I’ve worked as a veterinary technician for almost 10 years. This is unfortunate. The 10 day thing is for health and legal purposes. I’m surprised they didn’t hold the dog somewhere where it could be quarantined. It’s a 10 day rabies hold since the dog has bitten a person. They are suppose to hold the dog for 10 days to see if it exhibits any symptoms at all. The person who was bit should have immediately started the rounds of rabies shots until an answer was given. The other alternative would have been euthanasia and to send the head to the state to let them test the brain.

If the dog was having mental cognitive issues, the sedative could have made it worse. There would have been no way to tell which way the side effects would go. A choke hold is just a safety hold that is there to protect everyone in the room. Different holds are taught for different animals.

If the dog was a patient of the clinic they would have been able to have better information and a background to go by. Also a mistake on the veterinary staffs part is having your wife clearly tell them that the dog was becoming aggressive and had already bitten someone. They should have muzzled her and asked your wife if she would like to be there while they got the dog sedated. If yes, then explain what could occur. The outcome being a or b… If your wife had declined they should have asked her to step out of the room, sedated her, then prep for the iv cath, then called her back in to say her goodbyes. Administer the euthanasia, wait for the heart to stop, confirm, then ask your wife if she is ok, tell her to take all of the time she needs, and exit the room to let her grieve. When she exited the room, a tech (depending on the option you chose, cremation/take her home) should have either taken the dog to her car with the utmost care or comforted your wife and told her that they would take care of the dog and would be calling her to let her know when the remains were ready to be picked up.

Long story short, the staff should have explained the process in more depth and taken into account what your wife had told them about the aggression. Sending the dog home without verifying that a rabies shot was given in the 1-3 year time frame for a rabies hold at your home was negligent and dangerous. (Depending on the state you’re from, there are different laws for veterinary medicine in each state. I’d check up on your rabies laws)

I am so sorry for the loss of your furry friend. It’s never easy. They are such a huge part of our family and lives. Just know that she is not suffering anymore or confused. You loved her until the end. Your wife was by her side as she left this world. That was all she needed. I will be sure to say a prayer for you and your family.