Euthanasia

Front 1

It is desirable to induce

Back 1

minimal discomfort, emotional stress and anxiety prior to unconsciousness.

Front 2

what is euthanasia

Back 2

painless death
rapid unconsciousness and a swift painless death
unconsciousness+respiratory arrest - cardiac arrest - cessation of brain function - clinical death

Front 3

commonly used drugs

first

Back 3

first step
tranquilizers and sedatives
administered prior to euthanasia solution in order to reduce pain, allay fear, reduce anxiety and facilitate restraint

Front 4

commonly used drugs

second

Back 4

rapid intravenous administration of an overdose of pentobarbital, secobarbita or chloral hydrate as fast-acting anesthetic agents
given IP or IV

Front 5

commonly used drugs

third

Back 5

some euthanasia solutions are combinations of fast acting barbiturates + local anesthetics such as
Lidocaine or dibucaine (which stop the heart conduction in large doese) + muscle paralyzing agents such as succinyl choline or magnesium sulfate (which acts like curare)

Front 6

commonly used drugs

fourth

Back 6

T-61 and euthanol, are common products. all solutions are schedule II controlled substances, are brightly colored and usually kept separted from other commonly used drugs under lock and key to help insure avoidance of disatrous mix-ups.

Front 7

Procedure
Common questions/answers -
Needs of the Client

Back 7

Assurance of a "good death"

Front 8

common questions/answers
need of the client

Back 8

explain the procedure inas much detail as the client wishes. not knowing or not understanding what is about to happen is the source of great anxiety.

Front 9

common questions/answers
needs of the client

Back 9

assurance that they have made the right decision for their pet. clients must understand that their decision is irreversible. support their choice (the ultimate choice must be theirs althought they rely heavily on our advice

Front 10

common questions/answers
needs of the client

Back 10

acknowledgment of and comfort for their anzity, uneasiness, embarrassment, fear, distress, pain, grief, etc. help the owner feel as comfortable as possible at this difficult time

Front 11

common questions/answers
needs of the client

Back 11

allow them sufficient private time to say "good-bye"

Front 12

common questions/answers
needs of the client

Back 12

obtain signatures on euthanasia consent form and collect fees before th euthanasia is performed - they will be too distress afterwards. some clinics will bill clients. not advisable. they may expect this service for free!

Front 13

common questions/answers
needs of the client

Back 13

it is often best to ask the client what they want done with the body fefore they come in or before the actual procedure is perfomred. be ready to discuss options and fees. many times, clients need assurance that the animals will be disposed of according to their wishes and not "used for research". etc.

Front 14

Administration of the euthanasia solution
one

Back 14

IP or IV +/- place an intravenous catheter first

Front 15

administration of the
euthanasia solution
two

Back 15

should the client be present/ what is the client's desire?

Front 16

Administration of euthanasia solution
Be ready and make sure the client is ready

Back 16

rapid administration into a peripheral vien, unconsciousness will occur with seconds and death within 1-2 minutes.

Front 17

administration of euthanasia solution
The phases of anesthesia induction they apply here

Back 17

expect the excitement phase and be ready to restrain appropriately to avoid a distressing scene for the client.
Good restraint is essential to minimize distress and ensure the swift completion of the procedure.

Front 18

admin of euthanasia solution
reflexes

Back 18

remember that relexes can be present after the animal is unconscious
Movement does not equal sensation.

Front 19

admin of euthanasia solution
reflexes

Back 19

note also that when muscle paralysers are used, absence of movement does not equal unconsciousness and lack of sensation-(this practice is unacceptable).

Front 20

admin of euthanasia solution
vocalizations movements

Back 20

assure the owner that the animal is is unconscious and not experiencing a ny pain or distress and that these are involuntary reflexes

Front 21

admin of euthan solution
clearing of bowels

Back 21

it is common for an animal to urinate and defecate-wrap the animal in absorbent towel or blanket to prevent embarrassment on the part of the client. this can be quite distressing for them to witness and a mess to clean up later.

Front 22

admin of euthan solution
agonal gasps
muscle twitches

Back 22

warn the owner or these normal phenomenon can be very upsetting

Front 23

Attending to the Clients needs afterwards

Back 23

protocal

Front 24

the vet or tech will listen to the animals heart with a stethoscope

Back 24

be certain that the animal is dead.
once this is done the client is told " the animal is "gone"
this provides the client with a definite end point

Front 25

ask the client if they would like some time alone with the animal and provide a private, quiet place for them if they wish.

Back 25

generally leave them alone for a few minutes then reenter and ask if there is anything you can do for them.

Front 26

Some owners would rather say goodbye and leave before the procedure is done

Back 26

other wish to stay and watch the entire event.
others will come in to room after euthanasia is done (not wanting to see that part) and then want to say goodbye to their pet.

Front 27

how to attend to the clients needs afterwards

Back 27

ALLWAYS ASK UP FRONT SO YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AND SO YOU CAN RESPECT THEIR WISHES

Front 28

THE GRIEF PROCESS BEGINS IMMEDIATELY OR EVEN BEFORE THE ACTUAL EVENT

Back 28

BE PREPARED