Article by Ashley Buckley, Recipient of 2021 Walkin’ Pets Rising Star Scholarship Award

An article written in 2016 by The Washington Post titled, “Millennials are picking pets over people”, compares rates of pet ownership by millennials and by the overall population. It is estimated that 75 percent of Americans in their thirties own dogs and 51 percent own cats, while only 50 percent of the overall population own dogs and 35 percent own cats. According to the article, the pet industry has increased by 300% since 1996. The exact reasonings behind those statistics are likely multifactorial, however, they paint a clear picture of just how drastically pet ownership has changed over the last twenty-five years. The article also makes a compelling statement that, “pets are becoming a replacement for children”, meaning that the same generation owning a higher proportion of pets is caring for their pets like never before. As a result, the standard of care provided to pets within the veterinary industry has also evolved, along with end-of-life care and decision making.

The part of the veterinary oath that stands out most to me is: “[I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for] …the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering…” and interestingly, the oath as it is now written, did not include those italicized words until 2010. In the years between the growing acceptance of euthanasia and the improvements made to alternative options during end-of-life stages there appears to be a lapse in the prevention of animal suffering. The amendment was likely due in-part to the previously mentioned statistics as well as there being a recognition by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Now, just ten years later, I have experienced first-hand how focused the veterinary field is on the prevention of animal suffering.

Twenty-five years ago, it was much more acceptable to hope that a pet would “die peacefully” at home when it was time. While death does occasionally occur spontaneously and/or peacefully, it is rare that death at home does not involve prolonged pain and suffering. There still is a percentage of the population that opts for natural death, some for religious reasons, however, pet owners have more resources available to them now to make educated decisions on their pets’ health and end-of-life care. With that, combined with higher quality medicine, pet product advances, and growing conversations of palliative care, pets can be provided with a much more comfortable end-of-life transition leading to euthanasia or natural death at home. It is important to note that while euthanasia is more accepted now than ever before, it should not and can not be the only option presented to a pet owner (unless indicated by an emergency situation or case of neglect).

Highlighting the italicized words within the veterinary oath again, it is the duty of veterinarians to protect the health and welfare of a pet, and prevent and relieve animal suffering. This means that euthanasia is not the only option in most circumstances. There is an obligation to understand and convey how those duties can be accomplished and there is no “one size fits all” approach. There is often a progression to consider leading up to end-of-life decision making, and it is of utmost importance that clear communication between veterinary staff and pet owner be had surrounding the health and wellbeing of the pet. The increasing number of alternative options made accessible over the years, makes for a more tailored approach in the decision making along that progression. For example, preventing an animal’s suffering can mean adding joint supplementation for early-stage arthritis or pain medications or laser therapy for later-stage arthritis. It could also mean having a pet fitted for a wheelchair when those options are no longer enough in the protection of an animal’s welfare.

Important factors in the consideration of euthanizing a pet are what expectations the owners has, current quality of life, anticipated quality of life with alternatives, and financial and/or mental limitations of the pet owner. In conversations leading up to the discussion of euthanasia or if the discussion of euthanasia occurs without prior notice, it is important that veterinary professionals listen to the expectations of the pet owner to gauge a mutual understanding of where the conversation will head next. In this conversation, the pet’s current quality of life will likely come up, along with how the quality makes the owner feel. At this point, focusing on if and how the pet’s quality of life will change with alternatives to euthanasia, like assistive devices, pain management or pharmaceuticals, but not losing sight of how the owner is feeling helps to sets the stage for euthanasia consideration. Each situation is obviously going to be different, but limitations that should always be considered are financial and mental stability of the owner, and if there will be a lack of change in quality of life with alternatives.

Providing pet owners with options to prolong quality of life rather than prolonging a pet’s life when quality is poor, is a balance that veterinary professionals have to consciously consider when having end-of-life discussions with pet owners. Not every owner is going to be able to mentally, and/or financially afford to consider other end-of-life options than euthanasia. This is a hard pill to swallow as someone in the veterinary profession, but it is imperative that the needs of the pet, as well as the needs of the pet owner, are considered. This is accomplished by addressing each situation individually, remaining empathetic but level-headed, and considering variables beyond of the scope of medicine when necessary, which are all abilities I have honed in on over the years as a veterinary assistant. I believe it is the polishing of those abilities, and my willingness to accept new advances that will be my greatest assets in helping pet care-takers make end-of-life decisions.

References:

https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2010-12/avma-updates-oath/

https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/end-of-life-care/end-of-life-event/

https://caetainternational.com

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2016/09/13/millennials-arepicking-pets-over-people/

https://www.peteuthanasia.info/history-and-status-of-animal-and-pet-euthanasia.htm

About Ashley:

Ashley Buckley (née Azarowski), DVM Candidate in the Class of 2025 at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine has been awarded the 2021 Walkin’ Pets Rising Star Scholarship. Ashley has wanted to become a veterinarian since the moment that she discovered what the profession was. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences on the Pre-Veterinary track from the University of New Hampshire and was also involved with the Pre-Veterinary Club. Her clinical experience includes work as a Veterinary Assistant at various small animal practices – including a practice that specializes in exotics. She has seen a wide range of cases and species, and also has some experience with emergency medicine. After graduation, Ashley aims to focus on small and exotic companion animal medicine and surgery. She also hopes to focus on client education for pet owners around the world to promote quality compassionate care for every species. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys weight training with her husband, traveling, and spending time with her three cats.