Some veterinarians are warning too many owners are spending huge amounts of money on keeping their pets alive, even when it’s not the most humane option, writes Rachel Hall. Although veterinary science has made impressive advances in recent years, some say extending an animal’s life at all costs is not always the best option for them and can result in bills of thousands of dollars for their owners.
Source: The Guardian, January 28, 2022. Link. Owners should be assured that vets always conduct a quality-of-life assessment and will advise on health and welfare impact and the costs involved.
In some cases, they may recommend that euthanasia is in the best interests of an animal if their quality of life is low, or if a treatment option may cause them a lot of pain and suffering or carry low chances of success. These are very difficult conversations, which take an emotional toll on all involved.” – Justine Shotton, president, British Veterinary Association
INSIGHTS: Making end of life decisions is a struggle for pet owners and veterinary teams alike. As we’ve learned in the past decade, the frequency and intensity of euthanasia contributes heavily to compassion fatigue <Link>.