| (a) For purposes of this section, "emergency care"
means medical care rendered to an ill or injured animal that, in the
reasoned opinion of the veterinarian, has a life-threatening condition
and immediate medical treatment is necessary to sustain life or alleviate
or end suffering.
(b) After a reasonable opportunity to assess an animal's
medical condition and before providing medical treatment, a veterinarian
must disclose to the owner or caretaker that the animal requires emergency
care and treatment.
(c) The disclosure required by subsection (b) of this
section must contain:
(1) a description of the proposed treatment(s), with
reasonable options, if any; and
(2) the estimated price of the proposed treatment option(s).
(d) If the animal's medical condition changes, before
continuing treatment, a veterinarian must update the disclosures required
by subsection (c) of this section.
(e) The person presenting an animal to the veterinarian
for emergency care and treatment is presumed to be the owner or caretaker
of that animal.
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