Killing and dignity of animals: a problem for veterinarians?

Killing of animals is an important task to be performed by veterinarians. Killing decisions and their implementation often raise ethical questions. As a result of an interdisciplinary workshop targeting the subject "killing of animals" with veterinarians and ethicists, a three-dimensional dimension scheme was developed. Whereas the first two dimensions are focused on the animal's past and future life and are discussed with regard to life quality and life accomplishment (the "telos"), the third dimension incorporates the reason to kill and may integrate the concept of dignity. This form of dignity and the weighing of interests are applied to example scenarios and the resulting responsibilities of veterinarians and society are discussed.     

Is there a difference? Comparison of golden retrievers and dogs affected by breed-specific legislation regarding aggressive behavior

Between 2000 and 2002, legislation in Lower Saxony insinuated a special dangerousness of certain dog breeds, and controls were imposed on them. Exemption was only possible if the dogs passed a standardized temperament test. In a previous study, test results of 415 dogs belonging to breeds affected by the legislation were analyzed. Ninety-five percent of the dogs showed no indication of disturbed aggressive communication or aggressive behavior in inappropriate situations. Because a control group was not available at that time, these results referred to a comparison between the affected breeds. In this study, golden retrievers were tested and used as control group. Seventy golden retrievers were tested in the temperament test. The order of testing was: veterinary examination, learning test, situations of dog–human-, dog–environment-, and dog–dog-contact, and obedience. Levels of escalation in aggressive behavior were scored using a scale of 1–7. A total of 58.57% of the dogs did not show aggressive behavior (Scale 1). Forty percent displayed aggressive behavior referring to Scale 2, and 1.43% showed aggressive behavior referring to Scale 5. A total of 98.57% of the dogs reacted appropriately, and 1.43% displayed aggressive behavior in inappropriate situations. In the previous study, 95% of the animals reacted appropriately, whereas 5% displayed excessive aggressive communication or aggressive behavior in inappropriate situations. Comparing the results of golden retrievers and breeds affected by the legislation, no significant difference was found. A scientific basis for breed specific lists does not exist. Therefore, legislation in Lower Saxony was changed, and breed lists were withdrawn.     

Killing of animals (a reasonable basis according to section 17 number 1 of the German Animal Protection Act?)

The killing of cattle in order to support the market price, the millions of sorted male pullets or the killing of surplus animals in zoological gardens or breeds which do not have the right colour--the human way to deal with sentient creatures becomes more and more bizarre. How far is our treatment of animals compatible with the legal demand for killing a vertebrate animal only if a reasonable reason (also called good reason = vernünftiger Grund) according section 17 no. 1 of the German Animal Protection Act exists. An offence against this act could be punished with imprisonment up to three years or a fine. However, to constitute an offence is not necessarily illegal. The legislator has created the expression "reasonable reason" as an indefinite legal term. Therefore the animal protection law can further develop the legal term "reasonable reason" with the help of interpretation and dispensation of justice and adapt it to all social realities. Therefore an appropriate judgement on the killing of a vertebrate animal only is possible by viewing each individual case taking into regard all important factors of the relation between the animal and its owner. The killing of a vertebrate animal, which is found to be illegal according to section 17 no. 1 Animal Protection Act can not be punished in case special Community Law exists which has priority over national law. Community Law which cancels national law exists in the scope of housing, slaughtering and transporting of farm animals. There are loopholes in Community Law concerning the killing of domestic animals in their breeding that could be closed by national law. A solution to secure animal protection could be the creation of a strict law for the breeding of domestic animals in Germany.     

Leptospiral nephritis in a dog?

Extract

A 4-year-old Male Bull Terrier was presented with excessive thirst, inappetance of 2-days duration, and rapid weight-loss.     

Veterinarian: a healthy profession?

Data of the insurance company Movir reveals that veterinarians are more often occupationally disabled compared to other occupations. The causes for this disability are: problems with the locomotion apparatus, accidents and psychological problems. Regarding the complaints of the locomotion apparatus is found that proportionally between 51 and 65 years there are more vets disabled. In absolute numbers the majority of the problems at Movir involves the farm animal vet. About the relative importance or indemnities of other insurance companies no statements can be made. The localisation of the affections are: lower back, knees, shoulders, neck and wrist/hand. Regarding the accidents is found that a lot of problems happen in the private situation, but that the high percentage of disability caused by accidents compared with other professions is probably caused by the profession related accidents. From the numbers of Movir comes forth that especially working with horses is dangerous, but there is no specific veterinarian skill very risky. Regarding the psychological problems comes forth that there are no differences between men and women. Proportionally from 46 years until 65 years there is a higher incidence of burnout then at younger ages. In absolute numbers more companion animal vets are burnout, but no statements can be made about the relative importance. There is no difference at Movir between the solopractice and the partnership regarding burnout. The professional circumstances playing a role in developing burnout are: a too high workload, problems with colleagues within the partnership, irregular shifts, organisation and management and financial management. The personal aspects of these veterinarians that play a role in burnout are: high expectations and demands, perfectionism and insecurity about the own abilities. In many of the files there were also problems within the private situation.