Prescribing controlled drugs (exceptional circumstances)

Scenario

Nina’s cat, Snowflake, has been in a fight with another cat and has sustained an injury.

Snowflake is bad tempered, and Nina knows from experience that she will not be able to catch her, let alone get her in the carrier to take her to the vet.

Nina calls her usual veterinary practice and speaks to Anton, a veterinary surgeon.

She describes the situation and Anton explains that he will need to see Snowflake as she may need antibiotics and makes some suggestions to calm and catch her.

Nina tries everything she can think of, but cannot catch Snowflake. She calls the practice back and suggests that Anton see Snowflake at her house.

Anton cannot see how attending Nina’s home would help as he is no more likely to be able to catch Snowflake than Nina.

Anton knows that Snowflake’s wound needs to be assessed as a matter of animal welfare and says he will prescribe a single dose of gabapentin to calm Snowflake enough to so Nina can get her to the practice.

Things to think about

Anton has taken Snowflake under his care by taking responsibility for her.

He knows Snowflake will more than likely requirement treatment, but cannot get all the information he needs without a physical examination (he is also mindful that antibiotics might be indicated and that a physical examination is required for this).

Anton has exhausted other avenues of getting Snowflake to the practice and therefore prescribing a very small dose of a controlled drug may be justifiable as exceptional circumstances in the interests of animal welfare.