Complementary, alternative, and integrative veterinary medicine
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.