Plus-Hex CLINICAL
The comfort of the owner should also be considered, so having access to a hot drink or water, and a chair in the room( or an extra blanket on the floor, if applicable) so they can sit with their pet for a while, are likely to be appreciated. time they will see them, so it is important to assure the owner that you will invite them to say their goodbyes at the appropriate time( Figure 2).
Owners could be offered the opportunity to choose some music to be played during the procedure, or to have other sensory support, such as a lit candle or a diffuser with a particular scent. Similarly, plugging in or spraying a pheromone or herbal product such as Pet Remedy may help soothe the patient.
Consideration should be given to pre-visit pharmaceuticals being dispensed before the appointment for the procedure. For patients that may be showing signs of stress, fear and anxiety, having sedation before the euthanasia is preferred, for a smoother transition. A calm patient may also ease the owner.
While euthanasia of cats and dogs may be more commonplace, a similar planning process can be applied to exotics and birds, depending on the individual practice policies for these species.
During the procedure
Make sure you will not be disturbed and that you and the veterinary surgeon have everything you need in the room, so you do not have to leave and re-enter. This will help facilitate a swift, uninterrupted procedure and reduce the stress of both the patient and owner.
Wherever possible, sedation should be given before the euthanasia. It reduces stress in the patient, and if they are relaxed then their owner is more likely to relax too. Clients who do not want to stay for the euthanasia itself can say their goodbyes before the sedation takes effect and then step out of the room. While it can be helpful to offer the owner the choice to leave before the euthanasia, staying or leaving is a very personal decision and should be made solely by the owner.
The use of intravenous catheterisation may aid in the smooth delivery of the pentobarbital, and establishing venous access beforehand can reduce the need for patient handling during the euthanasia procedure. This will already be a stressful time for all involved, so this will minimise the need to restrain the pet and potentially struggle to gain venous access during the procedure. It may be best to take the pet out of the room to place the catheter, and then dress the catheter so that only the port is visible, to reduce the distress of the owner.
Before leaving the room with the patient, it is important to explain to the owner what you will be doing and reassure them that the euthanasia will not take place without them being present, unless they have requested not to be present. Some owners have expressed concern that once their pet leaves the room this will be the last
Figure 2. Owners should be assured that they will be invited to say their goodbyes at the appropriate time.
During the procedure itself it may be best to have someone to monitor for faecal or urinary output, so any soiling can be removed discreetly.
Information for owners
It can be helpful to provide owners with handouts with important pre-euthanasia information, which can be read before a euthanasia appointment is needed.
Information to include in the handout:
• Whether the practice offers euthanasia at home and what this entails. If not, provide contact details for a local practice that offers this service, if applicable
• How long the euthanasia appointment is likely to take
• The number of people who can be present and whether children are allowed
• What to expect during the appointment, for example, catheter placement and sedation, and any possible side effects of the drugs
• The behaviours that may be exhibited by the patient and why
• How long it is likely to take for the patient to die
• What may happen to the patient during the process, such as agonal breathing, soiling and stretching. Warn that the patient may not close their eyes and that this is normal
Volume 40( 5) • October 2025
49