Cooney Kathleen, Kipperman Barry
Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy, Loveland, CO 80538, USA.
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
Animals (Basel). 2023 Jan 27;13(3):430. doi: 10.3390/ani13030430.
The reality that euthanasia in veterinary practice can end animal suffering but can also be used in circumstances that do not serve an animal's interest, can be a benefit for animals, and a burden for veterinary professionals, respectively. This essay addresses ethical and practical concerns associated with companion animal euthanasia, including defining euthanasia, why and when euthanasia should be performed, applying euthanasia in practice, contemporary methods, aftercare of deceased animals, and the consequences of euthanasia and dysthanasia for animals, animal owners, and veterinary professionals. We contend that an intention-based definition of euthanasia should be strictly applied in veterinary practice and that practitioners view euthanasia decisions as requests that can (and in some cases should) be declined, rather than as mandates.
兽医实践中的安乐死既能结束动物的痛苦，也可能被用于不符合动物利益的情况，这一现实分别对动物有益，却给兽医专业人员带来负担。本文探讨了与伴侣动物安乐死相关的伦理和实际问题，包括安乐死的定义、为何以及何时应实施安乐死、在实践中应用安乐死、当代方法、对死亡动物的善后处理，以及安乐死和不当死亡对动物、动物主人和兽医专业人员的影响。我们认为，基于意图的安乐死定义应在兽医实践中严格应用，从业者应将安乐死决定视为可以（在某些情况下应该）被拒绝的请求，而不是命令。
