Therapy or euthanasia? How far may (and should) the veterinarian go in the treatment of an animal?
Rippe, K.P.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 140(4): 143-148
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 9581492 Document Number: 493365
Veterinarians are often faced with the question of whether they should treat or - in accordance with the animal owner - to end the life of a pet animal. This situation can be described as a moral dilemma. Can this moral dilemma be solved? The author argues that we have special moral obligations to care for pet animals. The special, quasi-personal relationships between pet animal and animal owners provide veterinarians in most cases with moral reasons to carry out the treatment.