Euthanasia form reviewed - January 15, 2005

The AVMA Executive Board approved revisions to the model animal euthanasia authorization form in November.

The AVMA Council on Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine reviewed the form as part of a regularly scheduled assessment. It recommended several changes, with input from the AVMA PLIT. These include adding a line to record information about an identifying tattoo, adding a caution regarding proper disposal of an animal euthanatized with drugs or chemicals, and substituting specific recording of the insurance company's authorization for euthanasia with an owner's responsibility statement. The council also recommended deleting the recording date of euthanasia and drug use information, because it is included in the medical record.