At the 2025 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention in Denver, Barb Crabbe, DVM, described the importance of the Veterinary Client Patient Relationship in maintaining ethical standards and meeting legal requirements. The VCPR is a fundamental relationship that is central to decision-making for veterinarians, she said, warning that state and federal laws concerning VCPR differ and change frequently. And, unfortunately, ethics and VCPR requirements sometimes conflict, Crabbe noted.
“What is ethical isn’t always legal, and what is legal isn’t always ethical,” she said.
The American Veterinary Medicine Association defines a VCPR as a professional relationship where the veterinarian has assumed responsibility for providing care and the client has agreed to follow the veterinarian’s instructions; there is a timely in-person examination of the animal or a visit to the herd; and the veterinarian is readily available for follow-up and emergency care or has made arrangement for such care to be provided. Many states are changing their rules to allow a virtual VCPR that removes the requirement for an in-person exam, Crabbe added.
In theory, ethical duties should supersede legal requirements, she said. When existing laws conflict with the ethical practice of veterinary medicine, Crabbe advised veterinarians to advocate for change of those laws so they can continue to practice both legally and ethically.
She provided an example of a veterinarian practicing in a state that requires a physical examination every 12 months to maintain VCPR. What if a patient urgently needs a prescription refill to avoid serious health complications but hasn’t had an exam in 14 months?
“Although a veterinarian who makes an ethical decision based on what they believe is best for the patient is unlikely to face significant legal repercussions in the majority of situations, these types of dilemmas leaveveterinarians vulnerable to legal challenges and can contribute to professional stress,” she said.
Crabbe recommended veterinarians understand current state and federal laws surrounding VCPR, recognize when ethical care conflicts with legal limits, and push for changes to the law when needed.
Business coverage from the 2025 AAEP Convention is brought to you by CareCredit.
Related Reading
- Staying Ahead of the Curve: Navigating Legislation Affecting the Veterinary Profession
- Legal Aspects of Telemedicine in Equine Veterinary Practice
- The Business of Practice: Applications for Telemedicine in Equine Practice
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