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Comments on the dilemma in the February issue: ‘The case of the whelping bitch’
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inp.g1420
Subject(s) - puppy , dilemma , payment , caesarean section , medicine , ethical dilemma , gynecology , general surgery , nursing , business , law , political science , pregnancy , finance , philosophy , genetics , epistemology , biology , ecology
The dilemma in the February issue dealt with the fate of a whelping shih tzu bitch and her unborn puppies, which had been brought into the surgery by a friend of the breeder. It was decided that a caesarean would be necessary, but the owner, who was out of town and who had planned to sell each puppy for £400, said she was unwilling to pay for any treatment (In Practice, February 2014, volume 36, pages 102‐103). Steven McCulloch proposed performing a caesarean section, not expecting payment, on the condition of a ovariohysterectomy to prevent this situation from occurring again. While the practice owner wouldn't receive any financial gain, this solution would save their employees the severe moral stress which would accompany euthanising the bitch and puppies. Moreover, the owner would be unlikely to refuse the C‐section and spay, as the only other option would be to put the bitch to sleep and lose the puppies.