Unveiling unpopular truths in shelter medicine

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During her keynote address Seeking Truth & Unleashing Unpopular Perspectives in Shelter Medicine and Animal Cruelty, Kris Otteman, DVM, ABVP, CAWA, shared with attendees multiple perspectives in shelter medicine as well as animal cruelty that can be considered unpopular, and why they are important for veterinary professionals to know the truth about. Throughout the lecture, Otteman helped attendees tackle uncomfortable truths and the status quo to help them be better prepared for the tough cases that walk through the clinic doors.

The human animal bond is not dependent on socio economic status

Cost of care is affecting every part of veterinary medicine in some capacity, and shelter medicine is no exception. In shelter medicine, there are pets that are surrounded to the shelter for euthanasia because of financial hardship. Otteman shared that because of this, those who do not work in shelter medicine, but sometimes within, believe that if a client cannot financially care for their pet, then they should not have one. Some veterinary professionals Otteman explained to attendees will even link the strength of the client and patients human-animal bond and how much they love their animal by their willingness to pay.

“We all know because we're those experts with those insights and that voice, remember the benefits of the relationships with animals cross every demographic we can all think of. We know the benefits to mental health, physical well-being. We know how important animals are and what they're seen as family members today, right?” explained Otteman.

“We also know how animals now are helping out in long term care. They come into the courtroom and comfort victims. We also know, and we've all heard stories of that person that's homeless, like if you heard [Kwane Stewart, DVM] say yesterday, and they are willing to put their own safety and security on the line, or give it up for their dog or their cat,” she continued.

Although it would be easier for clients if they had more money to provide the care pet needs, that is not a definition of their love and connection to the pet. Otteman also shared that in recent research, there have been cases that pets are even more important to those within lower socioeconomic status because some may not have close family, friends, or anyone at all besides that pet. That pet becomes their world and their support system. Otteman urged the attendees to not be judgement when these clients come into the clinics or shelters to get help for their pet or give them up, because the situation may be something others will never be able to understand or experience. Shelters are the safety net for those in need, and Otteman believes veterinary medicine is as well because clients come to them in their time of need to save the animal they love so dearly, and it is important to put aside personal thoughts and feelings to give their pet the standard of care they deserve.

Animal abuse is occurring in your community, and it will present in your practice

It may seem weird to veterinary teams to think that a person who has abused their pet will bring them into the clinic for care, but they do and will. Normally, Otteman shared, the pet will be brought into the clinic by the person who inflicted the abuse, or someone close to the abuser, who could also be a victim of violence themselves.

“One study found that animal abusers are 5 times more likely to commit a violent act toward a human,² and so there's this association in all my years in practice, though it never occurred to me that I needed to consider things like differential diagnosis, including non accidental injury, work force trauma, like repetitive non accidental injury, or something like intentional starvation, I was like nowhere on my radar, but working in the shelter environment, as I mentioned, that's where I saw that law enforcement engaged with the veterinary community and brought cases in, and I learned how important it was.” Otteman said to attendees.

A sign of an animal abuse case you be that the history does not match the findings. She shared the story of a feline domestic short hair that she treated who presented to her with broken teeth, zygomatic arch fracture, and other injuries. Her owners, a male and female companions, told Otteman that the patient injured herself this way from bathing. However, she said, anyone who has bathed a cat knows that most injuries during this process are scratches and clawing toward the one giving the bath, not receiving it.

If you suspect animal abuse in your clinic, you are required to report it to the authorities. Otteman shared during her Q&A portion of the Fetch Finale that there are cases across the United States where law enforcement may be too short staffed or not willing to really go investigate due to other obligations deemed more important. If this is an issue in your area, she encouraged you to take extremely indepth notes and photos, more than you would do in a normal examination, and to write everything out in an easy non medical way to understand. This way, if things progress or someone is arrested for the abuse, there is a clear documentation for law enforcement.

In conclusion

There are plenety of other unpopular truths out there about shelter medicine. Otteman shared with attenees that she tends to have a rose colored glasses aspect on life, but she has plenty of setbacks and tears throughout he career. By sharing these truths and understanding how they can present in your clinic or how to help those in need, pets who are suffering in some capacity can find a safe space and support for treatment in your clinic, and their owners might need it as well.

“I really want to thank you for all your kind attention. Most importantly, I want to thank you for being such an important part of what I believe is the best profession on Earth,” she concluded. “We have such a unique opportunity. We're the only ones that can do this work. We make such a difference. So thank you for all you knew to make this profession so bright and beautiful for being so wise and wonderful.”

References

1. Otteman K. Seeking Truth & Unleashing Unpopular Perspectives in Shelter Medicine and Animal Cruelty. Presented at: Fetch dvm360 Conference; Long Beach, CA. December 6-8, 2024.
2. Luke C, Arluke A, Levin J. Physical Cruelty Toward Animals in Massachusetts, 1975-1996. Society & Animals. 1997;5(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1163/156853097x00123