A vet has sparked debate after discussing a controversial topic in a recent video – about pet euthanasia.
Ben the Vet, aka ‘The TikTok Vet’, is a respected voice within the veterinary profession. He qualified from Cambridge Veterinary School in 2015 and became a small animal vet.
He uses social media to communicate messages about pet health and welfare to his many followers.
Ben has an audience of more than 220,000 people, with whom he shares educational and entertaining content that aims to help people take better care of their animals whilst tackling difficult subjects such as the issues with certain dog breeds and pet bereavement.
Taking to TikTok, the veterinarian – who uses the handle @ben.the.vet – shared the information in a short clip.
Speaking in the video, Ben said: ‘There is a video that has a lot of views on social media by a vet who suggests that it is wrong for pet owners to decide not to be present when their pet is put to sleep.
‘Having to say goodbye to a pet is a really difficult thing, and our job as vets is to make that process as smooth and calm for your pet as possible, but also for you.’
He added that when he is euthanising someone’s companion animal, he will ‘explain the process, step by step’.
UK-based veterinarian and TikTok creator Ben the Vet discussed whether he feels people should be there when their companion animals are euthanised
Ben explained that he tells people what is going to happen, from signing paperwork to administering medication to ‘the actual process of what happens when they’re put to sleep’.
He continued: ‘Then it’s for you to make an informed decision about whether you want to be there or not.
‘But if you feel that you can’t be there, that’s fine.
‘We will not judge you if you can’t be there, don’t feel guilty about that.
‘We will comfort your pet and make them feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible in their last moments.
‘I try to explain euthanasia to pet owners as the last kind thing that they can do for their pet when they’re suffering, but a lot of people still feel guilty about it.
‘What we really mustn’t be doing is making pet owners feel even more guilty about whether they are present or not for their pet’s final moments.’
The video split opinion among viewers, with some agreeing with Ben that if people cannot face seeing their animal being euthanised, they shouldn’t be be there.
Ben (pictured) feels that if people feel they cannot stay with their animals during the euthanasia process, they shouldn’t be judged
A number of commentators agreed with Ben, with some explaining why it’s difficult for some people to be there when their animals are euthanised – including past experiences and mental health issues
Meanwhile, others felt strongly that people who have companion animals should stay with them until the end.
Among those who agreed with Ben was one who wrote: ‘This is a hill I will die on. Not everyone is capable of watching a loved one die. And they should not be shamed for that, or made to justify themselves.’
Another agreed, writing: ‘My very sensitive and kind granddad had to go and wait outside the vet surgery while his dogs were being put to sleep. He couldn’t even stand being in the same building, he was so distraught. I doubt the dogs knew either way.’
Meanwhile, a third said: ‘Having lost my partner to SADS have ptsd and a huge death phobia so all my pets that needed to be euthanized my wife was there for as I couldn’t. im so glad she understands, these vets have no idea of the reasons why an owner cant be there.’
‘Very well put,’ added another. ‘I think not all people cope well with the process and not all find peace and some may even be triggered from a mh perspective so it’s important to share this message so owners are encouraged to trust in their vet in their pets darkest hour.’
And a further TikTok user wrote: ‘Those judgemental videos are hard to see when you have pets who you cannot be present with. Ive never been able to stay with my guinea pigs due to how the process is done. As much as I’d like to be.’
However, some respondents disagreed, saying that they either had been – or would want to be – with their animals when the time came.
One wrote: ‘If you can’t be there when they need you the most then you don’t deserve them.’
A number of respondents said they either wanted to be – or had been – with their animals when they had been euthanised
‘Sorry I disagree,’ added another. ‘No one wants to pass away on their own that that includes our furbabys. It’s a devastating experience to go through but they deserve to have there owners with them ❤️’
A further commenter said: ‘Nope. We bear the pain so the animal feels loved by their special people/person right up until their last moment . Sure, it sucks, but anything less is letting your pet down in the worst way. Be there for them like they’ve been there for you.’
‘I never left any of them when it was their time,’ another revealed. ‘I had my hand on them telling them I loved them.’
In a similar vein, someone else said: ‘I truly can’t imagine not wanting to be there.’
‘I’ll ALWAYS be with my dogs when they are crossing the bridge!’ a very impassioned viewer said. ‘It’s the last thing I’ll ever be doing for my dog and the last time I’ll see my dog so why wouldn’t I? He’s my life!!!’
A bereaved poster said: ‘I was there, holding her paw when she took her last breath. Wasnt easy. But i wanted her to know, that she is loved from the first day i took her home from a shelter, till the very end of her life.’
‘It’s been my job to love and care for my girl, it’s my job to be there at the end, I can’t have her feeling scared and lonely,’ another wrote.
