One
of the topics I get the most mail about – next to complaints about
unauthorized procedures and how to find a good animal law attorney –
is the subject of informed consent, especially on veterinary drugs
that are prescribed to our companions.
I
often think of Mattie, beloved dog of Ohio journalist Kelly
Kaczala, who took her grief over what happened to Mattie in 2005 at the hands
of veterinarians Robert (Bob) Esplin, DVM and Ross Mahowald, DVM at Sylvania Veterinary Hospital in Toledo, Ohio,
and used her journalistic skills to help others avoid tragedy.
Kelly's
heartbreaking account of Mattie's death is found here, part of a special report in presspublications.com's “Pets as Family”
special report. Kelly served as project manager and contributed
heavily to the section, along with writers Melissa Burden, Larry
Limpf, J. Patrick Eaken, and editor Tammy Wilhelm. I urge you to read it.
Here's
what jumped out at me (italics and boldface mine):
"With
humans, the doctor has an obligation to give you full information and
obtain your informed consent before they proceed to do anything,"
said Prof. David Favre, of the Animal Legal and Historical Center at
Michigan State University.
Vets,
though, are not, he said.
"How
often does this happen? Very seldom," said Favre.
[Dr.
Bob] Esplin said he doesn’t inform pet owners about the risks of
drugs, treatments and surgeries because “it just never comes up.”
It
never comes up? Excuse me, but isn't it your job as a veterinarian to
bring it up? When you visit your own physician, is it your
responsibility to bring up risks, side effects, and
contraindications of drugs, treatments and surgeries, or should the doctor be let off the hook in the event that you or a member of your family dies because the subject didn't "come up"?
Esplin's
cavalier comment made my blood run cold, and then boil, at the
thought of how many unsuspecting clients and innocent animals may
have met Kelly and Mattie's fates because vets like Esplin don't inform pet owners about potential risks? (He said it himself, folks, so he can't come after
me with some ridiculous defamation claim like he did to Kelly when she sued him for negligence. Both suits later settled.)
Here's
the takeaway: 1) Go to a vet who doesn't use drug Consumer Information
Sheets at your own risk, and 2) remember Mattie's Story the next time
you run into a vet who decides to take matters into his own hands
without bothering to obtain informed consent from the owner.
Remember that the best pet owners are the best informed. Then they can make the best choice of veterinarian who respects their rights and wishes as the guardians of and decision-makers for their beloved companions.
Related
reading:
