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 (lt500g)
• 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
• Dont judge
• Acknowledge what you here
• How long have you known Spot?
• Dont 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
Dos

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

16
Dos

• Know and use animals 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
Donts

• Dont make client spend a long time in waiting
  room
• Never say I know just how you feel
• Avoid words like dispose, incinerate
• Perhaps use animals 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 owners 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
• Dont think you should become detached

23
The End