Minimizing the Impact of Euthanasia on Veterinary Teams

Sarina Manifold, LCSW, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

ArticleLast Updated April 20174 min readPeer Reviewed
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Veterinarians and veterinary nurses take an oath that includes promoting animal welfare and preventing animal suffering,1,2 but the oath can become a burden when those helping patients and clients do not take care of themselves. Euthanizing a patient is one of many stressful veterinary events that contribute to compassion fatigue,3-7 a condition experienced by those in helping professions5,8 that depletes internal resources.6 Therefore, veterinary professionals need ways to cope with such stress.

Veterinary team members often have mixed emotions about euthanasia, which is literally translated as good death. Some have difficulty seeing any good, whereas others feel privileged to offer euthanasia to clients and help them make an end-of-life decision for their pet. The conflicts team members experience depend on personal beliefs and values, as well as the circumstances; for example, team members may not struggle internally when a patient has a low quality of life but may be deeply conflicted when euthanasia is chosen for reasons such as the owner’s quality of life, financial situation, or other nonmedical issues.3,4,7,9 

Many other emotions can arise in these situations. Veterinary team members often feel grief when they have formed a close relationship with a client and patient and can be conflicted with other feelings10 (eg, relief the patient is no longer suffering, sadness his or her life has ended, gratitude to have helped provide a peaceful death). Other team members may feel angry or frustrated that a treatable animal was euthanized, helpless because they could not do more for the patient, but grateful for knowing the patient’s fate.

These feelings can manifest in compassion fatigue and affect team members emotionally, spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually.6 Practices should always have a plan that addresses every effect.

Delicate Discussions

In human medicine, patient rounds provide a forum for healthcare team members to discuss cases from emotional and psychosocial perspectives. One study found physicians who attended Schwartz Rounds experienced a statistically significant decrease in stress and an increased ability to cope with the emotional aspects of their work.11 (See Resources.)

In veterinary medicine, debriefings can allow team members who play different roles during a euthanasia to share their feelings, perspectives, and experiences. This can help each team member feel less isolated, see the situation from a different perspective,12 regulate his or her internal feelings,13 and realize others experience similar emotions. 

For example, following the euthanasia of a young cat that presented with an aortic thromboembolism, a veterinary team member may feel proud about educating the client on the medical needs and treatment options available, glad the patient was no longer suffering, frustrated more could not be done to save the cat, and sad the clients were too upset to stay for the euthanasia.

These delicate debriefings are likely to be more successful when facilitated by a mental health professional who has expertise in veterinary-related issues.11

Individual Counseling

The impact of euthanasia on a team member may need more attention than a group debrief. Multiple euthanasias, situational factors, and outside personal stress are some reasons a team member may seek additional individual support. When looking for a local counselor, it is important to find someone who specializes in grief support and/or compassion fatigue and who has an understanding of veterinary medicine’s unique aspects.

Emotional Detachment

Some team members may emotionally detach themselves from patients as a protection against compassion fatigue, which can have benefits and drawbacks. Temporary emotional detachment can be helpful if it allows a team member to complete a euthanasia, so long as he or she later acknowledges his or her emotions, but complete detachment can lead to loss of compassion.7,13

Other Coping Mechanisms

Here are other suggestions for coping with the emotional toll of euthanasia. (See Resources.)

  • Taking a short break before seeing the next patient6

  • Practicing meditation, self-reflection, or relaxation

  • Taking care of oneself with enough exercise and sleep6,12,14 

  • Laughing—there can be a place for humor, even in emotionally charged situations3,15

  • Creating memorials (eg, a board in a common area for notes from clients that acknowledge the loss of their pet and the veterinary team’s good work)

Conclusion

Euthanasia is an emotionally wrought experience for the veterinary team and clients, but its effects can be minimized when the practice has a plan to take care of the many ways team members and clients are impacted.