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    Euthanasia of dogs and cats by veterinarians in New Zealand: protocols, procedures and experiences.
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2023-04-25) Gates MC; Kells NJ; Kongara K; Littlewood KE
    AIMS: To collect data on protocols used by New Zealand veterinarians to perform euthanasia of dogs and cats, and to explore opinions towards the training they received in euthanasia during veterinary school. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered to all veterinarians registered with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. The survey asked respondents about their practices' policies for euthanasia; protocols for performing euthanasia of dogs and cats; opinions towards euthanasia training received in veterinary school; and subsequent experiences with euthanasia in practice. Descriptive statistics were provided for all quantitative study variables and thematic analysis was performed on the free-text comments. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 361/1,448 (24.9%) veterinarians in companion or mixed animal practice. The mean numbers of dogs and cats euthanised each month were 7.2 (median 5; min 0; max 60) and 7.9 (median 5; min 0; max 60), respectively. Fewer than half of respondents reported that their clinic had a standard protocol for euthanising dogs (147/361; 40.7%) or cats (157/361; 43.5%). For euthanasia of dogs, 119/361 (32.9%) always used sedation while 71/361 (19.7%) indicated that they would not use sedation. For euthanasia of cats, 170/361 (47.1%) always used sedation while 53/361 (14.7%) indicated that they would not use sedation. Placement of IV catheters, methods for patient restraint, preferences towards the presence of owners during euthanasia, services provided with euthanasia, and discussions with owners were also highly variable and handled case-by-case depending on the client, patient, and clinical scenario. When asked about the euthanasia training received at veterinary school, it was generally ranked as below satisfactory, with approximately one-third of respondents indicating that they received no training in dealing with emotional clients (113/361; 31.3%), sedation protocols for euthanasia (107/361; 29.6%), or managing compassion fatigue (132/361; 36.6%). Most respondents (268/361; 74.2%) received no formal training in euthanasia after graduation and learned from experience or discussions with colleagues. Providing animals and owners with a good experience during the euthanasia process was highlighted as important for managing compassion fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Euthanasia is a common procedure in companion animal practice and there is considerable variation in how veterinarians approach both the technical and non-technical elements. Training provided during veterinary school was generally considered below satisfactory, particularly regarding managing compassion fatigue and clients' emotional needs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Providing veterinarians with additional training on adapting their euthanasia protocols to different clinical scenarios may improve the experience for patients, owners and veterinary staff.
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    When and how to say goodbye: An analysis of Standard Operating Procedures that guide end-of-life decision-making for stranded cetaceans in Australasia
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2022-04) Boys RM; Beausoleil NJ; Betty EL; Stockin KA
    Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are tools used to ensure management best practice during emergency incidents including wildlife interventions, such as cetacean strandings. The compromised state of stranded cetaceans means humane end-of-life decisions may be considered, and SOPs frequently guide this process. This study evaluated SOPs for end-of-life decision-making and technically enacting euthanasia of stranded cetaceans across Australasia. The aim was to highlight similarities and differences in management and explore directions to improve stranded cetacean welfare. SOPs were requested from the eight government authorities across Australia and New Zealand. All SOPs were evaluated for decision-making criteria, yielding 29 parameters for the implementation of end-of-life decisions. Euthanasia and palliative care were options for end-of-life, with palliative care recommended when euthanasia was not feasible or presented human safety risks. Three euthanasia methods were recommended. Ballistics was recommended in seven SOPs, chemicals in five and explosives in three SOPs. Variability existed in the exact procedures and equipment recommended in all three methods. Additionally, only five SOPs provided criteria for verifying death, while only two recommended time-to-death be recorded, hindering evaluation of the welfare impacts of end-of-life decisions and euthanasia procedures. Our findings highlight the need for detailed guidance and consistency in end-of-life decisions and euthanasia techniques to ensure reliable welfare outcomes. Systematic, standardised data collection at euthanasia events across regions is required to facilitate assessment of welfare impacts and develop evidence-based recommendations. International collaboration is key to developing objective criteria necessary to ensure consistent guidance for end-of-life decisions.
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    "To die peacefully without pain...I want the right to have that choice!" : discursive constructions of euthanasia in the Aotearoa New Zealand media : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology (with an endorsement in Health Psychology) at Massey University, (Distance), Aotearoa, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Booth, Amanda Ann
    This paper drew on Foucauldian understandings to analyse and critique the construction of euthanasia in the mainstream Aotearoa New Zealand media and what the media portrayal of euthanasia made possible for people to think, feel and do. The analysis involved a review of 45 articles published in early 2018 and the responses to a subset of 6 articles that were made open for reader comments. Analysis identified dominant discursive formations related to a particularly Western and individualised notion of ‘autonomy’. Euthanasia was represented as ‘right’ and much needed ‘choice’ to alleviate fear of future pain and suffering and fear of dependence on others. People and institutions supporting euthanasia were portrayed as heroes and martyrs and those against as villains. A terminal condition was not a prerequisite to legitimate euthanasia in the media. Resistance to the dominant formations rested on understandings that positioned euthanasia as dangerous for society and a not a real choice when people do not have equitable access to choices in life; and unnecessary if people could access palliative healthcare. Absent was any consideration of non-Western understandings of death and dying, and religious and spiritual understandings of dying were marginalised. These conclusions suggest diverse socio-cultural understandings of euthanasia are lacking in the media, and as such, future euthanasia legislation could be harmful to non-dominant cultures and groups living in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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    Making sense of euthanasia : a Foucauldian discourse analysis of death and dying : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Ryan, Anne Beryl
    A hugely contentious issue in society today is whether individuals have the right to choose when and how to die. This project examines how people make sense of euthanasia through both a genealogical perspective and an analysis of discourse. The first study presents a genealogy, a Foucauldian ‘history of the present’ that addresses the issue of how euthanasia has emerged as a possible solution to the problem of terminal illness. It investigates the conditions present at particular periods of time and a specific but disorderly collection of incidents that have enabled our present constructions of euthanasia. This genealogy challenges both the origins and functions of our present day ‘knowledge’ regarding euthanasia and the assumptions of self-evidence and inevitability that accompany prevailing discourses. The second study involved interviews with 28 healthy people from the general population in Aotearoa/New Zealand to explore how they talked about and made sense of death, dying and euthanasia. A Foucauldian discourse analysis of the data revealed meanings of euthanasia that drew on three categories of construction: identity, reciprocation, and burden and duty. The discourses that enable these particular meanings of euthanasia to prevail in our society today and be accepted as ‘common sense’ provide the potential to act in certain ways, while marginalising alternative practices. The way in which people are positioned within these discourses will inevitably shape their understanding of themselves and the world and are pivotal to decisions regarding euthanasia. The power implications of these discursive constructions for vulnerable groups in society are considered in light of the euthanasia debate.
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    Perspectives on euthanasia : a qualitative investigation of a selected sample of health professionals and lay people : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education
    (Massey University, 2004) Tielmans, Wilma
    As a topic the practice of euthanasia is regularly in the news in New Zealand. It is also practised covertly such as withdrawal of treatment, mercy killing and withholding of futile treatment. Knowledge and perceptions regarding these practices differ. This study explores the possible difference(s) in knowledge base between health professionals and the general population in respect to euthanasia. This project, designed as a qualitative study was guided by the following research question: What is the knowledge base and decision-making process between lay people and health professionals regarding the practice of euthanasia? The research was done through a qualitative approach by means of interview. In total fourteen participants from the greater Wellington area were involved in the research project, seven participants representing health professionals and seven participants representing the general population. The interview was designed to capture the knowledge base and insights and values of individuals with respect to euthanasia. Comparing the group of health professionals with the group of individuals from the general population resulted in some quantitative data. The study initially looked at descriptive data pertaining to the topic of euthanasia, education and learning. Interviewing participants and analysing their responses in regards to the practice of euthanasia explored the cognitive and normative layers of knowledge. Educational theory was used to explain what was happening in relation to an individual's knowledge base regarding euthanasia. The study found that the groups differed in educational background with respect to ethics and the topic of euthanasia with a higher percentage of the health professionals having received education pertaining to ethics and euthanasia. This may explain the fact that five health professionals were able to state a correct definition of euthanasia as opposed to two participants from the general population group. In both groups six of the seven participants were against legalisation of the practice of euthanasia; however, five of the seven participants from the general population group and four of the seven participants representing health professionals were pro euthanasia. Various ways of informal learning contributed to the knowledge base of the participants. Informal learning resulted in all participants being able to discuss issues related to the practice of euthanasia that were relevant, important and related to their value system. In this respect, there was no difference between the two groups. This study has highlighted the difference in knowledge base between health professionals and the general population group. This difference being is the ability to define the term euthanasia. All participants in this study were able to voice opinions on whether euthanasia is practiced and should be practiced or legalised. This study showed that informal learning was important in the acquisition of knowledge and that participants from the general population group were less confident in their knowledge regarding the topic of euthanasia. In view of the findings of this study, it is recommended that since, euthanasia is practiced, an open debate at national level should take place. In view of the ethical issues encountered in everyday living, it is recommended that all New Zealanders are educated regarding ethical issues concerning euthanasia.