Euthanasia of dogs and cats by veterinarians in New Zealand: protocols, procedures and experiences

Figures & data

Table 1. Number (%) of veterinarians (n = 361) responding to a survey on euthanasia of dogs and cats indicating their personal policy regarding convenience euthanasia^a for dogs and cats compared to the policy of the veterinary practice in which they work.

	Personal policy
Practice policy	No	Only in special circumstances	Yes for any client who asks
Dogs
No	114 (31.6%)	5 (1.4%)	0 (0%)
Only in special circumstances	30 (8.3%)	153 (42.4%)	5 (1.4%)
Yes for any client who asks	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.5%)	44 (12.2%)
Cats
No	104 (28.8%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0%)
Only in special circumstances	27 (7.5%)	166 (46.0%)	5 (1.4%)
Yes for any client who asks	2 (0.6%)	9 (2.5%)	44 (12.2%)

^a Defined as when the owner no longer wants an otherwise healthy animal alive for personal reasons (e.g. lifestyle changes or not being able to afford to keep the pet).

Table 2. Number (%) of veterinarians (n = 361) responding to a survey on euthanasia of dogs and cats reporting the timing^a of when they discuss various aspects of euthanasia with the owners of dog and cats to be euthanised.

Aspect discussed	Before euthanasia	During euthanasia	After euthanasia	Never discussed
Owner’s decision to euthanise the animal
Dog	345 (95.6%)	14 (3.9%)	14 (3.9%)	13 (3.6%)
Cat	342 (94.7%)	13 (3.6%)	15 (4.2%)	14 (3.9%)
Euthanasia procedure (steps involved)
Dog	354 (98.1%)	66 (18.3%)	5 (1.4%)	0 (0%)
Cat	352 (97.5%)	61 (16.9%)	8 (2.2%)	0 (0%)
Euthanasia complications^b
Dog	329 (91.1%)	83 (23.0%)	32 (8.9%)	2 (0.6%)
Cat	329 (91.1%)	87 (24.1%)	30 (8.3%)	4 (1.1%)
Disposal of remains
Dog	343 (95.0%)	12 (3.3%)	56 (15.5%)	1 (0.3%)
Cat	342 (94.7%)	14 (3.9%)	58 (16.1%)	1 (0.3%)
Options for grief counselling or support
Dog	28 (7.8%)	4 (1.1%)	48 (13.3%)	284 (78.7%)
Cat	31 (8.6%)	2 (0.6%)	48 (13.3%)	274 (75.9%)
Other discussions
Dog	17 (4.7%)	5 (1.4%)	7 (1.9%)	3 (0.8%)
Cat	11 (3.0%)	1 (0.3%)	4 (1.1%)	4 (1.1%)

^a Respondents were allowed to select more than one timing option for each aspect of the euthanasia process and therefore the row totals may sum to greater than 100%.

^b E.g. vocalisation, urination, defecation, muscle spasms.

Table 3. Approaches used by veterinarians (n = 361) responding to a survey on euthanasia of dogs and cats for performing different elements of dog and cat euthanasia procedures.

	N (%)
	Dog	Cat
Offering owner option of being present for euthanasia
Always offer, but let owner decide	249 (68.9%)	250 (69.2%)
Always offer and encourage owner to be present	105 (29.1%)	102 (28.2%)
Always offer, but discourage owner from being present	3 (0.8%)	3 (0.8%)
Sometimes offer depending on the client	3 (0.8%)	4 (1.1%)
Never offer for owner to be present	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)
Location to perform euthanasia in clinic
Routine consult room	288 (79.8%)	302 (83.7%)
Dedicated euthanasia room	29 (8.0%)	34 (9.4%)
Treatment room	3 (0.8%)	3 (0.8%)
Other location	41 (11.3%)	22 (6.2%)
Use of pre-euthanasia sedation
Not used	71 (19.7%)	53 (14.7%)
Always used	119 (32.9%)	170 (47.1%)
Only used if client elects	59 (16.3%)	45 (12.5%)
Other	112 (31.0%)	91 (25.2%)
Reasons for not administering sedation^a
Too expensive	11 (15.5%)	8 (15.1%)
Too time-consuming	21 (29.6%)	13 (24.2%)
Causes animal distress	11 (15.5%)	14 (26.4%)
Not necessary	56 (78.9%)	45 (84.9%)
Makes the vein difficult to find	22 (31.0%)	19 (35.8%)
Other	18 (25.4%)	5 (9.4%)
Route of administration of sedation^b
Subcutaneous	108 (37.2%)	126 (40.9%)
Intramuscular	206 (71.0%)	223 (72.4%)
Intravenous	58 (20.0%)	23 (7.5%)
Oral	15 (5.2%)	5 (1.6%)
Placement of IV catheter
None placed	136 (37.7%)	177 (49.0%)
Always placed	131 (36.2%)	103 (28.5%)
Only placed if owner present	50 (13.8%)	45 (12.5%)
Other	44 (12.2%)	34 (9.4%)
Methods of restraint for performing euthanasia
None	71 (19.6%)	54 (14.9%)
Sedation	157 (43.5%)	195 (54.0%)
Muzzle	30 (8.3%)	5 (1.4%)
Towel wrap	0 (0%)	57 (15.8%)
Crush cage	0 (0%)	10 (2.8%)
Owner restraining animal	111 (30.7%)	99 (27.4%)
Nurse restraining animal	246 (68.1%)	232 (64.2%)
Other	54 (15.0%)	33 (9.1%)

^a Among the 71 respondents for dogs and 53 respondents for cats who did not use sedation.

^b Among the 290 respondents for dogs and 308 respondents for cats who used sedation at least some of the time.

Table 4. Number (%) of veterinarians (n = 361) responding to a survey on euthanasia of dogs and cats that indicated that various aspects to their approach for performing a dog or cat euthanasia would change under different clinical scenarios.

	Children present for euthanasia	Emergency case	Geriatric animal	Aggressive animal	Client unable to afford euthanasia	Convenience euthanasia
Less detailed discussions with owners about euthanasia procedures
Dog	29 (8.0%)	159 (44.0%)	4 (1.1%)	45 (12.5%)	9 (2.5%)	18 (5.0%)
Cat	22 (6.1%)	149 (41.3%)	4 (1.1%)	24 (6.6%)	9 (2.5%)	10 (2.8%)
Less likely to allow owners to be present during euthanasia
Dog	25 (6.9%)	49 (13.6%)	1 (0.3%)	71 (19.7%)	11 (3.0%)	15 (4.2%)
Cat	15 (4.2%)	56 (15.5%)	0 (0%)	75 (20.8%)	9 (2.5%)	8 (2.2%)
Less likely to use sedation
Dog	25 (6.9%)	105 (29.1%)	61 (16.9%)	11 (3.0%)	78 (21.6%)	6 (1.7%)
Cat	1 (0.3%)	93 (25.8%)	47 (13.0%)	1 (0.3%)	57 (15.8%)	7 (1.9%)
Less likely to place IV catheter
Dog	25 (6.9%)	47 (13.0%)	12 (3.3%)	51 (14.1%)	39 (10.8%)	7 (1.9%)
Cat	1 (0.3%)	46 (12.7%)	19 (5.3%)	48 (13.3%)	35 (9.7%)	5 (1.4%)
A different route of administration of the euthanasia drug
Dog	25 (6.9%)	91 (25.2%)	36 (10.0%)	58 (16.1%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)
Cat	3 (0.8%)	91 (25.2%)	49 (13.6%)	91 (25.2%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)
Different restraint methods
Dog	25 (6.9%)	55 (15.2%)	16 (4.4%)	264 (73.1%)	7 (1.9%)	3 (0.8%)
Cat	14 (3.9%)	45 (12.5%)	9 (2.5%)	205 (56.8%)	4 (1.1%)	1 (0.3%)

Table 5. Number (%) of veterinarians (n = 361) responding to a survey on euthanasia of dogs and cats reporting their rating of the the training they received on different aspects of euthanasia in veterinary school.

	Cannot recall	Did not receive training	Very poor	Poor	Satisfactory	Good	Very good	Weighted score ^a
Euthanasia administration techniques	42 (11.6%)	38 (10.5%)	18 (5.0%)	82 (22.7%)	99 (27.4%)	59 (16.3%)	23 (6.4%)	2.60
Euthanasia drug protocols	46 (12.7%)	54 (15.0%)	21 (5.8%)	59 (16.3%)	109 (30.2%)	51 (14.1%)	21 (5.8%)	2.46
Ethical decision-making	60 (16.6%)	49 (13.6%)	21 (5.8%)	75 (20.8%)	88 (24.4%)	49 (13.6%)	19 (5.3%)	2.41
Legal requirements	62 (17.2%)	49 (13.6%)	24 (6.6%)	66 (18.3%)	97 (26.9%)	47 (13.0%)	16 (4.4%)	2.39
Discussing euthanasia complications	47 (13.0%)	70 (19.4%)	25 (6.9%)	75 (20.8%)	68 (18.8%)	48 (13.3%)	28 (7.8%)	2.26
Dealing with emotional clients	40 (11.1%)	113 (31.3%)	41 (11.4%)	67 (18.6%)	53 (14.7%)	34 (9.4%)	13 (3.6%)	1.67
Disposal methods for remains	48 (13.3%)	127 (35.2%)	24 (6.6%)	67 (18.6%)	64 (17.7%)	21 (5.8%)	10 (2.8%)	1.55
Euthanasia sedation protocols	50 (13.9%)	107 (29.6%)	33 (9.1%)	103 (28.5%)	46 (12.7%)	17 (4.7%)	5 (1.4%)	1.51
Managing compassion fatigue	38 (10.5%)	132 (36.6%)	47 (13.0%)	76 (21.1%)	38 (10.5%)	21 (5.8%)	9 (2.5%)	1.37

^a Calculated as a weighted mean among those individuals who provided a response to the statement, and where: did not receive training = 0, very poor = 1, poor = 2, satisfactory = 3, good = 4, and very good = 5.

Table 6. Number (%) of veterinarians (n = 361) responding to a survey on euthanasia of dogs and cats reporting their level of comfort with different aspects of euthanasia at the time of survey completion.

	Very uncomfortable	Uncomfortable	Neutral	Comfortable	Very comfortable	Weighted score ^a
Discussing euthanasia complications	6 (1.7%)	3 (0.8%)	14 (3.9%)	161 (44.6%)	177 (49.0%)	4.39
Disposal methods for remains	7 (1.9%)	2 (0.6%)	20 (5.5%)	165 (45.7%)	167 (46.3%)	4.33
Euthanasia administration techniques	6 (1.7%)	5 (1.4%)	24 (6.6%)	178 (49.3%)	148 (41.0%)	4.27
Euthanasia drug protocols	7 (1.9%)	6 (1.7%)	32 (8.9%)	169 (46.8%)	147 (40.7%)	4.23
Ethical decision-making	7 (1.9%)	6 (1.7%)	26 (7.2%)	197 (54.6%)	125 (34.6%)	4.18
Euthanasia sedation protocols	8 (2.2%)	14 (3.9%)	58 (16.1%)	169 (46.8%)	112 (31.0%)	4.01
Dealing with emotional clients	9 (2.5%)	27 (7.5%)	66 (18.3%)	188 (52.1%)	71 (19.7%)	3.79
Legal requirements	10 (2.8%)	45 (12.5%)	107 (29.6%)	144 (39.9%)	55 (15.2%)	3.52
Managing compassion fatigue	16 (4.4%)	52 (14.4%)	146 (40.4%)	109 (30.2%)	38 (10.5%)	3.28

^a Calculated as a weighted mean among those individuals who provided a response to the statement, and where: very uncomfortable = 1, uncomfortable = 2, neutral = 3, comfortable = 4, and very comfortable = 5.