(a) Definition. For the purpose of this rule, acupuncture
is:
(1) the insertion of an acupuncture needle and the
application of moxibustion to specific areas of a non-human animal's
body to relieve the discomfort associated with painful disorders,
to induce surgical anesthesia, and for therapeutic purposes; and
(2) the administration of thermal or electrical treatments
or the recommendation of dietary guidelines, energy flow exercise,
or dietary or herbal supplements in conjunction with the treatment
described by paragraph (1) of this subsection. Acupuncture in non-human
animals is considered to be an alternate therapy in the practice of
veterinary medicine.
(b) Use of Acupuncture in the treatment of animals.
Only licensed veterinarians may use acupuncture in the care and medical
treatment of animals. No veterinarian may allow a non-veterinarian
employee or other agent to perform acupuncture in the treatment of
an animal patient.
(c) Client Consent Required. Before acupuncture may
be used in the treatment of an animal, the veterinarian must obtain
a signed statement from the animal's owner or caretaker acknowledging
that acupuncture is an alternate therapy in veterinary medicine and
approving its use in the treatment of the animal. Before signing the
statement, the veterinarian shall inform the client of the conventional
treatments available and their probable ability to cure the problem.
The statement shall become a permanent part of the patient's record.
(d) Standard Used in Determining Appropriate Use of
Acupuncture. If the Board receives a complaint against a licensee
about treatment involving the use of acupuncture, investigation of
the complaint may include opinions from other licensees who use acupuncture
in their treatment of animals. However, veterinarians who practice
acupuncture shall exercise the same degree of humane care, skill,
and diligence in treating patients as are ordinarily used in the same
or similar circumstances by average members of the veterinary medical
profession in good standing in the locality or community, or in similar
locations or communities, in which they practice.
(e) Other Board Rules Not Preempted. Nothing in this
rule shall remove or limit in any way the applicability of other rules
of the Board as they apply to the practice of veterinary medicine.
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