Posts by Dr. Kathleen Cooney
Common Complaints About Pet Euthanasia
The euthanasia of a beloved pet is one of the most emotionally charged experiences a pet owner can face. While many families find comfort in a peaceful, compassionate process, others…
Read MoreThe Best Way to Euthanize Awake Pets with IV Pentobarbital (if you must)
CAETA is known for its advocacy of pre-euthanasia sleep for companion pets. It is part of our 14 essential components of companion animal euthanasia and the backbone of our ability…
Read MoreEmotional Blackmail by Pet Owners Demanding Euthanasia: How to Respond
What is emotional blackmail and how does it apply to pet euthanasia and veterinary medicine? Emotional blackmail is a form of manipulation where a person uses fear, obligation, or guilt…
Read MoreNew Study Shows Lidocaine as Euthanasia Agent in Dogs and Cats
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic drug that can be administered to dogs and cats in high doses to achieve death. It requires pre-euthanasia anesthesia to induce unconsciousness beforehand and appears…
Read MoreCAETA Euthanasia Case: Nugget the old horse
The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) invites you to consider the following fictional euthanasia case and reflect on how to proceed. After reviewing the case, read the questions and…
Read MoreRabies Testing Requirements Following a Bite Incident: What to know before considering pet euthanasia
It’s an unpleasant situation. A dog, cat, or other mammal has bitten a human. While some bites are more serious than others, if a person’s skin has been punctured to…
Read MoreHow Common is it for Veterinarians to Refuse a Pet Euthanasia Request?
Recently I was in conversation with some colleagues, discussing a veterinarian’s right to choose whether they proceed with a client’s euthanasia request for their pet. It got me wondering how…
Read MoreThe Importance of Keeping Families Together During Pet Euthanasia
The original title of this blog was going to be “The Importance of Keeping Families and Pets Together During Euthanasia.” However, I thought, pets are family, so it seemed redundant…
Read MoreA Reflection on the Past and Future of CAETA Euthanasia Education in 2025
It’s that time of year to be reflective and rejuvenated. January 1st is one of my favorite dates because of all it holds; the past, present and future. This past…
Read MoreCAETA Euthanasia Case: Milo the Nauseous Dog
The Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA) invites you to consider the following fictional euthanasia case and reflect on how to proceed. After reviewing the case, read the questions and…
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