Etiquette ≠ Ethics

Not every difference between people is just a matter of opinion.

Some differences are rooted in values – and those are the ones that decide whether (and how) an animal survives.

Etiquette as Form

Etiquette can be elegant.

Polished speech, a smile, polite phrasing – all of it may look like respect.

But without responsibility behind it, it's just an illusion.

Example:

• A highly qualified veterinarian who refuses to acknowledge suffering.
• Courtesy is not an act.
• Silence in the exam room may reflect the comfort of the vet, not the comfort of the patient.

Ethics as Substance

Ethics means acting in alignment with truth – even when the truth is uncomfortable.

• Saying what needs to be said, not just what sounds pleasant.
• Taking responsibility as an act of respect for the patient.
• Rejecting false neutrality when an animal is in pain.
• Informing the owner about the expected course of illness.
• Communicating a nearing death openly and clearly.

Why this matters immensely in practice

• The patient can't speak for themselves.
• An ethically grounded veterinarian is able to act in the best interest of the animal, even when it's inconvenient for others.
• Ethical failure is clinical failure – or the complete absence of care.
• Not every owner can read between the lines of a diagnosis. They have the right to be fully informed.
• When a vet fails to communicate the nearness of death, the owner loses the chance to emotionally prepare.