Navigating the Ending of Animal Lives in Veterinary Practice

What can reasonably be expected of veterinarians in the decision-making process on the ending of an animal’s life? While the answer may be evident in some cases, research shows that certain end-of-life situations puzzle veterinarians. Navigating these perceived complexities is known to reduce veterinarians’ sense of professional accomplishment and overall well-being. Considering the impact of these situations on veterinarians, there is a need to support them. Effective support requires an in-depth understanding of the complexities that veterinarians experience in end-of-life situations. 

In this thesis, the foundation of this understanding is established through an analysis of the concept of euthanasia of animals, illustrating the different perspectives of veterinarians on the ending of animal lives. To achieve an understanding of the perspectives and experiences of veterinarians in complex end-of-life situations, interviews were conducted with veterinarians working in the Netherlands. Based on these interviews, a duality in veterinarians’ role perception and perceived responsibilities was discovered, i.e. some roles and responsibilities are shared among a group of veterinarians, whereas others are perceived by individuals. Moreover, different perspectives on the interplay of considerations in end-of-life situations were identified. Last, the interviews revealed that, as part of their three-step decision-making process, veterinarians contemplate various strategies. 

These key findings provide insight into a) the complexity of end-of-life situations that veterinarians experience and b) veterinarians’ approach to professional responsibility in navigating end-of-life situations. Based on these insights, directions for supporting veterinarians can be found in the educational program, the national code of professional conduct, and the applicable legal framework. These support options aim at positioning veterinarians so that they can work their way towards the right balance between autonomy, consistency, trust and the dynamics of end-of-life situations.