Now that the holidays are over, all the egg nog is drunk and all the decorations have been put away, I wanted to post a few words about a phenomenon that is often talked about in veterinary circles, but I have never heard mentioned in polite company: The shocking uptick in euthanasia that happens around the holidays.
Everyone has their own reasons for loving or hating the holidays — you may love Aunt Mildred’s pumpkin pie, but hate the sloppy kiss you weird Uncle Fester plants on your cheek. Doesn’t he linger just a bit too long? (And why does he always smell like soup?) You may love the twinking lights and family gatherings, but hate the crass commercialism that sometimes can drown out the carolers.
But if you ask a veterinarian (and they are truthful), I would bet the majority would report a depressing increase in the number of pets they have had to euthanise as the end of the year draws near.
I first noticed this phenomenon as a resident in a busy, urban ER. After what seemed like the eleventieth euthanasia of my shift, I remarked to a more experienced colleague, “What’s up with all the dying, already?! I feel like the angel of death!” My more experienced friend just smiled a wan little smile and said “It’s the holidays — happens every year. We just have a die-off.”
Every hospital I have been in over the holidays (almost always an ER) has had staff that have talked about the trend. It seems to hit the technicians especially hard, as they are often the ones right there with the patients and interacting with them the most. The techs also tend to be younger, and I think a little more susceptible to emotional trauma.
But it takes its toll on all of us — it is supposed to be a time of year filled with joy and Roast Beast and here we are, killing everything that walks through the door. It definitely gets depressing.
I have a few pet theories on this soul-sucking trend, but before I share those with you in a companion piece, I would like to see why you, tiny reader, think that more people elect to have their animals euthanized as the months grow colder and we tumble towards the holidays.
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