Veterinary Medical Nursing

1. Veterinary Medical Nursing EUTHANASIA

2. Euthanasia • eu + thanatos (Gk) • good + death

3. 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

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

5. Preparation • Prior information • Practice leaflet • Process • Remains options • Separate room • Sedation? • Catheter pre-placed?

6. Restraint • Surface comfort • No stressful distractions

7. Injection • Reassure animal • Smooth and steady • May react if too rapid • Reactions • Excitement • Twitches • Vocalisation

8. 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!

9. Rigor mortis • “Stiffness of death” • Faster if • Hot • Seizure • Certain metabolic disorders

10. Client grief • Emotional attachments increased by • Special character & personality • Duration of attachment • Links with • Past events • Life transitions • Other people

11. Most vulnerable people • Varies with • Age, stage of life, life experience • Personal coping skills • Loneliness, isolation • Those with no children

12. Most difficult situations • Unexpected death • Anaesthetic deaths • Violent accidents • Motor vehicle, shooting, crime • Sudden illness • “Healthy” animals • Struggling euthansias

13. 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

14. 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

15. Do’s • Give time • Speak kindly about animal • Explain procedure process • Encourage to ask questions • Present euthanasia consent form sensitively

16. 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”

17. 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’?

18. 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

19. 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!

20. What to do with remains • Cremation • Burial • Taking home • Express bladder • Plastic sheet • Wrap in blanket • Advise of possible muscle twitching

21. Ashes • Be sensitive when informing about and handing back ashes

22. 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

23. The End