Abstract: Attendees were from a variety of areas and positions (VA, WY, Canada, FL - RVT/CVT, VT student, 911 dispatcher/rescue squad). The topic should have read Tips for dealing with the euthanasia process because aspects of client, coworker, and self relations were covered.

Summary:
Clients involved with a euthanasia can show every emotion from very focused and rational to outright berserk. Staff has to be prepared to deal with that. Compassion and comfort for the animal and the owners were the primary concerns. This may include the staff making the arrangements for the body (i.e. arranging cremation, transportation to burial, etc.). Catering to the clients needs is secondary (being present vs. not being present, taking the body home with them, going out to the house to perform the euthanasia, etc.)

One of the major advantages in our line of work is that we have the option to humanely euthanize an animal that is suffering, has lived a good life and no longer has a good quality of life. And that animals seem to know when you are trying to help them.

Over all feeling was that if you (as vet. staff) can euthanize an animal and not feel something, you've lost the compassion needed for this business.

Client Presence:
1. Seems to depend on the client, and every situation is different.
2. Whether or not the client chooses to be present should not imply their care of and relationship with the animal.

Ethics of Euthanasia (pet peeves of staff):
1. Clients abusing the system by euthanizing animals they just don't want to deal with or because they aren't cute anymore.
2. Clients who don't do right by their animals as far as preventative medicine and then force euthanasia due to something that could have been prevented (i.e. parvo)
3. People who can't let go of their animals and don't utilize the right we have to humanely end suffering. These people are selfish and don't have the comfort and quality of life of the animal in mind.

Dealing with the different ethics cases:
Tend to be more compassionate with the folks in #3 because they care for their pet very deeply and some people just have a very hard time letting go.

Utilizing staff:
1. Receptionists should be trained to find out the particulars of the owners feelings, issues, and wishes prior to the DVM and VTs or VAs entering a room. This helps give everyone a heads up as to what's going on.
2. Schedule euthanasias at the end of the day or just prior to a break in the hospital schedule to allow for sufficient grieving time for the clients as well as the staff.
3. Make every effort to avoid hurried euthanasias due to other clients or procedures waiting. This allows down time for the staff to recover as well increases the compassion of the situation. The client should never feel as if he/she is rushed.
4. Devise a code word or something to let all the staff know there is a euthanasia in progress (avoid people screaming/yelling/laughing in the hallways during the process)

Helpful tips:
1. Use IV catheters (put them in the pet in the treatment area, then allow the owner to be present for the euthanasia). DO NOT poke and prod the patient trying to hit a vein with the owner standing there!
2. Use heavy sedation to calm the animal (give the appearance of drifting off to sleep), then follow with euthanasia.
3. Use a color to dye your euthanasia solution if it is clear. This helps as a subliminal reminder that it's for euthanasia only. New methylene blue, sedi stain, etc.
4. Dilute the thicker solutions with saline, tap water, succinyl choline, etc. to make it inject easier (especially in smaller animals)
5. Use whatever method is quickest, be it IV solution or a properly placed bullet in a large animal (horse, cow)

Methods of care of remains:
1. Client takes body home (wrap in a blanket, in a plastic bag, put in a coffin box)
2. Client elects burial (see above, make arrangements for getting animal to burial site if needed)
3. Cremation (services that provide urns, other methods of disposal of ashes like spreading over the lawn in pet cemetery)
4. Very special circumstances where a staff member offers to bury animal for the client on personal property or on BLM land.

Special additions:
1. Establish a fund for people and the clinic to make tributes to: "Pet Trust", SPCA, County Animal Foundations, etc. Then let the client know a donation was made in the name of their pet.
2. Make sure your clients are able to drive home. Offer calling a taxi, having staff take them home, etc. if they are too upset to drive.
3. Make sure your clients have ample time to stay with the body, say their goodbyes, that they are not rushed out of the hospital.
4. ALWAYS follow up with a sympathy card (even for the one time clients) and for those special clients or ones you feel need a follow up phone call. Have staff sign the sympathy cards, write a little something (post it on the employee board so everyone gets a chance) and send it 3 days after the euthanasia.

How do you act with the clients?:
1. Strive to be professional, but it's okay to allow some emotion as well (most clients appreciate seeing that you care too.)
2. Situation dictates how much body contact you give (i.e. handshake, pat on the back, hug, hand holding, etc.) It has to be something your are comfortable with.
3. What to say? It has to be something you are comfortable with such as: "He can be at peace now, he's lived a good life" or "Let us know if you need anything"
4. Remember that there are some people who may "lash out" if they are grieving and are touched, so chose your physical contact carefully.

Injection methods:
1. Do not use a cardiac stick or peritoneal (intraceolomic) in front of a client unless the animal is extremely debilitated (i.e. inadequate circulation, kittens/puppies, etc.) AND you have fully discussed what you are doing to the client before doing it.
2. Make sure you explain side effects of the method of injection (i.e. IV and IP can cause heavy sighing, stage II excitement, etc.)

The OOPS and Wrecks that can happen:
1. The owner or family member that needs closure and asks to see the body several days after the euthanasia (and it's in the freezer)...get out the hair dryer and foo foo spray and delay their viewing until you can make the animal look presentable. Explain why the animal doesn't look perfect. Remember to always try and place the animal in a bag in the freezer in such a way that it's somewhat naturally positioned.
2. Make sure that if the client has a special request for care of remains (i.e. taxidermy) that a photo of what the breed looks like is given to him/her so the animal doesn't come back looking like a different breed.
3. Always check your ashes/urns (sign in sign out sheets help) before calling the client to pick them up. Nothings worse that a Great Dane being cremated and coming back in an urn or box the size of a coffee cup (it doesn't add up).

Attendees: Nanette Walker Smith (host), Crystal Harris, Amanda Marcum, Kelly Neil, Linda Vance, Roberta Abbott