End of Life Care

Euthanasia: Guidance for a Difficult Decision

An excerpt from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) website.

There are a wide range of circumstances under which euthanasia is a reasonable and responsible choice. Among the most common are these:

• Incurable, progressive disease

• Incurable, transmissible disease

• Chronic severe lameness

• Inoperable colic

• Foals born with serious defects

• Debilitation in old age

• Severe traumatic injury

• Dangerous behavioural traits

• Undue financial burden of caring for a sick or incapacitated horse

• Undue suffering for any reason

Every case is unique. Even in similar situations, the decision to euthanize an animal is highly individual. For example, in the case of a severe traumatic injury, such as a broken leg, the animal’s psychological makeup can influence the outcome. Some horses may respond better to treatment than others; some are more co-operative than others, and some have a higher pain tolerance than others.