AVMA responds to DVM's unflattering comments on profession

Schaumburg, Ill. — While Minnesota veterinarian James L. Busby is certainly entitled to his opinion, that doesn't mean the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has to like it.

Busby acknowledges he knew his comments to the Washington Post for an article titled "Pets, Vets and Debts," published April 27, would irk most, if not all, veterinarians, but says he spoke the truth.

The article, to which the AVMA does not take exception, focuses on how a growing number of people are willing to spend large sums of money to give their pets a few extra months or years because there are so many testing and treatment options available.

"Vets are over-vaccinating, over-treating and over-charging for their services," Busby told the paper.

"The trouble is that many veterinarians don't give you all of your options — only the most expensive ones," Busby was quoted as saying. "And they shame you if you don't want to pay for them."

AVMA President Gregory S. Hammer, DVM, isn't buying it.

"Comments made by Mr. (sic) James Busby, a veterinarian, who states that some veterinarians 'shame' pet owners into choosing veterinary care, are not representative of the veterinary community," Hammer writes in a letter to the Post's editor. "They are in stark contrast to the AVMA's Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics, which state that 'the choice of treatments or animal care should not be influenced by considerations other than the needs of the patient, the welfare of the client and the safety of the public."

It's no surprise to Busby, author of "How to Afford Veterinary Care Without Mortgaging the Kids" (Busby International, 2005), that the AVMA wrote the letter.

"Five vets compliment me and everybody else throws rocks," he says.

But, neither the rock-throwing nor the AVMA attention bother the 68-year-old DVM.

"I wish they wouldn't be so radical about it," he says of the AVMA. "You see all kinds of articles about medical doctors and over-treatment, but if you say one thing about a vet, the national organization comes down on you."

Busby, who was censured about a decade ago, is not a member of the AVMA and his comments do not represent the veterinary community, Hammer said.

"Most vets are very concerned with what their clients can afford or can't afford," Hammer contends. "They give a wide range of options on treatments and do the very best they can for the animal. The pubic demand is much higher for the level of technology and surgery, and it's something that is costly. I don't think his comments are at all representative of what vets do."