The Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapy by Veterinarians

Background

Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine includes, but is not limited to, the practice and principles of:

• Acupuncture and acutherapy
• Botanical medicine
• Chiropractic
• Homeopathy
• Massage therapy
• Nutraceutical medicine
• Physical therapy

Educational programmes are available for many of these modalities and veterinarians who wish to use them should pursue further education in their proper use. 

Explanation

Veterinary medicine, like all professions, is undergoing change. Additional modalities of diagnosis and therapy are emerging in both veterinary and human medicine.

As with all areas of veterinary practice, the welfare of the animal is paramount. The Animal Welfare Act 1999 requires every person in charge of an animal to ensure that the physical, health, and behavioural needs of the animal are met in a manner that is in accordance with both good practice and scientific knowledge; and, in the case of an animal that is ill or injured, to ensure, where practicable, that the animal receives treatment that alleviates any unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.

Alternative or complementary therapies do not usually have the weight of scientific proof of their efficacy. Veterinarians using non-registered products that are specifically compounded for use on animals in that veterinarian’s immediate care are reminded that this would constitute discretionary use and is subject to the Code of Practice for the Discretionary Use of Human and Veterinary Medicines by Registered Veterinarians, approved under Section 28 of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997.

The NZVA encourages further scientific research on the efficacy and validity of complementary and alternative modalities.

Guidelines

Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine should be practised where appropriate in the context of a valid veterinarian-client relationship and following the guidelines below:

• The veterinarian should establish a diagnosis based on sound, accepted principles of veterinary medicine.
• When a veterinarian proposes complementary methods of diagnosis or treatment, the veterinarian is obliged, as with any procedure or treatment, to explain to the client the range of options available so that the client can make an informed decision.
• If the client requests complementary diagnosis or treatment, the veterinarian has an obligation to assess the animal’s condition with regard to the suitability (or otherwise) for complementary treatment and to advise the client accordingly.  If the veterinarian does not have the special skills and/or equipment required to provide complementary therapy, or to assess the animal’s suitability for it, then he/she should refer the client to a veterinarian who does.
• Where the client requests treatment that the veterinarian considers not to be the treatment of choice, the veterinarian should monitor the patient to ensure its welfare is not compromised. If the animal’s welfare is compromised or if it does not respond to treatment, the veterinarian must encourage the owner to seek a more appropriate option, be referred to another veterinarian or elect euthanasia. If the owner does not follow the advice, and animal welfare is compromised as a result, the veterinarian should notify the appropriate animal welfare agency.
• Complementary and alternative modalities should be practised only by veterinarians educated or trained in the modalities employed.
• Informed owner consent should be obtained prior to the use of complementary and alternative modalities.

References and legislation

• Code of Practice for the Discretionary Use of Human and Veterinary Medicines by Registered Veterinarians (Appendix 1 in the Code of Professional Conduct)

Policy Files: 

1f - Complementary Therapy - 5Mar08.pdf