Finding into death of SJD

54y · Male·mixed pentobarbitone and alcohol toxicity

A 54-year-old self-employed veterinary surgeon died from mixed pentobarbitone and alcohol toxicity. He intentionally injected himself with pentobarbitone (a veterinary euthanasia drug) while under the influence of alcohol. He had a long history of alcohol abuse and gambling, with escalating problems following drink-driving convictions and loss of employment in 2009. On 27 September 2014, he expressed suicidal ideation to his wife for the first time, but she did not believe he would act. He was found deceased on 2 October 2014. The coroner identified that veterinarians have particular occupational access to pentobarbitone without regulatory requirements for secure storage or use registers, unlike drugs of dependence. The case highlights the vulnerability of veterinarians to suicide via accessible euthanasia drugs and suggests improved occupational health support and drug management protocols could be relevant preventive measures.