The veterinarian as the animals' advocate
The veterinary profession is a follower rather than an initiator in the development of policies that aim to safeguard and improve the welfare and moral status of animals. Codes of ethics for veterinarians focus mainly on professional conduct in relation to colleagues and clients, such as advertising and the adoption of one another's clients. Meanwhile, the interests of animals are considered implicit rather than being discussed explicitly.

Time and again, veterinarians are confronted with situations that result from other people's actions and therefore are beyond their control. They must apply their professional judgement to situations where there are no strict rules or regulations. Inevitably, this gives rise to moral dilemmas, the most common of which are mentioned below. Also mentioned are decision-making frameworks, based on thinking through the consequences of all available options.

Curative veterinary medicine
This first example of a typical dilemma faced by a veterinarian in practice is relevant to small animal practice, but could be equally well applied to other situations.

A puppy is presented with front limb lameness. The condition results from a disproportionate growth of the radius and ulna causing the radius to curve, which subsequently puts excessive stress on the distal joints of the leg. Certain short-legged breeds are predisposed to this abnormality, but it is possible to treat the condition surgically. In the very worst cases repeated surgical intervention may be required. The only alternative is to euthanise the animal. Although the condition is severe enough to necessitate veterinary intervention, it does not present an emergency situation and therefore there is time to think before a decision has to be made.

There are numerous interests involved in this scenario. First, those of the puppy. Its life is dependent not only on the prognosis made by the consulting veterinarian, but also on the amount and duration of pain and post-operative immobility it is likely to experience. Although the prognosis of treatment is generally good, it is anticipated that the amount and duration of post-operative discomfort will be long lasting and severe. Consequently, the normal psychological and physical development of the animal will be impaired, or at best delayed. The only way to prevent this discomfort, and any other problems, is to choose euthanasia.

The interests of the owner are more diverse. The reasons for acquiring a puppy of this particular breed are undoubtedly personal. However, if the owners are breeders there are several reasoins why they may choose to euthanise the puppy. The alternative treatment is costly, the puppy cannot be sold before it is completely cured which makes it too old to sell because most clients want to buy a young puppy and, finally, a conscientious breeder would not breed from an animal with a condition that has a genetic predisposition. In contrast, if the owner is a family with young children and the puppy is to serve as the family pet, the situation is very different. Money may not be a problem, but there are still moral and emotional issues to consider. It can be assumed that the family is emotionally attached to the puppy, perhaps more so because of its difficult start in life. The children's development of a sense of 'animal awareness' may have been an important reason why the parents acquired a pet in the first place and thus the puppy became a family member the moment it arrived. To decide a member of the family should be euthanised is no small matter and to replace the puppy with another may be unacceptable to the family when it is confronted with the situation. In summary, the family is willing to do whatever it takes to provide a good life for their puppy.

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