Veterinary Medical Nursing

EUTHANASIA

Veterinary Medical Nursing

EUTHANASIA

EUTHANASIA

Euthanasia

• eu + thanatos (Gk)• good + death

EUTHANASIA

Methods

• Anaesthetic injection overdose• Anaesthetic gas overdose

– Not reptiles, fish, amhibians, diving mammals/birds• Anaesthetic in water

– Fish and amphibians• Cervical dislocation (<500g)

– Break or twist neck, small birds & lab animals• Concussion

– Fish and amphibians, lab animals• Bullet, captive bolt

– Large animals, abattoirs• Electrocution

– Sheep & pigs in abattoirs

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Anaesthetic routes

• Vein (IV)• Heart (IC) – after sedation• Peritoneal cavity (IP) – not birds• Kidney (IR) – not birds• Liver (IH) – birds• Bone marrow

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Preparation

• Prior information– Practice leaflet

• Process• Remains options

• Separate room• Sedation?• Catheter pre-placed?

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Restraint

• Surface comfort• No stressful distractions

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Injection

• Reassure animal• Smooth and steady

– May react if too rapid

• Reactions– Excitement– Twitches– Vocalisation

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Death

• Eyes– Eyelids open & no palpebral reflex– Pupils dilated, unresponsive to light & centralised– Cornea dry & glazed

• Breathing, Heart beat, femoral pulse– No heart beat for 3 mins– No breathing– Jerky on-off (Cheyne-Stokes) breathing may occur

• Temp– Drops quickly (15 mins)

• MM colour & CRT– Remains pink with good refill!

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Rigor mortis

• “Stiffness of death”• Faster if

– Hot– Seizure – Certain metabolic disorders

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Client grief

• Emotional attachments increased by– Special character & personality– Duration of attachment– Links with

• Past events• Life transitions• Other people

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Most vulnerable people

• Varies with– Age, stage of life, life experience– Personal coping skills– Loneliness, isolation

• Those with no children

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Most difficult situations

• Unexpected death– Anaesthetic deaths– Violent accidents

• Motor vehicle, shooting, crime– Sudden illness

• “Healthy” animals• Struggling euthansias

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Client grief

• Can be very severe• Give time• Allow expression of emotion

– Where ‘reasonable’– Don’t judge– Acknowledge what you here

• How long have you known “Spot”?• Don’t have to say a lot other than

acknowledging some understanding

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Client Decisions

• Where?– Home is ideal but may be hard to fit in

• Who present?– Most owners appreciate presence if smooth

process

• Who else involved?– Involve children appropriately– Allow to say goodbye

• Arrangements for the body

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Do’s

• Give time• Speak kindly about animal• Explain procedure process• Encourage to ask questions• Present euthanasia consent form

sensitively

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Do’s

• Know and use animal’s name & sex• Have tissues in room in case required• Ensure no phone interruptions etc• Explain

– Where to stand– Owners voice and touch will comfort animal– ”Spot will take a few deep breaths as he becomes

unconscious”– “There may be some rapid gasps afterwards”– “Eyes will remain open”

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Don’ts

• Don’t make client spend a long time in waiting room

• Never say “I know just how you feel”

• Avoid words like “dispose”, “incinerate”– Perhaps use animal’s name rather than

‘body’ or ‘cadaver’ or ‘remains’?

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After injection

• Tidy animal• Place in “peaceful” position

– Maybe cover body (not head) with blanket

• Remove equipment, swabs, hair clippings

• Ask if want to spend time alone or leave by a discreet exit

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Finally

• Try to make owner’s last image is of pet looking comfortable

• Defer payment?• Sometimes can phone owner next day if

very distressed– Consider referral to an appropriate helpline

• Send condolence card/letter– Not with the bill– Wait 2 weeks before sending bill– Update records – no vacc reminders!

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What to do with remains

• Cremation• Burial• Taking home

– Express bladder– Plastic sheet– Wrap in blanket– Advise of possible muscle twitching

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Ashes

• Be sensitive when informing about and handing back ashes

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On the positive side

• Euthanasia can also be a source of satisfaction for all in helping a pet– Don’t think you should become detached

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The End