End of life - client communication

Giving clients and their families a positive euthanasia experience is essential for all veterinary practices and veterinary professionals. Getting the euthanasia process wrong may impact a practice’s reputation but getting it right will lead to the bond between client and practice being stronger than ever. This chapter considers the decision to euthanize, the bereavement process, psychological responses to grief, client support, how to give your client a positive euthanasia experience, post-mortem examinations, how to assist grieving clients, supporting bonded animals, supporting veterinary professionals and training.

Samantha Lindley discusses quality of life, the patients where this particularly needs to be considered and how to discuss this difficult issue with owners. This one-hour webinar was first broadcast as part of BSAVA’s Learn@Lunch series. Learn@Lunch broadcasts are available to BSAVA members only and are free to attend – visit the education page of the BSAVA website for details of future Learn@Lunch webinars. Recordings will be available for 3 years via the BSAVA Webinar Library.

When the time comes to make that difficult decision to end the life of a beloved pet, emotions run high and the process can leave owners and professionals alike feeling bereft. The Blue Cross offers that much-needed support when saying goodbye.

Pet bereavement and euthanasia have received broad coverage within the veterinary sector as well as the wider press. During his thought-provoking talk at BSAVA Congress, Shailen Jasani delved into some of the deeply conflicting and emotional dimensions. Emma Dahm reports.

Our pets are considered an integral part of the family and the euthanasia of a pet is a tough decision for vet and owner alike. Jane R Shaw, Erin Allen and Dell Rae Moellenberg of the Argus Institute at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which aims to strengthen vet-client-patient communication and relationships, offer advice on conducting one of the most challenging conversations a young vet in practice will have.