Death on the doorstep of a border community – intentional self-poisoning with veterinary pentobarbital

Abstract

Introduction. “Suicide tourism,” the practice of traveling to a foreign destination to commit suicide, has been described in the medical literature. Additionally, committing suicide by self-administering veterinary medications has been previously described. Case Descriptions. We report two successful and one unsuccessful suicide attempts involving border-town travelers utilizing self-administered veterinary pentobarbital over a 1-year period. Discussion/Conclusion. Health care practitioners should be aware of and informed about this phenomenon.

• Suicide
• Pentobarbital
• Tourism