ETHICS - Professional Ethics

Question 1

What are the three views on the value of animal life?

Answer 1

1. Only quality of life matters: Our only obligation in relation to animals in our care is to ensure a good quality of life and death
2. Quantity matters, but animals are replaceble: The length of animal life is valuble however animals can be replaced
3. Animals are not fully replaceble: Ending the life of an animal is possibly a bad thing

Question 2

What are the ethical concerns regarding extreme or ‘heroic’ clinical treatments?

Answer 2

Animals cannot give consent
Treatment may seriously compromise welfare
Owner’s may not act in the animal’s best interest

Question 3

What is the ethical criteria for extreme or ‘heroic’ clinical treatments?

Answer 3

• The outcome of the treatment for the animal can be reasonably predicted
• The expected quality of life outcome for the animal is acceptable according to recognised criteria
• Minimising or control of the animal’s suffering
• Short term quality of life reduction should be outweighed by a realistically assessed long term benefit

Question 4

What are ethical dilemmas?

Answer 4

Ethical dilemmas are situations in which each possible outcome seems to be morally wrong

Question 5

What are the five principles of veterinary practice?

Answer 5

Professional competence
Honesty and integrity
Independence and impartaility
Client confidentiality and trust
Professional accountability