Best way to \"put to sleep\" a Gecko

[Boaguy]

Unfortunatly as my vet was treating my blizzard leopard gecko, after giving him medication only every 2-3 weeks over a period of 3 months he has gone too far and the medicine I have been giving him weekly just isn't helping. I have heard several opinions on putting reptiles to sleep; so I would like to know if using a vet is the best option.


John
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[Amiechan]

I bought a gecko that ended up having crypto. She was so far gone, that when i took her to the vet, they put her to sleep for me. Figured that was a lot more quick and humane than using the freezer.
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[trinitywolf]

Hey John....that really sucks man. I'm sorry to hear it. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]
If you have access to CO2 you could do it in a small, airtight container just like rats and mice are done. Otherwise, I'm sure Jules could give you some advice. I know he has to put down some rescues from time to time and does it himself.
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[JuliusSqueezer]

Gassing reptiles isn't near as quick and painless as it is for mammals. As brutal as it may sound, the most humane way to do it yourself is blunt force head trauma. I always inject them with a large dose of Lidocane first but I know not everyone just happens to have the stuff laying around the house....but at any rate...A good hard blow to the head with a hammer will end it all painlessly. Once the brain is smashed, there is no pain. Kinda like when you get in a car accident and have a head injury...although you recover hopefully, there is never any memory of anything past the squeeling tires, breaking glass...then "I woke up in the hospital and don't know how I got here" same thing cept he won't wake up. Don't think you are doing your pet a favor by being gentle. The harder you hit, the better for them. Now this may not be for everyone...If you can't do it...take it to a vet. It rips my heart out to do it this way but it's still far more humane that letting them suffer and die slowly when there is nothing that can be done.

Things not to do:

Never freeze any animal to death. This is a horrible way for anything to die. It is slow and very painful. Pain comes when the cells start to freeze and crystalize.

Never decapitate them. Brain activity will continue for sometimes hours depending on species. So it is not out of the question that they can still, smell, see, hear, taste and maybe even feel for quite some time.

Never flush a live animal down the toilet. Out of site out of mind works only for your own benifit...The poor flushed animal is down there somewhere drowning and it will take awhile.

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[hisba]

I got my arse-chewed out for recommending that (blunt force trama) on 'that other site' but I happen
to agree with Julius... and the best option to have it put to sleep of course is taking to the vet.
Good luck

_________________
I'd walk a mile to kiss a reptile!

[Boaguy]

Thank you everyone,

I'm making a vet apointment, I just couldnt crush his head like that. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]



John [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]
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[Blackwidow_woman]

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img] Very sorry to here about your leo John... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]
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[SteveP]

"I got my arse-chewed out for recommending that (blunt force trama) on 'that other site' ..."

-hisba

I'll attest to that!!! April really got ripped a new one for suggesting it, mostly by people taking things way out of context. It's hard John, no matter which way you decide to go. I've done the blunt force method with both my own and wild animals beyond veterinary help...and it's not easy whatsoever. I think your choice of going to the vet is a good one, and I'm very sorry for your loss! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cry.gif[/img]
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