Knesl Oliver, Hart Benjamin L, Fine Aubrey H, Cooper Leslie, Patterson-Kane Emily, Houlihan Kendall Elizabeth, Anthony Raymond
Zoetis Inc., Parsippany, NJ, USA.
Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
Front Vet Sci. 2017 Apr 19;4:45. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00045. eCollection 2017.
Current advances in technologies and treatments provide pet owners and veterinarians with more options for prolonging the life of beloved pets, but can simultaneously lead to ethical dilemmas relating to what is best for both animal and owner. Key tools for improving end-of-life outcomes include (1) sufficient training to understand the valid ethical approaches to determining when euthanasia is appropriate, (2) regular training in client communication skills, and (3) a standard end-of-life protocol that includes the use of quality of life assessment tools, euthanasia consent forms, and pet owner resources for coping with the loss of a pet. Using these tools will improve outcomes for animals and their owners and reduce the heavy burden of stress and burnout currently being experienced by the veterinary profession.
当前技术和治疗方法的进步为宠物主人和兽医提供了更多延长心爱宠物寿命的选择，但同时也可能引发与动物和主人最佳利益相关的伦理困境。改善临终结局的关键工具包括：（1）接受足够培训，以理解确定何时实施安乐死的有效伦理方法；（2）定期进行客户沟通技巧培训；（3）制定标准的临终方案，包括使用生活质量评估工具、安乐死同意书以及帮助宠物主人应对宠物离世的资源。使用这些工具将改善动物及其主人的结局，并减轻兽医行业目前所面临的沉重压力和职业倦怠负担。
