title: Conceptualization of convenience euthanasia as an ethical dilemma for veterinarians in Quebec.
abstract: Companion animal welfare in our society has become increasingly important, yet many healthy animals are euthanized in veterinary facilities. How is it possible to explain the simultaneous presence of these opposing views of obligation toward animals? The goal of this study was to describe convenience euthanasia of companion animals as experienced by veterinarians in order to understand their thought processes. A qualitative study was undertaken to analyze the results of interviews of 14 veterinarians. The study showed that veterinarians interviewed assessed convenience euthanasia based mainly on their subjective evaluation of the owner-animal bond. As most owner-animal bonds stem from an anthropocentric point of view, decisions on convenience euthanasia were taken mostly by considering the veterinarian's and the client/owner's interests.
authors.affiliation: Sciences cliniques (Rathwell-Deault), Médecine préventive et sociale (Godard), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Veterinaire (Frank), Pathologie et microbiologie (Doizé), Université de Montréal Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, 1200 rue Sicotte, Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 7C6.
authors.forename: Dominick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rathwell-Deault
authors.affiliation: Sciences cliniques (Rathwell-Deault), Médecine préventive et sociale (Godard), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Veterinaire (Frank), Pathologie et microbiologie (Doizé), Université de Montréal Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, 1200 rue Sicotte, Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 7C6.
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Godard
authors.affiliation: Sciences cliniques (Rathwell-Deault), Médecine préventive et sociale (Godard), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Veterinaire (Frank), Pathologie et microbiologie (Doizé), Université de Montréal Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, 1200 rue Sicotte, Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 7C6.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.affiliation: Sciences cliniques (Rathwell-Deault), Médecine préventive et sociale (Godard), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Veterinaire (Frank), Pathologie et microbiologie (Doizé), Université de Montréal Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, 1200 rue Sicotte, Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec J2S 7C6.
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Doizé
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal / Q000941:ethics*; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D057805:Pets; D011792:Quebec; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000941:ethics* / Q000523:psychology*