Do vets cry during euthanasia
How Veterinarians Feel About Euthanasia: The Irreverent Vet Speaks Out
How Veterinarians Feel About Euthanasia: The Irreverent Vet Speaks Out
I cant tell you how many times the issue of euthanasia comes up when I tell people what I do for a living. Most of the time they say something like I couldnt do that-I couldnt bear to put an animal to sleep. That must be the hardest part of your job.
How do vets feel about it?
Before I go any further, let me introduce myself for those of you that dont know me. Im the Irreverent Veterinarian and I give you my honest opinion of issues in the animal care world. Some might say that Im honest to a fault. I speak my mind and I wont sweet-talk you or sugarcoat the truth. I tell it like it is to you, the drug companies, the pet product manufacturers, professional breeders and pet owners. Some of what I say can be controversial, but that doesnt stop me-it can be hard to hear the truth.
Euthanasia (or putting an animal to sleep) is a common part of veterinary practice. It is not uncommon for vets to perform this service at least once a week if not more. Its a part of the job and you cant avoid having to do it.
For me and most veterinarians, not all euthanasia patients are the same. Sometimes it can be very upsetting to put an animal to sleep, and sometimes it can even be relieving. Allow me to explain.
It is not uncommon for me to cry during a euthanasia procedure when I know the pet and pet owner well. Sometimes you have a patient who has been sick for a long time and youve tried everything to help but the disease progressed in spite of all attempts. Ive also cried when a pet reminds me of one of my own that Ive loved and lost.
It is saddest when pets with treatable problems are euthanized due to financial considerations. To put it bluntly, the pet owner cant afford the care and elects to euthanize their pet over treatment. An example of this is a puppy that was hit by a car and has some extensive and treatable problems. They could have survived but the owners couldnt afford it so they were euthanized. When this happens it is very disappointing and hard to deal with. It is also very sad when we see animals who have been abused to the point that they simply have no chance of survival.
On the other hand, euthanasia can sometimes be the kindest choice. I wont say that any vet looks forward to putting an animal to sleep, but sometimes we know it is for the best. We see pets suffering and know the most compassionate thing we can do is to end the pain. I believe pets are too good of friends to let them suffer and if I can stop them from hurting, I will do it.
My Final Thoughts on How Veterinarians Feel About Euthanasia
In short, euthanasia can be a very sad part of practice. Vets feel very connected to their patients and it is hard for us too.
But there are times that euthanasia can be a blessing to end suffering, and it really is the best choice in those circumstances.
Like anything else, the process of euthanasia is part of my job and you can get used to doing it. If you work at a busy practice that euthanizes many pets and sees a lot of patients, you almost have to distance yourself a little from the emotional side of the process. It isnt that you dont care that you are ending that pets life; rather, you wont be mentally healthy and able to focus on treating your patients if you focus on the sad things. You cant become deeply emotional every time or it will tear you up-but it is normal to feel some sadness.
Disclaimer
The Irreverent Vet is a columnist that regularly contributes to PetPlace.com. The goal is to add a balanced and alternative view of some controversial pet issues. As happens with all of us, veterinarians cant always say what they really think without offending some clients. This commentary allows vets to say what they think and give you, the pet owner, the opportunity to consider another point of view. All opinions are those of the Irreverent Vet and not the views of PetPlace.com and are not endorsed by PetPlace.com.
Why I Dont Cry at Euthanasias
I dont know how you do this. It must be so hard.
Inevitably, a client will say this to me when I come to their home to euthanize their pet. My stock answer (which is completely true) is that Im a basket case when it comes to losing my own pets, so if I can make that miserable process even a little bit easier for someone else, its worth it.
Over the years, Ive heard comments about vets who dont cry when they euthanize a pet. Remarks range from those about strength and control to those about coldness and lack of feeling. I cant speak for all of us, but heres how it works for me.
Calm by Necessity
When I euthanize a pet, I am on stage. Everything has to be just right. I have to watch the owner, the pet, the needle, the syringe, the vein, etc. Im usually in a darkened room, often (for some strange reason) with a TV blaring. My eyes arent what they were at 30. If they tear up, I cant see what Im doing. Keeping my eyes free and clear is a simple necessity.
Each and every euthanasia is important to me. Every family that invites me into their home is trusting me to do something terrible in the name of something wonderful. That pressure keeps me from being emotional.
When the Tears Cant Be Held
Once, I attended an in-home euthanasia with another veterinarian. I was only there to observe, and I wept like a baby. When the owner asked me to read a poem, I completely lost it. We all cried together over a beautiful little cat. I just cant do that every day thered be nothing left of me.
There have been numerous situations that made me cry every single euthanasia Ive done for my parents, special clients whose pets I just couldnt have fixed even with all the resources in the world, and those few that fell on days where I was too exhausted or sad to hold back. When technicians go with me on house calls, I let them know up front that they should have tissues on hand just in case. There is no shame in crying with the family, and theres also no shame in being able to focus and fall apart in private later.
Noting Your Strengths and Weaknesses
I also hear about veterinarians who just arent good with people. They dont express grief well or havewalls up to protect themselves. I advise them to have a staff member who can address the emotional needs of the family. Theres no shame here either. If you have a weakness, team up with those who are strong in that area. No one is good at everything.
A Responsibility and a Privilege
Euthanasia is a privilege, a gift. That doesnt mean we have to like it. Every time we give the gift of peace to a pet, we give up a bit of the peace in our hearts. Over time, we feel those missing pieces of peace more and more. I feel that, by having pets pass at home in a more relaxed environment, Im able to take a few of those pieces back. Clients give me pieces back when they tell me what my visit meant to them. Staff members give it back when they support me.
People frequently tell me, I wanted to be a vet until I realized I love animals too much to euthanize them. I would argue that we love animals so much, we are willing to experience pain right down to our souls in order to keep them from hurting. What greater gift to give a friend than to suffer in their place?
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.
5 things to know about pet euthanasia what to expect
Youve made the gut-wrenching decision that its time to say good-bye to your beloved dog or cat. Youve scheduled the euthanasia appointment. This article is not intended to discuss making the decision, but what to expect during the euthanasia process once the decision is made. Youll be emotional. You wont hear much of what the vet is saying. Whats going on?Knowing what to expect makes the process that much more peaceful this is not a time you want surprises.
Death in real life doesnt look like it does in movies good or bad! This might be a hard article to read, but its good to know exactly what to expect. Ideally, if you have a close friend or family member facing the loss of a pet, you can read this and have the knowledge to be a voice of reason and help your friend. The most frequent comment I get from people after a home euthanasia is that was so peaceful! And it is.
Nowadays, modern veterinarians almost always sedate animals prior to euthanasia, so thats the process I am describing.
1 Animals, including people, do not close their eyes when sedated, under anesthesia, or deceased.
OK, so some movies get this part right. Some pets will partially close their eyes, but its never really a complete closure. This bothers some people. Ill often close them slightly to help, but it never goes all the way. With humans, funeral homes glue the eyelids shut. We vets do that from time to time when the owner is taking a pet home to bury and wants to look at it one last time it makes a much more peaceful final memory.
2 When an animal is sedated before the euthanasia, and after they pass,everything relaxes.
It takes a lot of energy to keep your tongue in your mouth, so some pets may have their tongue stick out a tiny bit. If your pet was a snorer, then snoring can be a big part of the experience while they are becoming more sedate. The back end tends to relax too. I see this most in the old, painful dogs who havent been able to walk well. They are holding their potty, and once they are sedated, or when they pass away, it all comes out. Well often have a towel or blanket under them to collect any urine or feces. And if your pet was having any gastrointestinal upset, the gas will be released!
3 During the euthanasia process, breathing temporarily becomes slightly faster.
When the dog or cat is sedated, they are very relaxed. As the veterinarian gives the IV injection of the overdose of the anesthetic drug (the euthanasia solution), he or she is essentially putting the pet deeper under anesthesia. A normal part of an animal going deeper under anesthesia is an increase in respiration rate, or faster breathing. In a clinic when we are putting an animal under anesthesia for surgery, well call this huffing and puffing. This can be a little disturbing when your pet has been sedated, seems peaceful, then starts taking deep breaths for a few seconds. Some animals really breathe deeply for a few breaths, and others more or less skip this phase. The breathing is a sign of deeper anesthesia, not that they are waking up, hurting, or feeling anything at all really.
4 Death is not instantaneous.
After weve completed the IV injection, the veterinarian will listen to your pets chest with a stethoscope. The absence of a heartbeat confirms the pet has passed. However, it takes some time for the rest of the body to get the message everything does not shut down at once. It is common to hear some intestinal gurgling for several minutes after the pet has passed. Some neurons can fire, leading to slight muscle twitching, usually seen in the legs. These are often subtle, but can be disturbing if you dont know this is normal. Also, any air in the lungs must exit, which sometimes comes out rapidly, sounding like a breath! This does not happen all the time, but I warn everyone, just in case. And these can happen a couple minutes after the pet is deceased.
5 You have some time before the pet gets stiff.
Some owners worry about rigor mortis setting in once the pet has passed, and they do not want to see that! I totally get it, and you have nothing to worry about. It takes a couple hours for the process to occur, so if you want to stay with your petfor several minutes after he or she is gone, that is perfectly OK.
I hope telling these things doesnt make you not want to be with your pet during to euthanasia process. I strongly encourage all owners to be with their pet throughout the process. It is peaceful, and its the least you can do for a pet who has given you so many years of love!
