The "Best Interest Principle" in Small Animal Practice

Today, companion animals such as dogs and cats benefit from advanced veterinary care. However, a crucial question remains when applying these advanced modalities: What truly lies in the best interests of our animals? This research project is dedicated to this important topic by thoroughly examining the so-called Best Interest Principle in the veterinary sector. Companion animal owners and veterinarians are often faced with complex decisions when it comes to determining the optimal treatment plan for an animal. One example illustrates this challenge: a companion animal owner learns that his dog has a tumor that, if not treated, will lead to death. The ideal treatment plan for this dog would be the surgical removal of the tumor followed by radiation therapy. However, practical difficulties arise: there is no clinic nearby that offers radiation therapy, and the owners working conditions do not allow for frequent trips to the clinic providing radiation therapy. Additionally, is the owner finds it emotionally challenging to leave the dog in the care of others during the therapy. After carefully weighing these factors, the owner and the veterinarian pursue a treatment plan incorporating surgery combined with chemotherapy, that can be conducted locally and is therefore also easy for the owner to implement. The project raises central questions: Does this practical decision, which deviates from the ideal treatment plan, genuinely represent the best interests of the animal, or is it merely a good enough option? Does such a choice, which transparently considers and weighs all relevant factors, still qualify as one that aligns with the Best Interests Principle? In this project, these central questions are the focus of our investigation. Through extensive empirical studies with veterinarians and dog and cat owners, we aim to understand how the principle is perceived, defined, and applied in practice. This is the first project of its kind that combines theoretical approaches with practical insights to analyze the Best Interests Principle in depth and identify potential areas for improvement. We pursue four central hypotheses: First, we assume that different theoretical interpretations of the Best Interests Principle lead to confusion about what actually counts as Best Interests or how it can be understood. Second, we suspect that veterinarians and companion animal owners interpret the best interests of the animal differently, which may affect their collaborative decision-making processes. Third, we believe that these differing perceptions of the Best Interests Principle lead to varying successes in promoting animal welfare. Finally, we want to clarify whether there are discrepancies between theoretical interpretations of the Best Interests Principle and its practical application, as well as where improvements can be made. The overall aim of our project is to deepen the understanding of the best interests of our companion animals and to promote informed, ethical decision-making in veterinary medicine.