Making Euthanasia Decisions:

• Assist with decision-making to minimize regrets later on.
  
  
• Validate the difficulty in making the euthanasia decision.
  
  
• Validate how profound it is to make the decision to end a loved one's life.
  
  
• Validate that anxiety is generally highest just before euthanasia.
  
  
• Use information you have gathered throughout the case to assist the client.
  
  
• Insure that the euthanasia procedure is understood.

Exploring quality of life issues:

• Encourage clients to talk to their pets, to look in their eyes. They will find the answer there.
  
  
• Help the client identify "bottom lines" regarding how far to go with treatment.
  
  
• Discuss the difference between "pain" versus "suffering" (e.g., loss of dignity, a change in daily routines, an inability to interact with loved ones).
  
  
• Help clients shift the focus from providing quality of life to providing quality of death.

Exploring feelings and concerns:

• What would a quality death look like?
  
  
• How will you say goodbye?
  
  
• When you look back on this death what will be important to you about how it was handled?
  
  
• What is the worst thing that could happen regarding your pet's death?

If the client is unable to make a euthanasia decision when an animal is in a condition of prolonged pain and suffering:

• Determine the client's philosophical position on euthanasia.
  
  
• Provide details about the animal's medical condition.
  
  
• Provide visitation time.
  
  
• Explore the "illusion" that it will be easier to euthanize later on?
  
  
• Gently ask the client, "If you prolong your pet's life is it for you or for your pet?"
  
  
• Find support to manage your own stress.

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Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital