Veterinary Code of Professional Conduct

Veterinarians practice under the constraints of veterinary code.

Professionals in the veterinary medicine field have a stringent code of ethics and professional conduct to which they must adhere. This code addresses the needs of patients, treatment of clients and activity within the veterinary community.

Needs of the Patient

Veterinarians consider patient needs first. Veterinarians must minimize patients' fear while treating disease or injury; in emergencies, veterinarians must provide essential care to save patients or otherwise ease their suffering.

Upright Conduct

Veterinarians must not impart professional knowledge or services on any group or individual who promotes illegal veterinary practices. Veterinarians must not claim membership to any professional organization to which they do not hold membership. Veterinarians must not practice while impaired by alcohol or other substances.

Accepting Clients

Veterinarians have the right to choose which patients and clients they work with. Once the veterinarian establishes a veterinarian-client-patient relationship and begins treatment, she must not neglect to provide that treatment.

Client Rights

Veterinarians must protect the privacy of clients and patients. Veterinarians must not betray client confidences unless the law requires doing so. A veterinarian must share all knowledge related to the welfare of the patient and must not mislead the client.

Veterinary Community

Veterinarians must avoid slandering another professional or otherwise damaging other professionals' reputations. Professionals must work with other professionals to increase knowledge and improve skills.

References

• American Veterinary Medical Association: Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the AVMA
• Maryland Department of Agriculture: Veterinary Regulations
• Australian Veterinary Association: Code of Professional Conduct