5^th Animal Health and Veterinary Medicine Congress

Biography

Biography: Joel Ehrenzweig

Abstract

The struggle for acceptance that accompanies the end-of-life process that clients and veterinary staff must face is fraught with conflicting values and emotions. It is well-accepted that the primary trigger for compassion fatigue in veterinary practice is moral stress. While stress is part and parcel of veterinary practice, if poorly managed, this stress can lead to burnout, depression, anxiety, relationship conflict (both in the workplace and at home), and even suicide. Dr. David J. Bartram found veterinarians were 5.5 times as likely to have suicidal thoughts than the general population. A 2012 study reported that 66% of practicing veterinarians who responded stated that they had clinical levels of depression, and 24% reported seriously considering suicide. Compare this to the national U.S. depression rate of 6-8%. These numbers have to be even worse for veterinarians and staff are engaged in hospice and palliative care. By offering their clients Genetic Preservation and Cloning options, veterinarians can facilitate the acceptance of end-of-life decisions for their pet and, at the same time, relieve some of the emotional baggage that practitioners and the entire veterinary staff have to deal with. While these service may not be for every practitioner, practice, or client, the profession now has a viable answer when a client asks, “But, isn’t there anything else we can do?” This presentation will touch on the basics of genetic preservation and cloning, a brief history of its successful role in equines and food animal production and its potential beneficial applications for companion animal veterinarians.