Veterinary Ethics
A Request for Euthanasia: Handling The Client
Discusses: ‘A client brings you a friendly, well-socialised two-year-old male neutered cat named ‘Bob’ for ‘euthanasia’. Apparently the client is moving to a new flat that does not allow cats. ‘What a shame,’ you declare. ‘I’m sure he would make a wonderful pet for someone else. Have you thought about rehoming him?’ But the client replies, ‘I couldn’t possibly bear to have someone else own him! Please just put him to sleep.’ What should you do?’
Knight A (2016). A request for euthanasia: handling the client. In Practice, 38, 358-359.
A Request for Euthanasia: Advising A Colleague
In this second scenario, you’re a more experienced veterinarian. A junior colleague has accepted the euthanasia request, but is now having second thoughts. What would you advise?
Knight A (2016). A request for euthanasia: advising a colleague. In Practice, 38, 469-470.
Dealing with Dark Desires
Discusses: ‘You are called in the middle of the night to see what sounds like a badly injured cat following a road traffic accident. Is it wrong to hope the cat has died by the time it reaches the surgery so you can return to bed more quickly? And does it really matter what you think, if such dark thoughts remain locked inside?’
Knight A (2014). Dealing with dark desires. In Practice, 36, 54-55.