euth or no?

[delchrys]

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i've heard conflicting things...which is the position that vet schools expect prospective students to hold: that euthanizing an animal is totally acceptable when the owner wants the animal put down "just because," or that there are limits on when euthanasia is acceptable, or is there no generally-accepted view among the powers-that-be?

 

[birdvet2006]

i've heard conflicting things...which is the position that vet schools expect prospective students to hold: that euthenizing an animal is totally acceptable when the owner wants the animal put down "just because," or that there are limits on when euthenasia is acceptable, or is there no generally-accepted view among the powers-that-be?

It's an ethical dilemma, so there is no absolute right answer. Here they don't teach us 'the right answer'. We recently had a discussion in a PBL excercise about euthanasia, and some of us would euthanise and others would not. It really boils down to what YOU as a vet feel is morally right. You're the one who has to live with the emotional consequences of what you have done.

There are many things to consider. One view is that no matter what, euthanasia is humane and therefore may be the best option even if the animal is healthy (because the owners may take it away and make it suffer in some way). Another view is that you have your own values, so if you won't feel right euthanising a healthy animal, you can send it away (refuse) or try to convince the owner to sign it over to you for potential adoption (but everyone can see where that may lead...to you with a ton of animals!). If you send the animal away, the owner may kill it (which is perfectly legal as long as it's humane, because animals are considered property). Or the owner will likely take it to another vet who may or may not euthanise. Or the owner may set the dog free into the wilds of the city. Who knows what the owner would do?

Euthanasia isn't an easy topic. There are so many variables, and even if an animal is healthy - euthanasia may be the best option (say, because the animal is 15 years old and the owner is sick and dying...and can't bear to think of giving the animal away).