Open Access
Research
(Published
online: 29-01-2017)
19.
Medico-legal aspects of congenital heart
diseases in buying and selling of pets -
Annamaria Passantino, Michela Pugliese, Valeria Quartarone,
Natalia Russo, Roberto Bussadori and Bartolomeo Guercio
Veterinary World, 10(1): 130-135
doi:
10.14202/vetworld.2017.130-135
Annamaria Passantino:
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo
Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.
Michela Pugliese:
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo
Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.
Valeria Quartarone:
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo
Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.
Natalia Russo:
Veterinary Practioner, Catania, Italy.
Roberto Bussadori:
Veterinary Clinic Gran Sasso, Milano, Italy.
Bartolomeo Guercio:
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo
Universitario dell’Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.
Received: 29-07-2016, Accepted: 29-12-2016, Published online:
29-01-2017
Corresponding author:
Annamaria Passantino, e-mail: passanna@unime.it
Citation:
Passantino A, Pugliese M, Quartarone V, Russo N, Bussadori R,
Guercio B (2017) Medico-legal aspects of congenital heart diseases
in buying and selling of pets,
Veterinary World,
10(1): 130-135.
Abstract
Aim:
The veterinarian should be able to assess congenital and inherited
malformations such as heart defects because they may be object of
legal disputes. In this study, the authors report some cases of
congenital heart defects in pets (dogs and cats) to clarify
whether or not they may be considered a redhibitory defect.
Materials and Methods:
A
total of 28 medical records of pets referred with suspected
congenital heart disease were examined. All patients aged between
3 and 24 months underwent clinical examination, chest X-ray
examination, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography and
angiocardiography when necessary.
Results:
Congenital heart diseases or associated cardiac malformations were
confirmed. Considering the above congenital diseases as
redhibitory defect and the rights of the owners from a strictly
legal viewpoint, 9 owners demanded an estimatory action and 11 a
redhibitory action; 1 owner decided to demand the reimbursement of
veterinary expenses because the animal died; 7 owners took no
legal action but requested surgical intervention.
Conclusions:
Until more appropriate and detailed legislation on the buying and
selling of pet animals is put in place; the authors propose to
include in the contract a temporal extension of the guarantee
relating to congenital heart disease, which can often become
evident later.
Keywords:
companion animals, congenital defects, heart diseases, purchase,
redhibitory defect.
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