Final answer:
Veterinarians must use courtesy and tact when terminating a Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship under the AVMA Ethics code. While virtue ethics emphasizes personal characteristics like compassion and empathy, the AVMA specifically requires respectful and considerate actions during such terminations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Ethics code, veterinarians may indeed terminate a Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) under certain conditions. According to the AVMA guidelines, when a veterinarian does decide to end a VCPR, they must do so by using courtesy and tact. This indicates that while terminating the relationship might be necessary, it should be done in a respectful and considerate manner, so as not to cause undue stress or offense to the client.
Other ethical theories, such as those propounded by philosopher Francis Bacon or in virtue ethics, emphasize the importance of personal characteristics like compassion and empathy. These virtues, while critical to moral conduct, are distinguished from the professional behavior outlined under the AVMA Ethics code when ending a professional relationship. A veterinarian should still maintain professionalism, but the use of courtesy and tact is specifically highlighted in terms of ending a VCPR.