I stopped reading the rest of the thread to respond to this, so I don’t know if the issue has now been resolved.
Is this really a law in your state or a policy of that vet only? Honestly, it seems like it would lead to more animal abuse when people try to save money on a DIY euthanasia. I don’t agree with just putting down an animal without question but a 3 year old hamster covered with tumors doesn’t really need much examining to determine that euthanasia is the humane option.
FWIW, I am in Florida and work at an emergency clinic and we offer a $35 “pocket pet” euthanasia. It’s an abdominal injection of the euthanasia solution. I’d try calling around and making sure this isn’t an option somewhere.
Okay, so I read back - yeah, should have done that first - and multiple vets say the same thing? I find that really odd that they would create a situation that will lead to people abandoning or abusing animals because they cannot afford to end their suffering. There must be a shelter or vet that will take an animal as a surrender so that they can then humanely euthanize it. Where do you live?
Wow. It’s always a little bit shocking to see something like that - I guess it’s just the way that it’s presented in such neutral language; of course you have a pressing need to kill lots of rodents - why not use our labour-saving device!
Next up: worm scissors - the solution to all your worm-cutting needs.
I called another vet and they want $150. They also said it is state law that they need to examine the pet. I can’t find a statute which specifically says that, but I also haven’t looked all that hard. I can check with the local humane society and see what they say.
There are also rodent brain microwave ovens. Whereas microwaves only penetrate an inch or so into flesh before they’re mostly dissipated, this makes them a poor choice for cooking a Thanksgiving turkey, and an equally poor choice for quickly cooking a live human brain to death - but it works great for tiny rat brains. Quick death, and preservation of chemical state of the brain at time of death, great for research.
Pertinent part:
(9) Euthanasia: Documented consent shall be obtained and a physical exam conducted prior to performing euthanasia. The exam may be limited to the elements necessary for the humane application of the procedure, such as a weight estimate and visual assessment if necessary due to the patient’s condition or temperament. When ownership and identification of an animal cannot be reasonably established, the medical record for euthanasia shall contain a physical description of the animal.
Along with the cite just mentioned, the product used is a schedule II or III (depending on brand) controlled substance and is strictly regulated as to its use.
Nitorgen gas in a bag. Some tire places use it - Costco for example. Borrow a bit from an inflated tire. Nitrogen gas has been proposed for human executions.
(Just having delusions below – on my way to Heck)
Wood chipper
Potato gun fired short range into a concrete wall or RC aircraft windshield (hamsters are smaller that chickens)
Approach one of the local gangsters and take a contract out on the hampster. Arrange to put it’s cage out on the front step and hitman can kill it in a drive by shooting.
If you film it then it may go viral on youtube, and end up famous.
I am not sure what you mean by broad, but my point is that the OP is basically using financial criteria to decide whether or not to inflict pain and suffering on an animal – an animal for whom s/he has a moral responsibility to treat well. I have known a number of people who are happy to have a pet when all is good and fine, but when the animal develops medical, behavioral, or dietary problems that cost money and time, suddenly they get cold feet.
FWIW, I don’t have any particular problem with DIY pet euthanasia to save the money, as long as it can be done 100% effectively and without suffering. From the discussions here it seems we don’t have that certainty.
And to Renee, no, a rodent that you found in the wild does not bring the same moral responsibility as you have never promised to take care of it. But if I did come across such a case, I might still decide to go the professional route, for the same reasons. But that would be because I am a real softy, and not because I think I am morally responsible.
There is no certainty of that at the vet either, removing the hamster from its cage and taking it to the vets and the exam will be very traumatic, the injection will also be and continue to be for a bit because you can’t IV inject a hamster.
The real problem here seems to be the OP’s silly insistence on a beautiful corpse for his daughter to see off, if that is worth the money take the animal to the vet.
A second thought since the OP says the animal is feeding normally and engaging in normal behaviors and shows no signs of being in distress or pain, why not just let it die of natural causes?
I’m not sure you can really make a meaningful promise to a hamster.
Certainly for a wild animal, just about anything you do at home, even if it’s a few minutes of suffering, is going to be more pleasant for the animal than the handling, injection and the struggling that’s going to happen with all of that for the many more minutes it will take to procure a professional to do the job. It may be icky, but it would be more humane to run the rat over with your car than put it in your car and drive it to the vet.
For the record, I’m a pretty big softie myself, with several rescue animals. But I’m also a farm girl, and pretty pragmatic about these things.
I don’t intend to euthanize the animal until it is showing signs of discomfort or distress.
Orville mogul I’ve cared for several animals in my time. I’ve spent thousands on pets to make sure they are well cared for. To jump from this one circumstance that we don’t see eye to eye on to saying that I’m a neglectful, detached pet owner is a pretty broad jump.
Has it been determined how old the daughter is? If she still believes in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, then surely a Hamster Fairy would work? Hamster disappears to meet whatever hamster fate awaits; daughter wakes to find empty cage with a letter from the Fairy reassuring her that Hamster is in a better place, Rainbow Bridge type thing. If she’s too old for that, explain the situation to her, that mommy/daddy will take care of Hamster and yes she can have a funeral but no she cannot attend Hamster in his final moments. A careful sprinkling of shavings should cover up any signs of, umm, well, you know.
Interesting thought. My daughter is 11 and wouldn’t fall for that. One reason the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, etc. all succeed (at least for a while) is that lots of families and society in general participate in those. Not that you would know this, but we had a second hamster (for my older daughter) up until not too long ago that died and was found in his cage. It would be tough to explain why the hamster fairy took one and not the other.
Even though it’s just a hamster, it’s still a cherished pet just like a dog or cat would be. You want the death to be both pain and stress free. Many of the methods here would be pretty stressful to the animal even if they didn’t cause any pain. Even the ride to the vet would be stressful.
It sounds like the hibernation method may be the most gentle for him. Make up a shoebox with his normal bedding and whatever so that he feels comfortable. Put that in the freezer and he’ll hibernate and eventually pass away.