Columns for Canadian Veterinary Journal

Pictures of Clare Palmer, Peter Sandøe & Dan Weary This page contains recent columns written by Clare Palmer, Peter Sandøe, and Dan Weary for the Canadian Veterinary Journal and are published on a monthly basis. They are presented on this page approximately six months after publication.

The Veterinary Medical Ethics columns are made publicly available after an agreement between the authors and the Editorial committee of the Canadian Veterinary Journal.

Veterinary-client-patient relationship

2024.11.01

Ethicists’ commentary on the veterinary-client-patient relationship

Ethical question of the month, August 2024 A veterinarian sees a cat with respiratory issues and prescribes appropriate support care. The cat’s condition declines over the next day (which is a holiday). The veterinarian…

Medication

2024.10.01

Ethicists’ commentary - Lack of authorized medication for animals in the food chain

Ethical question of the month, July 2024 In Canada, there are an increasing number of small-herd goat dairies and families who are keeping milking goats for their own consumption. Infestation with chewing lice is a…

Clinical errors

2024.09.01

Ethicists’ commentary on managing clinical errors

Ethical question of the month, June 2024 You are the senior veterinarian in a small companion animal practice located in a small town. You have recently taken on a new graduate veterinarian who is very diligent, but…

Referrals

2024.08.01

Ethicists’ commentary on sending referrals

Ethical question of the month, May 2024 Another general practitioner in your area has recently begun to accept referrals for specialized orthopedic procedures. One of your clients has a dog that you diagnosed with a…

Welfare concerns

2024.07.01

Ethicists’ commentary on addressing animal welfare concerns involving non-patients and non-clients

Ethical question of the month, April 2024 You are an equine veterinarian who provides services to a sport-horse facility. There is an educational clinic for young riders being held at the facility, with a guest…

Spaying

2024.06.01

Ethicists’ commentary on deciding whether to proceed with spaying an unexpectedly pregnant animal from a “no-kill” shelter

Ethical question of the month, March 2024 You provide veterinary services to a “no-kill” small animal shelter. A mature female bulldog crossbreed dog is presented for a spay procedure. The history supplied is that the…

Misinformation

2024.05.01

Ethicists’ commentary on confronting misinformation in the animal-care community

Ethical question of the month, February 2024 While discussing vaccine protocols with the owner of a new puppy, you learn that the owner and head trainer at a local dog education center has also been discussing vaccines…

Biosecurity rules

2024.04.01

Ethicists’ commentary navigating client requests to engage in “harmless” fraud or rule-bending

Ethical question of the month, January 2024 Your clients compete at international horse shows that have strict biosecurity rules. These competitions require preventative vaccinations that are recorded in passports with…

Potential misconduct

2024.03.01

Ethicists’ commentary on considerations when judging whether to formally report a colleague’s potential misconduct

Ethical question of the month, December 2023 A veterinarian in our area has developed a reputation for significant errors that individually might be forgiven, but as they multiply, start to form a pattern. The range…

Treatment policies

2024.02.01

Ethicists’ commentary on medical and professional challenges arising from inconsistent treatment policies within a clinic

Ethical question of the month, November 2023 You are a recent graduate working in a small animal hospital with a longtime veterinary owner and a loyal clientele. You are presented with a small dog that has a history…

AnimalEthics