Complaints to the British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association about a veterinarian are also subject to “gag" orders, if this is the correct term for muzzling people. It is often better to go to the press or to an Internet board if you feel that your animal been really mistreated. I quote from a letter sent by the BCVMA to a complaining party:

"The BCVMA will neither confirm or deny to another person, the existence of a complaint against a practitioner.

The Complaint process of the BCVMA is subject to stringent statutory requirements of confidentiality under the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Any person who brings a matter to this process takes on those obligations and must observe them.

I also underscore that you and only you, as the complainant(s) are entitled to the information pertaining to this complaint. Please make sure that you do not disclose that information to any other person or party.”

This demand should be pointed out in advance to any party who issues a complaint about veterinary performance. It is unfair to tell people after the fact that they are forbidden to speak, because they have entered into some agreement that they know nothing about. The complainant is certainly not aware that he/she is surrendering his/her right to free speech when they file a complaint. I wonder if this is legal.You can’t even discuss the result with your friends, or even with your husband! The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Act surely needs amending if its effect is to "gag" people without their prior consent.

However justified you feel your complaint is, you will not be able to speak unless the BCVMA decides to release details. Occasionally it does this if a case has been publicized already.

Fortunately most veterinarians are competent, but a few rotten apples can, and do, really foul up the reputation of the profession. In my opinion, it would be preferable if an independent group were to deal with disciplinary complaints. The BCVMA is financed and run mainly by veterinarians and lawyers, who are then in the difficult position of trying to be objective while investigating those who pay them.

I think that consumers have a right to know about the record of their veterinarian. In some US states the names of veterinarians who have been disciplined are available to everyone who looks them up on the website, the same as they are with medical doctors in some states. There is also a website http://www.vetabusenetwork.com/ where there are records about veterinary blunders.

There is no way to check on the person you entrust with the care of your precious animals other than to talk to fellow animal owners, who often do not have the scientific background necessary to assess performance.

Jean Martin
Lantzville BC