Survey Finds Widespread 'Moral Distress' Among Veterinarians

[douglas9]

In some ways, it can be harder to be a doctor of animals than a doctor of humans.

"We are in the really unenviable, and really difficult, position of caring for patients maybe for their entire lives, developing our own relationships with those animals — and then being asked to kill them," says Dr. Lisa Moses, a veterinarian at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Animal Medical Center and a bioethicist at Harvard Medical School.

She's the lead author of a study published Monday in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine about "moral distress" among veterinarians. The survey of more than 800 vets found that most feel ethical qualms — at least sometimes — about what pet owners ask them to do. And that takes a toll on their mental health.

Dr. Virginia Sinnott-Stutzman is all too familiar with the results. As a senior staff veterinarian in emergency and critical care at Angell, she sees a lot of very sick animals — and quite a few decisions by owners that trouble her.

Sometimes, owners elect to have their pets put to sleep because they can't or won't pay for treatment, she says. Or the opposite, "where we know in our heart of hearts that there is no hope to save the animal, or that the animal is suffering and the owners have a set of beliefs that make them want to keep going."

Distress around choices such as those is pervasive among vets, Moses and her colleagues found. For example, 69 percent said they had felt moderate to severe distress about not being able to give animals what they thought was the right care. Almost two-thirds were bothered by inappropriate requests for euthanasia.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/10/17/657823225/survey-finds-widespread-moral-distress-among-veterinarians

[qazplm135]

1. it's tough

I lost my beloved cat of 11 years Stormy to heart cancer and heart disease a month ago.

Initially, it looked like she wouldn't last more than a couple of days.

Then I spent a significant amount of money to try, and she got a really good week in, pretty much back to normal...then she quickly declined again and I made the painful decision to put her down.

But I could have as easily and justifiably made that call at the beginning...but we wouldn't have gotten that great week together.

Or maybe I could have kept trying some stuff and eeked out another couple of good days.

[peacebuzzard]

2. I am so sorry about Stormy,

I have been in that position and it is so very hard,
It is tough to say goodbye, and heart wrenching between the good and bad days.
I am sorry.

[qazplm135]

3. lotta grown man tears

but I got a new kitten the same day.

She's no Stormy (no cat could be, we were literally made for each other lol), but she's definitely sweet and loving and silly, so that's definitely helped.

Except the claws...getting woken up with a claw/paw to the face is a new experience lol

[peacebuzzard]

4. I did the same thing

when my sweet babies passed. I immediately rescued.
I recently took in two homeless street cats. (several months apart)

I have had many sad moments these past few years as my old crew passed on.
I really have had a tough time.
So I know somewhat of how it must be for you,
so sorry.

[qazplm135]

5. yeah I think it's tougher when you have just the one pet

for so long...not that having multiples isn't hard, but you bond so closely with the one pet.

I'm still wondering if I should get a second kitten while this one is still just a kitten.

[Maraya1969]

6. I vote yes. I always think it is good to have pairs. That way they can keep each other company

when you are not around.

[peacebuzzard]

9. I was so attached to all of them.

when the final goodbye came to each one, it was hard all over again.
but I had companionship with the ones still around.
It was never easy to say goodbye. Especially the ones who lived to be teenagers.

It was always a joy to bring a sad kitty or pup home that had no future.
I think it's a great idea to get the kitty a friend!

[Maraya1969]

7. I wish that the vet could just give you a lethal dose of something that you could bring home

and feed it to your pet. Let them go to sleep and die peacefully instead of having to go to the scary vet and have them give them a shot. The last time that happened the vet did something wrong and my dog Maurice screamed his way out of his life. It was horrible. They are supposed to give them something to calm them down but this guy didn't.

That is how assisted suicide happens with people. I think that is how we should do it with our pets. At home and surrounded by their loved ones. But you need the help of a vet to get the drugs and to know how much to give.

[phylny]

8. My brother and sister-in-law and our youngest daughter's boyfriend's family

had a vet come to the home to euthanize their dogs. I think if you can afford it and if this is available, it's a good alternative to going to the vet's.

[peacebuzzard]

10. OMG I am so sorry for Maurice!

I had a devastating thing happen in February I am still not over, something so horrifying I cannot bear to think of it without tearing up. I hope to share that one day with this group. I have been so devastated for months.
It is similar to Maurice. I am sorry for you and him.....

[Maraya1969]

11. Try and remember that it has passed and your loved one is, (I hope) in peace now.

Thanks for what you said about Maurice. His last moments were horrible but then he was at peace so I hold onto that. My biggest emotion from then is anger at the damn vet But also Maurice had a good life and I loved him dearly.

[peacebuzzard]

12. Yes, my sweetie passed on,

And it helped when I rescued a couple of cats to add to my other 2 rescues.
Sweetie will Never be forgotten ......