Ethics on euthanizing healthy pets

[HeartSong]

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I love my Ethics professors, so far they have a lot of the same beliefs as me, even more conservative on some things. When I started applying and so forth, everyone told me that if a question came up about a client who brought in a healthy pet to be euthanized, then I should answer that I would euthanize it. But I would never answer it that way because it's not true for me. Well, all three of my Ethics professors have stated that they would never euthanize a healthy dog whatever the circumstance. I think it is awesome that I'm being taught by veterinarians who still put the welfare of the animal above any monetary gain or relationship with the client.

 

[verbal_kint]

what would you recommend?

 

[HeartSong]

There are some circumstances when I would euthanize a healthy pet. Say if it is an older animal that has spent its whole life with one person and then that person dies or has to go to a home that doesn't allow pets. If the pet would have problems changing environment, lifestyle etc. then I would consider euthanasia. Or if there are serious behavioral problems that can't be solved.

But in a situation where a client wants it euthanized just because they don't want it, I would go over all their options of finding a new home or signing over ownership to the humane society or to me to adopt it out. If they still will have none of it, then I would recommend them to a vet who I know would euthanize the pet. I would definately never euthanize a pet of someone who was not a previous client. Way to high a chance of getting sued there.

 

[verbal_kint]

I would definately never euthanize a pet of someone who was not a previous client. Way to high a chance of getting sued there.

What about ER pratices? They get new clients all the time and euthanisia is not uncommon. On what grounds are veterinarians getting sued for by clients? I don't understand the risk you're mentioning.

 

[HeartSong]

In an ER situation, it is highly unlikely to be a healthy pet. If you have someone who just walks in and requests a pet to be euthanized, you as the vet have no way of knowing if that person is the actual owner. In class, we heard about cases where neighbors, friends, ex's etc have brought in pets, claiming that they were the owner, to be euthanized because they either didn't like the animal or was mad at the real owner. There are also cases of a pet being owned by both spouses but one doesn't like the pet and so brings it in to be euthanized while the other spouse has no idea.

Beyond that, I'll be a veterinarian, not an animal control officer. My job will not be to get rid of unwanted animals, it will be to heal or relieve the suffering of sick animals. Not that other vets can't or shouldn't choose to do that, it's just that it is something I choose not to do and I have every right to choose not to.

 

[verbal_kint]

ahhh... i see. do you know of any instances where a judge actually ruled in favor of the owner and not the vet?

 

[HeartSong]

Not that I know of the name of. I know of the name of several cases where a client sued and won for emotional pain and suffering of the death of an animal in the care of a vet but none specifically concerning a pet brought in by someone other than the owner.

But the judge should rule in the favor of the owner in my opinion. Of course, more than whether or not I lose money, I would hate know for the rest of my life that I killed someone else's pet just because their friend was mad at them and paid me to kill the pet.

 

[VeganSoprano]

The ER that I work at is just that - an emergency/critical care facility. So anything that would remotely qualify as a "convenience" euthanasia simply would not fall into the scope of the practice. Besides, it costs $160 just to walk in the door so right there you have already ruled out most people who are looking for an easy way out.

I can't say I have 100% agreed with every euthanasia decision I have seen, but the decisions I have been less than 100% on have either been economic (it sucks that not everyone can afford thousands of dollars in vet care, but I'd definitely rather see an animal euthanized if medical care is not a possibility), or situations where the animal is definitely terminally ill but is still ambulatory, fairly comfortable, and still able to enjoy the normal things in his life (if I had things the way I wanted, I would not euthanize as long as the animal is demonstrating evidence of quality of life and desire to live). But I consider these euthanasia decisions to be of an entirely different nature than euthanizing for something like a non-hazardous behavioral situation.

 

[medtechv79]

This is a stupid question. But what about humanely euthanizing a pet that's dangerous to society? Like a rampaging pit bull etc. A vet would do it then right? Sorry just wondering.

 

[VeganSoprano]

This is a stupid question. But what about humanely euthanizing a pet that's dangerous to society? Like a rampaging pit bull etc. A vet would do it then right? Sorry just wondering.

Yes, though the ethical "gold standard" would be to find a way for the animal to live his life without posing a danger to anyone else. Realistically, however, this is often not possible. If the animal is truly dangerous and behaviorists have been consulted and are in agreement that the prognosis for rehabilitation is poor, then euthanatizing the dog is usually the best decision.