5 Questions With… Johanna Kingsley, DVM, owner of Kingsley Veterinary ServicesAugust 7, 2020Dr. Kingsley owns and operates a mobile animal practice that offers home euthanasia and palliative care services.
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MightyVet video explores euthanasia's effect on veterinariansFebruary 11, 2020Euthanasia takes an emotional toll on even the most seasoned animal health professionals, and an award-winning video by MightyVet hopes to spark dialogue on this issue.
Updated euthanasia guidelines help ensure more humane passingJanuary 28, 2020For many veterinarians, euthanatizing animals is the toughest part of the profession, which is why the latest release from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) aims to make this practice as humane as possible.
When it's more than a dental problemOctober 17, 2019We had a tough day at the clinic recently. Working in the specialty of dentistry and oral surgery, it’s rare we need to broach the topic of euthanasia.
AVMA publishes guidelines for the depopulation of animalsApril 3, 2019 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has released Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals, a set of procedures and direction designed to help veterinarians make humane decisions in critical situations. "Humanely ending the lives of animals is one of the most difficult, but necessary, tasks for veterinarians to oversee," says chair of the AVMA panel on depopulation, Steven Leary, DVM, DACLAM. "During times of crisis or major catastrophe, depopulation of affected animals may sometimes be the most ethical and compassionate action." According to AVMA, depopulation balances the need to respond swiftly and avoid further devastation with the most humane method of death possible in response to pressing circumstances. The new guidelines are designed to ensure animal welfare is considered and achievable during an emergency, and provides procedures for the possibility of urgent situations. The depopulation guidelines are part three of AVMA's Humane Endings guidance. The others are the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals and the AVMA Guidelines for the Humane Slaughter of Animals.
Osteosarcoma: Beyond amputation and euthanasiaMarch 12, 2019When a patient is diagnosed with osteosarcoma, we tend to focus on three options: • the "gold standard," i.e. amputation with or without chemotherapy; • what many call palliative care, meaning pain medication and rest; or • euthanasia. But what if amputation is not an option? What if chemotherapy or radiation is out of the owner's financial capabilities? Or a couple of medications are not enough to numb the pain? What if visible metastasis to the lungs is already present? Bob Stein, DVM, pain management guru and founder of the Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia Support Group (www.vasg.org), recently shared another valid option.* "With my suggested approach, we can often provide quality of life to even large-breed dogs for six to 12 months and sometimes more than 20." Let's detail Dr. Stein's protocol. Pamidronate Pamidronate, a bisphosphonate, is an injectable drug that is inexpensive and easy to administer (ref: TM Fan et al. JVIM 2007). It helps to reduce pain (in 30 to 50 percent of patients), inhibit bone osteolysis, and has potential cancer-suppression effects by impeding proliferation and inducing apoptosis. The drug has a wide safety margin and can even be used on patients with renal or …
AVMA to change euthanasia guidelinesOctober 30, 2018The use of CO2 for aquatic species in regards to euthanasia is part of one of the proposed updates to the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA)’s Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals.
Study finds veterinarians are often faced with high moral distressOctober 29, 2018A majority of veterinarians experience widespread moral distress when receiving inappropriate requests for euthanasia and in instances of being unable to provide care, according to a new study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Rethinking euthanasiaAugust 21, 2018As veterinarians, we need to rethink what a meaningful and spiritual honor it truly is for us to oversee and minister compassionate euthanasia services for beloved pets.
When is it time?November 15, 2017During my 45 years of practicing veterinary medicine, I have had the privilege of practicing companion animal medicine at three select institutions, the pleasure and aggravation of starting and maintaining a bricks-and-mortar companion animal practice, the mind-opening experience of working as a locum tenens veterinarian and the ultimate satisfaction of being a companion animal house call veterinarian.
