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Ashish Srivastava

Assistant Professor

Department of VeterinaryClinical Medicine, Ethics &Jurisprudence

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Ethics - the science of rightconduct.

More precisely, a system of rules regulating conduct .

Veterinary ethics - the rules or principles governing theprofessional conduct of veterinarians.

Purpose of the code of ethics

1. To uphold honor and dignity of the profession.

2. Enlarges the sphere of usefulness ofveterinarians and exalts their social standard.

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REGULATION

Veterinary Council of India (Standard of ProfessionalConduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics for Veterinary

Practitioners) Regulations, 1992.

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GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Every veterinarian is under an obligation to maintain the interests,

honour and dignity of the veterinary profession.

Strive continually to improve veterinary knowledge and skills.

Avoid operating under terms and conditions which tend to interfere

with free exercise of judgment and skill.

Never refuse treatment without good cause.

Veterinarians should first consider the needs of the patient: to relieve

disease, suffering, or disability while minimizing pain or fear.

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The responsibilities of the veterinary profession extend beyondindividual patients and clients to society in general.

Do not give testimonial in favour of proprietary or patent articles.

Relations between veterinarians must be founded on honour, good

faith and mutual trust.

Do not use any degree or title to which you are not entitled.

Veterinarians should not use the titles of membership of professional

or scientific associations they do not imply a professional

qualification.

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Advertising Solicitation of clients directly

or indirectly through media in a manner

projecting ones superiority above other

professional brethren is unethical.

The name of veterinary school/college

attended should not be mentioned after the

degree.

Never employ or permit any unqualified

person to diagnose and treat disease of

animals.

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THE VETERINARIAN-CLIENT-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP

(VCPR)

VCPR exists when all of the following conditions have been met

1. The veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making clinical

judgements regarding the health of the animal and the need formedical treatment, and the client has agreed to follow the

veterinarians instructions.

2. The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal to initiate

at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical conditionof the animal.

3. The veterinarian is readily available, or has arranged for

emergency coverage, and for follow-up evaluation.

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When a VCPR exists, veterinarian must maintain medical records.

Veterinarian may terminate a VCPR under certain conditions.

Clients may terminate the VCPR at any time.

It is unethical for veterinarians to prescribe or dispense prescription

products in the absence of a VCPR.

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ATTENDING, CONSULTING AND REFERRING

An attending veterinarian - Veterinarian who assumes responsibility

for primary care of a patient. A VCPR is established.

A consulting veterinarian - Veterinarian who agrees to advise an

attending veterinarian on the care and management of a case. The

VCPR remains the responsibility of the attending veterinarian.

The referral veterinarian orreceiving veterinarian - Veterinarian whoagrees to provide requested veterinary services. A new VCPR is

established. The referring and referral veterinarians must

communicate.

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INFLUENCES ON JUDGEMENT

The choice of treatments should not be influenced

by considerations other than the needs of the

patient, the welfare of the client, and the safety of

the public.

Influence of other providers of services or productson medical judgment.

Influence of contracts or agreements made by

associations or societies of which the veterinarian

is a member.

When conferences, meetings, or lectures aresponsored by outside entities, the organization that

presents the program, not the funding sponsor,

shall have control of the contents and speakers.

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Thank You