The Veterinary Record 157:716 (2005)
© 2005 British Veterinary Association
Doctor, doctor
P. J. Lane1
1 6 Dungeness Court, Tattenhoe, Milton Keynes MK4 3ER
SIR, - I write to support the view of David Hadrill that now is the right
time to consider the question of the title `Dr' being accorded to veterinary
surgeons who have qualified in the UK (VR, November 5,
2005, vol 157, p
600).
I have no personal axe to grind since I have a doctorate and I have, in any
case, retired from veterinary activities.
I do recall in my early years in the pharmaceutical industry how irritating
it was that foreign veterinarians, with whom I frequently dealt, regarded me
as being in some way not fully qualified because I was referred to in those
days as `Mr'. Their condescension was usually muted but occasionally was made
very apparent.
Dental surgeons are now able to use the title Dr, which brings them into
line with most of the rest of the world. I fear that we British veterinary
surgeons are doing ourselves no service by clinging to our old ways in this
matter.