Euthanasia, moral stress, and chronic illness in veterinary medicine

Bernard E Rollin

doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.03.005

Euthanasia, moral stress, and chronic illness in veterinary medicine

Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2011 May;41(3):651-9. doi: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.03.005. Epub 2011 Apr 20.

Author

Bernard E Rollin¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Philosophy, Colorado State University, 240 Eddy Hall, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1781, USA. Bernard.Rollin@colostate.edu

PMID: 21601753
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2011.03.005

Abstract

Euthanasia is a double-edged sword in veterinary medicine. It is a powerful and ultimately the most powerful tool for ending the pain and suffering. Demand for its use for client convenience is morally reprehensible and creates major moral stress for ethically conscious practitioners. But equally reprehensible and stressful to veterinarians is the failure to use it when an animal faces only misery, pain, distress, and suffering. Finding the correct path through this minefield may well be the most important ethical task facing the conscientious veterinarian.

MeSH terms

Animals
Chronic Disease
Decision Making*
Ethics, Medical
Euthanasia, Animal*
Hospice Care
Human-Animal Bond*
Humans
Morals
Palliative Care
Pets / psychology
Professional-Patient Relations*
Quality of Life
Stress, Psychological*
Veterinarians / psychology*
Veterinary Medicine / methods