Complementary, alternative, and integrative veterinary medicine

UNDER REVIEW

Comment on this policy

The AVMA believes that all aspects of veterinary medicine should be held to the same standards, including complementary, alternative and integrative veterinary medicine, non-traditional or other novel approaches.

  • The foremost objectives in veterinary medicine are the health and welfare of the patient.
  • Diagnosis and treatment should be based on sound, accepted principles of veterinary medicine and the medical judgement of the veterinarian.
  • Veterinarians should have the requisite knowledge and skills for every treatment modality they consider using.
  • A valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship must exist1.
  • Owner consent1 should be obtained prior to initiating treatment.
  • Medical records should include outcomes of treatment.
  • Veterinarians should be aware of and abide by local, state, and federal statutes.

References

1. Model Veterinary Practice Act. Available at https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Model-Veterinary-Practice-Act.aspx. Accessed May 30, 2018.