Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Fennie, Kristopher

Area of Concentration

Social Sciences and International and Area Studies

Abstract

Euthanasia is a very common practice in veterinary medicine, encountered by small animals veterinarians in their everyday practice as the number of companion animals have exponentially increased these last decades reflecting the societal changes from a rural multigenerational family unit to a urban nuclear model, including companion animals, considered henceforth as family members. Although common, euthanasia does not come without consequences on the emotional state of the veterinarians practitioners worldwide. To fully apprehend its effects, euthanasia has to be understood from a global approach, including ethics, legality and psychology. Euthanasia appears as an ethical challenge for veterinarians, not only because of the caring-killing paradox of having to kill animals you wish to heal when embracing the profession, but also because it is unclear to whom veterinarians owe their primary duty, the pet/patient or the owner/client. However, euthanasia, even though regulated by laws and guidelines, is legal because animals are considered as property of their owner. Euthanasia also appears to be a significant work-related stressor resulting in a specific moral distress that can lead to compassion fatigue, burnout and mental health disorders such as depression and suicide for which veterinarians are at higher risk than the general population. To help veterinarians alleviate the negative consequences from having to perform euthanasia, their approach to euthanasia in practice will help to determine the main areas in need of improvement which appear to be the training, whether in veterinary school or after, through continuing education, and the communication with the client/owner to be able to voice their concerns and propose alternative solutions when they exist. Moreover, to improve their mental health, it is essential to help veterinarians building resilience through the development of positive coping strategies and a supportive work environment to increase their job satisfaction, therefore improving their overall mental health.

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