Pre-Euthanasia Sedation Protocols at Their Best - ON DEMAND

Course overview

The 2020 edition of the American Veterinary Medical Association's guidelines for the euthanasia of animals states that "pre-euthanasia sedation or anesthesia should be provided whenever practicable," making euthanasia a two-step process. Performing this step prior to euthanasia reduces stress for all stakeholders, reduces the need for physical restraint, increases safety, and allows the caregiver to witness their pet at peace before the final farewell. It is important to differentiate between sedation and anesthesia. Sedation is a state from which the patient can be aroused with sufficient stimulation to a conscious state and become aware of what is happening. Anesthesia is a state of unconsciousness where arousal by noxious stimuli does not occur. The latter expands the techniques we can use for administering euthanasia drugs beyond the intravenous route; for example, drugs can be given intracardiac, which is not acceptable under sedation alone. In this session, the drugs or combinations of drugs that can be used to sedate or anesthetize dogs and cats will be discussed. Choices are based on the pet's personality and their physical or psychological status. Some drugs can alter cardiovascular function and delay the onset of euthanasia agents; however, the benefits of a two-step process outweigh using intravenous euthanasia drugs alone.