VMD 511: Animal Welfare, Ethics and Jurisprudence (2+0)

DUTIES OF VETERINARIANS TO THEIR CLIENTS AND PATIENTS

• Obligation to the patient
  • Though a veterinarian is not bound to treat cases of each and every one asking for his/her service, except in emergencies, he/she shall for the sake of humanity and the noble tradition of the profession, not only be ever ready to respond to the need of the sick and injured animals/birds, but shall also be mindful of the high character of his/her mission and the responsibility he/she incurs in the discharge of his/her professional duties.
• Patient not to be neglected
  • A veterinarian is free to choose whom he/she will serve, provided that he/she shall respond to any request for his/her assistance in an emergency or whenever temperate public opinion expects the service. Once having undertaken a case, a veterinarian shall not neglect the patient nor shall he/she withdraw from the case without giving notice to the client sufficiently in advance, to allow him secure another professional veterinarian.
• Termination of service
  • A veterinarian shall withdraw his/her service under following valid reasons:
    • Where he/she finds another veterinarian in attendance.
    • Where remedies/advice other than those prescribed hy him/her are being used.
    • Where his/her remedies/advice and instructions are refused.
    • Where he/she feels that the illness or the need of his/her service is an imposture and that he/she is being made a party to a false pretence.
    • Where a client is resorting to the use of intoxicating drugs, means of quackery or witchcraft against medical advice; and
    • Where complete information/history concerning the fact and a client does not supply circumstances of the case.
  • The discovery that the malady is incurable / the client’s problems are unsolvable, is no excuse to discontinue attendance by a veterinarian as long as his/her client desire the service.
• Act of negligence
  • No veterinarian shall willfully commit an act of negligence that may deprive patient of the care that is absolutely necessary.
  • A veterinarian is expected to show such diligence and skill in service as would be expected of another veterinarian of similar qualifications, experience and attainments.
  • His/Her acts of commission or omission shall not be judged by any non-veterinary standards, but as those expected from a veterinarian of his/her training, standing and experience.
  • A veterinarian shall use any drug prepared under standard pharmacological principles and shall adopt all necessary preparations / precautions, like sterilization and verification of doses as are normally prescribed for that drug.
• Behaviour to patients
  • The demeanour of a veterinarian towards his/her patient shall always be kind, tender and full of patience. Every patient shall be treated with attention, consideration and concentration.
• Visit
  • Not withstanding the fact that a veterinarian is not bound to visit his/her patient/client, he/she shall make it at the indicated hour, once he/she had committed to do so.
• Prognosis
  • A veterinarian shall neither exaggerate nor minimize the gravity of a patient’s condition. He/she shall ensure that the legal owner of the patient has such knowledge of the patient’s condition as will serve the best interest of the patient and its owner (client).
  • In case of dangerous manifestations, or when grave and highly communicable diseases are encountered he shall not fail to inform the client and those to whom the disease can be of potent danger.