06/29/2024
Gift of Peace
One of the most common comments I get is, āEuthanizing an animal must be the hardest part of your job.ā I usually answer this comment with a grim smile and donāt say much more but I feel compelled to share the truth to this comment at this time. IN TRUTH, justly euthanizing an animal is not even close to the hardest part of my job. The hardest part of my job is not being able to help them when needed. Sometimes I have the ability to help an animal but for some reason I am restricted, which may include euthanasia. Sometimes it is against the owners beliefs, sometimes the owner has other misleading information, sometimes we donāt have the medical answers or ability to cure a certain disease and every vets worse nightmare is not knowing the right answer to save your animal.
Euthanasia is a gift that we provide our patients who are suffering with no chance of recovery. It is something that should not be taken lightly or out of convenience. We must judge each case and scenario on its own merit. For the vast majority of veterinarians, we do not harshly judge someone that does not have the financial means to treat their animal but empathize with their predicament. We wish that we could financially support many patients. There are many veterinarians that have failed businesses and even lead to bankruptcy due to our bleeding hearts. As difficult as it can be, we have to think of the greater good and all the animals we can help by having a successful business with longevity.
A statement provided by AAEP on euthanasia states:
In accordance with AVMAās position on euthanasia of animals, the AAEP concurs that euthanasia is an acceptable humane procedure once all available alternatives have been explored with the client. In certain cases, euthanasia should be regarded as a responsible treatment option. The AAEP supports euthanasia when that choice is best for the horse and in accordance with the role of the veterinarian as the animalās advocate.
The AAEP recommends that the following guidelines be considered in evaluating the need for humane euthanasia of a horse. The attending veterinarian is able to assist in making this determination, especially regarding the degree to which a horse is suffering. Guidelines are listed below to assist in making humane decisions regarding euthanasia of horses.
A horse should not have to endure the following:
ā¢ Continuous or unmanageable pain from a condition that is chronic and incurable.
ā¢ A medical condition or surgical procedure that has a poor prognosis for a good quality of life.
ā¢ Continuous analgesic medication and/or box stall confinement for the relief of pain for the rest of its life.
ā¢ An unmanageable medical or behavioral condition that renders it a hazard to itself or its handlers.
In end of life discussions, the top concern of owners is, āwhen do I know it is the right time?ā This is a very complex answer, but can be broken down into a few simpler concepts.
1. Pain Tolerance: Just because your horse feels some pain, whether from arthritis or an injury, does not mean they do not enjoy life. There are many of us humans that have some level of pain but it is tolerable, and the same can be said for horses. It is when that pain seems to be overwhelming that euthanasia should be considered. Usually we recommend keeping track of things your horse seems to enjoy. It could be eating, nickering and playing with friends, relaxing in the shade in the afternoon, watching other horses get ready to work in the barn aisle, chasing the dogs/chickens/goats out of the pen. When they are no longer doing a few of these consider how much they might be enjoying life. These horses will usually look depressed and lethargic. They are allowed to have their bad days but when the bad outnumber the good, we have to consider their quality of life. You will know this better than your veterinarian because you see your horse more frequently. Veterinarians will often lean on the owner in these moments and ask āquality of lifeā questions to help you make the right decision for the horse, you and your family.
2. āSparkle in the eyeā: There really is a different look in a horseās eye when they are ready. It cannot be described accurately but when you see it you know. This is mostly appreciated in older horses that have be successfully handling a lameness for a long time, and eventually decide they are done. Sometimes we need to euthanasia before they get to this ālookā and that is perfectly acceptable in some circumstances. This is especially true in injuries or colics that have a grave prognosis but the horse is not in devasting pain yet. Trying to treat could prolong the inevitable and the suffering.
3. Dangerous: There are times that a horse can be a danger to themselves and others around them. These horses can be especially difficult because it is not necessarily the horses fault. It could be due to an abusive history or a disease that is making them crazy (ex. Rabies), or they are just born mean. There are people that believe animals do not have an inherent ability to be mean, but I have personally seen horses that were raised by responsible and loving owners and the horse was down right viscous. It is extremely rare and there might have been an underlying issue/disease but the general public should know that not every horse that is āmeanā was handled incorrectly. And there are some that cannot be trained to behave in a better/safer way.
4. Financial: No one, I will repeatā¦NO ONE, should ever feel guilty that they cannot afford the best ivory tower medicine for their animal. Medical treatment can be dauntingly expensive and we have to consider ourselves and family in making these decisions. Most people want to do everything possible for their animal but for many there are limitations that we just canāt overcome. We have to take a moment and think rationally about the situation, which is sometimes the hardest thing to do.
It is important for owners to know and respect that veterinarians have a right and responsibility to refuse euthanasia for any animal they do not feel is being euthanatized for the right reasons. We have to been able to sleep at night knowing that we did the best we could for every patient on each day. There are many nights that I spend tossing and turning, trying to figure out what I could have done better that day, but inappropriately euthanizing an animal will not be a reason I cannot sleep.
If someone is considering euthanizing their animal many veterinarians are open to discussing the case and possible options. It is a two-way conversation and together we can come up with the best possible option. Euthanasia may be it, and that is okay. We can find peace in knowing that we knew all the possibilities and came up with the best possible outcome for the horse, ourselves and our families.
Sincerely an Equine Veterinarian and Forever horse girl,
Dr. Jennifer Rosenberg
