Euthanasia

We all know that there are people who don’t enjoy the holidays.  But did you know that veterinary staff members often dread the holiday season? Why? Well, there’s an odd phenomenon that starts anywhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving and sometimes drags on through March or April – the euthanasia explosion. There are lots of reasons… Read More

Ask any veterinarian when they euthanize the most pets, and they will tell you “during the Winter holidays.”  In fact, Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, the nation’s largest provider of in-home end of life care for pets, will see an increase of 20-50% in home visits for euthanasia or hospice care the weeks following both… Read More

The worst feeling in the world is euthanizing a patient. It is heartbreaking to listen to the owner cry. It is hard to watch the tears fall and see them at their most vulnerable. Before they walk out the door after saying good bye to their best friend, I have had many owners say to… Read More

An article caught my eye the other day. It told the story of a vet, Jian Zhicheng, who worked at an animal shelter in Taiwan. She had euthanized 700 animals in two years – many of whom were healthy and perfectly adoptable. The fact was there was no space to keep them and no one to… Read More

When people hear I’m a veterinarian, they usually say, “Oh, I love animals. I would love to do that. But I could never put them to sleep.” In truth, I never had any real trouble performing euthanasia during my first years as a vet. It was always sad, but so often necessary and generally so peaceful…. Read More