ANIMAL WELFARE (Euthanasia)

Question 1

when is euthanasia an option?

Answer 1

-poor quality of life
-can’t afford treatment
-risk to human health
-poor behaviour

Question 2

euthanasia: events and discussions

Answer 2

1. Discuss options
2. Euthanasia decision
3. Discuss the process
4. Walk client through the process
5. Support during and after teh procedure
6. Follow-up and offer grief resources

Question 3

Client experience

Answer 3

-can be one of the most difficult decisions for a pet/animal owner
-decision means different things for different people
-medical and quality of life issues: client and animal perspective
-practical considerations (ex. limited resources: time, money, facility, capacity)

Question 4

Client experience: companion animal

Answer 4

-often considered a member of the family
-“only place of unconditional love and support”
-often longest and most uncomplicated relationship
-other compounding factors (ex. similar medical diagnosis, belongs to another family member that has died)

Question 5

Client experience: Equine

Answer 5

-financial balanced with medical decision making
-“special animals” have their own story
-depopulation and accidents can be very hard
-more emotionally charged
-fear (financial, community ramifications)
-connection to animals (pride, heritage herds)
-resistant to accessing support
-high incidences of mental health

Question 6

Considerations for depopulation calls: food and companion animal

Answer 6

-may be comfortable with one and not the other
-need to plan, before, during and after
-balance veterinary responsibilities with responding to affected clients and personal health and well-being

Question 7

Communication challenges

Answer 7

-discomfort with emotion
-time constraints
-guiding clients through difficult decision-making
-non-medical euthanasia requests
-financial considerations

Question 8

Vet experience

Answer 8

-concerns about own emotions
-personal level of distress
-client presence during euthanasia increases emotional impact
-unpredictability of client emotions
-repeated demand of practice (getting good at it is going to feel weird)

Question 9

Various types of grief

Answer 9

-anticipatory
-distorted
-delayed
-cumulative
-collective

Question 10

Physical sensations

Answer 10

-tightness in chest, throat and forehead
-dry mouth
-breathlessness
-hypersensitivity to noise
-low energy or weakness

Question 11

Emotions

Answer 11

-shock
-numbness
-anger
-guilt
-loneliness
-fatigue

Question 12

Thoughts

Answer 12

-disbelief
-confusion
-preoccupation
-hallucinations

Question 13

Behaviours

Answer 13

-crying
-absent-minded behaviour
-restlessness
-overactivity
-dreaming
-avoiding reminders of the deceased

Question 14

Best practice “helper traits”

Answer 14

-supportive, but not trying to fix it
-about feelings
-non active, not telling anyone what to do
-admitting can’t make it better
-not asking for something or someone to change feelings
-recognize loss
-don’t set a time limit

Question 15

What “to do” phrases

Answer 15

-I’m so sorry for your loss
-How can I help you?
-many more

Question 16

Think about things you can offer:

Answer 16

-care in handling animals body (time to say goodbye, covering with blankets)
-keepsakes (pawprints, tail braids)
-cremation/disposal options (in home or in clinic)
-after care: grief and loss resources