DUTIES OF VETERINARIANS TO THE PROFESSION

DUTIES OF VETERINARIANS TO THE PROFESSION

Deepandita Barman^*1and Arunoday Das²,

^*1Assistant Professor, Department of Livestock Production and Management, LCVSc, Assam Agricultural University, Joyhing, N Lakhimpur-787051, ^*Corresponding Author

²Assistant Professor, Department of ARGO, LCVSc, AAU, Joyhing, N Lakhimpur-787051

1. Upholding the honour of the profession.

A veterinarian is expected to uphold the dignity and honour of his profession.

2. Membership of societies.

For the advancement of his/her profession a veterinarian may affiliate himself/herself with professional societies and contribute his/ her time, means and energy to their progress, so that they may represent and promote the ideals of the profession better.

3. Safeguarding the profession.

Every veterinarian shall laid in safeguarding the profession against admission to it of those who are deficient in moral character or education. He/she should not employ in connection with his/her professional practice any unqualified personnel to treat or perform operation upon patients.

4. Exposure of unethical conduct.

Exposure of unethical conduct on the part of any member of the profession shall be done without fear or favour. The incompetent, corrupt, dishonest or unethical conduct on the part of any member of the profession shall be discouraged at any cost.

5. Appointment of substitute.

Whenever a veterinarian (hereinafter mentioned as absent veterinarian) requests another veterinarian to attend to his/her patient/ clients during his/her temporary absence from practice professional courtesy requires the acceptance of such an appointment by the latter, if consistent with his/her other duties. The veterinarian under such appointment shall give utmost consideration to the interest and reputation of the ‘absent’ veterinarian. He/she shall not charge either the patient or the absent veterinarian or his/her services, except in case of special arrangement between them. All such patients shall be restored to the care of the absent veterinarian upon his/her return.

6. Professional services of veterinarians to one another.

(1) There is no rule that a veterinarian shall not charge another veterinarian or a member of a sister profession for service rendered. But a veterinarian shall consider it a pleasure and privilege to render gratuitous service to his/her professional brethren, if they are in his/ her vicinity, or to a veterinary student.

(2) When a veterinarian is called from a distance to attend to a case of a fellow veterinarian or a member of a sister profession, reimbursement shall be made for travelling and other incidental expenses.

(3) A veterinarian called in any emergency to visit a patient under the care of another veterinarian, shall when the emergency is over, retire in favour of the latter; but shall be entitled to charge the client for his/her services.

(4) When a veterinarian is consulted at his/her own residence, it is not birding on him/her to enquire if the patient has been under the care of another veterinarian. But in the interests of the patient he/she shall, while ascertaining history, go through the treatment followed if any. However, it is unethical that his information be used to malign or instigate against, directly or indirectly, the veterinarian who happened to attend on the patient previously. When a veterinarian sees a patient at the request of another veterinarian, it shall be the duty of the first veterinarian to write a letter to the veterinarian making the request stating his/her opinion of the case with the modes of treatment he/she thinks proper to be adopted.

7. (1) If a veterinarian is engaged to attend on a patient of dystokia or a similar distress he/she shall do so. Refusal to do so under excuse of another engagement is unethical except when he/ she is already engaged in similar or another serious case(s).

(2) When a veterinarian engaged to attend a serious case is absent and another veterinarian is sent for, the latter shall be entitled to legitimate fees; provided that he/she shall secure the client’s consent to withdraw on arrival of the former at a mutually consented or logical phase.

8. When it becomes the duty of a veterinarian occupying an official position to see and report on an illness or injury or any other professional problems concerning a patient, he/she shall do so, but communicate to the veterinarian in attendance, so as to give him/her an option to be present. The former shall avoid remarks on the diagnosis or treatment that has been adopted. This does not prevent him/her from discussing the matter with the later in isolation.

Legal Duties of Veterinarians

The primary role of veterinarian is to provide law enforcement officials, judges and jury members with the information necessary to make a decision (decision to prosecute..) regarding a case associated with offences against animals.

Investigation of common offences against animals.

Investigation in case of malicious and accidental poisoning.

Investigation in case of fraud in the sale of livestock and livestock products.

Issuing of health certificate.

To prevent cruelty to animals.

Application and enforcement of state of law meant for animals.

Veterinarians participate in two ways in animal welfare  and animal ethics:

1. Role of veterinarian as an individual member of the profession.
2. Collective role of the profession, as expressed by the professional bodies.
3. As a member of licensing authority: There are two forms of licensing authority in India viz., Veterinary Council of India or State Veterinary Council. All veterinary graduates are compulsorily required to obtain registration number from either of the councils in order to practice or join any government service. Veterinary Council of India works under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Govt. of India.

Veterinarian through council works in following ways: 

1. It is an advisory body to many departments: This council provide and renew the license for practicing veterinarian, thus protects the public interest by ensuring that only qualified people can treat animals.
2. VCI helps animal welfare activities/ ethics by enforcing the local Veterinary Act: The role of vet in animal welfare may be formally adopted by the members of the profession when they swear an oath after graduation emphasizing the commitment to welfare.
3. VCI influences legislation and helps in policy: Provides rigorous, expert, independent advice to govt. on matters relating to veterinary care. Eg. Of UK on docking.
4. Public comments on animal welfare: Any sensitive issues raised by public related to animal welfare can be addressed by licensing body.
5. Role of a Professional Association: Just similar to other profession veterinarians also need to provide social service to the society by forming professional association such as State Veterinary Association, Indian Veterinary Association etc. Similarly can also become active members of their respective subject area of specialization through subject matter societies such as Indian Society of Animal Production and Management.

 Role of individual veterinarians in protecting animal welfare:

1. Disease treatment: First motto is to treat or save animal.
2. Education: Social educators by promoting good animal welfare management practices.
3. Animal cruelty and abuse: Contributes a lot in preventing cruelty.
4. Reporting suspected animal abuse
5. Ethical decision making: Vets are obliged to make decision that are in animals’ best interest, while taking into account the interests of the owners and the veterinarian themselves.

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