Vetnuus | May 2026 29 which may have affected the results. The survey was planned before the pandemic, and any potential effects (e.g., redundancies and economic effects in the practices) were not accounted for. We did not control for religious views in our study, which could be a possible confounder with regard to attitudes towards assisted dying and serious suicidal thoughts. A challenge with the instrument on attitudes towards assisted dying is that, although we included definitions of the different terms in the questionnaire, the statements and response alternatives leave room for interpretation. For example, ‘short remaining life expectancy’ was not defined, nor were ‘suffering’ or ‘fatal disease’. Also, the response categories were not strictly defined. When using this instrument, we dichotomised the responses as in previous studies, assuming that the respondents were either in favour of or opposed to assisted dying. Specific regulations of assisted dying would probably influence attitudes towards the statements given in the questionnaire. Those responding ‘partially agree’ or ‘partially disagree’ could be receptive to arguments either in favour of or against the legalisation of assisted dying. Therefore, a relatively large proportion of veterinarians are unlikely to hold an extreme attitude in favour of or against legalisation but may be willing to change their minds in different circumstances. This may have reduced the reliability of this measure. When measuring veterinarians’ frequency of Euthanising animals, ‘0’ should have been a separate category, instead of its being grouped with 0–4 per week. Further, we did not define animal euthanasia. It may be that non-justified and absolutely justified animal euthanasia would have yielded different results. This may have reduced the validity of this measure. However, we were able to distinguish between those with a low case-load (0–4/week) and those with a high case-load (5 or more/ week). There is a possibility that there is a confounding variable affecting both serious suicidal thoughts and veterinarians’ frequency of Euthanising animals that we have not accounted for in our study. Therefore, a possible association between Euthanising animals and serious suicidal thoughts should be validated in other representative veterinarian samples in the future. Conclusions Veterinarians’ attitudes towards assisted dying in humans did not differ from those of the general population. Veterinarians’ frequency of Euthanising animals was not associated with positive attitudes towards euthanasia in humans. However, veterinarians working with companion animals were more likely to have positive attitudes towards euthanasia in humans. Moreover, euthanising animals five times a week or more was associated with serious suicidal thoughts. Therefore, veterinarians with suicidal thoughts may benefit from not working with euthanasia. Our study is the first nationwide survey investigating the association between animal euthanasia, attitudes to assisted dying and suicidal thoughts among veterinarians. Therefore, our findings should be validated in other veterinary populations. Qualitative studies could further elaborate on the role of animal euthanasia on veterinarians’ suicide risk, as well as on attitudes towards assisted dying and death, and a possible interplay between these factors. For instance, interviews with veterinarians with a history of suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts would be beneficial to explore whether occupational experience with animal euthanasia affected the suicidal process. The role of euthanasia as an occupational risk for suicide among veterinarians should also be further assessed in prospective studies, both in terms. v Article We, the members of the Association, resolve at all times: • To honour our profession and the Veterinary Oath • To maintain and uphold high professional and scientific standards • To use our professional knowledge, skills and resources to protect and promote the health and welfare of animals and humans • To further the status and image of the veterinarian and to foster and enrich veterinary science • To promote the interests of our Association and fellowship amongst its members. Ons, die lede van die Vereniging, onderneem om te alle tye: • Ons professie in ere te hou en die Eed na te kom • ‘n Hoë professionele en wetenskaplike peil te handhaaf en te onderhou • Ons professionele kennis, vaardigheid en hulpbronne aan te wend ter beskerming en bevordering van die gesondheid en welsyn van dier en mens • Die status en beeld van die veearts te bevorder en die veeartsenykunde te verryk • Die belange van ons Vereniging en die genootskap tussen sy lede te bevorder. CREDO References available on request
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