251-16 Wyo. Code R. §§ 16-2 - Principles of Ethics

(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.

Notes

251-16 Wyo. Code R. §§ 16-2

Adopted, Eff. 5/13/2021.