Veterinary professionals, particularly those working around the clock in clinics, are increasingly targeted by personal attacks, false accusations, and even threats on social media, according to a press release by the Luxembourg Association of Veterinarians (AMVL). According to the AMVL, this trend is not only demoralising but also poses a real risk to the mental health of those affected and, ultimately, to the quality of veterinary care available in Luxembourg.
In some extreme cases, staff have even been subjected to verbal abuse and physical intimidation.
Read also: Alzingen residents sharing living space with veterinary clinic describe nightmarish conditionsThe association emphasises that veterinary staff are trained to make careful, evidence-based decisions grounded in science and professional ethics. However, they warn that impulsive judgements, mounting pressure from pet owners, and the fear of public backlash online can undermine their ability to provide proper care, particularly in complex cases requiring time and expertise.
This environment may also discourage younger professionals from entering or remaining in the field, which the association sees as already grappling with a shortage of qualified personnel and a suicide rate significantly higher than that of the general population.
These challenges come at a time when public concern for animal welfare and the demand for rapid, high-quality veterinary care have never been greater. Yet, the association warns that constant psychological pressure on caregivers, particularly during night shifts and emergency situations, is pushing the system to breaking point.
In Luxembourg, emergency veterinary services and hospital care are already stretched thin, especially overnight, and there is a real risk that these services could disappear altogether if the current climate does not improve.
Read also: Rat poison blamed for Bonnevoie bird deaths as authorities warn of danger to petsThe AMVL is therefore calling for a shift in public attitudes and urges a more constructive, respectful dialogue between pet owners and veterinary professionals. Instead of turning to social media or the press to air frustrations, the association encourages open discussion with veterinarians by asking questions, sharing concerns, and seeking explanations directly.
In the press release, AMVL president Dr Malou Blasen and the association’s board stress that veterinary medicine, like human medicine, is not infallible. Diagnosing and treating animals requires time, material resources, intellectual rigour, and emotional investment. Mutual understanding and respect, they say, are essential if Luxembourg is to maintain the high standard of animal care its citizens expect.
