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9
EQUINE MATTERS
Figure one. Older horses often continue to exercise. With careful management and
regular checkups, working in the twilight years can be beneficial
PREPARING FOR
EUTHANASIA
Veterinary Surgeon
Rebecca Goodwin
XLVets Equine practice
Cliffe Equine
Clinic
Preparing to say goodbye
Rebecca Goodwin BVetMed CertAVP(EM) MRCVS
Cliffe Equine Clinic
The decision for euthanasia may become
necessary due to compromised quality of life
from disease or illness, or normal age related
changes. Often we have to make these
decisions, they are not made for us, and as
loving animal owners we have to take the
responsibility which can be a very difficult and
upsetting process, giving us a huge amount of
moral stress
(figure two)
. As vets we want to
try to support you at this time and offer helpful,
empathetic, informative advice.
Planning ahead allows you to have more time
to focus on your animal and saying goodbye,
and not just the facts and logistics of the
matter, such as dealing with the remains.
Perhaps a discussion at an annual vaccination
may be a good idea to prepare yourself for
the decisions to be made, and when is the
right time for you and your horse. Obviously
these are very personal decisions and
discussing it with your vet may not be
appropriate or necessary for you. However,
if you do wish to discuss this topic, there are a
few difficult, but common, areas for discussion.
Horses are living healthier, longer lives than ever before due to
advances in veterinary care, knowledge and nutrition; and recent
studies have shown the aged horse population is ever increasing
(figure one)
. Despite this increased longevity, the unfortunate decision
to say goodbye to our beloved animals is still an inevitability. It may
be a sudden decision due to an untreatable or painful disease, or
due to a chronic or terminal disease that has become unmanageable.