Responding to questions on treatment for post-operative pain
Ethical question of the month - August 2025
You are a companion animal practitioner who is performing an intake examination on a senior dog. You work in a small community, and the owner is moving the animal to your care because she “just doesn’t feel like her previous veterinarian cared enough about her dog.” Upon reviewing the rather extensive medical record, which includes several surgeries, you notice that the dog has, in the past, received minimal post-operative pain control. During the appointment, the client asks you directly about the medical history
and whether you have any concerns. You are professional and measured in your opinion regarding the pain control issue, but the owner becomes quite upset and insists you “do something” about it. You feel a bit of a power imbalance, as you are a relatively new graduate, and the veterinarian in question is a well-seasoned and highly regarded community member.
What do you do?
Clare Palmer, Peter Sandøe, & Dan Weary comment on this dilemma and you can read it here: Ethicists’ commentary on responding to questions on treatment for post-operative pain