This guideline outlines the appropriate standard expected of a registered veterinary practitioner in the course of veterinary practice. It should be read in conjunction with other related guidelines.
The relationship between a veterinary practitioner, an owner or designated representative and their animal (the VOA relationship) is the foundation for the delivery of veterinary services.
Veterinary practitioner and owner responsibilities
Both the veterinary practitioner and the owner carry responsibilities in the VOA relationship.
The Board notes that while the responsibility to meet costs of treatments, procedures and husbandry matters lies with the owner, the owner may designate a different individual to assume this responsibility on their behalf without prejudice to their role as the decision-maker in relation to the treatment, procedures for and husbandry management of their animal.
This material is current only at the time of publication and may be changed from time to time. The Board reviews and updates the Guidelines on a continuous basis to reflect changes in the science and knowledge base underpinning contemporary veterinary practice. The Board will take reasonable steps to inform the veterinary profession when such updates are released but it remains the responsibility of the individual veterinary practitioner to ensure that their knowledge and application of these Guidelines to their own practice is current.
While the Board has made every effort to ensure that the material in these Guidelines is correct in law, it shall not be liable to any veterinary practitioner or any other person or entity in relation to any claim, action or proceeding whatsoever (whether in contract, negligence or other tort or in proceedings seeking any other form of legal or equitable remedy or relief) for any inadequacy, error or mistake, or for any deficiency in the whole or any part of this document (including any updates incorporated in the document from time to time). A veterinary practitioner or any other person or entity acting upon the contents of this document acknowledges and accepts that this is the basis upon which the Board has produced these Guidelines and made them available to such person or entity.