____________ means “good death” and its objective is met when death is induced with no pain or distress to the animal. It is the act of killing or permitting death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.
euthanasia
What are the 4 types of “broad spectrum end of life care”?
- Animal hospice
- Palliative care
- Hospice-supported natural death
- Humane euthanasia (in-home or at-hopsital)
_____________ addresses physical, emotional, and social needs of animals in advanced stages of progressive, life-limiting illnesses or disabilities, as well as those needs of the caregiver. This type of care is provided to animals from the time of a terminal diagnosis through death.
animal hospice
_______ is treatment that supports or improves quality of life, with the goal of relief of suffering. It applies to treating curable, chronic conditions and EOL care.
palliative care
______________ what are the goals of hospice-supported natural death?
treatment of pain and relieving signs of discomfort during the patients terminal life-stage.
What are the 4 steps for developing a treatment plan for palliative and hospice care?
- educate the client about the pet’s disease
- evaluate pet owner’s needs, beliefs, and goals for pet
- develop personalized EOL treatment plan w/ caregiver
- implement palliative or hospice care
What are things to consider/ensure when developing a personalized EOL treatment plan?
- discuss euthanasia + natural-death options with client
- discuss the best approach to end of life
- describe EOL options
- avoid biased presentation of information
- support owner’s EOL decision
What is the purpose of humane euthanasia?
to relieve animal suffering
T/F: it is ok to have owners consent to euthanasia verbally
false – they must sign a consent form.
T/F: you should have owners pay prior to or send bill after euthanasia to reduce stress/trauma.
true
T/F: the veterinarian should not leave the room until the pet has passed away.
true
What are the __ indications for euthanasia?
there are 11 listed
- irreparable fractures
- paralysis, immobility, inability to stand
- emergency medical conditions (ex. HBC)
- uncontrollable, excruciating pain
- emaciation/debilitation
- advanced eye disease
- diseases with: cost-prohibitive tx, no-known effective tx, poor prognosis, prolonged
- zoonotic diseases (ex. rabies)
- threat to human-health
- behavior (refractory to tx)
- chronic diseases (ex. unmanage. diabetes, CKD)
The ________ method of euthanasia overdoses the animal on inhaled anesthetic gases via a chamber. There is potential for recovery though, so death must be confirmed.
inhaled agents
_____________ can be injected (IV, IP, IC, IH, IR) as a form of euthanasia. This method requires STRICT record keeping
barbituates + barbituric acid derivatives
Which of the following are UNACCEPTABLE euthanasia agents? choose all that apply.
a. isoflourane
b. strychnine
c. insulin
d. pentobarbital
e. caffeine
f. xylazine
g. nicotine
h. solvents
i. cleaning agents or disinfectants
j. ketamine
l. pesticides
b. strychnine
c. insulin
e. caffeine
g. nicotine
h. solvents
i. cleaning agents or disinfectants
l. pesticides
What 3 agents are UNACCEPTABLE euthanasia agents in CONSCIOUS animals?
magnesium sulfate
potassium chloride
neuromuscular blocking agents
these are only to be used in anesthetized or unconscious animals
What is the mode of action for the penetrating captive bolt form of euthanasia?
induces sudden loss of consciousness by concussion and trauma to cerebral hemisphere and brainstem leading to subsequent death.
How can you confirm death after euthanaisa?
lack of pulse, breathing, corneal reflexes, and withdrawal reflex
inability to hear resp. sounds and heartbeat
lack of capillary refill, graying of MM
rigor mortis
none alone (exc. rigor mortis) confirms death.
T/F: gunshot is a legal form of euthanasia in small animals
true … unfortunately
T/F: electrocution is an illegal form of euthanasia in small animals
false – its legal, unfortunately.
it induces death by cardiac fibrillation leading to cerebral hypoxia. this method requires rendering the animal unconscious first.
What are unacceptable METHODS of euthanasia?
- unacceptable administration of injectable euthanasia agents (SQ, IM, IP, IT)
- hypothermia
- drowning
T/F: euthanasia in VA can only be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, with the exception of shelters and animal control officers.
true
T/F: in VA, euthanasia by sodium pentobarbital injection is the ONLY approved method for routine and emergency animal euthanasia, meaning inhaled gases is illegal.
true
What are the drugs used as chemical restraint prior to euthanasia?
- telazol,
- xylazine and ketamine
- dexmedetomidine
- acepromazine
- xylazine alone
- ketamine alone
