Vet Times

Tag: Euthanasia

  • You are what you eat

    You are what you eat

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    I think vets can be a little hypocritical when it comes to recommending a balanced diet for our patients, particularly as we – along with other medical professionals – tend to be a little lacking when it comes to our own diets. There are two main issues in the veterinary community when it comes to…

  • Euthanasia: lets talk about it

    Euthanasia: lets talk about it

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    I think your first PTS as a new graduate is a significant moment across the board; there’s nothing that truly prepares you for it, as it’s very unlikely you’ll have seen many during work experience placements. Personally, I hadn’t seen a single one with the owner present. Your university might try to prepare you by…

  • The lighter side of the ex lap

    The lighter side of the ex lap

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    Let’s set the scene: It’s Friday afternoon, you’ve had the blocked cat and the chocolate-eating Labrador, your patients are comfortable, on fluids, settled, recovering. It’s been a hectic but manageable Friday, so let’s mop the floors and empty the bins with some banging tunes – come on Friday feels! Then the phone rings at 5.55pm.…

  • Euthanasia (part 2): caring for the patient

    Euthanasia (part 2): caring for the patient

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    Last month we discussed the importance of caring for clients during the process of euthanising their much-loved pet. This month, we focus on your patient. The goals of euthanasia are always to make it as painless, fearless and stress-free as possible for the patient. Pain relief Most patients presented for euthanasia are either suffering from…

  • Euthanasia (part 1): caring for the client

    Euthanasia (part 1): caring for the client

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    Euthanasia is a big part of our work as veterinarians. Working in an emergency setting, it is something I have to face on every shift. It doesn’t get any easier no matter how many times I have to do it, but I have fine-tuned my approach over the years so each euthanasia process runs as…

  • When emotions run high

    When emotions run high

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    Vets have to handle a variety of difficult situations, from delivering bad news to addressing financial difficulties. But when it comes to tackling client grief, awkwardness or anger, it’s a bit like that old children’s book, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – we can’t go over, under or around it – we’ve got to…

  • Strange obsession

    Strange obsession

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    Looking back through my blogs, I realise I’m a bit poo / cat litter obsessed – but as I’m currently living with the messiest cat ever, I hope you’ll you forgive me one more item on the topic. This time round I’m identifying a gap in the capital market (for any of you interested in…

  • Good intentions

    Good intentions

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    Less than a month into my master’s degree in wildlife health and rehabilitation, and it’s already become apparent that a vast array of misconceptions are held by the public concerning local wildlife. I’m already armed with far more wildlife facts than I ever thought my brain had room for. For example, did you know that…

  • What would you do?

    What would you do?

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    Having returned from an equine visit, I clambered out of the car in the practice car park and started gathering some equipment that needed cleaning. A few parking spaces over, one of our other vets was stood with her back to me, sporting a visor, deep in conversation with a client via a rolled down…

  • Grieving as a professional

    Grieving as a professional

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    The pet of a close friend of mine has just passed away. Zilla the black Lab was the most beloved dog, who had a fondness both for rummaging through the bins and belly scratches. She’d had progressive problems with her health and, earlier this month, it became clear that, sadly, the time had come for…