Tom Donnelly reports from the USA. The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed a temporary relaxation of rules around remote animal care by veterinary telemedicine. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) fiercely contends that establishing a “veterinarian-client-patient relationship” (VCPR) by in-person examination is a prerequisite for telemedicine. Many states use the AVMA’s model […]
Eagle Post: Tom Donnelly reports from the US
Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York issued a sweeping executive order that essentially put the state on a pandemic lockdown beginning Sunday, March 22. One week later, my friend Cyndi, an exotics pet specialist at the Animal Medical Center in New York, said that she and all other part-time veterinarians […]
Eagle Post: Some thoughts on advancement of independent practice
Tom Donnelly writes on developments in the US veterinary industry. While big businesses such as Banfield Pet Hospital and VCA (Veterinary Centers of America) — the two largest owners of veterinary hospitals in the world, both owned by Mars. Inc. — grow, a group of practitioners who value their autonomy […]
Pigeon Post: Ian Neville writes from the UK
February saw the status of veterinary nurses in the UK enhanced by a Royal Charter conferring professional recognition and requiring accountable regulation. From now on Registered Veterinary Nurses (RVNs) will be subject to rules similar to those governing their veterinary surgeon colleagues. The RVN’s will be overseen by the vet’s […]