UPDATE ON VETERINARY CONSENT

While much of our work as physiotherapists continues to come in the form of Veterinary Referral, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) have updated their guidance regarding gaining Veterinary Consent for the treatment of animals with physiotherapy.

As of November 2020, the RCVS ruled that healthy animals (including horses) may receive 'maintenance' treatment without the need for direct consent from the animals vet. However, the animal must still be registered with a vet, in order to receive treatment. Please see below the direct quote from the RCVS, and click on the link below for direct access to the publication.

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'19.24   Musculoskeletal maintenance care for a healthy animal, for instance massage, does not require delegation by a veterinary surgeon. However, the animal must still be registered with a veterinary surgeon. Maintenance should cease and the owner of the animal should be asked to take their animal to a veterinary surgeon for clinical examination at the first sign that there may be any underlying injury, disease or pathology. Alternatively, the musculoskeletal therapist may ask the client for formal consent to disclose any concerns to the veterinary surgeon' that has their animal under their care.