The following FAQs provide simplified explanations and answers about the VCPR.
For a complete definition of the VCPR, read the VCPR section of the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics.
Q: What is a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)?
A: A Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship, or VCPR for short, exists when your veterinarian knows your pet well enough to be able to diagnose and treat any medical conditions your animal develops. Your part of the VCPR is allowing your veterinarian to take responsibility for making clinical judgments about your pet's health, asking questions to make sure you understand, and following your veterinarian's instructions. Your veterinarian's part of the VCPR involves making those judgments, accepting the responsibility for providing your pet with medical care, advising you about the benefits and risks of different treatment options, keeping a written record of your pet's medical care, and helping you know how to get emergency care for your pet if the need should arise.
Q: How is a VCPR established and maintained?
A: A VCPR is established only when your veterinarian examines your animal in person, and is maintained by regular veterinary visits as needed to monitor your animal's health. If a VCPR...
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from www.PetMD.com
The Truth About 'Titering' Instead of Vaccination
Thanks to the veterinary profession’s small animal contingent, the world has some new verbs: To "titer" or "titering," as in the act of submitting a blood sample to determine whether an animal has enough antibodies to ensure immunity against a particular disease.
The idea behind the surge in this verb’s popularity has to do with its use as a vaccine surrogate. So instead of receiving a vaccine against parvovirus this year, Fluffy will have her blood drawn and tested to see if her antibody levels against parvo are high enough for her immune system to overcome an attack of this virus, should she be exposed to it.
With the help of titers, animals need only receive their puppy/kitten vaccines, with the additional booster a year later, and from there on live forever free of the potential tyranny of a bad vaccine reaction. That is, as long as the antibody levels are demonstrably high, year after year.
Simple, right?
Not so fast. Here’s what I had to say about titers a couple of years ago:
"The idea is to lower a pet’s risk of exposure to too many vaccines … but is...
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