Euthanasia from the Veterinary Client's Perspective: Psychosocial Contributors to Euthanasia Decision Making

Abstract

End-of-life decision making for a companion animal relies on the veterinarian acting as educator and counselor. However, little research has been conducted to understand client variables in this context. The current study examined potential client-related contributors to steps taken toward a euthanasia decision. Caregiver burden, anticipatory grief, depression, stress, and income all correlated positively with this outcome. However, when client factors were examined in a regression model controlling for animal quality of life, only caregiver burden and income emerged as significant predictors. All 3 caregiver burden factors: general strain, affective/relational discomfort, and guilt/uncertainty were significantly related to consideration of euthanasia.

Keywords: Anticipatory grief; Consideration of euthanasia; Euthanasia decision making; Veterinary client/owner caregiver burden.