Euthanasia is unfortunately a very big part of what veterinarian's do. It's something they have to do, and sometimes, encourage people to do. We don't like to see an animal suffering. We don't like them to slowly waste away at home. The death we can give with a shot of euthasol is more peaceful and quicker than anything they would have at home. Nevertheless it's not something that anyone of the people I've ever met get used to. And they might not show it in the room with you, but that doesn't mean that they don't get back, and leave a hand on the animal before we bag it, or listen for a heartbeat multiply times before they're satisfied.
I have helped out on a few 'put to sleeps' while working at my vet clinic. The first one I did, well it nearly broke my heart but I wanted to talk about a different one. The woman came in, knowing that the quality of life was not good and knowing that she did not have the finances to cover the cost in helping out her dog. She had had him for the entirety of his life. He had been there through her marriage and the birth of her children. But he was getting old. He wasn't moving around as well, he was having trouble controlling his bowels, he wasn't hearing or seeing as well as he used to. And so with a heavy heart she brought him to us to put to sleep. She wanted to be there with him, she wanted to reassure him that everything was okay in his final moments. She was trusting us to help deliver her most trusted, and loved friend to heaven.
And I was okay with that, I helped make up a bed for him. I held him while we got the catheter into his leg. I was there to help hold him while the doctor first gave him propofol which gets them sleepy. And then I was there when the doctor gave him euthasol. The woman held her dog's head on her lap, she stroked his head reassuring him that it would be all right, tears running down her face unashamed. It was this raw emotion, this openess that got to me the most. I was a part of the last memory she'll ever have of her dog. And I was honored to be there, to witness this love she had for an animal who could not speak for himself. I was there as she leaned into him, whispering into his ear, "You go take care of my mom for me."
I want to be a veterinarian to witness the good in people.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hi Erica!
Found this through your LJ which I have been horrible at keeping up with.
I have some book recommendations for you, if you haven't already read them:
All Creatures Great and Small
and
All Things Bright and Beautiful
both by James Herriot.
The account of a country vet in the 1930s/40s in Yorkshire...true stories. He's a great writer.
As a country vet he dealt mostly with large animals (bovine, equine...uhh...sheepine? I forget what you call them), but the practice he joined was just starting to encourage the small animal side.
Anyway, I know you'd love them.
I started a blog recently, tho there isn't much there but an introduction...I'm horrible at composing my thoughts.
ps, I would like to note that the word verification for my comment was "ovoine".
Post a Comment