Comments on the dilemma in the July/August issue: 'Follow‐up fiasco'. Issue 8 (4th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mullan, Siobhan
• Is Part Of: In practice. Volume 36:Issue 8(2014)
• Page Start: 431
• Page End: 431
• Publication Date: 2014-09-04
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine; Veterinary Medicine; Periodicals; Periodical; Electronic journals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1136/inp.g4914
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-841X

Abstract

Abstract : The dilemma in the July/August issue concerned a lame eight‐year‐old dog with a chronic non‐healing deep ulcer over the carpus, which was infected (In Practice, July/August 2014, vol 36, pp 374‐375). The dog had been seen about a year before for a lesion in the same place and, although the owners had been asked to come for a follow‐up, the owners hadn't returned until now. Richard Green proposed that the best approach would be to keep at the centre of any decision‐making the knowledge that the vet's primary responsibility is to the animal. This would mean taking an utilitarian approach, in which the best result for the dog was of utmost importance. He suggested trying to understand the owners' situation, without letting them off the hook, in order to create an opportunity to improve the lives of both the dog and it's owners ‐ with the caveat that if things didn't improve a more robust intervention, such as reporting the owners and confiscating the dog, might be necessary.