ABSTRACT
As in cases involving children, creating an illness in an animal can be a way of forging—and maintaining—a relationship with a medical professional. Chapter 10 uses real-life cases to show that the warning signs for this type of abuse are similar to those with human victims. Despite the increased number of cases appearing in the media and scientific literature, profound difficulty remains in comprehending that this type of abuse actually occurs. An insight into this phenomenon is portrayed through the account of a veterinary doctor and an owner named Frances. However, it is not just veterinarians who deal with this form of medical deception. The case of a dog breeder who noticed something untoward with an owner of a puppy she purchased demonstrates its reach. Munchausen by Animal Proxy can occur in a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, and horses. Chapter 10 uses real-life cases to discuss this confusing world. It also presents some of the known motivations of perpetrators. As of 2016, only a small number of U.S. states made it a legal requirement for veterinarians to report suspected abuse; there remains no such law in the UK. Through the education this chapter provides, another group of victims may be protected from falling under the shrouded umbrella of factitious disorder.
