Texas Administrative Code
Title 22 - EXAMINING BOARDS
Part 24 - TEXAS BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINERS
Chapter 573 - RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Subchapter C - RESPONSIBILITIES TO CLIENTS
Section 573.20 - Responsibility for Acceptance of Medical Care

Universal Citation: 22 TX Admin Code § 573.20

Current through Reg. 50, No. 26; June 27, 2025

(a) The decision to accept an animal as a patient is at the sole discretion of a veterinarian. The veterinarian is responsible for determining the diagnosis and course of treatment for an animal that has been accepted as a patient and for advising the client as to the diagnosis and treatment to be provided.

(b) For purposes of establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship under §801.351 of the Veterinary Licensing Act, Texas Occupations Code, a veterinarian can obtain sufficient knowledge of an animal by making medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises on which the animal is kept only if the animal is a member of a herd.

(c) A veterinarian must inform a client when:

(1) the client has specifically requested that the veterinarian diagnose and/or treat the client's animal; and

(2) the veterinarian reasonably believes there is a likelihood or possibility that another veterinarian may perform some or all of the diagnosis and/or treatment of the patient.

(d) Once a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship has been established, a veterinarian may discontinue treatment:

(1) at the request of the client;

(2) after the veterinarian substantially completes the treatment or diagnostics prescribed;

(3) upon referral to another veterinarian; or

(4) after notice to the client providing a reasonable period for the client to secure the services of another veterinarian.

(e) Once a veterinarian establishes a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship and prescribes medication(s), another Texas licensed veterinarian within the same clinic or hospital who has access to the patient's current medical records may refill that same prescription(s) without a veterinary-client-patient relationship.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Texas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.