Wyoming Administrative Code › Agency 251 - Veterinary Medicine, Board of › Sub-Agency 0001 - Veterinary Medicine, Board of › Chapter 16 - PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY MEDICAL ETHICS OF THE BOARD › Section 16-2 - Principles of Ethics

Current through July 13, 2024
(a) A veterinarian shall be influenced only
				by the welfare of the patient, the needs of the client, the safety of the
				public, and the need to uphold the public trust vested in the veterinary
				profession, and shall avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance
				thereof.
(b) A veterinarian shall
				provide competent veterinary medical clinical care under the terms of a
				veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), with compassion and respect
				for animal welfare and human health.
(c) It is unethical to engage in the practice
				of veterinary medicine without a VCPR.
(d) Attending veterinarians are responsible
				for choosing the treatment regimen for their patients. It is also the
				responsibility of the attending veterinarian to communicate directly with the
				client regarding diagnosis and treatment plan.
(e) It is the attending veterinarian's
				responsibility to inform the client of the expected results and costs, and the
				related risks of each treatment regimen.
(f) Attending veterinarians have an
				obligation to offer diagnostic tests that would help diagnose the patient's
				problem.
(g) If a veterinarian does
				not have the expertise or the necessary equipment and facilities to adequately
				diagnose or treat the patient, the veterinarian should offer a referral to
				another veterinarian or referral center where it can be done. If the client
				declines a referral it should be noted in the medical records.
(h) Medical Records "Good, complete and
				accurate medical records are required by the Board. Records are important in
				any review of a complaint against a licensee.
(i) Controlled substances administered must
				be written into the patient's medical record, including drug, date, amount, and
				frequency and the veterinarian's name.
(j) A veterinarian shall not alter medical
				records with fraudulent intent. The original medical notes must be kept with
				the alteration identified by reason, date, and veterinarian's name.
(k) Humane euthanasia of animals is an
				ethical veterinary procedure. Veterinarians can refuse to perform euthanasia if
				they feel there is no reason for it to be done. However, it is unethical for
				them to re-home the animal without consent from the owner.
(l) A veterinarian shall respect the privacy
				rights of clients, colleagues, and other health professionals and shall
				safeguard medical information within the confines of the law.
(m) Veterinarians and their associates must
				protect the personal privacy of clients, and veterinarians must not reveal
				confidences unless required to by law or unless it becomes necessary to protect
				the health and welfare of other individuals or animals.
(n) It is unethical to place photos or
				information regarding a patient on social media without the consent of the
				owner.
(o) A veterinarian shall
				uphold the standards of professionalism and be honest in all professional
				interactions while respecting the rights of clients, colleagues, and other
				health professionals, and shall safeguard medical information within the
				confines of the law.
(p)
				Veterinarians must not defame or injure the professional standing or reputation
				of another veterinarian in a false or misleading manner. Complaints about
				behavior that may violate the Principles should be addressed through the Board
				in an appropriate and timely manner.
(q) Veterinarians must be honest and fair in
				their relations with others, and they shall not engage in fraud,
				misrepresentation, or deceit.
(r)
				Veterinarians should use only the title of the professional degree that was
				awarded by the school of veterinary medicine where the degree was earned. All
				veterinarians may use the courtesy titles Doctor or Veterinarian.
(s) It is unethical for veterinarians to
				identify themselves as members of an AVMA-recognized specialty organization if
				such certification has not been awarded and maintained.
(t) Only those veterinarians who have been
				certified by an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization should refer
				to themselves as specialists.
(u)
				It is unethical to place professional knowledge, credentials, or services at
				the disposal of any nonprofessional organization, group, or individual to
				promote or lend credibility to the illegal practice of veterinary
				medicine.
(v) It is unethical to
				provide pharmaceuticals or equipment to aid anyone who is engaged in unlicensed
				practice.
(w) Veterinarians who are
				impaired due to substance abuse or mental health conditions must not act in the
				capacity of a veterinarian and shall seek assistance from qualified
				organizations or individuals.
(x)
				Colleagues of impaired veterinarians should encourage those individuals to seek
				assistance and to overcome their impairment.
(y) Advertising by veterinarians is ethical
				when there are no false, deceptive, or misleading statements or claims. A
				false, deceptive, or misleading statement or claim is one which communicates
				false information or is intended, through a material omission, to leave a false
				impression.
(z) A veterinarian
				shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge, maintain a
				commitment to veterinary medical education, make relevant information available
				to clients, colleagues, the public, and obtain consultation or referral when
				indicated.
(aa) When appropriate,
				attending veterinarians are encouraged to seek assistance in the form of
				consultations and/or referrals. A decision to consult or refer is made jointly
				by the attending veterinarian and the client.
(bb) Attending veterinarians must honor a
				client's request for referral.
(cc)
				When a client seeks professional services or opinions from a different
				veterinarian (receiving veterinarian) without a referral, a new VCPR is
				established with the new attending veterinarian.
(dd) With the client's authorization, the new
				attending veterinarian should contact the former veterinarian to learn the
				original diagnosis, care, and treatment and clarify any issues before
				proceeding with a new treatment plan.
(ee) When contacted, the veterinarian who was
				formerly involved in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of the patient should
				communicate with the new attending veterinarian as if the patient and client
				had been referred.
(ff) Records
				should be sent from the original veterinarian to the receiving veterinarian at
				the client's request and authorization.
(gg) A veterinarian shall, in the provision
				of appropriate patient care be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to
				associate, and the environment in which to provide veterinary medical
				care.
(hh) When a veterinarian
				cannot be reasonably available to provide services, they should provide readily
				accessible information to assist clients in obtaining emergency services,
				consistent with the needs of the locality.
(ii) A veterinarian should recognize a
				responsibility to participate in activities contributing to the improvement of
				the community and the betterment of public health. The responsibilities of the
				veterinary profession extend beyond individual patients and clients to society
				in general.
(jj) Veterinarians are
				encouraged to make their knowledge available to their communities and to
				provide their services for activities that protect public health.