Vet Changes

I got this in an e-mail from an Emergency Vet I have used in the past (when my regular Vet - which has several different Vets working there and is supposed to be on-call 24/7 isn't available. I've never had to have them put any of my dogs to sleep though.) The only thing I have excluded from the message and the Vet’s name at the very end. 

To my valued clients, 

By all accounts, I would consider myself a compassionate person; I know all of us in veterinary medicine would agree. 

Over the years since becoming a veterinarian, do you know what I have received the most thank you cards and letters for? It is euthanasia. It is a subject all pet owners dread to even think about, but we know that our pets do not typically live as long as we do. I sincerely pride myself on being extremely compassionate at making the last moments so very peaceful and I do have many owners say that the end was much easier because I was there to help them. 

Most owners, usually in that same moment, will always say, “this must be the hardest part of your job.” Depending on the situation, sometimes I would say “it’s not one of my favorites” or “some days are harder than others” but honestly, it’s really not the hardest part of my job. I feel for them and I am the one to end the pain and suffering of their pet, a family member. I feel tremendous sadness seeing the pain that families are in, but I also find comfort knowing that their pet is no longer suffering and is now at peace. I can sympathize and empathize with a distraught owner who does not know how they will go on without their beloved pet. I, myself, was in that position only just a few short months ago. But again, euthanasias have never been the hardest part of my job……. until now. 

Now, in the age of COVID-19, the scenario looks like this:

An owner arrives knowing they plan to put their pet to sleep.

 They call the hospital to alert of their arrival.

 One of the wonderful veterinary technicians puts on her gloves and mask, unlocks the front door and heads outside with a clipboard.

She hands the owner the clipboard and takes their pet from them.

The pet either walks or is carried into the treatment room.

The front door is locked.

 I place an intravenous catheter and get everything ready.

The owner is still in the car.

The staff get all paperwork finished.

 The door is finally opened, and the owners are allowed into an exam room with the now all too familiar blue tape on the floor.

They are asked to stay behind the blue tape while we prepare their pet.

I ask if they would like to have a few moments before I move forward with sedation.

 The pet is now hooked up to 9 feet of line so I can stand at least 6 feet from the owners, behind my own blue line, to administer the drugs to the patient.

 I am wearing gloves and a mask and sometimes a gown as well. I cannot do what I have always done for every single euthanasia I have performed since graduation. I cannot pet my patient and tell them how beautiful/handsome they are and tell them that they are such a good boy or girl and they are going to take a nice long rest. I cannot touch my patient in their dying moments. I cannot hug the client. I cannot give them a gentle pat on the shoulder or shake their hand. Sometimes, the owner cannot even go with their pet to be euthanized because the owner is too high risk. And it kills me a little bit each and every time I have to do it this way. 

Please know, I want to comfort you and your family in this time of sadness more than anything. Please know that while I place that catheter in treatment before you come in the building, I talk to your pet and I give them all the love I can. And after your pet passes and you have left the room, I tell your pet that I am sorry; that I am sorry I couldn’t pet them in their final moments.

I greatly appreciate my clients understanding during these difficult times and am still thankful that I am here to help. I know we will make it through this together.

^ This is the sad reality of the current pandemic. As a dog person and owner I have had to be there when several of my dogs were put to sleep. Sometimes there was warning and others there was not. While it is extremely difficult to be inside the exam room and going through everything it is much worse not being there in the final moments. Even if you aren’t a dog person (or even an animal person) you should be able to relate to this because similar practices are being done in human hospitals for those dying of Covid-19. ^