Guidelines for Alternative and Complementary
Veterinary Medicine
(Approved by AVMA House of Delegates, 1996)
Preamble
Veterinary medicine, like all professions, is
undergoing changes with increasing rapidity. Additional
modalities of diagnosis and therapy are emerging in veterinary
and human medicine. These guidelines reflect the current status
of the role of these emerging modalities within the parameters of
veterinary medicine for use in providing a comprehensive approach
to the health care of non-human animals. Use of these modalities
is considered to constitute the practice of veterinary medicine.
Any exceptions will be indicated in the following guidelines.
Such modalities should be offered in the context of a valid
veterinarian/client/patient relationship. It is recommended that
appropriate client consent be obtained. Educational programs are
available for many of the modalities. It is incumbent upon
veterinarians to pursue education in their proper use. It should
be borne in mind that because the emergence and development of
these modalities is a dynamic process, as time passes, the
following information may need to be modified.
Veterinary Acupuncture and Acutherapy
Veterinary acupuncture and acutherapy involve the examination and stimulation of specific points on the body of non-human animals by use of acupuncture needles, moxibustion, injections, low-level lasers, magnets, and a variety of other techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of numerous conditions in animals. Veterinary acupuncture and acutherapy are now considered an integral part of veterinary medicine. These techniques should be regarded as surgical and/or medical procedures under state veterinary practice acts. It is recommended that educational programs be undertaken by veterinarians before they are considered competent to practice veterinary acupuncture.
Veterinary Chiropractic
Veterinary chiropractic is the examination,
diagnosis, and treatment of non-human animals through
manipulation and adjustments of specific joints and cranial
sutures. The term "veterinary chiropractic" should not
be interpreted to include dispensing medication, performing
surgery, injecting medications, recommending supplements, or
replacing traditional veterinary care. While sufficient research
exists documenting efficacy of chiropractic in humans, research
in veterinary chiropractic is limited. Sufficient clinical and
anecdotal evidence exists to indicate that veterinary
chiropractic can be beneficial. It is recommended that further
research be conducted in veterinary chiropractic to evaluate
efficacy, indications, and limitations. The assurance of
education in veterinary chiropractic is central to the ability of
the veterinary profession to provide this service. Veterinary
chiropractic should be performed by licensed veterinarians;
however, at this time, some areas of the country do not have an
adequate supply of veterinarians educated in veterinary
chiropractic. Therefore, it is recommended that, where the
state's practice acts permit, licensed chiropractors educated in
veterinary chiropractic be allowed to practice this modality
under the supervision of, or referral by, a licensed veterinarian
who is providing concurrent care.
Veterinary Physical Therapy
Veterinary physical therapy is the use of
noninvasive techniques, excluding veterinary chiropractic, for
the rehabilitation of injures in non-human animals. Veterinary
physical therapy performed by non-veterinarians should be limited
to the use of stretching; massage therapy; stimulation by use of
(a) low-level lasers, (b) electrical sources, (c) magnetic
fields, and (d) ultrasound; rehabilitative exercises;
hydrotherapy; and applications of heat and cold. Veterinary
physical therapy should be performed by a licensed veterinarian
or, where in accordance with state practice acts, by ( I ) a
licensed, certified, or registered veterinary or animal health
technician educated in veterinary physical therapy or (2) a
licensed physical therapist educated in non-human animal anatomy
and physiology. Veterinary physical therapy performed by a
non-veterinarian should be performed under the supervision of, or
referral by, a licensed veterinarian who is providing concurrent
care. Massage Therapy Massage therapy is a technique in which the
person uses only their hands and body to massage soft tissues.
Massage therapy on non-human animals should be performed by a
licensed veterinarian with education in massage therapy or, where
in accordance with state veterinary practice acts, by a graduate
of an accredited massage school who has been educated in
non-human animal massage therapy. When performed by a
non-veterinarian, massage therapy should be performed under the
supervision of, or referral by, a licensed veterinarian who is
providing concurrent care.
Veterinary Homeopathy
Veterinary homeopathy is a medical discipline in which conditions
in non-human animals are treated by the administration of
substances that are capable of producing clinical signs in
healthy animals similar to those of the animal to be treated.
These substances are used therapeutically in minute doses.
Research in veterinary homeopathy is limited. Clinical and
anecdotal evidence exists to indicate that veterinary homeopathy
may be beneficial. It is recommended that further research be
conducted in veterinary homeopathy to evaluate efficacy,
indications, and limitations. Since some of these substances may
be toxic when used at inappropriate doses, it is imperative that
veterinary homeopathy be practiced only by licensed veterinarians
who have been educated in veterinary homeopathy. Veterinary
Botanical Medicine Veterinary botanical medicine is the use of
plants and plant derivatives as therapeutic agents. It is
recommended that continued research and education be conducted.
Since some of these botanicals may be toxic when used at
inappropriate doses, it is imperative that veterinary botanical
medicine be practiced only by licensed veterinarians who have
been educated in veterinary botanical medicine. Communication on
the use of these compounds within the context of a valid
veterinarian/client/patient relationship is important.
Nutraceutical Medicine
Nutraceutical medicine is the use of
micronutrients, macronutrients, and other nutritional supplements
as therapeutic agents. Communication on the potential risks and
benefits from the use of these compounds within the context of a
valid veterinarian/client/patient relationship is important.
Continued research and education on the use of nutraceuticals in
veterinary medicine is advised Holistic Veterinary Medicine
Holistic veterinary medicine is a comprehensive approach to
health care employing alternative and conventional diagnostic and
therapeutic modalities. In practice, holistic veterinary medicine
incorporates, but is not limited to, the principles of
acupuncture and acutherapy, botanical medicine, chiropractic,
homeopathy, massage therapy, nutraceuticals, and physical therapy
as well as conventional medicine, surgery, and dentistry. It is
recommended that holistic veterinary medicine be practiced only
by licensed veterinarians educated in the modalities employed.
The modalities comprising holistic veterinary medicine should be
practiced according to the licensure and referral requirements
concerning each modality.
From: JAVMA, Vol. 209, No. 6, September 15, 1996.