Posts by Dr. Kathleen Cooney
Pet Euthanasia and Natural Death; Similarities and differences
Companion animals are likely to leave this world via one of two ways; naturally through the normal progression of physical decline or via euthanasia. Often pet owners make the choice…
Read MorePointers on Controlled Substances
I’ve written before about how confusing controlled substance ordering and handling can be. It takes a village to sort through all the rules and regs to play the game correctly…
Read MoreAAHA’s End-of-Life Accreditation; Positive impacts on euthanasia procedures
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is a leader in veterinary hospital standards. They are well known in the biz for their devotion to protecting the patient and client experience,…
Read MoreWhy I’m a Fan of Euthabag
Not all body bags are created equal, and indeed there are numerous types out there. Those looking for quality prefer bags/containers that are durable, leak proof, and above all respectful…
Read MoreCAETA Euthanasia Research 2022; Creating new directions
It’s easy to take the “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it” approach to euthanasia work. Many practitioners feel comfortable with what they’ve been doing for years, and as long…
Read MoreOxytocin and Euthanasia; An important combination to get right
Recently I have fallen in love with the love hormone oxytocin. While learning ways to establish rapport and build trust with pet owners, this ‘moral molecule’ as it’s sometimes called…
Read MoreWhy the Use of Intravenous Catheters are Gold Standard in Companion Animal Euthanasia
If you take a moment to reflect on the most dangerous substances we inject into the body, you may come up with the same answer as I did. Chemotherapy. These…
Read MoreEuthanasia Drugs; Administration rates matter
If euthanasia becomes necessary to relieve suffering, it should be handled with respect and skill. The speed at which euthanasia solution is administered effects two main things; potential pain and…
Read MoreStress + Symptoms = Euthanasia?
The effects of stress on both animals and humans has been well documented, showing how stress can weaken the immune system, trigger the onset of cancer, increase inflammation, upset the…
Read MorePet Loss Support Groups and Resources; Caring for pet owners after euthanasia
Grieving pet owners benefit when they have access to pet loss support information. There are a variety of resources on the internet, however many of them are out of date…
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