Euthanasia

Question 1

what are the 2 main factors why an animal may be presented for anaesthesia?

Answer 1

animal factors

owner factors

Question 2

what animal factors may cause them to be presented for euthanasia?

Answer 2

end of life
quality of life
inability to accept medication/treatment
difficult or unmanageable behaviours

Question 3

what owner factors may cause animals to be presented for euthanasia?

Answer 3

Inappropriate/incorrect expectations – ‘wrong’ species/breed
Financial difficulties
‘Unwanted’ animals – family disputes/impulse acquisition/failure to fulfil function/apparently trivial excuses (hair shedding…)
Circumstances – moving/emigrating/loss of family members/owner illness/allergy
Significant ethical stances about illness
Legal obligation – Dangerous Dogs Act

Question 4

define loss

Answer 4

an ending or point of change or transition

Question 5

define bereavement

Answer 5

loss of a significant other’

Question 6

define grief

Answer 6

Reaction to loss

Question 7

what are the main types of loss?

Answer 7

Primary
Secondary
Ambiguous
Symbolic

Question 8

what is primary loss?

Answer 8

loss of animal themselves

Question 9

what is secondary loss?

Answer 9

disruption and stress as a result of the loss

any associations

Question 10

what is ambiguous loss?

Answer 10

loss where there have been questions over outcome (e.g. pet is missing or owner doesn’t understand why they died)

Question 11

what is symbolic loss?

Answer 11

primary loss is linked to others

Question 12

what is the main model of grief?

Answer 12

Khubler-Ross

Question 13

what are the main conclusions of models that have been made of grief?

Answer 13

huge range of normal emotional responses
descriptions are of a model rather than an obligatory process
grief is an individual journey

Question 14

what are the Khubler-Ross 5 stages of grief?

Answer 14

denial
anger
bargaining
depression
acceptance

Question 15

what are the main symptoms of grief?

Answer 15

shock (numbness, disbelief, hysteria)
protest (sadness, anger, guilt, preoocupation)
disorganisation (confusion, apathy, depression)
reorgansiation (control over memories, pleasure in rememberance)

Question 16

what are the 3 main determinants of grief?

Answer 16

features of relationship
features of death
personal circumstances

Question 17

what features of a relationship may determine grief experience?

Answer 17

special animal
strong attachment
perceived social support
ambivalence towards dead individual (may intensify grief)

Question 18

what features of death may determine grief?

Answer 18

sudden or unexpected (animal is young/illness short)
death traumatic or violent
associated with prophylactic surgery
uncertainty over whether death has occurred (missing pet)
when death was potentially avoidable
when demanded by law
death accompanied by other significant losses

Question 19

what make make an animal particularly special to the owner?

Answer 19

character
personality
links to past or other people
rescued animals
lengthy illness that needed nursing

Question 20

what personal circumstances may determine grief?

Answer 20

age, sex, life stage and health
financial issues
other stresses/life crises
previous losses
parallels with own or family member's illness
personality - tendency to depressive illness
perceived need to hide feelings
religious beliefs
options for future

Question 21

what types of grief are especially associated with the human animal bond?

Answer 21

anticipatory grief

responsibility grief

Question 22

when does anticipatory grief occur?

Answer 22

first sign of deterioration or at diagnosis

Question 23

what is responsibility grief?

Answer 23

distinctive category associated with animal loss

Question 24

what is responsibility grief linked to?

Answer 24

possibility of euthanasia for animals in our care

staff and owner hold responsibility for the decision

Question 25

what grief may be seen in veterinary staff?

Answer 25

responsibility grief

Question 26

what specific demands are placed on veterinary professionals by anticipatory and responsibility grief?

Answer 26

communication with owner and collegues