Why I am NOT ashamed to be a vet by Andrew Ash, BVET MED, CERT SAM, MBA, MRCVS

“I am always very sad when a member of my profession has had such a bad experience as Matthew Watkinson obviously has (re article in the Daily Mail, (Why I am ashamed to be a vet). I accept that in the veterinary profession, MY profession, possibly there are “rotten apples” – just as we have seen in the medical profession the likes of Harold Shipman and unscrupluous cosmetic surgeons exposed in fly on the wall programmes on TV. Sadly, all the kind, honest, dedicated vets I have come across do not make headlines or sell papers – or forthcoming books for that matter.

It is undoubtedly true that veterinary treatment can be very expensive and also can vary in cost (and indeed quality) from practice to practice. This can be for many reasons including overheads and the scope of the treatment. As vets and scientists we continue to strive for more effective treatment and better care for clients’ animals; this often comes at a price.

I would never apologise for offering all available treatment options to my clients for your pets – including the cheapest or most expensive course of action. Indeed it would not be responsible  if I did not discuss with you all the options available, including referral. In the same way I would never judge or condemn your decision as a pet owner for doing what you think is right for you and your pet. It is my role as your vet to ensure that you make the right decision in the light of all the information or treatment available. Ultimately, it is your decision as the owner of your pet what route you choose to take. I would not hesitate to offer my opinion or guidance and would never dream of imposing a course of treatment simply because it brought in the highest profit. When I qualified I took an oath promising my constant endeavour will be to ensure the welfare of animals committed to my care. I still hold this to be the central tenet of my motivation.

Having said all this, I do accept that veterinary practices are also businesses and sometimes this is an uneasy relationship. I am sad that Mr Watkinson chose not to exercise his altruism and skills in the charitable sector, where he would have been free from any doubts or guilt and only been constrained by funds available to that charity. However, my chief regret is that by making sweeping generalisations about all vets, he has damaged the trust between clients and vets and ultimately may have affected that welfare of the animals he wanted to protect.”

Read the British Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ response.