Permission for vet treatment & euthansia

Sussexbythesea

Sussexbythesea

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This is a cheery post to lighten up your evening :) Must admit I've snivelled a few times trying to write this.

I'm trying to put together a note giving my friend permission to authorise vet treatment/ euthanasia as I'm going away for a couple of weeks. This is the first time I've been at a yard that does not have a contract and when there is no real YO/YM to handle these things. I don't want him to have colic surgery so want to exclude this.

Is this OK or over the top?

In my absence I give XXX permission to obtain veterinary treatment for my horse X. In the case of colic I give permission for all treatment up to but not including colic or intestinal surgery. In event of colic that does not respond well to other treatments then he must be euthanised.

XXX is also authorised to give consent for euthanasia in event of an emergency involving illness or trauma which on veterinary advice would not respond well to treatment and is the best interests of X to end pain and suffering.

I give this permission on condition that:

Except where the injury is obviously catastrophic or where on veterinary advice X is in untreatable pain warranting immediate euthanasia:

• Every reasonable effort has been made contact me prior to euthanasia provided that X can be kept comfortable whilst doing so.

• All reasonable efforts have been made to treat X (excluding colic or other intestinal surgery).

In event of euthanasia I wish X to be cremated individually and his ashes returned to me.
I agree to pay any veterinary and disposal bills incurred.

It this clear and does it cover what I need it to?

Thanks
 
I always left mine in the care of a very good friend that knew I trusted her to call the vet and make any important decisions, she was also under vet treatment most times i went away, always manged to injure herself a couple of days before I went away, so the vet also knew this person was to make any decisions in my absent. I also know other people who ring their vets and leave instructions with the vets as to what's to happen in an emergency whilst there away.
 
I think it's sensible that you have outlined specifically what your wishes are in colic situations.

With my clients I know their specific wishes and I follow each individual persons choices. I have broodmares who live here with me so I have the added 'need to know' which one is to survive in an emergency. This is asked every single year prior to foaling so that I am up to date on the owners wishes. Most of my people have kept horses here for years and years and I've worked with them a long time so they know that I would always try to do what is best for their horses. The vast majority of my clients say to me that in the event of any emergency I should treat as I would if it were my own horse. Many of my owners live hundreds or thousands of miles away from me so it's imperative that I know their wishes.
 
While my boy was still on loan to me (I've bought him now :) ), his owner and I had a similar agreement as part of his loan contract - and my vets asked that a signed copy be lodged with them to be put on his file, so perhaps worth doing this in the OP's case too?
 
Sounds sensible and useful for your friend in the million to one chance she's in that position as she knows exactly what your views are.

I'd have thought e-mailing a copy to your vets would be helpful too.
 
Thanks everyone. Good advice about letting vet know I think I will ring and just see what they do about third parties giving permission - I can email it to them if need be.

I think it will also be easier for my friend if it's in black and white what I do and don't want as it's a big responsibility although I know I can trust her to make the right decisions.

Let's hope I won't need it!
 
Thats almost exactly what I wrote in an email that I sent to my yard manager/friend who was looking after Af/Vet when I went to Australia over Christmas. I was relieved that they didn't have to act on it, but felt better for having laid out my wishes clearly.
 
I am going away on Sunday for almost 3 weeks, the first time in the 3 years I have owned I have left her.
I have left instructions for the people looking after my horse and today I called the vets and let them know who would be in charge of any decisions and the payment my parents will deal with other the phone until I return as I am going to New Zealand so I won't be very contactable. I have also left all insurance stuff with my parents.
Vets were perfectly happy with a phone all and have logged down names and numbers of the people in charge of care!

Have a great holiday :)
 
baker190 said:
I am going away on Sunday for almost 3 weeks, the first time in the 3 years I have owned I have left her.
I have left instructions for the people looking after my horse and today I called the vets and let them know who would be in charge of any decisions and the payment my parents will deal with other the phone until I return as I am going to New Zealand so I won't be very contactable. I have also left all insurance stuff with my parents.
Vets were perfectly happy with a phone all and have logged down names and numbers of the people in charge of care!

Have a great holiday :)
Click to expand...

Thank you - You too! I'm off to Virginia to see my sister for nearly three weeks end of May not been for over 4 years so really looking forward to it. She's got horses too so it will be home from home :)
 
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