Vet–Client Relationships in Large Animal Practice

Vet–client relationships in large animal practice fundamentally differ from those in small pet animal care. Bidirectional expectations that may or may not align with clients’ trust in their vet as an expert can influence clients’ attitudes, beliefs, and, ultimately, the tools and, thus, the formation of unwritten practices that determine the care an animal receives with a direct impact on its welfare. The implications for vets navigating their professional relationships with clients in equine and farm animal practice, focusing on ruminants (beef and dairy) and poultry sectors, will be discussed by the authors drawing on their experiences in this sphere.