One of the most difficult issues that confronts veterinarians andstaff today concerns the profession's obligation to theanimal and the sometimes conflicting demands from clients, peersand society. The veterinarian's role has become more complexwith new ethical challenges posed by issues such as growing publicawareness regarding animal welfare, increasing economic value ofcompanion animals, growth of veterinary specialization,experimentation with alternative and complementary medicine, andconcern for pain management and mental well-being of animals.Written by an acknowledged pioneer in veterinary ethics, AnIntroduction to Veterinary Medical Ethics addresses the ethicalchallenges that veterinarians face daily as they seek to balanceobligations to animal, client, peers, society and self. The bookoffers a highly readable and approachable introduction to thenature of ethical theory, reasoning and decision-making, and itspractical application to veterinary medicine. Now with over 100real-life veterinary case histories and analysis, this edition alsoincludes new discussions of animal pain, distress and happiness,ethics of critical care, alternative medicine, legal status andvalue of animals, and Aesculapian authority.An Introduction to Veterinary Medical Ethics: Theory andCases, Second Edition is recommended as essential reading forall veterinary students and practitioners, as well as thoseinterested in general animal welfare.* New edition from an acknowledged pioneer in veterinaryethics* Addresses ethical challenges that veterinary medicine, withover 100 real-life cases* Includes new discussion of legal status and value of animals,alternative medicine, Aesculapian authority, ethics and criticalcare, and animal pain, distress and happiness* Ideal for veterinary students and practitioners