veterinary medical nursing
DESCRIPTION
Veterinary Medical Nursing. EUTHANASIA. Euthanasia. eu + thanatos (Gk) good + death. Methods. Anaesthetic injection overdose Anaesthetic gas overdose Not reptiles, fish, amhibians, diving mammals/birds Anaesthetic in water Fish and amphibians Cervical dislocation (TRANSCRIPT
EUTHANASIA
Veterinary Medical Nursing
EUTHANASIA
EUTHANASIA
Euthanasia
• eu + thanatos (Gk)• good + death
EUTHANASIA
Methods
• Anaesthetic injection overdose• Anaesthetic gas overdose
– Not reptiles, fish, amhibians, diving mammals/birds• Anaesthetic in water
– Fish and amphibians• Cervical dislocation (<500g)
– Break or twist neck, small birds & lab animals• Concussion
– Fish and amphibians, lab animals• Bullet, captive bolt
– Large animals, abattoirs• Electrocution
– Sheep & pigs in abattoirs
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Anaesthetic routes
• Vein (IV)• Heart (IC) – after sedation• Peritoneal cavity (IP) – not birds• Kidney (IR) – not birds• Liver (IH) – birds• Bone marrow
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Preparation
• Prior information– Practice leaflet
• Process• Remains options
• Separate room• Sedation?• Catheter pre-placed?
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Restraint
• Surface comfort• No stressful distractions
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Injection
• Reassure animal• Smooth and steady
– May react if too rapid
• Reactions– Excitement– Twitches– Vocalisation
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Death
• Eyes– Eyelids open & no palpebral reflex– Pupils dilated, unresponsive to light & centralised– Cornea dry & glazed
• Breathing, Heart beat, femoral pulse– No heart beat for 3 mins– No breathing– Jerky on-off (Cheyne-Stokes) breathing may occur
• Temp– Drops quickly (15 mins)
• MM colour & CRT– Remains pink with good refill!
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Rigor mortis
• “Stiffness of death”• Faster if
– Hot– Seizure – Certain metabolic disorders
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Client grief
• Emotional attachments increased by– Special character & personality– Duration of attachment– Links with
• Past events• Life transitions• Other people
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Most vulnerable people
• Varies with– Age, stage of life, life experience– Personal coping skills– Loneliness, isolation
• Those with no children
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Most difficult situations
• Unexpected death– Anaesthetic deaths– Violent accidents
• Motor vehicle, shooting, crime– Sudden illness
• “Healthy” animals• Struggling euthansias
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Client grief
• Can be very severe• Give time• Allow expression of emotion
– Where ‘reasonable’– Don’t judge– Acknowledge what you here
• How long have you known “Spot”?• Don’t have to say a lot other than
acknowledging some understanding
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Client Decisions
• Where?– Home is ideal but may be hard to fit in
• Who present?– Most owners appreciate presence if smooth
process
• Who else involved?– Involve children appropriately– Allow to say goodbye
• Arrangements for the body
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Do’s
• Give time• Speak kindly about animal• Explain procedure process• Encourage to ask questions• Present euthanasia consent form
sensitively
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Do’s
• Know and use animal’s name & sex• Have tissues in room in case required• Ensure no phone interruptions etc• Explain
– Where to stand– Owners voice and touch will comfort animal– ”Spot will take a few deep breaths as he becomes
unconscious”– “There may be some rapid gasps afterwards”– “Eyes will remain open”
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Don’ts
• Don’t make client spend a long time in waiting room
• Never say “I know just how you feel”
• Avoid words like “dispose”, “incinerate”– Perhaps use animal’s name rather than
‘body’ or ‘cadaver’ or ‘remains’?
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After injection
• Tidy animal• Place in “peaceful” position
– Maybe cover body (not head) with blanket
• Remove equipment, swabs, hair clippings
• Ask if want to spend time alone or leave by a discreet exit
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Finally
• Try to make owner’s last image is of pet looking comfortable
• Defer payment?• Sometimes can phone owner next day if
very distressed– Consider referral to an appropriate helpline
• Send condolence card/letter– Not with the bill– Wait 2 weeks before sending bill– Update records – no vacc reminders!
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What to do with remains
• Cremation• Burial• Taking home
– Express bladder– Plastic sheet– Wrap in blanket– Advise of possible muscle twitching
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Ashes
• Be sensitive when informing about and handing back ashes
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On the positive side
• Euthanasia can also be a source of satisfaction for all in helping a pet– Don’t think you should become detached
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The End