| Q: I board cats and
dogs at my practice and charge boarding fees. One owner was irate last
week because the kennel staff didn’t notice an abscess developing
at the base of their cat’s tail. Is this reaonable?
A: This is all about expectations. If the animals being boarded
are not going to have a daily veterinary examination,
you should ensure this is clearly spelt out on admission. Some clients
think because the cat is staying at a
veterinary hospital that a trained staff member will be examining the
animal, perhaps even daily. The admission forms for boarding should clearly
state the protocol that is carried out at your practice. If you state
on the admission
documents that the animals will be examined, then obviously the client
is right to have higher expectations.
Q: Some paperwork arrived on my desk about Occupational Health
and Safety issues. As the owner of a small veterinary clinic, I don’t
think I should have to worry about these things. Is this just more paper
work which is a cost to my business?
A: This is not a Board issue. Nevertheless, it is one facing every employer
in the state. The OH&S laws changed on 1
September 2003 and you need to be knowledgeable. Property issues, liability
risks within your practice and OH&S are part and parcel of being a
veterinarian in practice. “Little” things such as, potholes
in the council owned car park your clients use and street lighting above
your rented building are in fact major worries for you. Sending your veterinarians
to a farm where you know the yards are unsafe is your concern. Does your
associate veterinarian on call drive a car with bald tyres? Even though
the car is theirs and you pay them a generous allowance, it is your concern.
Are staff adequately trained to avoid being bitten by dogs? Have you consulted
with staff to see whether the workbenches are the right height for them?
The questions go on and on and cannot be ignored. Did you know your insurance
company who handles your professional liability cannot cover you for compensation
claims under OH&S? If you need further advice, contact:
- Your own insurance company
- AVA members-AVA Human Resource and Industrial Relations Hotline Service
- Work Cover
Q: Can I order medicines for myself and treat my mates for minor
ailments?
A: Firstly, never treat your colleagues and friends. You are not a medical
practitioner and the liability you are exposing yourself to is beyond
belief. Secondly do not prescribe for yourself. It is illegal in some
cases. Under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2002, the prohibition
on the self administration of Scheduled drugs has been extended to veterinarians,
pharmacists and nurses. For more information, please check with the Regulations.
Q: I have been treating a horse with chronic laminitis and pedal
bone rotation for months. I told the owners initially the treatment regime
they elected might not be successful but they are angry now the horse
has had to be euthanased.
A: Again the issue is one of expectations. Daily in practice
complicated cases are encountered and laminitis in mixed practice would
have to be one of the biggest challenges. It is an area where complaints
do arise because of the length of time of treatment, the difficulty owners
have of carrying out veterinarians instructions and, of course, the costs.
When you see these cases (or similar) ensure you have clearly spelt
out what the disease is, how it occurs, what
treatment choices are (including referral if appropriate) possible sequelae
and of course costs. Ensure you point out to the owner the consequences
of not attending to deteriorating conditions. Explanations need to be
lengthy and sometimes writing this down and handing it to the client is
very advantageous, as is keeping notes with your records.
Log ongoing discussions as they occur even over weeks and months. While
this may not prevent the anger that comes with the distress of euthanasia
or an unsatisfactory outcome, you would have done everything reasonably
possible to have alerted the owners to the possibility that this may occur.
Q: I feel the Board is expecting me to perform everything possible
to save a moribund cachectic stray cat, even though I know I am wasting
time and money.
A: The Board does not expect you to do more than is reasonable after making
professional decisions. When you accept an injured animal from a member
of the public, you should carry out a physical examination and make a
tentative diagnosis-perhaps chronic renal disease or diabetes depending
on your examination. If there is no microchip or tag you have the right
to euthanase the cat on humane grounds (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Act Section 26A). You should certainly make an entry in your records.
It is an advantage to have a computer or card file strictly for strays
to document these cases. This file should be readily accessible to all
staff and should have date, time, where animal was found, physical description
of animal, diagnosis and outcome. Notification to local pounds is a help
as owners may go there first searching for their pet.
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