What should a veterinarian do when faced with a potential Conflict of Interest?

When a veterinarian faces a potential Conflict of Interest, the appropriate response is to disclose the conflict to all affected parties. This commitment to transparency is essential in maintaining trust and integrity within the veterinarian-client relationship. By disclosing the conflict, the veterinarian allows clients and relevant parties to be fully informed of any circumstances that may influence the decision-making process, thereby enabling them to make educated choices regarding their pets' care.

Disclosing a conflict of interest is a fundamental ethical principle that promotes accountability and upholds the professional standards set by veterinary codes of conduct. It ensures that clients are aware of any factors that might compromise the objectivity of the veterinarian's recommendations. Moreover, it helps to mitigate any potential for reputational harm to the veterinarian, ensuring that their actions are viewed as ethical and professional.

Logging all client interactions, terminating the veterinarian-client relationship, or ignoring the conflict do not address the underlying ethical obligation to communicate openly about potential biases or interests. Each of these options could lead to misunderstandings or mistrust between the veterinarian and the client, which may have negative implications for veterinary practice and animal welfare.