La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LXXXV-1039

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section LXXXV-1039 - Conduct of One's Practice

A. A licensed veterinarian shall conduct his practice on the highest plane of honesty, integrity, and fair dealing with his clients in time and services rendered and in the amount charged for his services, facilities, appliances, and drugs.

B. Prior to the commencement of general anesthesia in a non-emergency situation, a licensed veterinarian shall have the owner or duly authorized agent of the owner execute an anesthesia consent form which shall be placed in the patient's medical record. The anesthesia consent form shall be in writing and include the following:

1. the owner or duly authorized agent has the authority to execute the consent;

2. the owner or duly authorized agent authorizes the performance of professionally accepted anesthetic procedures necessary for his animal's treatment;

3. the owner or duly authorized agent authorizes the performance of such procedures as are necessary and desirable in the exercise of the veterinarian's professional judgment;

4. the owner or duly authorized agent authorizes the use of appropriate anesthetics;

5. the owner or duly authorized agent has been advised as to the nature of the procedures and the risks involved in performing anesthesia to the animal and that results cannot be guaranteed;

6. the owner or duly authorized agent has read and understands this authorization and consent; and

7. the owner or duly authorized agent signs and dates the form.

C. Subsequent to general anesthesia in an emergency situation, a licensed veterinarian shall have the owner or duly authorized agent of the owner execute an anesthesia consent form which shall comply with the requirements set forth in §1039. B above. A documented, good faith effort by the licensed veterinarian to obtain a signed anesthesia consent form shall be made within five days after the emergency anesthesia.

D. For purposes of §1039. B and C, a situation is an emergency when it is necessary to save an animal's life or relieve suffering by the provision of essential services.

E. Prior to the commencement of an euthanasia procedure, a licensed veterinarian shall meet personally with the owner or duly authorized agent of the owner and have him execute a euthanasia consent form which shall be placed in the patient's medical record. The euthanasia consent form shall be in writing and include the following:

1. the owner or duly authorized agent has the authority to execute the consent;

2. the owner or duly authorized agent gives full and complete authority to euthanize and dispose of the animal in whatever manner the veterinarian deems appropriate;

3. that to the best of the owner or duly authorized agent's knowledge that animal has not bitten any person or animal during the last 15 days prior to presentation and has not been exposed to rabies;

4. that the owner or duly authorized agent understands euthanasia as personally explained by the veterinarian and gives permission to end the animal's life; and

5. the owner or duly authorized agent signs and dates the form.

F. The licensed veterinarian may address the issues of civil liability, payment arrangements and/or other issues of concern in the anesthesia consent form and/or euthanasia consent form, however, the inclusion of such issues are at the discretion of the licensed veterinarian and are not required by the board to be addressed in the forms.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LXXXV-1039

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Board of Veterinary Medicine, LR 16:230 (March 1990), amended LR 27:1238 ( August 2001).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1518.