VETERINARY COUNCIL OF INDIA

Notification
New Delhi, the 1st April, 1992

G.S.R. 395(E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by section

66 read with section 31 of Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984 (52
of 1984) the Veterinary Council of India, with previous approval of
the Central Government, hereby makes the following regulations,
r namely: -
1. Short title and commencement.-
(1) These regulations may be called, the Veterinary Council of
India (Standard of Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Code
of Ethics, for Veterinary Practitioners) Regulations, 1992.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of its publication
in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions. - (1) In these regulations, unless the context

otherwise require.-

(a) 'Veterinary' means a registered veterinary practitioner as

defined in the Act.

(b) 'Act' means the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984(52

.' of 1984).
(c) 'Regulations' means the Standard of Professional
"
Conduct, Etiquette and Code of Ethics Regulations. This
definition limits its meaning to the terms used within the
said regulations.

(d) 'Patient' shall mean an animal, bird or a group of them

being treated or managed or advised to be treated or
managed by a veterinarian.

(e) 'Client' means the legal owner of the patient or his

representative or the person or persons directly assigned
responsibility of the patient.

(f) 'Profession' means veterinary profession covering all its

branches, namely, animal health, animal production and
technology, and shall include any sister profession wherein
; . veterinary service is extended or is sought or is made
use of, namely, laboratory animal medicine, animal
experimentation and vaccine production.

-L
 ~

3. Declaration and oath by a Veterinarian. - Being admitted to

placards, or handbills in a manner projecting himself/herself to be in
the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my
a position of superiority which he/she himself/herself has not achieved,
scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the is unethical.
protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the I
conservation of livestock resources, the promotion of public health, A veterinarian should not make use of or let others make use of
and the advancement of knowledge in veterinary science. him/her or his/her name as a subject of any form or manner of
advertising or publicity through lay channels which shall be of such
I shall practise my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and
a character as to invite attention to him/her or his/her professional
in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I position or skill or as would ordinarily result in his/her self-
I accept as a lifelong obligation the continuous improvement of aggrandisment; provided that a practitioner is permitted formal
my professional knowledge and competence. announcement in press about the following matters namely:
(1) starting of his/her practice,
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
(2) change of type of practice,
4. Character of the veterinarian. - The primary object of the
veterinary profession is to render service to humanity by facilitating (3) change of address,
better animal production, ensuring veterinary public health as also
(4) temporary absence from duty,
caring for the sick animals and alleviating their suffering; financial
reward is always a subordinate consideration. Whosoever chooses (5) resumption of practice,
the profession, assumes the obligation to conduct oneself in (6) succeeding to another's practice.
accordance with the noble ideals of serving the dumb and mute
creatures. The veterinarian shall be an upright person and shall be
He/She shall further not advertise directly or indirectly through
sincere and diligent in caring for the sick and managing the healthy price lists or publicity materials of manufacturing firms or traders with
animals. He/She shall be modest, sober, and prompt in discharging his/ whom he/she may be connected in any capacity, nor shall he/she
her duties.
publish cases, operations or letters of thanks from patients in non-
He/She shall conduct himself/herself with propriety in his/her professional newspapers or journals: provided that it shall be
profession and in all actions of his/her life. permissible for him/her to publish his/her name in connection with a
technical expert's report or publication in a professional journal.
5. Standards of character and morals. - The veterinary
profession expects from its members the highest level of character 8. Fee for professional service. - A veterinarian engaged in
and morals. Every veterinarian owes to the profession and the public practice/advisory service/consultancy, shall limit the source of his/
a duty to achieve such a level. It shall be incumbent on veterinarians her income to the fee received for services rendered to the client.
to be temperate in all matters of practice of the profession and to Remuneration received for such services shall be in the form and
exercise clear and vigorous application of mind. amount specifically announced to the client at the time the service
is rendered.
6. Veterinarian's responsibility.- A veterinarian shall merit the
trust and confidence of his/her clients, rendering their animals full 9. Patent and Copyrights. - A veterinarian may patent surgical
measure of service with devotion. The honoured ideals imply that r instruments, appliances and medicine or copyright applications of
responsibilities of a veterinarian extend not only to one client and the methods and procedure.
animals he brings but also to the entire society.
10. Running an Open Shop. - (Dispensing of drugs and appliances
by veterinarians).
7. Advertising. - Soliciation of clients by a veterinarian directly
or indirectly through an advertisement in news papers, circular cards, A veterinarian shall not run an open shop for sale of medicine for
2
3
 r

dispensing prescriptions by doctors other than himself. 16. Termination of service.-(a) A veterinarian shall withdraw his/
her service under following valid reasons:-
11. Rebates, gifts and commissions.- A veterinarian shall not
give, solicit or receive nor shall he/she offer to give, solicit or receive, (i) Where he/she finds another veterinarian in attendance.
any gift, gratuity, commission or bonus in consideration for the I
(ii) Where remedies/advice other than those prescribed by him/
referring or procuring of, any client for specialist/expert service or 1- her are being used.
exclusive treatment advice thereof; nor shall he/she receive any I
commission or other benefit from a professional colleague, trader of (iii) Where his/her remedies/advice and instructions are refused.
medicine or appliances or from a technologist. J (iv) Where he/she feels that the illness or the need of his/her
12. Secret Remedies. - The prescribing or dispensing by a service is an imposture and that he/she is being made a
veterinarian of secret medicines or other secret remedial agents, of party to a false pretence.
which he/she does not know the composition or the manufacture, or (v) Where a client is resorting to the use of intoxicating drugs,
promotion of their use, is unethical. means of quackery or witchcraft against medical advice; and
13. Evasion of Legal Restrictions. - A veterinarian shall observe (vi) Where complete information/history concerning the fact and
the laws of the country in regulating the practice of veterinary medicine circumstances of the case are not supplied by a client.
and will not assist others- to evade such laws. He/She should co-
operate in the observance and enforcement of sanitary laws and (b) The discovery that the malady is incurable/the client's
regulations in the interest of public health. A veterinarian shall observe problems are unsolvable, is no excuse to discontinue attendance by
a veterinarian as long as his/her client desire the service.
the provisions of the State Acts like Drugs Act, Pharmacy Act, Rules
and Regulations made by the Central Government, State Governments 17. Act of negligence. - (I) No veterinarian shall willfully commit
or Local Self Governments and Administrative Bodies for protection an act of negligence that may deprive patient of the care that is
and promotion of veterinary public health. . absolutely necessary.

DUTIES OF VETERINARIANSTO THEIR CLIENTSAND PATIENTS (2) A veterinarian is expected to show such diligence and
skill in service as would be expected of another
14. Obligation to the patient.- Though a veterinarian is not bound
veterinarian of similar qualifications, experience and
to treat cases of each and every one a~king for his/her service, attainments.
except in emergencies, he/she shall for the sake of humanity and the
noble tradition of the profession, not only be ever ready to respond (3) His/Her acts of commission or omission shall not be
to the need of the sick and injured animals/birds, but shall also be judged by any non-veterinary standards, but as those
mindful of the high character of his/her mission and the responsibility expected from a veterinarian of his/her training, standing
he/she incurs in the discharge of his/her professional duties. and experience.

15. Patient not to be neglected. - A veterinarian is free to choose (4) A veterinarian shall use any drug prepared under standard
whom he/she will serve, provided that he/she shall respond to any pharmacological principles and shall adopt all 'necessary
request for his/her assistance in an emergency or whenever temperate preparations/precautions, like sterilization and verification
public opinion expects the service. of doses as are normally prescribed for that drug.
18. Behaviour to patients.
Once having undertaken a case, a veterinarian shall not neglect
the patient nor shall he/she withdraw from the case without giving The demeanour of a veterinarian towards his/her patient shall
notice to the client sufficiently in advance, to allow him secure another always be kind, tender and full of patience. Every patient shall be
professional veterinarian. treated with attention, consideration and concentration.

4 5
 19. Visit. 25. Appointment of substitute.
Notwithstanding the fact that a veterinarian is not bound to visit Whenever a veterinarian (hereinafter mentioned as absent
his/her patient/client, he/she shall make it at the indicated hour, once veterinarian) requests another veterinarian to attend to his/her patient/
he/she had committed to do so.
clients during his/her temporary absence from practice professional
20. Prognosis. ~ courtesy requires the acceptance of such an appointment by the
latter, if consistent with his/her other duties. The veterinarian under
(a) A veterinarian shall neither exaggerate nor minimise the
such appointment shall give utmost consideration to the interest and
gravity of a patient's condition. He/she shall ensure that
w reputation of the 'absent' veterinarian. He/she shall not charge either
the legal owner of the patient has such knowledge of the
the patient or the absent veterinarian or his/her services, except in
patient's condition as will serve the best interest of the
case of special arrangement between them. All such patients shall
patient and its owner (client).
be restored to the care of the absent veterinarian upon his/her return.
(b) In case of dangerous manifestations, or when grave and
highly communicable diseases are encountered he shall 26. Professional services of veterinarians to one another.
not fail to inform the client and those to whom the disease
(1) There is no rule that a veterinarian shall not charge another
can be of potent danger. veterinarian or a member of a sister profession for service rendered.
But a veterinarian shall consider it a pleasure and privilege to render
DUTIES OF VETERINARIANS TO THE PROFESSION
gratuitous service to his/her professional brethren, if they are in his/
her vicinity, or to a veterinary student.
21. Upholding the honour of the profession.
(2) When a veterinarian is called from a distance to attend to a
A veterinarian is expected to uphold the dignity and honour of his case of a fellow veterinarian or a member of a sister profession,
profession.
reimbursement shall be made for travelling and other incidental
22. Membership of societies. expenses.

For the advancement of his/her profession a veterinarian may (3) A veterinarian called in any emergency to visit a patient
affiliate himself/herself with professional societies and contribute his/ under the care of another veterinarian, shall when the emergency is
her time, means and energy to their progress, so that they may over, retire in favour of the latter; but shall be entitled to charge the
represent and promote the ideals of the profession better. client for his/her services.

23. Safeguarding the profession. (4) When a veterinarian is consulted at his/her own residence,
it is not birding on him/her to enquire if the patient has been under
Every veterinarian shall laid in safeguarding the profession against )
admission to it of those who are deficient in moral character or the care of another veterinarian. But in the interests of the patient
he/she shall, while ascertaining history, go through the treatment
education. He/she should not employ in connection with his/her
followed if any. However, it is unethical that his information be used
professional practice any unqualified personnel to treat or perform 1 to malign or instigate against, directly or indirectly, the veterinarian
operation upon patients.
who happened to attend on the patient previously. When a veterinarian
24. Exposure of unethical conduct. sees a patient at the request of another veterinarian, it shall be the
Exposure of unethical conduct on the part of any member of the duty of the first veterinarian to write a letter to the veterinarian making
profession shall be done without fear or favour. The incompetent, the request stating his/her opinion of the case with the modes of
corrupt, dishonest or unethical conduct on the part of any member treatment he/she thinks proper to be adopted.
of the profession shall be discouraged at any cost. 27. (1) If a veterinarian is engaged to attend on a patient of

6 7
 ,- ,.............-
---
"
"

dystokia or a similar distress he/she shall do so. Refusal to do so opinion or return the case along with his/her opinion communicated.
under excuse of another engagement is unethical except when he/
32. Consultation for patient's benefit.
she is already engaged in similar or another serious case(s).
In every consultation, the benefit of the patient shall be of prime
(2) When a veterinarian engaged to attend a serious case is
absent and another veterinarian is sent for, the latter shall be entitled importance. It should not. be done with an ulterior motive of evasion
of responsibilities or on monetary considerations.
to legitimate fees; provided that he/she shall secure the client's consent
to withdraw on arrival of the former at a mutually consented or 33. Conduct of consultation.
logical phase.
1 (1) In consultation there shall be no place for insincerity, rivalry
28. When it becomes the duty of a veterinarian occupying an or envy. All due respect shall be shown to the veterinarian in charge
official position to see and report on an illness or injury or any other of the case and no statement or remark shall be made which would
professional problems concerning a patient, he/she shall do so, but impair the confidence reposed in him/her by the client. For this purpose
communicate to the veterinarian in attendance, so as to give him/her no such discussion shall, therefore, be made before the client.
an option to be present. The former shall avoid remarks on the
(2) All statements to the client shall be made in the presence of
diagnosis or treatment that has been adopted. This does not prevent
him/her from discussing the matter with the later in isolation. consulting veterinarian, except as otherwise agreed. Announcement
to the client also shall be made by the consulting veterinarian to the
DUTY OF PRACTITIONERSIN CONSULTATION extent possible.

29. Consultation shall be encouraged. (3) Difference of opinion shall not be divulged unless both feel
that it would be in the interest of the patient or dignity of the
In case of serious illness/doubtful or difficult conditions, a profession.
veterinarian shall always request consultation; he/she shall also do
(4) It shall be open to the client to take further advice and the
so in the case of major surgical interventions, out break of herd
consulting veterinarian with the consent of the client may consult yet
diseases, poisoning, endemics or undiagnosible situations.
another veterinarian, the rules of ethics remaining the same.
30. Punctuality in consultations.
34. Cessation of consultation.
Punctuality shall be observed by a veterinarian in attending a
consultation. If a consultant veterinarian does not arrive within Attendance of consulting veterinarian shall cease when
reasonable time, keeping in view the distance he/she has to travel consultation is concluded; unless another appointment is arranged
and other relevant factors the consulting veterinarian shall be at by the attending veterinarian.
liberty to see the patient; provided that he/she shall leave his/her 35. Treatment after consultation.
conclusion in writing in a closed envelope. The same rule is applicable
if the consulting veterinarian fails to turn up in time. (1) No decision shall restrain the attending veterinarian from
making such subsequent variation inthe treatment as any unexpected
31. Patient referred to another veterinarian.
l change or development may demand; provided that at the next
consultation, reasons for variations are stated.
(1) When a patient is referred to another veterinarian, a statement
of the history, observation, clinical and laboratory examination as (2) The same privilege, with its obligations, belongs to the
well as the tentative treatments undertaken shall be given. consultant when sent for in an emergency during the absence of
(2) On receipt of the above statement the veterinarian receiving attending veterinarian. The attending veterinarian may prescribe at
the referred case shall communicate his/her opinion to the attending any time; but the consultant only in case of emergency or instant
veterinarian and either shall continue the treatment as per his/her need. All treatments by both shall be stated to each other.
8 9
ii

36. Consultant not to take charge of the case. parturition, care of new born, hygienic collection of farm products
When a consultant veterinarian is called upon to be consulted, and proper disposal of animal products and wastes thereof.
none but the rarest and most exceptional circumstances shall justify He/She should strive to educate the public and paraveterinary
the consultant taking charge of the case. He must not do so merely staff personnel regarding timely insemination and aseptic handling
on solication of the client of his representative. .
during A.I. and discourage the unscientific unhygienic inseminations.
37. Bar on consulting non-registered veterinary practitioners.
DISCIPLINARYACTION
No veterinarian shall have consultation with a veterinary
practitioner who is not registered. 41. The Veterinary Council of India brings to the notice of the
registered veterinary practitioners the following:
DUTIES OF VETERINARIANS TO THE PUBLIC In matters regarding offences and form of professional misconduct,
38. Veterinarian as citizen. which may be brought before the appropriate Veterinary Council for
disciplinary action, in view of the authority conferred by section 31 of
Veterinarians as good citizens possessed of special training, shall the Act, the appropriate Veterinary Councils may award such
advise concerning the health and husbandry of the animals, in the punishment's as deemed necessary or may direct the removal
localities wherein they dwell. They shall play their part in enforcing altogether, or for a specific period, from the register, the name of any
the laws of the community (not involving any communal overtones or registered veterinary practitioner, who has been convicted of any
prejudices) and in substantiating the institutions that advance the such offence as implies in the opinion of the Veterinary Council(s),
interests of humanity. They shall cooperate with the authorities in the a defect of character or who after an enquiry at which opportunity
observance and enforcement of sanitary laws and the laws relating has been given to such registered veterinary practitioners to be heard
to drugs poisons and pharmacy, made for the protection of health.
in person or through a pleader, has been held by the appropriate
39. Public health. Veterinary Council to have been guilty of serious professional
misconduct. The appropriate Veterinary Council may also direct that
A veterinarian engaged in public health work shall enlighten the
any name so removed shall be restored.
public concerning quarantine regulations and measures for the
prevention of epizootic, zoonotic and food borne diseases and It must be clearly understood that the instances of offences and
intoxications and communicable diseases. At all times, the of professional misconduct which are given do not constitute and are
veterinarians shall notify the respective authorities of every case of not intended to constitute a complete list of the infamous acts which
communicable diseases under their care in accordance with the laws, may be punished by erasure from the register and that by issuing
rules and regulations of the authorities. When an epidemic prevails, this notice the Veterinary Council of India and/or State Veterinary
the veterinarian shall continue his/her labour without regard to the Council(s) is/are in no way precluded from considering and dealing
risk to his/her own health. He/She shall endeavour to ensure hygienic with any professional misconduct on the part of a registered veterinary
handling of animal products and wa'stes thereof and educate the practitioner. Circumstances may and do arise from time to time in
public of food-borne diseases and intoxications. relation to which may occur questions of professional misconduct
40. Livestock production and technology. which do not come within any of these categories. Every care should
be taken that the code is not violation in letter or spirit. In such
A veterinarian shall strive for the betterment of animal production instance, as in all others the Veterinary Council of India and/or State
through timely advice/propaganda on scientific management involving Veterinary Council(s) has/have to consider and decide upon the facts
economically viable and hygienic housing, adoption of scientific brought before the Veterinary Council of India and/or State Veterinary
breeding schedule, disease prevention of routines, reproductive health Council(s) .
monitoring, hygienic and systematic care before, at and following 42. Professional Misconduct
10 11
 --- ---

The following actions shall constitute professional misconduct:

(k) Quarantine clearance certificate for having cleared
1. Improper conduct with a patient or maintaining an improper quarantine at places of disembarkation of animals/birds/
association with a client. livestock products.

2. Conviction by a Court of law of offences involving moral

(2) Any registered veterinary practitioner who shall be proved to
turpitude. have signed or given under his/her name and authority any
such certificate, report or document of a kindred character
3. Tampering with or falsely providing professional certificates, which is untrue, misleading or improperly relating to the several
reports and other documents. - The registered veterinary practitioners matters, some of which are specified above, is liable to have
are in certain cases bound by law to give or may from time to time his/her name erased from the Indian Veterinary Practitioners'
be called upon or requested to give signed certificates, reports and Register.
other documents of kindred character by courts, administrative offices,
(3) A registered veterinary practitioner shall maintain a Register
banks as part of veterinary service. (See section 30 of the Act).
of Veterinary Medical Certificates giving full details of
(1) Notwithstanding the existence of other similar and/or kindred certificates issued.
documents such documents shall include:-
(4) When issuing such a certificate the identification mark of the
(a) A vaccination certificate for licensing of pets. patient, name or number, if any, age and other details
(b) A vaccination certificate for transport across border from including owner's name and keep a copy of the Certificate
one state to another. for record with him. The client's signature and/or thumb
impression and a declaration that he is the genuine owner of
(c) A vaccination certificate for export of animals. the patient or is his authorised representative shall invariably
(d) A soundness certificate for a horse or health certificate be obtained.
for cattle for the purpose of insurance, registration, etc.
4. Contravention of the provisions of law relating to drugs and
(e) A certificate indicating results of test (diagnostic) like regulations made thereunder.
tuberculin test.
5. Selling a drug or poison regulated by-law to the public or his/
(f) Post-mortem reports in vetrolegal cases, for purpose of her clients, save as provided by that law.
insurance claims etc.
6. Performing, or enabling an unqualified person to perform,
(g) Trauma certificate indicating the extent and nature of
any illegal operation for which there is no medical, surgical or
damage and/or deterioration, in veteo legal cases involving psychological indication.
accidents, cruelty or vindication.
7. Affixing a signboard on a chemist's shop or in places where
(h) Birth certificates required at times for purposes of the veterinarian does not reside or work. This should not be construed
insurance, registrations, loans etc.
to mean announcement, boards or direction indicators.
(i) A certificate indicating, reproductive defects, diseases
8. While displaying a board or a name plate, to write anything
and other conditions rendering an animal uneconomic (fit
for culling). other than his/her name, qualifications obtained from a University or
a statutory body, titles and names of his/her speciality if any (such
(j) A certificate for euthanasia where treatment is unlikely to name being the content of his/her prescription papers), and the
be rewarding and.; a certificate of performance of registration number.
euthanasia.
9. Before euthanasia or before performing an operation not
12
13
obtaining in writing the consent from the client.
10. Using touts or agents for procuring patients.

43. Disciplinary Committees

There shall be a Disciplinary Committee charged with the duty of
considering and determining:-
(a) Any case of indiscipline referred to them by State
Veterinary Councilor appeal by aggrieved registered
veterinary practitioners.
(b) Any other case of which the Disciplinary Committee has
cognizance.
44. The State Veterinary Council shall investigate, through
Committee(s)/Sub Committee(s) (by fact-finding and receiving
complaints), regarding ~-
(a) Registered veterinary practitioners being convicted of any
criminal offence which in the opinion of the committee
renders unfit to practise veterinary profession.
(b) any such veterinarian detected/judged to have been guilty
of disgraceful conduct in any professional respect.
(c) any person whose name is fraudulently entered in the
register.
45. The State Veterinary Council(s) shall on receipt of complaints
regarding any unregistered individual and individuals who while
rendering minor veterinary services described under sub-section (b)
of section 30 of the Act. undertake unsupervised treatment/veterinary
service assuming himself/herself to be a veterinarian, shall make
necessary investigations and advise the concerned State government
to take appropriate action or shall themselves initiate action under
the law.
[No. 4-4/91-VCI/3]
Prof. (Dr) Rama Kumar V., Secy.

14