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CVMA Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics

(Current as of January 2022)

Introduction

Veterinarians are members of a scholarly profession who have earned academic degrees from comprehensive universities or similar educational institutions. Veterinarians practice the profession of veterinary medicine in a variety of situations and circumstances. Members of the veterinary profession use their special knowledge and skills to serve society through the care and treatment of animals. Veterinarians have professional responsibilities in meeting the needs of their patients and their clients, in preserving public health and safety, in maintaining the public’s trust and respect for their colleagues and the veterinary profession, and in safeguarding the health and welfare of their support staff and themselves. While the primary professional responsibility of veterinarians is to their patients, veterinarians  must balance this responsibility with those they also hold to their clients, to the public, to the profession, to their colleagues, and to themselves.

 

Exemplary professional conduct upholds the dignity of the veterinary profession. To that end, all veterinarians are expected to adhere to a progressive code of ethical conduct. The CVMA’s Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (PVME) are intended to aid veterinarians individually and collectively in maintaining a high level of ethical conduct.

 

The CVMA’s PVME should be reviewed every five (5) years to ensure that they remain relevant and current.

The Principles

  1. Veterinarians have professional and ethical responsibilities concerning the health and welfare of their patients, the needs of their clients, the preservation of public health and safety, the public’s trust and respect for their colleagues and the veterinary profession, the health and welfare of their support staff, and their own personal health and welfare.
  2. In balancing these responsibilities, the veterinarian shall first consider the health and welfare of the patient, in particular to relieve pain, suffering and disability without causing undue pain or fright.
  3. The veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) shall be the basis for interaction among the veterinarian, the client, and the patient. A veterinarian shall provide competent veterinary medical care under the terms of a VCPR, with compassion and respect for animal welfare and human health.
  4. A veterinarian shall, in the provision of appropriate patient care, be free to choose whom to serve and the environment in which to provide such care, but must conduct all professional activities without discriminating on the basis of a person’s race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other legally protected classification under federal or California law.
  5. A veterinarian shall maintain independence, impartiality, and accountability in carrying out their professional duties. They shall follow acceptable professional procedures using current professional and scientific knowledge, and obtain consultation or referral when indicated.
  6. A veterinarian shall respect the rights of clients, colleagues, and other health professionals, and shall safeguard medical information within the confines of the law.
  7. A veterinarian shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge, maintain a commitment to veterinary medical education, and make relevant information available to clients, colleagues, and the public.
  8. A veterinarian shall respect the law, uphold the standards of professional conduct, be honest in all professional interactions, and report veterinarians who are deficient in character or competence in the practice of veterinary medicine.
  9. Veterinarians, individually and collectively, shall uphold the integrity of the veterinary profession and maintain the trust of their clients and society through exemplary standards of clinical practice and conduct including competence, accountability, honesty, fairness, compassion, and confidentiality. No member shall belittle or injure the professional standing of another member of the profession or unnecessarily condemn the character of that person’s professional acts in such a manner as to be false or misleading.
  10. Veterinarians are encouraged to make their knowledge available to their communities, to participate in activities contributing to the improvement of the community and the betterment of public and environmental health, and to collectively seek changes to laws that are contrary to the best interests of those served by veterinary medical professionals.
  11. The responsibilities of the veterinary profession extend beyond individual patients and clients to the worldwide kingdom of animals and the betterment of society in promoting healthy advances throughout the world. A veterinarian shall work to collaborate, innovate and share information with colleagues that will serve the betterment of the veterinary profession both locally and worldwide.

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