On Euthanasia

          First I will say I have limited experience with the subject of euthanasia as a practitioner. This essay will draw from my experiences outside the professional world. Euthanasia is performed for many reasons. At techs in small animal clinics we may be responsible for euthanizing sick animal and/or debilitated animals. As was Tumble’s case. Tumble was a 10-year old nurtured tabby whom I’ll always regard as my first pet. Tumble came to me by way of Boston Humane Society. A playful and curious bonded quickly. He lived with us for 8 years. Enjoying the freedom, a south Boston cat deserves with a warm bed to sleep in at night. He had always been an active and hungry cat which is why we noticed the sudden change in his demeanor. In the course of a week he grew increasing lethargic. Tumble, well known to never miss a meal, seemed far too tired to eat. A trip to the vet and a blood test later reveled Lymphoma. For Tumble treatment was not an option. I believe in the mercy of our choice. Although I had school, my dad later reflected that it was as if he drifted off to sleep. Disease can strike unexpectedly and tragically.  I’d like to say that for Tumble euthanasia was a gift. But perhaps it was more of a gift for me. In many ways I feel like Tumble had already moved on in those last weeks. In reflection, I prefer to remember Tumble as energetic and at peace than wasting and suffering. It is thanks to the practiced work of the veterinary staff that allowed Tumble to pass peacefully.

            Attitude on euthanasia often comes down to perspective. For Tumble it was mercy. For a hunter or farmer euthanasia is necessary to eat. Not only do the situations for euthanasia change our attitude concerning the procedure so does our attitude change when dealing with different species. I find myself much less sympathetic when it comes to rats/mice. This is because they are pest species. Both my cat and dog chase and bring in dead or dying mice they’ve caught in the yard. In research euthanasia is a must. I think in no small is the common attitude about rodent species being pest that have led to mice being the go-to lab animal. That and they reproduce quickly and often. In the basement of Case Western, the health and welfare of the entire lab animal population. To accomplish this most efficiently Case vet techs euthanize mice as part of their sentinel program. Through the sentinel mice, the health of the entire population can be assessed. This allows simple screening for treatable and preventable diseases. Although it does require euthanasia of sentinel mice. During my observation at Case, techs used a three-step method to euthanasia. First, the patient is anesthetized on isoflurane gas. Then the rodent is exposed to CO2 gas for no less than 5 minutes. Finally, the tech uses either a heartstick or cervical separation. This to ensure the animal is dead before dissection. Mice, especially rats, are fairly CO2 tolerant. So cervical separation is the preferred method. When performed correctly it is utterly quick and assumed painless. Before my time in Ohio, I lived in an apartment. The landlords were not keen to have dogs or cats but a pet rat was acceptable. Her name was Panchu. I remember when she got sick. Like Tumble, it wasn’t until she stopped eating that I took a visit to the vet. The vet assessed her with an infection of some sort. She recommended a course of antibiotic and high-calorie food. Panchu was debilitated enough to require hand feeding. I mixed her antibiotic and food ration in an oral syringe and nursed her for about a week. She never improved. Like Tumble in the end, Panchu was not the animal I had grown to know and love. After she loss function of her rear legs I knew there was no mercy in keeping her alive. My mom, experienced in handling lab animals recommended cervical separation. She even provided me a resource on the method. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. It involves quick, even violent action and the risks to Panchu if I executed her poorly were too great. I had already prolonged her suffering; I would not be responsible for harming her needlessly. I choose instead to use CO2. I evaporated some dry ice in a container before placing Panchu inside. She passed before I sealed the container. Afterwards I washed her body before burying her under an aster.   

            It’s odd to hold reverence for a rodent, perhaps. But it is because of this respect that I choose the method that I did. The procedure of euthanasia can be a gift. Death is inevitable. For production animals, pests, and pets, death may come too soon. Through proper administration, euthanasia can alleviate the pain of dying or shorten the suffering from a disease condition. For Diseases like rabies, FIV/FeLV and equine infectious anemia the gift of euthanasia is to protect the uninfected; to protect and prevent infection of healthy individuals. At the end of the day, we must remember that we, as techs, will be responsible for guiding these souls to the rainbow bridge. Through medical training and practiced skill, we can make this journey more peaceful for our patients.