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 consider your answers before continuing to CAETA’s suggestions. This case is designed to test your knowledge of companion animal euthanasia and be a conversation starter…

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of partaking in the 8th annual Veterinary Social Work summit hosted by the IAVSW. This was not my first time attending this event, and it won’t be my last. Talk about a wonderful gathering of bright minds and generous souls. I’ve often said that veterinary professionals (DVMs and…

Without question, pet euthanasia is a final and irreversible procedure. The decisions leading up to it are taken seriously by both parties, veterinarian and pet owner. There has to be trust established between them with the best of intentions to end the suffering of a beloved pet. In other words, it’s a big deal first…

Helping pet patients with euthanasia as they reach the natural end of their life remains one of my greatest honors. Those of you out there doing the same know what I’m talking about. This act of beneficence is only paralleled by the ability to cure disease and alleviate pain. Ending suffering through euthanasia is an…

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 consider your answers before continuing on to CAETA’s suggestions. This case is designed to test your knowledge of companion animal euthanasia and be a conversation…

Euthanizing companion animals is a familiar part of our culture, and it occurs at the veterinary hospital, the home, or the animal shelter. Animals deemed too sick or unable to return to society are often euthanized in shelters, and the numbers remain high in many communities, high enough to place a significant burden on the…

It’s the season of graduation for thousands of newly-minted veterinarians. This blog is for you graduates as you prepare to care for dying patients. It can feel scary to navigate end-of-life conversations and facilitate a gentle death. Let’s take what you’ve learned in school and reflect on what clients and pet patients need during such…

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 consider your answers before continuing on to CAETA’s suggestions. This case is designed to test your knowledge of companion animal euthanasia and be a conversation…

If you’ve spent enough time with me, you’ve likely heard about my first few euthanasia experiences, and how they weren’t my best. Compassionate yes, but technically challenging for me. My stories include such things as hard-to-find veins, not allowing a client to be in the room due to my inadequacies, a vomiting dog, diarrhea on…

With the recent trend of intraorgan euthanasia methods on the rise in animals as reported by the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA), I want to offer useful pointers on how to ensure unconsciousness and avoid pain. If you are new to the concept of giving pentobarbital (euthanasia solution) in locations other than veins, the…