VCI  Principles of Veterinary Ethics (1984)

Introduction

Veterinarians are doctors of veterinary medicine with academic degrees earned by study at educational institutions characterized as colleges, universities, or their equivalents. As these individuals pursue their professional activities in clinical medicine, or research, disease control, public health, laboratory animal medicine, or any of the profession's other aspects, their activities are expected to enhance the honor and dignity of their profession, expand the base of professional knowledge and skill, and render service to the community.

Relationships of Local, State, and National council on Matters of Ethics

Questions of ethical and professional behavior on the part of a veterinarian should be considered and dealt with first  by the local council's ethics or grievance committees. Members of such committees are familiar with local customs and circumstances, and in a position to confer with all parties concerned. In some instances, a solution at the local level may  be impossible, and referral to the ethics committee of the state council  may be necessary. A problem not amenable to resolution at either local or state levels may be considered by the VCI  Judicial council, but the council should not be used by ethics and grievance committees as a means of avoiding disagreeable tasks, and should not be asked to handle minutia. The principal duties of the Council concerning the admission and dismissal of VCI  members, interpretation of the Constitution and By Laws and the Principles of Veterinary Ethics and preparation of annotations.

Attitude and Intent

The Principles of Veterinary  Ethics are purposely constructed in a general and abroad manner, but veterinarians who accept the Golden Rule as a guide for general conduct and make a reasonable effort to abide by the principles of veterinary  Ethics in professional life will have little difficulty with ethics. The honor and dignity of out profession rest in our obedience to a just and reasonable code of ethics set forth as a guide to the members. The object of this code, however, is more far-reaching, for exemplary professional conduct not only upholds honor and dignity, but also enlarges out sphere of usefulness, exalts our social standards, and promotes the science we cultivate. Briefly stated, out code of ethics is the foundation of our individual and collective efforts. It is the solemn duty of all members of the VCI  to deport themselves in accordance with the spirit of this code

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These Principles of Veterinary Ethics are intended as aspirations. This code is not intended to cover the entire field of veterinary  ethics. Professional life is too complicated to classify one's duties and obligations to clients, colleagues, and fellow citizens into a set of rules.

General Concepts

The Principals of Veterinary Ethics are intended to aid veterinarians individually and collectively in maintaining a high level of ethical conduct. They are standards by which an individual may determine the propriety of conduct and high standard of professional behavior expected of all members of the profession. Veterinarians should be good citizens and participate in activities to advance community welfare. They should conduct themselves in a manner that will enhance the worthiness of their profession.

Professional associations of veterinarians should adopt the VCI  Principles of Veterinary  Ethics or

a similar code, and each should establish an active committee on ethics.

State veterinary council should include reports or discussions on professional ethics in the programs of their meetings Teaching of ethics and professional concepts should be intensified in the educational programs of the colleges of veterinary medicine.

The Principles of Veterinary Ethics should be subjected to review with the object of clarification of any obscure guidelines and the amendment of any inadequate or inappropriate items. A determined effort should be made to encourage compliance with the Principles in their entirety.

Guidelines for Professional Behavior

1. In their relations with others, veterinarians should speak and act on the basis of honesty and fairness.

2. Veterinarians should consider first the welfare of the patient for the purpose of  relieving suffering and disability while causing a minimum of pain or fright. Benefit to the patient should transcend personal advantage or monetary gain in decisions concerning therapy.

3. Veterinarians should not employ professional knowledge and attainments nor render services under terms and conditions which tend to interfere with the free exercise of judgment and skill or tend to cause a deterioration of the quality of veterinary service.

4. Veterinarians should seek for themselves and their profession the respect of their colleagues, their clients, and the public through courteous verbal interchange, considerate treatment, professional appearances, professionally acceptable procedures, and the utilization of current professional and scientific knowledge. Veterinarians should be concerned with the affairs and welfare of their communities, including the public health.

5. Veterinarians should respect the rights of clients, colleagues, and other health professionals. No member shall belittle or injure the professional standing of another member of the profession or unnecessarily condemn the character of that person's professional acts in such a manner as to be false or misleading.

6. Veterinarians may choose whom they will serve. Once they have undertaken care of a patient they must not neglect the patient. In an emergency, however, they should render service to the best of their ability.

7. Veterinarians should strive continually to improve veterinary knowledge and skill, making available to their colleagues the benefit of their professional attainments, and seeking through consultation, assistance of others when it appears that the quality of veterinary service may be enhanced thereby.

8. Advertising or solicitation of clients by veterinarians should adhere to Advertising Regulations, and should in no case be false, misleading, or deceptive.

9. The veterinary profession should safeguard the public and itself against veterinarians deficient in moral  character or professional competence. Veterinarians should observe all laws, uphold the honor and dignity of the profession, and accept its self-imposed discipline.

10. The responsibilities of the veterinary profession extend not only to the patient, but also to society. The health  of the community as well as the patient deserves the veterinarian's interest and participation in nonprofessional activities and organizations.