DETERMINING the most appropriate course of action following a diagnosis is not always straightforward. However, vets have a clear ethical and legal obligation to ensure their clients have sufficient understanding to be involved in decisions about their animals’ care, and to give informed consent to treatment. The ideal way to do this is in person, but the pandemic has somewhat limited the extent to which vets can do this.
Vets want to use shared decision-making as much as possible, so that clients are closely involved in deciding which of the available treatments for any given condition is the best for their horse.
Sadly, there are sometimes suggestions that vets may dispense treatment additional to that which is required, to fulfil commercial targets or for profit. I believe this to be absolutely untrue; but the existence of such rumours illustrates the need for close cooperation and clear communication between vet and horse owner – trust and communication are critical to ensuring a successful outcome to any treatment and, therefore, to the horse’s wellbeing.
To be effective, any treatment must be carried out as prescribed, and horse owners bear much of the responsibility for the day-today aspects of this.
Once the various options are clearly communicated to the horse’s owner, any risks can be more clearly understood and a proper plan – that takes into account both the available evidence and practical and economic considerations, and which will work well for all involved – can be agreed.
CUSHING’S COMPLIANCE
Denne historien er fra November 11, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra November 11, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions