Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Gareth C. — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 17:40:09 GMT

what about the local council animal welfare officer? in your case example if it happened here (and similar things have) I would report to him and he would call round and inspect the premises. he has power of entry if needed and then if he decides there is welfare issues at the premises will be the one (ie the council ) to take it forward. Often a visit from him will be enough to make the owner realise there is an issue. I would definitely go that route not the RSPCA,

[ps am using him and he as our local one is male!]

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

rachaelyost — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 12:51:29 GMT

I had a dog presented to me in a tiny wooden crate for PTS. The owner did not want to stay and reception dealt with the paperwork. The smell of the crate prewarned us to the condition the dog was in. As the client left before I could discuss my concerns I phoned our local RSPCA officer as there were a number of other dogs at the house I was concerned for. They went round and had a chat with the clients-they said they were just talking to people in the area with animals so as not to reveal that it was not us that had asked them to go. The other animals at home were reported by the officer to be fine and so I felt my concerns had been dealt with.

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 15:59:47 GMT

It's a very fine line - if the owners thought you might report them to the authorities it could make them less keen to seek veterinary care in these cases that have gone too far. I don't want anyone fearful of bringing me an animal and that getting them into trouble.

I'd have a word and explain they had let things get too far, etc. I think in a lot of cases people know that deep down.

It's the animals out there, suffering, that never see a vet that are coming to more harm, than the ones presented too late.

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Iain McAllister — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 18:21:23 GMT

It's not about punishment or revenge or getting self satisfaction - in my opinion the client is not fit to look after animals - it's really not about me it's about them! (her present and future animals)

The fact that she brought it for euthanasia at the very last moment of probably weeks of illness doesn't really make a huge amount of difference to my opinion of her care skills!

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

George Cooper — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 11:44:43 GMT

My personal take on this, albeit without the benefit of actually seeing the poor cat, is to wonder if punishment or revenge is an appropriate route to take. What will it achieve, other than some sense of self- satisfaction? It sounds like some sort of supportive action would be a better option, designed if possible to alter the thinking of the client and thereby to prevent any other pet suffering the same. At the very least euthanasia WAS requested, and for the greater good the education if possible of that client would be a far better option.

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Iain McAllister — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 11:53:22 GMT

Update on this - ran it past the practice principal who didn't want to take it further but he did phone the owner which helped to reinforce the fact that more than one person found her conduct unacceptable - hopefully that will make her think about seeking veterinary care more rapidly in future

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 09:41:00 GMT

I'm not sure what you will achieve. The fact the owner brought the cat for euthanasia is the key here - it wasn't found by a third party. They may have have delayed seeking veterinary attention for the the wrong reasons but they did which is probably how the RSPCA would view it. The owners may appear in denial but they are probably on a very bit guilt trip anyway. I'd bite my lip and let sleeping dogs (or as in this case cat) lie.

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 09:28:31 GMT

I feel you have a moral duty to report

Wynne

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Stephen Courtney — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 23:09:51 GMT

Iain, will you be willing to spend time travelling back and forth for court appearances, potentially dragged out over the next couple of years? The RSPCA will pay some expenses, not sure if they would cover your fees as a locum though.

I had to give evidence for a case where an animal had not been presented for appropriate treatment after an RTA, cat with open fractures of both metacarpal areas - could hardly drag itself let alone walk - and after a day in court the defendant was found guilty. She promptly appealed and courtesy of legal aid managed to get to Crown court a year later whereupon the judge gave her a dressing down and she withdrew her appeal - the entire process was drawn out and unpleasant and hugely expensive, my practice was paid for my time by the RSPCA, at a rate that was sufficient to pay for a locum to cover ny absence. Was over 10 years ago however and I suspect they would be more parsimonious these days, given they also have to pay a barrister.

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

james herriot lied — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 21:12:12 GMT

[quote user="Iain McAllister"]

Saying all that I am locuming here so I will have to get the blessing of the practice owners to progress this

[/quote]

No, you don't. You're a seasoned professional, so whether or not you report the case will be dependent on your own judgment; it has nothing to do with who you're working for. Of all the (potentially reasonable) reasons to not go forwards, that's the least convincing.

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Iain McAllister — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 10:49:28 GMT

Thanks for the replies - with respect to what I want to achieve - well I feel that the owner should not be allowed to keep animals for a prolonged period of time - yes it was that bad!

I did tell her that I was shocked by the animal's condition but she is was in denial telling me she looked after her animals and didn't neglect them!

I take on board the approach of having her bring her other pets in for examination and monitoring the way she looks after them - and that might be appropriate for a less severe case but not here. One of the nurses helping me to euthanase had worked for the RSPCA for 8 years and had not seen a cat so emaciated

Saying all that I am locuming here so I will have to get the blessing of the practice owners to progress this

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

mariette asselbergs — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 20:59:18 GMT

"I had an emaciated cat in extremis presented to me this morning by an owner which I euthanased on humane grounds."

What is the problem, you already euthaniased the owner?.

Or isthis aforeign immigrant vet not understanding proper English?

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Kate Richardson — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 14:30:12 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]We had a similar case recently with an elderly dog. The owner was known to have other animals. We discussed our concerns and insisted on examining all the other animals to ensure that their welfare was ok.The other animals appeared fine and the owner appeared to take our concerns on board. We decided against further action at that time but will continue to monitor the situation as far as possible. We have a written report and photographs of the animal in question should any action be deemed necessary in the future. These can be very difficult judgements to make...[/quote]

That is a really sensible approach, will bear that in mind should I find myself in a similar situation

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 14:23:19 GMT

[quote user="Iain McAllister"]What is the current position with regards to client confidentiality - can this be over ridden and reported to the RSPCA [/quote]

Why? What is it you actually wish to achieve? Be very clear about this.

When you've got that clear, consult your own conscience and your own personal sense of professional behaviour, and do what they tell you.

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

Rob Davis — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 14:20:28 GMT

Did you make the owner aware of your concerns at the time and did they show any signs of guilt or regret? As far as you know do they have any other animals? The danger of reporting is that next time they may allow the animal to suffer for longer rather than come in and face the music.

We had a similar case recently with an elderly dog. The owner was known to have other animals. We discussed our concerns and insisted on examining all the other animals to ensure that their welfare was ok.The other animals appeared fine and the owner appeared to take our concerns on board. We decided against further action at that time but will continue to monitor the situation as far as possible. We have a written report and photographs of the animal in question should any action be deemed necessary in the future. These can be very difficult judgements to make...

Re: Emaciated Cat presented for euthanasia

David Mills — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 13:38:43 GMT

It can be overridden should there be a compelling welfare case, as yours sounds to be. If you want obfuscation, ring Prof Con; otherwise give the RSPCA a ring. A way round Prof Con is to get a non-vet to report it e.g. receptionist, though it would be a brave Prof Con to come down on a vet for reporting cruelty.

Unless you know a local inspector, normally have to go through the NCC which can be a little tiresome. If you're independent of the RSPCA and have documented everything (weight, BCS, all that stuff) then they will usually go for prosecution on a 'section 4' - unnecessary suffering - which carries the greatest sentencing. Would only report it if you're willing to go to court as a witness otherwise they won't prosecute.