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Are there any respected poskim who would permit killing (with a shinui) a bug or other small creature who is clearly suffering terribly on Shabbos?

If not Shabbos, what about Yom Tov?

If not killing, is there anything else you could do?

Please don't judge me for this question. I understand the answer would seem to be "no," but I also have faith in the power of creative poskim to find a part of the Torah on which good and sensitive instincts may stand.

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    judaism.stackexchange.com/q/95468/16706
    – Dr. Shmuel
    Commented Sep 16, 2018 at 19:15
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    According to some opinions in the Talmud (Shab. 12a) it is permitted to kill small insects [on Shabbat, according to Rashi] even when they're not suffering, so there's definitely room to argue that OP's case would likewise be permitted. (See also R. Emden's resp. §110)
    – Oliver
    Commented Sep 16, 2018 at 20:51
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    @SAH In that case, IMHO, R. Emden -for one- would permit it.
    – Oliver
    Commented Sep 17, 2018 at 18:52
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    @SAH Mammals are forbidden to kill(or even cause bleeding) on a Torah-level; while insects are forbidden on a Rabbinic level.
    – chacham Nisan
    Commented Sep 18, 2018 at 9:00
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    @chachamNisan To be accurate, he says "maybe it applies to dogs and cats too (because they're domesticated and humans can sustain from them a profitable relationship). His quote of Rav Nachman (left column, first line) is with regards to Shabbat. Furthermore, his premise follows -as he says so explicitly- that there wouldn't be any prohibition of "netilat neshamah" by insects [which tza'ar b"c does not pertain to].
    – Oliver
    Commented Sep 18, 2018 at 14:46

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