After a family’s pet goat was euthanized, the land on their farm precluded burial. Instead, they cremated the animal’s remains, assuming that high heat would reduce them to ashes.

Unbeknownst to them, their dog sniffed out the site. The next day, her gait was unsteady and she started vomiting. Fortunately, someone collected the charred bits that came up.

With their dog’s condition quickly declining, the family arrived at the university veterinary hospital. The sample and history suggested to the veterinarian’s that the dog had been secondarily poisoned by pentobarbital in the euthanasia solution. After receiving the appropriate treatment, she made a full recovery.

This serves as a warning — both regarding the safe disposal of euthanized animals and the importance of collecting samples.