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Veterinary Technicians' Experiences With Unusual End-of-Life Phenomena in Animals.

Stephen Claxton-Oldfield1, Sara MacEachern1, Allaina Boudreau1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, Canada.

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Summary

Veterinary technicians reported common unusual end-of-life phenomena (EOLP) in animals, including a "last rally" and "goodbyes." These findings offer insights into animal consciousness and the human-animal bond during dying.

Keywords:
after-death communicationsanimalsend-of-life phenomenalast goodbyeslast ralliesveterinary technicians

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Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Animal Behavior
  • Thanatology

Background:

  • Unusual end-of-life phenomena (EOLP) in animals represent an under-researched area.
  • Understanding these experiences is crucial for veterinary care and client support.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate veterinary technicians' experiences with EOLP in animals.
  • To document the types and frequency of EOLP observed.
  • To explore the implications of EOLP for veterinary practice and research.

Main Methods:

  • An online survey was distributed to 43 veterinary technicians.
  • Technicians were asked to report their experiences with EOLP in animals nearing euthanasia.
  • Qualitative and quantitative data were collected on observed phenomena.

Main Results:

  • The most frequent EOLP was a "last rally" or surge in vitality before death.
  • Other common EOLP included animals seeking "last goodbyes" and sensing deceased animals (after-death communications).
  • Nearby animals reacting to a conspecific's death (e.g., vocalizing) was also reported.

Conclusions:

  • Veterinary technicians frequently encounter and recognize EOLP in animals.
  • Observed animal EOLP shares similarities with human end-of-life experiences.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the nature and significance of EOLP in animals.