California Code of Regulations
Title 16 - Professional and Vocational Regulations
Division 20 - Veterinary Medical Board
Article 6 - Registered Veterinary Technicians
Section 2069 - Emergency Animal Care

Universal Citation: 16 CA Code of Regs 2069

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 12, March 22, 2024

Emergency animal care rendered by registered veterinary technician.

(a) Under conditions of an emergency as defined in Section 4840.5 of the code, a registered veterinary technician may render the following lifesaving aid or emergency treatment to an animal:

(1) Application of tourniquets and/or pressure bandages to control hemorrhage.

(2) Resuscitative oxygen procedures.

(3) Establishing open airways including intubation appliances but excluding surgery.

(4) External cardiac resuscitation.

(5) Application of temporary splints or bandages to prevent further injury to bones or soft tissues.

(6) Application of appropriate wound dressings and external supportive treatment in severe burn cases.

(7) External supportive treatment in heat prostration cases.

(b) The following tasks shall only be performed after direct communication with a veterinarian licensed or otherwise authorized to practice in this state:

(1) Administration of a drug or controlled substance to prevent or control shock, including parenteral fluids.

(2) Administration of a drug or controlled substance to manage pain or to sedate an animal for examination or to prevent further injury.

(3) Administration of a drug or controlled substance to prevent suffering of an animal, up to and including euthanasia.

(c) In the event that direct communication cannot be established as required under subdivision (b), the registered veterinary technician may perform the task in accordance with written instructions established by the supervising veterinarian, or, in the case of a sanctioned rodeo or other sporting event, the veterinarian charged with the responsibility to provide treatment to the animals at the rodeo or event.

1. New Article 6 (Section 2060) filed 9-4-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 36).
2. Renumbering of Section 2060 to Section 2069 filed 2-17-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 8).
3. Amendment filed 3-15-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 11).
4. Change without regulatory effect amending first and second paragraphs and subsection (1) filed 3-1-96 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 96, No. 9).
5. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 3-2-2021; operative 7-1-2021 (Register 2021, No. 10).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 4808 and 4836, Business and Professions Code. Reference: Sections 4836.1 and 4840.5, Business and Professions Code.

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