This is my first blog so I have decided to write about a very important subject which is often overlooked - The Veterinary Surgery Act of 1966.
Many people give advice and treat our animals, but it is illegal to treat or give behavioural advice to an animal other than your own without veterinary consent.
The law in the UK is very clear about who can and cannot treat an animal. Not even a veterinary surgeon is entitled to give a dog a ‘complimentary’ treatment, unless he/she has been qualified in the chosen therapy.
The veterinary Act 1966 was passed to prevent lay persons from practising veterinary surgery on animals.
It states that only registered members of ‘The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ (RCVS), can practice veterinary surgery i.e. The Vet!
As quoted from the RCVS Guide to professional conduct 2000, Veterinary surgery is defined as
“........encompassing the art of science of veterinary surgery and medicine which includes the diagnosis of diseases and injuries in animals, tests performed on animals for diagnostic purposes, advice based upon a diagnosis......”.
Although the Veterinary Surgeons act 1966 is very strict it does have a few exemptions.
The exemptions cover Veterinary Nurses and Veterinary Students.
Complimentary therapies are also included in these exemptions, these therapies are governed by ‘The Veterinary Surgery (exemptions) order 1962’.
Complimentary Therapies under the exemption order 1962 refer to four categories –
Manipulative therapies - i.e. Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Acupressure, Shiatsu, Massage, Tellington Touch and Lymphatic drainage.
Animal Behaviourism – Behavioural treatment is exempt, unless medication is used where permission must again be sought from the Veterinary Surgeon.
Faith healing – permission must be sought from the veterinary surgeon before the ‘laying on of hands’
Other complimentary therapies – These are illegal unless the veterinary surgeon is qualified in the field.
The following are not allowed to be advised or prescribed by a non- veterinary surgeon, whether or not under the supervision of a Veterinary surgeon and whether or not there has been an exchange of fees. They are Aromatherapy, Homeopathy, Acupuncture, Bach Flower remedies, Tissue salts and Herbal medicine. If any of these therapies have been administered, there is scope for prosecution of the owner and the prescriber under the ‘Animal Welfare Act 2006’.
Veterinary Surgeons now recognise complimentary therapies, they are now fully aware of the options available to dogs. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons officially recognise the effectiveness and importance of manipulative therapies in the treatment of dogs (and other pets).
Massage and behavioural work are Complimentary therapies which can be administered and/or advised after proper Veterinary referral, and under the supervision of the Veterinary Surgeon.
Even though Complimentary Therapy has a very important part to play, it should never be used instead of veterinary care and advice from the veterinary surgeon.
