Vet didn't allow me to be present for chicken euthanasia. Valid or cause for complaint?

[Isabel Allen]

Hi.

I had to put my chicken down yesterday. I was at peace with the decision - I was sad to let her go but I knew 100% I wanted to be there for my sake and for hers.

The vet said there was no way at all that I could be there as she was euthanised beacuse "the anaesthetic is dangerous". This makes absolutely no sense to me. I have read that it is distressing because they don't use a catheter but NEVER that it is dangerous, or that there is any reason besides potential emotional distress for me to not be allowed there. There was no mention of her "professional opinion" or "strong recommendation". I was emotional and in no state to question this. It broke my heart that I couldn't be with her and I feel so guilty for not challenging it.

If the vet & whoever else was in the back room could be there, and if dog & cat owners can be there, I see no reason why I can't be. I have read that it is not recommended, but never that it's not allowed. I feel like this was completely wrong of the vet to present her opinion as fact and not allow me to be with my girl in the end. I don't think I will ever be able to make peace with this knowing I wasn't there. She's ex battery so she was basically born on a conveyor belt and I hate myself for letting her die in such a quick, thoughtless manner. I will never let that happen again.

Basically what I'm asking is if this was actually valid or not. Has anyone else ever had this experience? Is there a valid reason why it's "dangerous"?

Thanks.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

Hi.

I had to put my chicken down yesterday. I was at peace with the decision - I was sad to let her go but I knew 100% I wanted to be there for my sake and for hers.

The vet said there was no way at all that I could be there as she was euthanised beacuse "the anaesthetic is dangerous". This makes absolutely no sense to me. I have read that it is distressing because they don't use a catheter but NEVER that it is dangerous, or that there is any reason besides potential emotional distress for me to not be allowed there. There was no mention of her "professional opinion" or "strong recommendation". I was emotional and in no state to question this. It broke my heart that I couldn't be with her and I feel so guilty for not challenging it.

If the vet & whoever else was in the back room could be there, and if dog & cat owners can be there, I see no reason why I can't be. I have read that it is not recommended, but never that it's not allowed. I feel like this was completely wrong of the vet to present her opinion as fact and not allow me to be with my girl in the end. I don't think I will ever be able to make peace with this knowing I wasn't there. She's ex battery so she was basically born on a conveyor belt and I hate myself for letting her die in such a quick, thoughtless manner. I will never let that happen again.

Basically what I'm asking is if this was actually valid or not. Has anyone else ever had this experience? Is there a valid reason why it's "dangerous"?

Thanks.

I’m so sorry for your loss, and that you couldn’t be there. When we had to put our dog down, we were allowed to be there the whole time, and I know she’s not a chicken but I don’t get what would be different. That just seems wrong, and horrible to do that to someone. Hopefully someone else knows more about this.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm not sure why they claimed you couldn't be there. I have been present when I had a dog, a cat, a horse and a lamb all had to be put down (separate appointments throughout the years) without them ever giving it a second thought

 

[nuthatched]

The only reason I can think of is that poultry do not react like mammals to those type of drugs, she would likely have told you that because chickens tend to flop violently around while dying and it would have been hard for you to watch if that happened.
She probably thought she was being kind.

In some cases , vets tell people that their pet died peacefully in their sleep when it might not have been the case, it's easier and kinder on the owner.
Since nothing could be done anyway, there's no point having the owner feel worse than they already do.

 

[igorsMistress]

I’m so sorry! That is the most asinine thing I have ever heard. People are present with their pets when euthanized all the time. If it was so dangerous then the vet wouldn’t be able to use it either. I would absolutely complain. I would be in that vets office demanding the body of my pet so that I could bury it on my property and I would write a scathing review everywhere possible. That is awful!

 

[EmmaRainboe]

I was not allowed to be there for one of my girls to be put down. Was also not allowed to be there to put down my dog either. It was so heartbreaking both times. But perhaps it depends on the vet?

 

[igorsMistress]

The only reason I can think of is that poultry do not react like mammals to those type of drugs, she would likely have told you that because chickens tend to flop violently around while dying and it would have been hard for you to watch if that happened.

In some cases , vets tell people that their pet died peacefully in their sleep when it might not have been the case, it's easier and kinder on the owner.
Since nothing could be done anyway, there's no point having the owner feel worse than they already do.

Why lie about it though?

 

[CoopsNPoops]

I've assisted in many euthanasions and we encouraged the pet owners to be present. However, those were dogs, cats, etc.. I never seen the vet euthanize a chicken or bird, so i don't have a clue if its the same process. Maybe it's an uglier not so peaceful process for a chicken? Doubt it, but just a thought. What do you mean they don't use a catheter. Is it not intravascular? Maybe they inject it straight in the heart through the chest. If that's the case, i can see why it would be encouraged not to watch. There's probably no sedation and the medication can be a bit painful for the animal and that can be a bit traumatic for the owners. I'm not trying to paint an ugly picture, but i feel the Vet was really looking out for the best of you. The Vet surely could see how heartbroken you were and didn't want to add any more heartache on ya.

 

[RiverOtter]

It is likely due to your vet's insurance company. Some of them have a very strict policy of zero coverage if a client is anywhere but the waiting or exam rooms.

By all means let them know that you're not happy about it, but do so in a way that isn't an attack on the vet, who had no choice (especially if she's not the one in charge of buying insurance for the practice)

And if it's any comfort - and I understand if it isn't - if you were very emotional (as you have every right and reason to be!) it may have been less stressful for her to be surrounded by people who were calm, instead of sensing you being upset. When I groomed dogs, you'd be amazed how many animals immediately calmed down once their owner wasn't in the room (people are convinced they'll be scared or upset, they only are so long as the owner is there and worried)

 

[roosterhavoc]

Hi.

I had to put my chicken down yesterday. I was at peace with the decision - I was sad to let her go but I knew 100% I wanted to be there for my sake and for hers.

The vet said there was no way at all that I could be there as she was euthanised beacuse "the anaesthetic is dangerous". This makes absolutely no sense to me. I have read that it is distressing because they don't use a catheter but NEVER that it is dangerous, or that there is any reason besides potential emotional distress for me to not be allowed there. There was no mention of her "professional opinion" or "strong recommendation". I was emotional and in no state to question this. It broke my heart that I couldn't be with her and I feel so guilty for not challenging it.

If the vet & whoever else was in the back room could be there, and if dog & cat owners can be there, I see no reason why I can't be. I have read that it is not recommended, but never that it's not allowed. I feel like this was completely wrong of the vet to present her opinion as fact and not allow me to be with my girl in the end. I don't think I will ever be able to make peace with this knowing I wasn't there. She's ex battery so she was basically born on a conveyor belt and I hate myself for letting her die in such a quick, thoughtless manner. I will never let that happen again.

Basically what I'm asking is if this was actually valid or not. Has anyone else ever had this experience? Is there a valid reason why it's "dangerous"?

Thanks.

Something to do with covid maybe? Otherwise it makes no sense whatsoever.