Euthanasia appointments for animals center around the medical act to end life. The complete appointment layers in details that support the dying patient’s needs as well as loved ones. Euthanasias can take time, with many veterinary teams aiming for around 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish. This helps to provide extra room for conversation, story sharing, and above all else, align with the physical and emotional needs of the dog, cat, horse, etc. being euthanized. The hope is to remove the clinical mood of the medical procedure and instead provide a pseudo-funeral that so many pet owners today are looking for. This said, a slower pace may not be the right fit for family and friends who are feeling overwhelming sadness at the loss of their beloved pet. What do veterinary teams say to owners who need “fast” when they want to go “slow” for the patient’s sake? What is taking longer than it should in the owner’s eyes?

Modern companion animal euthanasia focuses on what is best for the animal and those gathered in the room. This includes what CAETA teaches in their 14 Essential Components of Good Euthanasia. Some have the potential to set a slower pace during the appointment, and just as many are necessary to the protection of the procedure. Recently a euthanasia case was shared in CAETA’s Facebook Euthanasia Forum that highlighted the time-management challenge veterinary professionals can face during euthanasia. The case told of a family who had chosen an in-home euthanasia appointment for their elderly dog. Upon the veterinarian’s arrival, the family was acting very tense and wanting to move quickly. Throughout the euthanasia appointment, the family kept asking if things could move along more quickly and were clearly unsettled at the slower pace the veterinarian wanted to take. After the appointment, there were negative reviews posted about the veterinarian’s services. While the veterinarian shares how they did everything they could to help calm the family, nothing seemed to work. The case is a good example of what can happen when euthanasia goals are mismatched.

Euthanasia Features Too Important to Skip for the Sake of Time
1. Determine if euthanasia is necessary
2. Gather owner consent to euthanize
3. Provide pre-euthanasia sleep
4. Avoid patient pain and anxiety
5. Offer privacy before and after death
6. Deliver proper euthanasia technique
7. Pronounce the patient deceased
8. Establish rapport, show empathy and kindness

The largest culprit slowing appointment time is the use of pre-euthanasia sedation to include patient sleep, however it’s very beneficial. This can take anywhere from 2-15 minutes depending on the drugs used and the route of administration. Over the past decade at least, inducing patient sleep has become quite normal thanks to its promotion by groups like the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Fear Free program, and CAETA (1). Providing sleep reduces patient pain, stress, and the risk of error related to the euthanasia procedure. Most owners want their pet sleeping in their final moments and are willing to wait up to 20 minutes without concern (2). This doesn’t apply to everyone however and the pet owner will need to understand what is being done and why.

Finding Common Ground on Euthanasia Appointment Time
1. Inform the owner what the euthanasia procedure will look like, and how much time the appointment is expected to take.
2. Ask about previous euthanasia experiences and how they went. This will help veterinary teams understand differences from what they are doing this time.
3. Start the appointment by establishing rapport and setting a calm tone.
4. Address owner anxiety right from the start. Thank owners for allowing things to proceed in a way that is best for their pet. 
5. Take lots of deep sighs throughout the appointment and speak slowly and clearly without extra words.

Another detail that may slow the appointment time is the need to discuss aftercare arrangements. To help owners determine choices like cremation type, burial guidelines, and memorial items, veterinary teams routinely take anywhere from 5-10 minutes during the appointment discussing options with owners before the medical procedure even starts. These days, thanks to Client Aftercare Ordering Models (CAOM), these details can be worked out in advance or after the euthanasia when the client/owner is home and has time to reflect on such things. Payment for euthanasia services can also be collected ahead of time.

Key Phrases to Slow Things Down During Pet Euthanasia
“What an honor it is to care for your family today.”
“Let’s settle in to talk through a few things while Molly gets used to me.”
“Molly’s comfort is our top priority. Today is about her.”
“A medicine will be given to help Molly sleep. She will welcome sleep at her pace.”
“Our goal is to provide comfort as much as we can.”
“We all need someone to cry for us. That’s the sign of a life well lived.”

In closing, veterinary personnel will need to read the room and determine if they have a client who wants to move fast or slow through euthanasia. The non-verbal body language like wringing hands, moving quickly, trying not to cry, and looking at the door or clock says just as much as their words. If the message to move fast is coming through loud and clear, use more efficiency where possible, but never compromise patient comfort. Owners who want things to go quickly are doing so because their emotions are raw and intense. Once emotions settle, they should be grateful for the love and care shown to their pet.

References

1. Underwood, W. and Anthony, R., 2020. AVMA guidelines for the euthanasia of animals: 2020 edition. Accessed November 2024. https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Guidelines-on-Euthanasia-2020.pdf
2. Cooney, K. and Kogan, L. (2022) How pet owners define a ‘good death’: New study reveals some surprising facts. Vol. 53. Intellisphere, LLC.