VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts
The environmental impact of pet burial with pentobarbital toxicity with Celine Leheurteux, DVM | VETgirl Veterinary Continuing Education Podcasts
Mon Jul 24 2023Description
The episode discusses the impact of euthanasia and pet burial, environmental consequences of pet burial, legal considerations and aftercare options, and the importance of correct euthanasia dosing. It highlights the lack of education on end-of-life topics in veterinary curriculum, the risks of pentobarbital poisoning, and the need for proper pet burial practices to protect the environment and prevent harm to wildlife. The episode also emphasizes the legal implications of not providing information about potential risks to clients and the importance of using the correct dose of euthanasia solution.
Insights
Lack of Education on End-of-Life Topics
Dr. Lehertow did not receive any education on end-of-life topics during her veterinary curriculum.
Environmental Consequences of Pet Burial
Burying pets at home can lead to leaching of pentobarbital into soil and groundwater, potentially contaminating them.
Legal Implications of Inadequate Information
Failure to provide information to clients about potential risks can result in civil and criminal penalties, including fines.
Importance of Proper Pet Burial Practices
Providing clients with information about proper pet burial practices is crucial in protecting the environment and preventing harm to wildlife.
Secondary Toxicity from Pentobarbital
Animals that dig up euthanized bodies, such as eagles, can experience secondary toxicity from pentobarbital.
Legal Considerations for Veterinary Professionals
Veterinary professionals need to be aware of legislation and acts related to wildlife protection to avoid fines.
Importance of Correct Euthanasia Dosing
Using the correct dose of euthanasia solution is crucial to avoid overdosing patients and unnecessary product use.
Chapters
- The Impact of Euthanasia and Pet Burial
- Environmental Consequences of Pet Burial
- Legal Considerations and Aftercare Options
- Importance of Correct Euthanasia Dosing
The Impact of Euthanasia and Pet Burial
00:00 - 07:03
- Dr. Celine Lehertow, CEO and veterinarian, discusses euthanasia and pet burial
- She realized the impact of end-of-life experiences on clients and designed a body bag for pets
- Dr. Lehertow did not receive any education on end-of-life topics during her veterinary curriculum
- Pentobarbital poisoning can occur if pets find carcasses of euthanized animals
- There is a lack of awareness about the risks and effects of pentobarbital in veterinary practice
- Pentobarbital is not destroyed by heat or burial, posing environmental concerns
- Studies have shown that after four months, up to 19% of pentobarbital can still be present in soil where an animal was buried
Environmental Consequences of Pet Burial
06:33 - 13:22
- Burying a pet at home can have significant environmental consequences, such as the leaching of pentobarbital into the soil and groundwater.
- There are no official guidelines for animal burial, but it is recommended to bury pets at least 200 feet away from any stream or groundwater source.
- Two feet of soil should be placed on top of the body, along with a layer of lime to neutralize acidity caused by decomposition.
- Burying cremains without proper treatment can also lead to soil acidification and hinder plant growth.
- Euthanized pets can be poisonous to other animals, both domestic and wild.
- Body fluids may leak into the soil, potentially contaminating it with pentobarbital.
- Pets should not be buried in sandy soils or areas prone to flooding, as pentobarbital can easily reach water sources during floods.
- If animals are buried on a property, it is important to disclose this information when selling the property to avoid legal issues.
- Providing clients with information about proper pet burial practices is crucial in protecting the environment and preventing harm to wildlife.
- Secondary toxicity from pentobarbital has been observed in animals that dig up euthanized bodies, such as eagles.
- Veterinary professionals need to be aware of legislation and acts related to wildlife protection that could result in fines if violated.
Legal Considerations and Aftercare Options
13:13 - 20:10
- Failure to provide information to clients about potential risks can lead to civil and criminal penalties, including fines up to six figures.
- Cases of pet intoxication, even with small animals like guinea pigs, are still happening in 2023.
- The AVMA has guidelines on handling remains of animals euthanized with pentobarbital.
- Veterinary practices should inform clients about the potential risks and offer choices for crematorium services.
- The AVMA released a companion animal aftercare policy in 2020 that focuses on body care, choice of crematorium, and pre-planning.
- It's important for veterinary teams to be familiar with the crematorium facility and processes to avoid lawsuits from dissatisfied clients.
- Families should be given the chance to pre-plan aftercare options instead of making last-minute decisions during euthanasia or emergencies.
- Owners should be counseled against taking bodies home due to rigor mortis and awkwardness.
- Exotics patients often require more euthanasia solution than usual, so it's important to use the recommended dose to avoid contamination and skewed histopathology results.
Importance of Correct Euthanasia Dosing
19:51 - 20:42
- Veterinarians often overdose patients on euthanasia solution.
- Dr. Celine has developed a sedation and euthanasia dosing tool to help veterinarians use the correct dose.
- Using the correct dose saves unnecessary product use.
- This is an important topic for veterinary professionals to address on a daily basis.