Le Lézard
Classified in: Health, Science and technology, Covid-19 virus
Subjects: PET, AVO

Veterinarians in California risk losing their licenses if they treat new patients by video call during Pandemic


LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A telehealth announcement shocks veterinarians in California trying to safely treat their patients during the Coronavirus pandemic. While many states amended their telemedicine laws to account for stay-at-home mandates, the California Veterinary Medical Board has made it harder for a pet to be seen by video call. The board announced Thursday that telemedicine may only be used with existing patients for preexisting conditions. Veterinarians like Dr. Shea Cox with PetHospice say these measures directly violate the medical professional oath 'to do no harm.' 

"Putting up barriers to healthcare is the opposite of what should be done to protect pets," said Cox. "Veterinarians should be allowed to use sound judgment regarding telemedicine without fear of repercussion."

The board released a statement Thursday saying, "Telemedicine may be conducted by a veterinarian only within an existing Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) and can be used only for specific medical conditions for which the animal patient has been previously examined and diagnosed by the veterinarian."

"Taking this vital tool away from pet parents is harmful - especially during the time of a pandemic," said Cox. "Telemedicine can address many issues, keeping people at home; asking pet parents to come into a clinic causes unnecessary exposure to all."

Veterinarians use telemedicine for triage, symptom management, and to offload nonemergency care from overburdened veterinarians. Many are operating with reduced staff to comply with social distancing. Now, veterinarians can't see telehealth patients referred from other vets until they can first physically touch the patient.

"Say you're out of the fluids that manage your dog's kidney disease. Now, I can't call in medicine for you unless I've physically examined your pet within the year even if I have the diagnosis from your primary veterinarian," said Cox. "I'd have to first send one of our vets into your home, which then leaves the humans more susceptible to COVID-19."

Veterinarians are frustrated, asking why California isn't following other states by making temporary changes to laws in order to better serve pets and their people. "We shouldn't have to make the choice between risking our lives or risking our license in order to treat pets," says Cox.

For telehealth information and photos visit the PetHospice Press Kit.

SOURCE PetHospice


These press releases may also interest you

at 06:00
Zymeworks Inc. , a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a diverse pipeline of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics to improve the standard of care for difficult-to-treat diseases, today announced the appointment of Dr. Neil Gallagher to...

at 05:45
The "Distribution Deals in Diagnostics 2016 to 2024" report has been added to  ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Distribution Deals in Diagnostics provides a detailed understanding and analysis of how and why companies enter distribution...

at 05:10
Neurology Devices: Global Markets is basically a detailed study or report about the worldwide market for medical tools used in treating neurological conditions. These devices could be anything from equipment that helps stimulate the nervous system to...

at 05:04
Sirnaomics Ltd. (the "Company"; together with its subsidiaries, "Sirnaomics" or the "Group"; stock code: 2257), a leading biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of advanced RNAi therapeutics, has announced its audited...

at 04:28
GymNation, the homegrown UAE fitness brand, has today announced that due to unprecedented growth, it is reaching capacity across its 12 UAE gym locations and diversifying into a new market, brewing up a storm with the launch of its first-ever branded...

at 04:00
Cancer spreads from its primary tumor to other parts of the body via blood or the lymphatic system in a process termed 'metastasis'. This usually represents an advanced stage in the disease's progression and tends to be fatal. Therefore, preventing...



News published on and distributed by: