accredited veterinarian

Accredited Veterinarian: Professional and Ethical ResponsibilitiesIntroductionPage 1 of 24 Welcome to the Accredited Veterinarian: Professional and Ethical Responsibilities lesson. This module will:y y y

Describe the duties and responsibilities of an Accredited Veterinarian, Emphasize ethical responsibilities as they relate to health certificates, performing diagnostic tests and administering vaccinations on behalf of USDA, and Demonstrate real-life situations where an Accredited Veterinarian correctly or incorrectly performed their duties and the consequences incurred.

Completion of this lesson is estimated to take 30 minutes, but will vary depending on your familiarity with the information presented.

Accreditation ResponsibilitiesPage 2 of 24

Accredited Veterinarians have extraordinary responsibilities. They perform health certifications to ensure that animals transported between States and exported to other countries do not introduce disease. They also help USDA conduct surveillance and monitoring for diseases of concern. The National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) Reference Guide provides detailed information vital to understanding the responsibilities and performing various duties related to being an Accredited Veterinarian. It is available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/ vet_accreditation/downloads/nvap_ref_guide.pdf and free in CD form from NVAP (301-851-3400; [email protected]) or the VS Area Office.

Veterinary accreditation, while legally binding, is also seen as an extension of veterinarian's professional code and has thus come to be ethically binding as well. As an Accredited Veterinarian (AV), you are a key professional in assuring the health of Americas livestock, poultry, and companion animals and should do so with the highest of professional and ethical integrity.

Health CertificatesPage 3 of 24

One of the responsibilities of an Accredited Veterinarian (AV) is to accurately complete health certificates for animals destined for movement, either within the state (intrastate), interstate or internationally. Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations, commonly referred to as the CFR, defines a certificate as being directed by statute or by regulation, issued under APHIS authority, for use by Accredited Veterinarians performing official functions. The only exception to this is APHIS Form 7001, U.S. Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals, which can be completed by an accredited or a non-accredited veterinarian. USDA-APHIS has official forms and certificates that are used for interstate and international movement of animals, submitting specimens, vaccination and testing for brucellosis, testing for tuberculosis, exporting poultry/hatching eggs, and conducting equine infectious anemia (EIA) testing. State Governments have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) which is used for the intra- and interstate movement of animals. Health certificates are used for the international movement of animals. These terms, CVI and health certificate, are often used interchangeably, but in reality, they mean different things. Regardless of the form or certificate, it is your responsibility as an Accredited Veterinarian (AV) to accurately complete the forms. There are other NVAP modules available to learn about the proper completion of health certificates. This module will focus on the professional responsibility and accountability of AVs as it relates to health certificates.

Principles of CertificationPage 4 of 24

Health certificates and CVIs are more than a piece of paper they are legal documents that serve as a record attesting to the lack of apparent illness in animals inspected by a veterinarian. The continued health of our Nations animals depends on the ability of Accredited Veterinarians (AVs) to examine an animal and determine if it is fit for travel. Our international trade partners rely on the ability of AVs to oversee the transportation of animals to prevent disease spread. By completing and signing a health certificate or CVI for an animal, you are using your professional judgment based on the information available. Under no circumstance should a certificate be completed and signed when the health of an animal is questionable or the information provided is not accurate. To move animal(s) intrastate, interstate, or internationally, the animal(s) must be accurately described on the certificate. Should an outbreak occur in the United States or another country, the certificate also serves as an epidemiological tracking tool. Failure to locate an animal can lead to unnecessary disease spread, causing illness in animals, and possibly humans, and in some cases, death. Different animal species must use specific forms for interstate or international movement. For instance, companion animals moving interstate can use the State CVI or APHIS Form 7001 (U.S. Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals). Food or fiber animals can be listed on the State CVI or APHIS-VS Form 17-140 (U.S. Origin Health Certificate). When completing these forms, it is imperative to follow the regulations to make sure the animal is properly represented and travel is allowed. If items are not completed correctly or omissions are made, animals may not be allowed to enter another state or country. They may be subject to confiscation, lengthy quarantines, or entry refusal. All of these conditions can lead to unnecessary stress on the animal and its owner, as well as expenses for the owners and transporters. Additionally, incorrect or misleading information can have negative repercussions for the certifying veterinarian, such as criminal or civil penalties, and loss of state licensure, Federal accreditation status or both.

Completing Health CertificatesPage 5 of 24

There are rules about how many animals can be on the same form, acceptable forms of animal identification (specific to the species), listing the age of the animal (years, months, weeks or days), fully completing the name and address for the

consignee (owner or shipper) and consignor (receiver or destination), and the types of tests that must be conducted and reported on the forms. Examples to demonstrate how these steps have been violated, and the subsequent repercussions, will be discussed later in this module. In keeping with disease control and eradication programs (another role of Accredited Veterinarians), animals are often tested or vaccinated prior to movement. There are specific forms, vaccine products, and diagnostic tests that must be used in order to comply with Federal animal health laws and regulations. Before preparing an animal for any of these steps, it is important to be familiar with the laws and regulations. This information will be covered in more detail in another module, but examples of violations, and the repercussions, will be discussed later in this module. Animal inspection and certification by AVs is instrumental in disease surveillance and monitoring and also ensures that animals exported will not introduce disease. Properly completed health certificates are necessary when inspecting, testing, and certifying animals for the purpose of controlling animal diseases and facilitating trade and travel.

Providing a Service: Writing Health CertificatesPage 6 of 24

Providing animal health certificates for all animal species is a service only Category II Accredited Veterinarians are allowed to do. Category I Accredited Veterinarians can only sign health certificates for companion animals. As with other services, like physical exams, pregnancy diagnosis, and vaccinations, this is a source of income for practitioners. Generally, an AV will charge a fee for writing the health certificate for a client. Often times this will be associated with an office visit or farm call, which is another source of income. If any diagnostic tests or vaccinations need to be conducted, the veterinarian will charge the client accordingly. Depending on the type of practice and clientele, health certificates can provide a significant income for the AV. Lets look at the potential income for an AV writing health certificates (your charges may vary):

Many animals of the same species can be put on the same form, so your income will increase if more ancillary procedures need to be conducted for a group of animals compared to an individual animal. This is often the case for food or fiber animal movement.

Providing a Service: Performing Diagnostic Tests and VaccinationsPage 7 of 24

As it relates to USDA-APHIS program diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis, pseudorabies, or equine infectious anemia, animals often require diagnostic tests or vaccinations in order to move within the State or interstate or internationally. Only Accredited Veterinarians are allowed to perform certain tests or vaccinations on behalf of the USDA-APHIS, and this is a service that can generate income for practitioners. During pseudorabies (often abbreviated PRV) eradication, some States utilized accredited veterinarians on a fee-basis to help with testing and control. The AV would visit a swine farm, draw blood from 30 to 60 pigs, and write a herd plan that consisted of biosecurity steps, vaccination plans and depopulation to eliminate PRV on the operation. To write herd plans and receive remuneration, the accredited veterinarian needed to attend an APHIS/State Department of Agriculture approved one-day training class, free of charge, that also provided them with continuing education (CE) credits.

Lets take a look at the potential income for an AV working with 15 swine clients during the PRV eradication program (again, your charges may vary):

During PRV eradication, breeding herds (sows) were routinely tested and the feeder pigs were allowed to move interstate based on the test results of the sow herd. Some larger operations would have multiple sites to sample, which would increase the income even more. You can see from this one APHIS program how being an accredited veterinarian allows you to participate in disease eradication and control programs for the benefit of animal health, as well as adding to your income potential. The Voluntary Bovine Johnes Disease Control Program began in 2002 and Accredited Veterinarians have participated by becoming educated about the disease through free training provided by APHIS and subsequently working with livestock producers to manage this disease. AVs conduct risk assessments and develop herd plans for livestock producers to minimize the prevalence of Johnes in their cattle herd. This must be done once a year to keep a herd enrolled in the program, and the accredited veterinarian can earn between $150 and $400 per farm risk assessment and herd plan generated. Until early 2007, the Federal government provided funding for sample collection and testing for Johnes. The hope is that funding will become available in the future for additional testing of cattle throughout the U.S. This is yet another program where AVs can combine their expertise of animal disease management with the governments attempt at disease control, while earning additional income.

Professional and Ethical ResponsibilitiesPage 8 of 24

In the United States, the majority of veterinarians are private practitioners meaning their income is derived from services provided to their clients animals. In other countries, veterinarians are often State or Federally employed. Our international

trade partners need to be confident in the ability of our private practitioners to perform Federal duties that is why certain professional and ethical responsibilities must be known and upheld. Health certificates are legal documents; providing false or incorrect information for inclusion on a health certificate is subject to civil and criminal action as well as revocation or suspension of accredited status. In the event that an error, omission, or irregularity in a submitted form is noted by VS personnel, APHIS Investigative and Enforcement Services (IES) is responsible for investigating alleged violations. IES presents the facts to appropriate VS officials in an investigative case report. The AVIC and State Animal Health Official are responsible for determining the appropriate action for each case.

The Code of Federal RegulationsPage 9 of 24

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the comprehensive rule book that contains all of the current federal regulations. The CFR is divided into four volumes; together, the four volumes contain 50 titles. Each title represents broad areas subject to Federal regulation. Each title is divided into chapters and pertains to a specific Federal agency. Information pertaining to veterinary accreditation is listed in Title 9 Animals and Animal Products, Chapter IUSDA-APHIS, Parts 160, 161, and 162. It is imperative that all accredited veterinarians review and familiarize themselves with the information in this Chapter, especially Part 161. For more information about the contents of the CFR, visit: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2011-title9-vol1/pdf/CFR-2011-title9-vol1-sec160-1.pdf

The Code of EthicsPage 10 of 24

The code of ethics, as it pertains to veterinary accreditation, cannot be found in any Federal document. Rather, as a profession, veterinary medicine has formulated an ethical or moral code. This moral code describes the accepted standards of conduct a veterinarian has to abide by for the purpose of bettering society. An Accredited Veterinarian may be put into a situation that involves actions of self-interest, which may or may not conflict with their standard of conduct. An individual who transgresses the regulations of veterinary accreditation for matters of self-interest is in violation of a direct responsibility to the profession, has acted unethically and perhaps illegally, and lastly, may become the subject of disciplinary action.

For example, a good friend of yours on the other side of the State wants to take their childs animal to a livestock show. The application form requires a health certificate and blood test. They want you to fill out a form on their behalf and just mail it to them and then they will take the blood sample and send it in. You know they are capable of drawing blood and generally have really healthy, well taken care of animals. However, you have an ethical obligation to your profession and a legal obligation to the Federal Government to conduct the physical exam yourself and submit the blood samples, or refer them to an accredited veterinarian in their area. Self interest should not supersede your ethical and legal obligations. Next we will look at real examples of accreditation violations and their outcomes.

Real Accreditation ViolationsPage 11 of 24

For this section of the module, you will be introduced to various statements from the CFR as it pertains to the responsibilities of Accredited Veterinarians. Then a real-life example of a violation will be explained as will the consequences the veterinarian faced as result of the infraction. CFR 161.4(a) An accredited veterinarian shall not issue a certificate, form, record or report which reflects the results of any inspection, test, vaccination or treatment performed by him or her with respect to any animal, other than those in regular health maintenance programs, unless he or she has personally inspected that animal within 10 days prior to issuance. Inspections under this paragraph must be conducted in a location that allows the accredited veterinarian sufficient space to observe the animal in such a manner as to detect abnormalities related to areas such as, but not limited to, locomotion, body excretion, respiration, and skin conditions. An accredited veterinarian shall examine such an animal showing abnormalities, in order to determine whether or not there is clinical evidence compatible with the presence or absence of a communicable disease. Example 1: Do not issue a certificate unless you have properly inspected the animal(s) A livestock producer in one State had a group of 8-week-

old feeder pigs that needed to be shipped to another State. The animals were born and raised on one farm and owned by the same livestock producer their entire life. The livestock producer provided the veterinary clinics office staff with all the pertinent information so that a CVI could be completed. A State CVI was filled out with all the pertinent details, including tattoo information for the pigs. The AV signed it, without inspecting the animals, and the livestock producer picked up the CVI. Upon arrival in the destination state, the animals were inspected and the tattoo numbers not only didnt match the pigs in the livestock trailer the pigs had no tattoos on them whatsoever. The pigs were refused entry and had to be returned to the owner. He did not have facilities to accommodate the pigs and had to make emergency arrangements to get them feed and water. After extensive discussions with the AVIC and IES explaining the seriousness of the infraction, the AV received an Official Letter of Warning since this was his/her first violation. Ethically, s/he should never have signed the CVI without inspecting the animals. The pigs could have been ill, not fit for travel, or potentially carrying a foreign animal disease. The animals were transported in violation of federal regulations and the owner suffered financial repercussions because of the AV's actions.


Fraud and False Statements in the U.S. Code, Title 18 (Crimes and Criminal Procedure), Chapter 47, Section 1001 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/home.action states that anyone who falsifies health certificates (knowingly and willfully makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry) shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. Example 2: Falsifying government documents Health certificates are legal documents and they should only be completed according to the rules set forth by the importing State or country. In this case, a dog was being exported overseas with the owners on an extended vacation. The owners called the veterinary clinic asking for an APHIS Form 7001, U.S. Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals to take with them on this trip. The veterinarian had seen the animal three weeks prior to this and performed its annual physical examination and administered booster vaccinations. The client did not want to bring the animal back for another examination, so the veterinarian completed the form with today's date, not the examination date, and left it at the front desk for them to retrieve the next afternoon.

The veterinarian failed to comply with the requirements of the destination country. This country required imported animals be examined by a veterinarian, in person, within 10 days of arrival in that country. In this case, the veterinarian recorded a false date for the exam. Technically, this is a criminal violation for falsifying government documents and a temporary suspension of accreditation status is likely.


CFR 161.4(d) An accredited veterinarian shall perform official tests, inspections, treatments, and vaccinations and shall submit specimens to designated laboratories in accordance with Federal and State regulations and instructions issued to the accredited veterinarian by the Veterinarian-in-Charge. There are many responsibilities in this statement and we will cover a few examples of how veterinarians have not abided by these regulations. Example 3: Performing official tests Some livestock shows require animals be tested for diseases such as tuberculosis. Even though this test may not be required to move the animal interstate, the test is considered an official test because there is a State/Federal eradication program for bovine tuberculosis. Many animal species can be carriers of the various Mycobacterium species and there are requirements for various animals to be tested prior to animal movement. In this particular case, swine were moving to a livestock show and had to be tested. The Accredited Veterinarian (AV) injected the pigs with 0.1mL purified protein derivative tuberculin (PPD bovis) in the cervical region rather than the base of the ear or in the vulvar lips as required. According to the health certificate submitted, the results of the test were read at 72 hours after injection, rather than at 48 hours as required for swine. Also, the pigs did not have any unique official identification. All official forms must be completely filled out to be considered official and this was clearly in violation of that regulation.

The NVAP Reference Guide http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/ vet_accreditation/downloads/nvap_ref_guide.pdf provides details related to testing animals for TB. If you ever have any questions, contact your AVIC or State Animal Health Official for assistance. Although swine are rarely found to be infected with Mycobacterium bovis, the veterinarians failure to conduct the test properly could have resulted in serious animal and human health consequences if TB-infected animals were allowed to move. It did affect this veterinarians ability to perform accredited work on behalf of the USDA-APHIS-VS. The case was investigated by IES. The veterinarian had his/her accreditation status suspended for 30 days. Ethically, AVs are in a partnership with USDA-APHIS-VS to ensure that animals are healthy, fit for travel, and do not pose a risk of disease transmission to animals and humans. By agreeing to become accredited, veterinarians must do what is ethical as it relates to completion of official documents and corresponding tests and vaccinations. This veterinarian not only lost income during his/her suspension but also lost the respect of his/her colleagues and clients.


CFR 161.4(d) An accredited veterinarian shall perform official tests, inspections, treatments, and vaccinations and shall submit specimens to designated laboratories in accordance with Federal and State regulations and instructions issued to the accredited veterinarian by the Veterinarian-in-Charge. Example 4: Performing official tests Providing a medical service for a clients animal(s) is the backbone of a veterinarians income. Accredited Veterinarians can supplement that income by participating in eradication and control programs on behalf of the USDA-APHIS-VS. It is important to remember that you ethically represent the Federal Government when performing accredited duties not your client. In this case, a veterinarian submitted 60 blood samples and paperwork indicating s/he had drawn these blood samples from 2 different herds of swine. When the Area Epidemiologist reviewed the test results for all 60 samples, he noticed an unusual titer pattern. Further testing by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories and a private laboratory that conducts DNA testing showed that the samples were actually from 15 animals, split 4 ways to become 60 samples. The Accredited Veterinarian was originally paid for 60 samples ($270) and 2 farm calls ($40 each). Upon discovery of his/her violation, this veterinarian had his/her accreditation revoked for two years in all States where s/he was accredited. For a financial gain of $350, this veterinarian

lost thousands of dollars in potential future income. This was a serious infraction of accreditation responsibilities that not only affected the health status of the animals in the herd and the financial well being of the herd owner, but also affected the entire swine industry and the confidence of U.S. trading partners.


CFR 161.4(h) An accredited veterinarian shall keep himself or herself currently informed on Federal and State regulations that are provided to him or her by the Veterinarian-in-Charge, or by a State official through the Veterinarian-in-Charge, governing the movement of animals, and on procedures applicable to disease control and eradication programs, including emergency programs. Example 5: Failure to stay informed An Accredited Veterinarian issued a CVI for cattle to be moved from one State to another without having negative test results for brucellosis or tuberculosis, which was a requirement for such movements to be legal. The producer in the destination State received the cattle but the farm was subsequently quarantined by the State because of the unknown disease status. This producer also had to pay to have the cattle TB and brucellosis tested. Fortunately, the animals all tested negative but animal and human health were put at risk because regulations were not followed. Also there were financial implications for the receiving producer for testing and quarantine. An informal conference was held between the regulatory veterinarians and the AV who failed to abide by the CFR. The accredited veterinarian admitted to the error and promised to verify the test requirements and health status of animals prior to issuing certificates in the future. S/he was issued a letter of warning as well as a civil penalty stipulation agreement for $1250.


CFR 161.4(i) An accredited veterinarian shall not use or dispense in any manner, any pharmaceutical, chemical, vaccine or serum, or other biological product authorized for use under any Federal regulation or cooperative disease eradication program, in contravention of applicable Federal or State statutes, regulations, and policies.

Example 6: Violation of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation The FDA regulates the interstate movement of biological products, and an Accredited Veterinarian obtained a drug and distributed it across State lines. As a result of this infraction, s/he lost his/her privilege to perform USDA accredited work for a period of not less than 2 years and was fined $100,000 by the FDA and had to pay $50,000 for the cost of investigation and prosecution. The case was also turned over to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine to determine whether the veterinarians license would be affected. While not a very long example, it is the case that resulted in the most severe penalties of those discussed here. An AV has extraordinary responsibilities, and with that comes an expectation of professional and ethical behavior on behalf of USDA-APHIS-VS, the veterinarians clientele and colleagues. Misbranded drugs can cause illness or death if given to an animal improperly, either by incorrect dosage or route; they may enter the human food supply if appropriate withdrawal times are not followed; and they could cause anaphylaxis or accidental death if injected into humans (depending on the drug).


CFR 161.4 (j) An accredited veterinarian shall be responsible for the security and proper use of all official certificates, forms, records, and reports; tags, bands, or other identification devices; and approved digital signature capabilities used in his or her work as an accredited veterinarian and shall take reasonable care to prevent the misuse thereof. An accredited veterinarian shall immediately report to the Veterinarian-in-Charge the loss, theft, or deliberate or accidental misuse of any such certificate, form, record, or report; tag, band, or other identification device; or approved digital signature capability. Example 7: Restricted movement permits not maintained under security Movement of animals that are positive for a State/Federal program disease, such as pseudorabies, tuberculosis, or brucellosis requires a special Restricted Movement Permit to ensure they go directly to slaughter (or to a diagnostic lab for necropsy) rather than being sold to another

livestock operation where they could expose additional animals to disease. In this case, a packet of Permits for Movement of Restricted Livestock was left unattended in a sale barn (livestock auction market). Someone (other than the Accredited Veterinarian who had responsibility for the permits) obtained several of them and used a rubber signature stamp for the veterinarians signature on the permit in order to move pigs. In this case, the AVs accreditation was suspended for 90 days. It is imperative that all official documents be secured in such a way this type of infraction does not happen in the future. This could result in disease spread, not only to animals, but to people in the case of TB-infected or brucellosis-infected animals. Under the Animal Health Protection Act in the U.S.Code, Title 7, Chapter 109, Section 8313 it also states that ANYONE who falsifies health certificates (knowingly forges, counterfeits, or, without authority from the Secretary, uses, alters, defaces, or destroys any certificate, permit, or other document) can be held civilly or criminally accountable for their actions. This can result in fines and/or imprisonment for the person caught with the Permits (as in this case) or any other official documents.


CFR 160.1 Definitions Sign, (Signed). For an accredited veterinarian to put his or her signature in his or her own hand, or by means of an approved digital signature, on a certificate, form, record, or report. No certificate, form, record, or report is signed if: (1) Someone other than the accredited veterinarian has signed it on behalf of or in the name of the accredited veterinarian, regardless of the authority granted them by the accredited veterinarian; or (2) If any mechanical device, other than an approved digital signature, has been used to affix the signature. Example 8: Definition of signed CVIs must be completed accurately and completely and signed to be considered official documents. Accredited Veterinarians may have their signature made into a rubber stamp for use on rabies certificates to enable faster processing in the clinic. Rubber stamps can NOT be used on CVIs because according to the CFR, it is not a valid signature. Rubber stamps can NOT be used on official test charts either. If a rubber signature stamp is used, there is no way to guarantee that a veterinarian actually inspected the animals on the CVI. CVIs must be stored in a secure location to prevent misuse as occurred with the Permits for Restricted Livestock example discussed previously.

As an Accredited Veterinarian, you take on the responsibility of inspecting, testing, and vaccinating animals on behalf of USDA-APHIS-VS. To maintain the continued health of our Nations animals and a strong export market with our trading partners, AVs must follow regulations and act in a professional and ethical manner.

Scenario- What would you do?Page 19 of 24

It is Friday afternoon on a beautiful summer day in Oregon. You have just returned to the clinic after another busy day and your office manager tells you the Hatfields called about a llama. They had a female in for breeding and now it needs to go back home to Utah. They need you to call right away to get a CVI so the owner can take her with them, he explains. Thanks Rich. I will call them and find out what is needed, you say. Mr. Hatfield, Doc Martens here. I understand you need a CVI for one of your clients animals. How soon until they come to pick her up? you ask. Thanks for calling so quick Doc. They will be here in the morning to get her and I told them they needed

health papers before they can leave. Can you come out today and leave the CVI with us? Mr. Hatfield asks. I can come out today Mr. Hatfield, but due to testing regulations, the animal wont be able to leave tomorrow. I need to make a phone call to check on the most recent requirements for an animal to enter Utah. If memory serves, I think it has to be tested for tuberculosis, maybe even brucellosis. Why dont you call the owner and explain the situation while I find out exactly what tests I need to run. If the owner would like to speak with me, have him call my office, you explain.


After hanging up, you call the Office of the State Animal Health Official in Utah and discover the llama needs to be tested for brucellosis within the last 30 days and tuberculosis within the last 60 days prior to entry into Utah. If it had the testing done to travel to Oregon, that would be sufficient. Before you can call Mr. Hatfield to find out, Rich informs you the llamas owners are on the phone. Hello, this is Doc Marten. Doc, my name is Delores Reece and the Hatfields had my llama at their farm for breeding. We are planning on taking her home tomorrow, but Mr. Hatfield says that the llama needs some tests or something and health papers? Can you explain the situation to me? Ms. Reece in order for your llama to travel interstate to Utah I need to have a current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection accurately listing the origin and destination addresses for the animal (the consignor and consignee). Plus you will need a current brucellosis and TB test for the llama, says Doc Marten. I paid my vet for a CVI to travel to Oregon; I don't understand why I need another one. My llama was only there a little less than a month - what disease could she have picked up at the Hatfields' farm? They are good people and take really good care of their animals, Ms. Reece states. I agree that the Hatfields take very good care of their animals, but that is not the issue. We have to meet the state of destination requirements which may be different than our state's entry requirements. "Oregon did not require a brucellosis or TB test to allow your llama to enter our state, but Utah requires those tests for all camelids - a llama is a camelid - so you cannot take your llama home until you complete the brucellosis and TB tests and get a CVI," you explain.

Well, I know my animal is healthy and I already paid my vet before we left, so I really dont see any need for your visit and the added costs. I will just load her up tomorrow and be on my way without the papers. Thanks for your help, Ms. Reece says and hangs up.


You stand there listening to the dial tone, stunned. She doesnt want a CVI because of the expense. She isnt your client and is coming tomorrow to pick up the llama. What do you do now? What responsibility do you have to make sure that animal meets the entry requirements of Utah? As an Accredited Veterinarian, do you have any authority to force someone to comply with the state of destination's entry requirements?

SummaryPage 23 of 24 Accredited Veterinarians have extraordinary responsibilities. They perform health certifications to ensure that animals transported between States and exported to other countries do not introduce disease. They also help USDA conduct surveillance and monitoring for diseases of concern.

As a private practitioner, working for clients can bring about certain ethical dilemmas, as this module portrayed. It is

important to understand your professional and ethical responsibilities so you can make appropriate decisions to maintain your integrity, accreditation, and licensure status. As an Accredited Veterinarian, you will be a key professional in assuring the health of Americas livestock, poultry, and companion animals.

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