Tāwharau Ora - School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
N Z Vet J. 2023 Jul;71(4):172-185. doi: 10.1080/00480169.2023.2194687. Epub 2023 Apr 25.
To collect data on protocols used by New Zealand veterinarians to perform euthanasia of dogs and cats, and to explore opinions towards the training they received in euthanasia during veterinary school.
A cross-sectional survey was administered to all veterinarians registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. The survey asked respondents about their practices' policies for euthanasia; protocols for performing euthanasia of dogs and cats; opinions towards euthanasia training received in veterinary school; and subsequent experiences with euthanasia in practice. Descriptive statistics were provided for all quantitative study variables and thematic analysis was performed on the free-text comments.
The survey was completed by 361/1,448 (24.9%) veterinarians in companion or mixed animal practice. The mean numbers of dogs and cats euthanised each month were 7.2 (median 5; min 0; max 60) and 7.9 (median 5; min 0; max 60), respectively. Fewer than half of respondents reported that their clinic had a standard protocol for euthanising dogs (147/361; 40.7%) or cats (157/361; 43.5%). For euthanasia of dogs, 119/361 (32.9%) always used sedation while 71/361 (19.7%) indicated that they would not use sedation. For euthanasia of cats, 170/361 (47.1%) always used sedation while 53/361 (14.7%) indicated that they would not use sedation. Placement of IV catheters, methods for patient restraint, preferences towards the presence of owners during euthanasia, services provided with euthanasia, and discussions with owners were also highly variable and handled case-by-case depending on the client, patient, and clinical scenario. When asked about the euthanasia training received at veterinary school, it was generally ranked as below satisfactory, with approximately one-third of respondents indicating that they received no training in dealing with emotional clients (113/361; 31.3%), sedation protocols for euthanasia (107/361; 29.6%), or managing compassion fatigue (132/361; 36.6%). Most respondents (268/361; 74.2%) received no formal training in euthanasia after graduation and learned from experience or discussions with colleagues. Providing animals and owners with a good experience during the euthanasia process was highlighted as important for managing compassion fatigue.
Euthanasia is a common procedure in companion animal practice and there is considerable variation in how veterinarians approach both the technical and non-technical elements. Training provided during veterinary school was generally considered below satisfactory, particularly regarding managing compassion fatigue and clients' emotional needs.
Providing veterinarians with additional training on adapting their euthanasia protocols to different clinical scenarios may improve the experience for patients, owners and veterinary staff.
收集新西兰兽医实施犬猫安乐死所采用的方案，并探讨兽医学校在安乐死方面的培训的看法。
对新西兰兽医委员会注册的所有兽医进行横断面调查。该调查询问了受访者关于他们所在机构的安乐死政策；实施犬猫安乐死的方案；对兽医学校接受的安乐死培训的看法；以及在实践中随后进行安乐死的经验。对所有定量研究变量提供了描述性统计，并对自由文本评论进行了主题分析。
共有 361/1448（24.9%）名从事伴侣动物或混合动物实践的兽医完成了调查。每月安乐处死的犬和猫的平均数量分别为 7.2 只（中位数为 5 只；最小值为 0 只；最大值为 60 只）和 7.9 只（中位数为 5 只；最小值为 0 只；最大值为 60 只）。不到一半的受访者报告说他们的诊所制定了一个标准的犬（147/361；40.7%）或猫（157/361；43.5%）安乐死方案。对于犬的安乐死，119/361（32.9%）的兽医总是使用镇静剂，而 71/361（19.7%）的兽医表示不会使用镇静剂。对于猫的安乐死，170/361（47.1%）的兽医总是使用镇静剂，而 53/361（14.7%）的兽医表示不会使用镇静剂。放置 IV 导管、患者约束方法、在安乐死期间对主人的偏好、与安乐死一起提供的服务以及与主人的讨论也存在很大差异，并根据客户、患者和临床情况个别处理。当被问及在兽医学校接受的安乐死培训时，通常被评为低于满意水平，约有三分之一的受访者表示他们没有接受过处理情绪客户（113/361；31.3%）、安乐死镇静剂方案（107/361；29.6%）或管理同情疲劳（132/361；36.6%）方面的培训。大多数受访者（268/361；74.2%）毕业后没有接受过正式的安乐死培训，而是通过经验或与同事的讨论来学习。在安乐死过程中为动物和主人提供良好的体验，被强调为管理同情疲劳的重要因素。
安乐死是伴侣动物实践中的常见程序，兽医在技术和非技术方面的方法存在很大差异。兽医学校提供的培训通常被认为低于满意水平，特别是在管理同情疲劳和客户的情感需求方面。
为兽医提供更多关于调整安乐死方案以适应不同临床情况的培训，可能会改善患者、主人和兽医工作人员的体验。
