In the Literature
Pound L, Farrow M, O’Neill D, Deane DJ, Packer RMA. ‘All I do is fight fires’: qualitative exploration of UK veterinarians’ attitudes towards and experiences of pre-purchase consultations regarding brachycephalic dogs. Vet Rec. 2024;194(7):e3897. doi:10.1002/vetr.3897
The Research …
The global population of brachycephalic dogs is growing despite increased awareness of severe, chronic health problems and shortened lifespans.1-3 In addition to providing treatment (eg, corrective procedures for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome), clinicians may have an ethical responsibility to reduce demand for dogs with extreme brachycephalic conformation.4 Clinician-led prepurchase consultations (PPCs) can be an opportunity to educate and influence decisions of prospective brachycephalic dog owners.
In this study, 13 clinicians in general practice in the United Kingdom were interviewed regarding their attitudes toward and experiences with PPCs for brachycephalic dog breeds. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed significant structural barriers, particularly lack of time and staff, that prevent clinicians from offering or providing PPCs. Perceptual barriers included perceived futility, risk for negative outcomes (eg, alienating clients), and increased public distrust of clinicians (especially in relation to breeders). Several participants reported moral distress regarding conflict among patient, client, and clinic interests.
… The Takeaways
Key pearls to put into practice:
Trust between clinicians and clients can be built through shared decision-making, which includes active listening, information gathering, and searching for common ground. A key component of active listening is asking open-ended questions (eg, what about this breed appeals to you, what are your concerns about this breed).
Recommendations made prematurely (eg, prior to discussing client preferences, lifestyle, and experience with dogs) can undermine trust. Recommendations made with consideration for key contextual factors (eg, client concerns) are more likely to be relevant to, and less likely to alienate, prospective clients. Providing evidence for recommendations (eg, clinical experience with conditions that affect the breed) can be impactful.
Assumptions of how clients will behave during PPCs should be avoided. The authors of this study acknowledged some participants’ perceptions of clients may have been untested assumptions, particularly as PPCs are uncommon. Clinics offering PPCs should evaluate feedback from both clinicians and clients.
Although causes of moral distress and perceptions of moral responsibility can vary, the health and welfare consequences of brachycephaly and other extreme conformations are anthropogenic. These issues can be perpetuated through facilitated breeding, breed promotion, and failure to educate clients about well-documented health concerns. It is important to provide the best possible care to individual patients, regardless of breed, as well as promote the welfare of prospective/future patients.
Participation in professional associations can help affect broader change regarding population-level health and welfare issues (eg, extreme brachycephalic conformation) through policy development, engagement with breed societies, educational resources, and awareness campaigns.
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