Description should include

• the principles of veterinary medical ethics of the AVMA and Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics (SVME)
• the nature of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship
• the veterinary practice’s role as advocate for the animal, including the primary responsibility to the patient to relieve disease and suffering while minimizing pain and fear
• ethical goals

• relieving animal suffering
• promoting public health
• assuming responsibility for actions and judgments
• maintaining confidentiality, honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity
• striving to improve standards of professional practice
• actions or behaviors that would conflict with ethical standards for veterinary practice (e.g., breaches of trust, falsification of records, practicing beyond one’s scope). 

Process/Skill Questions:

• How do veterinary professionals act as advocates for public health in zoonotic disease control?
• Why is it unethical for a veterinarian to prescribe or dispense medication without the existence of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship?
• Why is it unethical to release contents of a medical record without first obtaining the consent of the client?
• What roles do professional organizations play in the protection of animals and veterinary employees? What roles do the state and federal governments play?
• Why do veterinary medical professionals have an obligation to honor verbal contracts as well as written contracts with their clients?
• Why is it unprofessional and unethical to misrepresent one’s level of training to a client or prospective employer?
• How would failing to fulfill one’s duties at work affect one’s professional image?