Lecture 7&8

Question 1

What is the role of vets in animal welfare and animal ethics

Answer 1

Role of vets in animal welfare and animal ethics
work as an
-individual; member of a profession
-collectively; there is licensing body (only qualified people treat animals), professional association (AVA) and is there a conflict of interest

Question 2

For the following explain the terms
licensing body
professional association

Answer 2

Licensing body;
helps animal ethics by enforcing the local vet act
government enforced 
have guidelines for ethical issues 
-profession association; 
protect vets interest, are these the same as the animals 
not legally binding 
not all vets have to be members

Question 3

Explain the individual role of the vet in animal welfare

Answer 3

Role of individual vet in animal welfare;
prevent and treat diseases
communication skills
education (promotes grid husbandry)
-be able to recognise cruelty and signs of abuse in animals and report it

Question 4

List the 6 different frameworks for ethical decisions making

Answer 4

Framework for ethical decision making;

• ID all possible course of action
• establish interest of affected parties
• establish legal position of dilemma
• choose a course of action
• minimise the impact of the decision

Question 5

Explain the identify all possible course of action
what stage is valued
list the clinical applications (4)

Answer 5

Id all possible course of action 
-'value free' stage (only facts)
-clinical applications; 
non active treatment 
further diagnostic 
referral 
euthanasia

Question 6

For the establish of affected parties list the parties

explain the confilcts between parties

Answer 6

Establish the interest of affected parties
+parties are;
-animals
-owner (duty of care and conflict of interest)
-vet (duty of care and conflict of interest)
-vet profession
-society
+conflicts b/w parties can be issue (economics is a big issue)
-each affect should explain why they hold those view
-are their motives reasonable

Question 7

Explain the identifying the ethical issues and give an example

Answer 7

ID the ethical issues

• consider the dilemma without distraction from surrounding issues
• maybe more than 1 ethical issue involved
  eg. should the vet always do what a client wants? etc.

Question 8

Explain the important points for establishing the legal position

Answer 8

Establish the legal position;
assume the vet will follow the law
does the professional body have a policy?
think about the relevant profession guidelines

Question 9

LOOK AT EXAMPLE ON LECTURE SLIDE 25,28, 29, 30, 31

Answer 9

LECTURE 7&8

Question 10

Explain the 2 points for choosing a logical course of action

Answer 10

Choose a logical course of action;

• use logical ethical theory

- be aware of the theory’s limitations (is it the most appropriate for this decision?)

Question 11

Explain the minimise the impact of the decision

Answer 11

Minimise the impact of the decision;
-its refinement
-aim to reduce the harm produced by the decision
can use principles of medical ethics to help

Question 12

For the attitude among vets explain the following

• importance of pain management
• peri-operative analgesia
• logical ethical reasoning will

Answer 12

Attitude among vets
-importance of pain management for procedures
-peri-operative analgesia, its unlike to be given to farm animals, horses, cat and dogs
-logical ethical reasoning will;
reduce the effect of based attitudes to animal welfare
-enable the right decisions to be made rather than relying on common practice
-allow confidence in your professional decision

Question 13

For the following areas of ethical issues on vet practice
explain the following
-surgery
-confinement of animals during treatment;
-treatment of animals with low income owners;
-Euthanasia of stray animals;
-Management of sick farm animals;
-Treatment of wild animals;

Answer 13

Areas of ethical issues on vet practice

• surgery; pain level, long term prospect, does the vet have enough experience
• confinement of animals during treatment; duration, distress causes, alternatives
• treatment of animals with low income owners; are there policies? alternatives
• Euthanasia of stray animals; does animal have right to life, will this promote overall good
• Management of sick farm animals; lack of treatment/delayed euthanasia, $$$ (money)
• Treatment of wild animals; can animals needs to meet in what time frame?

Question 14

For Animal protection laws/ codes of practice explain how its regulated
explain the following
-animal care and protection act 2001
-Model codes of practice for welfare on animals;

Answer 14

Animal protection laws/ codes of practice
-state based
-animal care and protection act 2001; promotes responsible care and use of animals through education and legislation
there is a duty of care
-Model codes of practice for welfare on animals; defines acceptable welfare practices for livestock
defines acceptable practices for husbandry and transport