Communication About Inherited Disorders, (in Dutch), Part 1: Stand Your Ground & Part 2: A Proactive Approach

Communication about inherited disorders, (in Dutch), Part 1: stand your ground & Part 2: a proactive approach

Inherited diseases and harmful genetic traits do exist in many breeds of dogs and cats. Currently, a special commission of the Royal Dutch Society for Veterinary Medicine (KNMvD) is establishing guidelines for veterinarians. These guidelines should lead to less breeding disorders, less associated welfare problems, and better communication and knowledge exchange with both owners and breeders. However, although these guidelines set a norm for Good Veterinary Practice, in order to be fully effective they should be properly applied and consistently communicated by all vets and to their clients.

It is known that veterinarians perceive difficulties in communication with clients, especially in situations where they are confronted with clients emotions and meet resistance (1, 2, 3 ). In two interactive workshops we will discuss and practise how to give an effective advise about inherited disorders and what you can do as a veterinary clinic to inform and motivate clients and owners about best breeding practices. As certain procedures are not considered ethical anymore, it is possible and sometimes necessary to find other business models. […]