Animal Cruelty
List three physical signs that can be indications of animal cruelty on physical examination
Unkempt coat, overgrown nails, wounds, scars, injuries in various stages of healing, blunt force trauma, burns, limping, drowsy, confused.
How is a forensic examination different from a routine veterinary examination?
Collection of evidence, detailed and thorough examination searching for both present and past evidence of injury/illness, photographs, documentation should be able to be used in a court of law, not a SOAP.
List four “budgets” that impact a client’s euthanasia decision making process.
Time, emotional, monetary, physical
Where can state cruelty laws be found?
The Ohio Revised Code
List three ways a veterinarian can be involved in an animal cruelty case.
As a reporter of suspected animal cruelty, a consultant on a suspected case, or a witness in trial.
List three historical signs (changes over time) that can be signs of animal cruelty.
Weight loss, chronic infections, sudden death.
List three communication techniques to use during a vet visit when cruelty is suspected.
Open ended questions, allowing time to answer, reflective listening, ask questions multiple times in different ways, maintain neutral body language.
Give an example of the “Wish, Worry, Wonder” communication technique when speaking with a hesitant client about euthanasia.
I wish that I had the tools to cure Fluffy’s cancer. I worry though, that putting her through more treatments will increase her discomfort and not give us the result we want of curing her cancer. I wonder if discontinuing treatment and considering humane euthanasia may give both her and you relief from the suffering you both are experiencing.
What are appropriate agencies to report suspected animal cruelty?
Humane agencies or local police department.
True or false: A veterinarian’s role in the world of animal cruelty involves education and prevention.
True
List three red flags in a client’s history that may be signs of animal cruelty.
Admission of injuring the animal, vague and changing history, known or suspected domestic violence, history not correlating with exam, describing the animal as “accident prone”.
True or false: physical evidence can be saved from an examination to be used in a forensic investigation.
True. This includes photographs, extra diagnostic samples, and evidence found on the dog (ex. hair in dog’s mouth).
List three three methods of action of humane euthanasia.
Direct depression of neurons for life function, hypoxia, or physical disruption of brain activity.
Where can guidelines for euthanasia of domestic species be found?
AVMA 2020 Euthanasia Guidelines
What is a veterinarian mandated to report in the state of Ohio?
Known or suspected animal, child, or elderly abuse.
Refusal of pain medication and/or necessary care, delayed treatment beyond reasonable explanation, violent actions toward animals or people in the room, frequent turnover of pets.
What are the three types of evidence in a criminal investigation? Define them.
Direct: directly proves a fact
Indirect/circumstantial: evidence of another fact that could lead to the conclusion or inference that the defendant is guilty
Transient: something that will quickly change or be lost
Identify three factors that impact medical decision making regarding euthanasia.
Severity of illness, safety of the animal, safety of others, biosecurity.
True or false: AVMA states that a veterinarian is ethically obligated to help an animal in case of an emergency regardless of whether they are an existing client.
True
How can the veterinarian assist a client throughout the euthanasia process?
Providing medical information about their animal’s condition, providing options for end of life care, and providing grief support resources.
What day is our exam?
Monday, September 28th
What time is our exam?
1 to 2 pm
Where is our exam?
VMAB 235
On Examplify
Will you pass this exam?
Yes!