(a) Definition. For the purpose of this rule, homeopathy
is: a system of therapeutics in which diseases are treated by substances
which are capable of producing in healthy animals symptoms like those
of the disease to be treated, the substance being administered in
minute doses. Use of homeopathic remedies in non-human animals is
considered to be an alternate therapy in the practice of veterinary
medicine.
(b) Use of Homeopathy in the Treatment of Animals.
Only licensed veterinarians may use homeopathy in the medical treatment
of animals. No veterinarian may allow a non-veterinarian employee
or other agent to perform homeopathy in the treatment of an animal
patient.
(c) Client Consent Required. Before homeopathy 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 homeopathy 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 signed statement shall become a permanent part of the patient's
file.
(d) Standard Used in Determining Appropriate Use of
Homeopathy. If the Board receives a complaint against a licensee about
treatment involving the use of homeopathy, investigation of the complaint
may include opinions from other licensees who use homeopathy in their
treatment of animals. However, veterinarians who practice homeopathy
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 localities
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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