owner. At best, the information might be taken with a willingness to accept it; at worst, it could be misconstrued as a veterinary professional trying to make excuses for something that has gone wrong.
By communicating effectively with owners before a euthanasia procedure, VNs can help to reduce an owner ' s fear of the unknown. Should such a situation arise, the owner will then be aware of what is happening and better able to process and come to terms with the situation.
Despite the fact that euthanasia can be unpredictable, there are a number of ways in which VNs can help an owner prepare for and cope with what can be a challenging experience, and support their pet in having a‘ good death’.
Although other animals in the room may be distracting, and they may sense what is about to happen, having them present for the euthanasia may give a‘ sibling’ pet a chance to grieve. Alternatively, taking the deceased pet home to say goodbye to other pets can also provide closure. Some owners may choose to take the collar or blanket home to comfort pets in the same household.
Before the procedure
The location of the euthanasia can have an effect on the owner ' s and pet ' s experience. If a home visit could be scheduled, this could be offered( Figure 1). If not, perhaps the procedure could be performed outside or in the car, or on the pet ' s favourite blanket with their favourite toy?
It is important to give the owner as much information as they need to plan for the last day with their pet, without overwhelming them, and to understand the individual needs of the owner and their pet.
Understanding the needs of the owner and their family
If there is opportunity before the euthanasia, the VN could ask the owner how they want the day to go. They may not know what they want, but if they have experienced the euthanasia of a pet before they may be able to explain what they do or don ' t want to happen. For example, they may not want their pet ' s euthanasia to be performed in the same room as their other pet ' s euthanasia, or they may not want a certain part of the procedure to be carried out in the same way, or they may want to be warned in advance about a particular step in the process, such as when their pet is about to fall asleep.
Owners often say they didn ' t know what to expect, or that everything happened so fast and they felt rushed to say goodbye. It is important to reassure them that we can try to do things differently, to improve their experience, and make it a‘ good death’ for their pet.
Some clinics are fortunate to have more than one consultation room, or a designated room for the final goodbye, which can offer a peaceful space. Inform other staff of the euthanasia, to avoid an unknowing staff member bursting into the room, or hearing laughter from the lunch room, at this delicate time.
Some owners may want their children or other animals to be present. Depending on the age of the child, each will have a different understanding of death and dying. In the second author ' s experience, parents tend to arrange the appointment when their children are at school or being cared for, but they may need to resort to a backup plan, which has been known to involve a VN serving as a distraction / babysitter when all else fails!
Figure 1. A home visit could be scheduled if offered by the practice.
Reduce the stimuli that may cause a patient to have an adverse reaction to the situation; this is important even before the pentobarbital is administered. Soft, nonfluorescent lighting, or natural lighting where possible, will help the room feel less clinical. Turn off any phones in the room, and turn off any computers or at least turn down the brightness of the computer monitor.
Comfort is crucial, so a yoga mat or mattress on the floor, covered in soft bedding, could be offered for large dogs. Cats and small dogs could lie in their own bed on the table or in their owner ' s arms. Alternatively, a blanket or soft bedding could be laid on the table. The blanket could be warmed immediately beforehand for extra comfort. Incontinence sheets should be placed underneath any bedding to wick away soiling.
If necessary, the table, or floor if the animal is on the floor, should also be covered with a non-slip surface to reduce the likelihood of slipping; if the patient is secure and their feet are steady, they are less likely to panic.
48 Veterinary Nursing Journal