New euthanasia research seeks feedback from veterinarians

A study hosted by Open Minded Scientists with IRB support through Colorado State University aims to collect information and paint a clearer picture of what veterinary professionals have experienced during euthanasia or the natural death of an animal.

Research goals

“We hope to learn about what veterinarians and support staff have witnessed during the death of animals and help them feel comfortable talking about it,” said Dr. Kathleen Cooney, a veterinarian and Senior Director of Medical Education for the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA).

Cooney is a contributing author in the survey, which can be found here. She, alongside neuroscientist, Dr. Lee von Kraus, have worked together for the past three years on the topic of euthanasia. Two other contributors, Dr. Lori Kogan and Dr. Ken Gorczyca, joined more recently. Cooney adds while data is well-reported in humans during time of death, there is very little around animals.

Unusual experiences

“During some preliminary survey work, we found that close to 15% of veterinarians surveyed reported having experienced something unusual [during euthanasia procedures], including seeing visual changes around the body,” she added. “This prompted us to explore the topic further and gather more details.”

The survey is part of a larger project, Cooney added. Their hope is to eventually use cameras and video to record changes during the time of death in an animal. “We hope to scale things up to gather as much data as possible. It’s been an interesting journey up to this point. The more we learn the better,” Cooney said.

Photo Credit: Hispanolistic via Getty/E+

Disclaimer: Trends content is meant to inform, educate, and inspire by providing an array of diverse viewpoints. Any content published should not be viewed as an official stance, position, or endorsement by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) or its Board of Directors