Alternative Therapy Consent
The following are considered to be alternative therapy in veterinary medicine, and are used in conjunction with other conventional treatments that are available in veterinary medicine. All require a valid veterinarian / client / patient relationship and an examination by the veterinarian to determine that the treatment will not harm the patient.
- Chiropractic and other forms of Musculoskeletal Manipulation are systems of therapeutic application of mechanical forces applied manually through the hands or any mechanical device to treat and/or alleviate impaired or altered function of related components of the musculoskeletal system of nonhuman animals. A non-veterinarian employee or an independent contractor may perform these procedures on an animal under the direct or general supervision of the veterinarian.
- Acupuncture:
- Only licensed veterinarians may use acupuncture in the care and medical treatment of animals.
- The insertion of an acupuncture needle and the application of moxibustion to specific areas of a nonhuman animal’s body to relieve the discomfort associated with painful disorders, to induce surgical anesthesia, and for therapeutic purposes; and
- The administration of thermal or electrical treatments or the recommendation of dietary guidelines, energy flow exercise, or dietary or herbal supplements in conjunction with the treatment described by the preceding paragraph.
- Holistic Medicine is the practice of veterinary medicine that believes in a blend of alternative and, if need be, conventional approaches of treatment in an effort to develop a system of complementary medicine to treat the whole patient. Only licensed veterinarians may use holistic medicine in the medical treatment of animals. In practice, it incorporates less conventional methods such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, and applied kinesiology, with more conventional methods, such as modern drugs, surgery and diagnostics.
- Homeopathy is a system of therapeutics in which diseases are treated by substances which are capable of producing in healthy animals symptoms like those of the disease to be treated, the substance being administered in minute doses. Only licensed veterinarians may use homeopathy in the medical treatment of animals.
- Class IV Laser Therapy is a safe and non-invasive treatment and has been cleared by the FDA to emit photon energy for the relief of minor muscle and joint pain, muscle spasm, pain and stiffness associated with minor arthritis, promoting relaxation of muscle tissue, and increase local blood circulation.
By signing this consent form, I am acknowledging that I am the owner of the animal noted above (or an authorized caretaker), and that I have been informed of conventional treatments that are also available and their probable ability to cure or treat the condition. Veterinarians who practice any form of Alternative Therapy shall exercise the same degree of humane care, skill, and diligence in treating patients as are ordinarily used in the same or similar circumstances by average members of the veterinary medical profession in good standing in the locality or community, or in similar locations or communities, in which they practice.
This signed statement will become a part of the medical record.