, you must thoroughly communicate all details with the veterinarian to avoid your dog dying in extreme pain.