Group veterinary ethics

Card 1: Euthanasia

Q: What ethical considerations are involved in euthanasia?

• Humane ending of life to prevent suffering

• Balance owner requests, animal quality of life, and professional ethics

• Scientific support: Quality-of-life scoring, analgesia, and monitoring distress

Card 1: Euthanasia

• Example reasoning

We prioritize euthanasia discussion first because it directly prevents suffering and is ethically clear.

Card 2: Animal Welfare vs. Owner Preference

Q: How do you balance animal welfare with owner preferences?

• Welfare should guide veterinary decisions; owner preference informs, but does not override care standards

• Communication is key: educate owners about consequences of choices

• Example: Owner wants a high-risk breed → explain chronic suffering and BOAS prevalence

• Ethical principle: Beneficence and non-maleficence

Card 3: Genetic Disease / Breeding Ethics

Q: How do you advise on breeding animals with congenital risks?

• Discuss genetic disease prevalence (e.g., BOAS in brachycephalic dogs)

• Ethical stance: avoid perpetuating suffering

• Suggest health screening or selective breeding to minimize risk

Card 3: Genetic Disease / Breeding Ethics

• Rank

High priority because it combines science, welfare, and common veterinary ethical dilemmas

Card 4: Pain Management / Analgesia

Q: Why is pain management a top ethical priority?

• Obligation to minimize suffering

• Evidence-based: analgesics, monitoring, early intervention

• Example: Post-operative care or trauma cases require timely pain control

Card 4: Pain Management / Analgesia

• Rank

Top priority — immediate animal welfare impact

Card 5: Resource Allocation / Prioritization

Q: How do you ethically allocate veterinary resources in emergencies?

• Use triage: first-come, first-served; severity; contagious risk; vulnerability

• Scientific support: VEWS (Veterinary Early Warning Score) guides prioritization

Card 5: Resource Allocation / Prioritization

• Rank

High — critical in emergency scenarios, allows ethical reasoning discussion

Card 6: Zoonotic Risk / Public Health

Q: How do zoonotic risks affect veterinary ethics?

• Balance treatment with human safety

• Example: handling infectious disease cases (avian influenza, rabies)

Card 6: Zoonotic Risk / Public Health

• Rank

Medium — broader societal impact, less immediate than suffering prevention

Card 7: Conservation vs. Domestication / Wildlife Intervention

Q: How do you approach wildlife rehabilitation ethically?

• Consider natural survival vs. human intervention

• Limit intervention to cases with clear welfare benefit

• Example: Releasing rehabilitated animals without creating dependency

Card 7: Conservation vs. Domestication / Wildlife Intervention

• Rank

Medium — ethical complexity, interdisciplinary reasoning

Card 8: Research / Experimental Ethics

Q: What ethical principles apply in research with animals?

• Apply 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement

• Minimize suffering, maximize scientific validity

Card 8: Research / Experimental Ethics

• Rank

Low — important, but less immediate than clinical welfare cases

Card 9: Veterinary Professionalism

Q: How does professionalism intersect with ethics?

• Confidentiality, honesty, empathy, emotional boundaries

• Clear communication with owners and colleagues

Card 9: Veterinary Professionalism

• Rank

Low — supports ethical reasoning but rarely the central debate topic

How should we prioritize cards in a group ethical debate?

i.e Euthanasia, Resource allocation, Research ethics, Genetic disease, Professionalism

1. Top: Euthanasia, Pain Management, Animal Welfare

2. High: Genetic Disease/Breeding Ethics, Resource Allocation

3. Medium: Zoonotic Risk, Conservation/Wildlife Intervention

4. Low: Research Ethics, Professionalism?

Ranking Logic for Group Presentation

Reasoning: Prioritize based on immediate welfare impact, ethical clarity, and feasibility of intervention.

Response to devils advocate/challenges

REDIRECT to main point, prioritizations defined at the START OF DISCUSSION

Our priority reflects the greatest benefit to the animal while respecting professional responsibility