One health considerations in veterinary palliative medicine

Veterinary palliative medicine (VPM) is an emerging discipline within clinical veterinary science that addresses the comfort and quality of life of animals affected by chronic or terminal illness. The implications of VPM extend beyond the individual patient. From a One Health perspective, end-of-life veterinary practice encompasses animal welfare, caregiver well-being, and environmental sustainability. This paper aims to present a multidisciplinary synthesis that connects these dimensions. It highlights the health benefits and the emotional costs of the human-animal bond; the psychological risks of caregiver burden/grief; and the ecological impacts of pharmaceuticals used in chronic, palliative, and euthanasia care. Environmental challenges include the persistence of barbiturates, NSAIDs, antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, and telmisartan in the environment, and the consequences of after-care decisions such as home burial or cremation. The analysis expands on ethical decision-making between euthanasia and palliated death, addressing alignment with professional guidelines, mental-health implications, and sustainability. By integrating One Health principles, VPM can foster collaborative solutions among veterinary professionals, human-health practitioners, and environmental scientists. The paper concludes with recommendations for responsible drug use, owner-centered communication, environmental safeguards for after-care, and the development of biodegradable euthanasia agents. A One Health approach ensures that compassionate animal care promotes human resilience and ecological stewardship.