Veterinary practice is characterized by ethical conflicts between protecting animals’ health and welfare and fulfilling the requirements and interests of other people (owners, breeders, farmers, and other colleagues), without violating their own professional obligations and moral integrity. Ethical conflicts can lead veterinarians to a form of distress called “moral distress” and may favor burnout. We investigated moral distress and burnout in 704 Italian veterinarians caring for companion animals, farm animals, or both. Veterinarians reported rather low levels of moral distress, high levels of work-related stress/anxiety, and a decrease in empathy over time, mainly toward clients (owners, farmers). More than 50% of veterinarians reported medium/high levels of burnout, and client-related burnout exceeded animal-related burnout. Work-related stress, moral distress, and burnout were greater in women, and experience had a protective effect. Moral distress was positively correlated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and with lower professional fulfillment. The relatively low level of moral distress that emerged in this study needs further investigation, especially considering the high levels of work-related stress and anxiety reported by veterinarians. Women’s sensitivity to moral distress and burnout should not be overlooked given the progressive feminization of the veterinary profession worldwide.

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