Microchipping horses

RE: Microchipping horses

Julian Earl — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 13:57:55 GMT

I used to vaccinate my wife's horses and happily sign the certificate. One year I made her re-start the full course when she went few days overdue. No problem as far as I can see with vaccinating these horses?

RE: Microchipping horses

Wren — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 08:51:23 GMT

Absolutely no problem and definitely not a minefield, so long as you are neither the owner nor trainer of the horse, and you have adequate VDS cover for equine work.

Of course you may either p!ss off their regular vet by robbing them of lucrative routine work, or their regular vet may be delighted (most people hate passport/microchipping foals)…..

(equine vet with 20 years experience!)

RE: Microchipping horses

Niall Taylor — Sun, 04 Nov 2018 08:20:50 GMT

The RCVS regs and principles of certification are here:

https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting-guidance/certification/

And they say:

2. Veterinarians should not issue a certificate that might raise questions of a possible conflict of interest.

Generally speaking, conflicts of interest should be avoided. Veterinarians signing certificates should not allow commercial, financial or other pressures to compromise their impartiality.

I guess it depends. Given the close relationship many vets have with clients for whom they are issuing certificates there must always be a degree of conflict of interest, if only from a personal desire to avoid upsetting and causing offence to a client or to avoid a negative financial impact on a business if they withdraw their custom.

You could try contacting RCVS but I doubt you'd get a straight answer. VDS might be more helpful but I have a feeling in the final outcome it will be between you, your friend and your conscience (and what would stand up in court in a worst-case scenario).

Minefield!

Niall