The Physiology of Death and Dying
Jeannie Poulson, DVM, Purdue University
Bio
Dr. Jeannie Poulson is originally from Wyoming and has been working in comparative and translational oncology for the past 22 years. She received her undergraduate and DVM education at Colorado State University, and then stayed on at CSU to study normal tissue effects of radiation therapy and train in Radiation Oncology under the mentorship of Drs. Edward Gillette and Susan LaRue. Dr. Poulson received her Ph.D. in Radiological Health Sciences (Radiobiology) from Colorado State, and is a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Radiology (specialty of Radiation Oncology). Dr. Poulson completed a post-doctoral fellowship and then served on the research faculty in the Dept. of Radiation Oncology at Duke University Medical Center, where her focus was on innovative therapies and tumor physiology studies in pet animal cancer patients in order to develop new treatments to benefit both veterinary and human cancer patients. While a member of the clinical faculty of Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Poulson developed a passionate appreciation for the value of and need for palliative and hospice care for veterinary patients and their families. Dr. Poulson is currently an associate professor of Radiation Oncology and Director of the Radiation Oncology Service at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. She and her dedicated team combine their clinical and research experience to find ways to better understand the biology and physiology of cancer in both animals and humans, while at the same time caring for and improving the quality of life for individual pet patients and their families.
Abstract
One of life’s greatest mysteries is death. What does death look like? What does death feel like? Understanding the pathophysiologic changes that occur during the final days and hours of living can help veterinary professionals and caregivers smooth the passage from life to death for the dying pet, and also help the beloved pet’s family understand what is happening during this transition. Assessment and management of clinical issues and syndromes that commonly arise near the time of death is important for effective palliative care, and may also facilitate discussions and decision-making about euthanasia. This overview will shed light on the pathophysiologic changes of dying, and how this knowledge may be used to help facilitate a smooth passage.