Columns for Canadian Veterinary Journal

Pictures of Clare Palmer, Peter Sandøe & Dan Weary The Veterinary Medical Ethics columns are made publicly available after an agreement between the authors and the Editorial committee of the Canadian Veterinary Journal.

The columns are written by Clare Palmer, Peter Sandøe, and Dan Weary and are published on a monthly basis. They are presented on this page after a 3-month embargo.

Euthanasia

2023.12.01

Ethicists’ commentary on the importance of meaningful discussion around the decision to euthanize

Ethical question of the month, September 2023 I recently had to make a difficult decision about my beloved, 1-year-old cat. She had some behaviors, respiratory issues, and urinary disease that were challenging to manage…

Fish welfare

2023.11.01

Ethicists’ commentary on standards of euthanasia for moribund fish in aquaculture

Ethical question of the month, August 2023 A priority of agriculture and aquaculture veterinarians is to ensure a quick and humane death upon slaughter. In ideal conditions, techniques are constantly monitored, assessed…

Veterinary integrity

2023.10.01

Ethicists commentary on navigating client confidentiality and veterinary integrity in the context of a medical records request

Ethical question of the month, July 2023 You are an equine practitioner who receives a request for medical records for a show horse whose owners are prominent clients of your practice. The requesting veterinarian, a…

Homelessness

2023.09.01

Ethicists’ commentary on attitudes towards pet ownership among people experiencing homelessness

Ethical question of the month, June 2023 As a veterinarian working for a nonprofit that provides sup- port to both people and their pets, I often encounter situations where people with low or no income are looked down…

Client payment

2023.08.01

Ethicists’ commentary on navigating options when clients refuse care due to cost

Ethical question of the month, May 2023 You provide ambulatory veterinary services for pets. You are contacted by the local animal welfare enforcement agency to perform an at-home euthanasia of a dog that was recently…

Veterinary care

2023.07.01

Ethicists’ commentary on Cooperation in the veterinary field and emergency care practices

Ethical question of the month, April 2023 On a Friday morning, a patient is presented with a mild fever and has been acting depressed for a few days. Radiographs reveal a pointed, metallic foreign body lodged in the…

Owner and veterinary judgement

2023.06.01

Ethicists’ commentary on weighing owner and veterinarian judgments on the best course of treatment

Ethical question of the month, March 2023 A client contacts you after a distressing incident in an emergency clinic with her 8-year-old English bulldog. The dog has some respiratory compromise typical of the breed but…

Expert advice

2023.05.01

AnimalEthics