The warmer months bring a lovely opportunity to gather outside for companion animal euthanasia services, and this includes animals that already live outside like companion livestock. Owners appreciate the option to be closely connected to nature as their pet departs this earth.  Grassy yards, sandy beaches, mountain tops…you name it.  They have a real appeal…

I’d like to begin this blog by acknowledging how important the drug pentobarbital sodium is as a euthanasia drug in veterinary medicine, shelter population management, and lab animal research. Here in the United States, there is no question it is the most common euthanasia agent used in private veterinary practice and shelter work, and in…

I recently read an opinion article where the author complained about having to pay for the euthanasia of their dog.  They claimed that since they had spent significant money at their regular vet office, the vet should be willing to perform the procedure at no cost.  This owner wanted a financial “thank you for all…

This week I helped a sweet cat named Charlie with what I refer to as age related changes plus kidney failure.  Age related changes are those often seen in geriatric patients like loss of senses, muscle loss (sarcopenia), slowing down, appetite fluctuations and arthritis.  Kidney failure often hitches a ride on age related changes so…

As a pet patient reaches the natural end of its life, clients face the difficult decision of continuing care or opting for euthanasia.  They seek guidance for what’s best for their pet. In veterinary medicine, there are multiple Quality of Life (QOL) assessment tools that have been created to open dialogue around what the pet…

There are some growing trends that are making the use of intravenous propofol less necessary during animal euthanasia.  In companion animal medicine, it’s very common for veterinary staff to administer propofol (often expired) before the injection of the euthanasia solution pentobarbital, with the goal of inducing anesthesia in patients before they succumb to the effects…

Feeling nostalgic today, I tracked down the original digital copy of my in-home pet euthanasia book from 2011. In particular, chapter 10 on Starting a Euthanasia Service caught my eye.  Perhaps it’s the time of year, but more veterinarians have been reaching out to CAETA asking how to get an in-home pet euthanasia (IHPE) service…

For the past 3 years, I’ve been recording my patients’ euthanasia appointments.  It started out of a self-proclaimed necessity to give myself protection should a client every voice concerns about my skills, technique and compassion. I’m a euthanasia expert who has devoted my career to teaching other veterinary professionals how to do it right.  What…

Today is a special day for me.  I’ve been accepted as a resident in the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW). Yes!  Since starting this journey back in 2020, my goal has been to learn everything I can about humane animal death from within all animal-related industries, and share back my knowledge of the companion…

CAETA is growing. After 5 years, we have reached an educational tipping point, when bringing on talented people is needed to meet the demand for companion animal euthanasia training events.  What a blessing this is.  It shows how the veterinary industry is embracing euthanasia education, and they want more. Universities, colleges, conferences, hospitals, associations, shelters,…