Abstract
Euthanasia plays an important role in small animal practice. When it comes to killing animals, animals, their owners, public interests, as well as the legal framework, have to be considered by veterinarians. In cases where the interests of veterinarians and owners diverge, ethical conflicts can occur, and different concerns have to be taken into account. Data about the attitudes of Austrian veterinarians with regards to euthanasia have been gathered by means of a 53-item questionnaire. In total, 514 questionnaires were included in the analysis. Among other things, factors that influence the veterinarian’s satisfaction with euthanasia, reasons given by the owners for wanting to have their healthy animal euthanized and questions concerning preparation and support regarding euthanasia were addressed. The results of this study emphasize that euthanasia constitutes an important topic for Austrian veterinarians and that acting in the assumed interest of the animal contributes to the veterinarians’ satisfaction. Further, the ethical principles concerning the protection of the animal’s life and avoidance of suffering play a central role for decision-making.
Springer, S