Using electronic health records to explore negotiations around euthanasia decision making for dogs and cats in the UK

Gray, Carol and Radford, Alan ORCID: 0000-0002-4590-1334 (2022) Using electronic health records to explore negotiations around euthanasia decision making for dogs and cats in the UK VETERINARY RECORD, 190 (9). e1379-. ISSN 0042-4900, 2042-7670

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Abstract

Background: End-of-life decision making for animals happens daily in veterinary practice. However, access to such discussions as they happen is difficult, in view of the highly emotional circumstances of end-of-life consultations. Despite the expanding literature on euthanasia, few studies have explored the circumstances of euthanasia disagreement or delay. Methods: To explore euthanasia discussions in veterinary practice, consultations recorded in electronic health records in a UK veterinary surveillance database (SAVSNET) were examined. From a sample of 2000 identified consultations, 69 canine and 76 feline consultations were purposively sampled for detailed thematic analysis. Specifically, consultations were selected if they involved a decision to delay euthanasia, including disagreement about the timing of euthanasia. Results: Reasons identified for euthanasia refusal or delay included client-related factors (e.g., allowing other family members to say goodbye, differing opinions on the quality of life) and veterinary surgeon-related factors (eg, the wish to carry out further investigations or to try a new treatment). In the instance of refusal or delay, palliative treatment was commonly provided to preserve animal welfare. Conclusion: This study illustrates some of the processes used to negotiate end-of-life decision making in dogs and cats. Its findings shed light on the importance of palliative care in providing owners with time to decide.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Animals, Dogs, Cats, Cat Diseases, Dog Diseases, Death, Euthanasia, Euthanasia, Animal, Negotiating, Decision Making, Quality of Life, Electronic Health Records, United Kingdom
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences > School of Law and Social Justice
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	10 Feb 2022 10:11
Last Modified:	22 May 2026 16:20
DOI:	10.1002/vetr.1379
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3148684
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