Euthanasia. The word itself makes all our stomachs drop. It is a gift to pets and a curse to owners – having the power to decide is something we are not comfortable with. However, when going through the euthanasia process with your own pets, you are in a position to make numerous decisions that can… Read More
Euthanasia
My Oversight Cost a Dog’s Life- and This is What the Owner Did
Although I’ve been a veterinarian for over ten years now and feel confident in my abilities, a few years ago I made an obvious mistake that I believe cost a young dog his life, and it left me devastated. An aggressive Lab mix named Buddy was seen by my associate for not eating his dry… Read More
No Pet Should Die on His Own is a Myth
Ali was a beautiful golden retriever with a large liver mass in her abdomen. She had seen both her regular veterinarian and the local specialists prior to my visit with her. Her owner wanted her to be comfortable, and was open to euthanasia if he could not make her comfortable. She was already on some… Read More
Why I Sedate Every Pet for Euthanasia – and You Should Too
Sedation is one of the major controversies in end-of-life care medicine. I’m grateful that it isn’t as rare as it once was. When I talk to veterinarians about sedation, this is what I hear from those who don’t use sedation: 1. I don’t need sedation to hit a vein 2. Sedation takes too long 3…. Read More
The Unfair Necessity of Euthanizing an Aggressive Dog
Over the years, I have euthanized hundreds of dogs and cats for a multitude of behavioral issues that made their life with their families unsustainable. The vast majority of them were young and physically healthy with the potential to live years longer. These families either tried behavior modifications unsuccessfully, attempted to find a safer home,… Read More
Should You Treat a Patient as if it Were Your Own Pet?
Should a veterinarian treat a patient as if the pet were her own? Last year I was asked to do just this by clients I had just met. But making decisions as if a pet is your own is hard thing to do. What I may choose for my pet may not be right for… Read More