The importance of a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship

Whether caring for a family pet, a backyard flock, or a herd of cattle, establishing a strong relationship with a veterinarian is one of the most important steps in maintaining animal health. A Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) serves as the foundation for quality veterinary care, allowing veterinarians to provide medical guidance, prescribe treatments, and respond quickly when health concerns arise. Understanding what a VCPR is and why it matters can help animal owners ensure their animals receive the care they need.

What is it?
A Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship, or VCPR, is a legally defined relationship between a veterinarian, their human clients, and their furry or feathered patients. This relationship allows vets to diagnose diseases, create health plans, and prescribe medications along with other animal health practices. 

How is a VCPR established?
A VCPR is established when a veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal or herd that will be part of the VCPR. Sufficient knowledge is gained through a veterinary examination, medically appropriate and timely visits to the place where animals are housed, and continuity of care with ongoing health problems. This may look different for the type of animal for which you are establishing a VCPR. With a pet, this typically includes a physical examination at the vet’s office. With larger livestock, the animals either need to be hauled into the vet’s practice or visited by a vet who makes house calls. When it comes to large herds, such as with cattle production, physical, hands-on examination of every animal is not usually possible. Typically having a visual examination of the herd in corrals or as animals move through working facilities allows the vet to gather the well-being of the herd. Just as at the doctor’s office for a human, questions about the history of the animal’s health and well-being, nutrition, recent problems etc. are common. In some states, including Arizona, a VCPR can be established using electronic communication, excluding food production animals. This must include video and audio capabilities.

The Importance
When a Vet-Client-Patient Relationship is established, the vet takes on many responsibilities to fulfill their side of the relationship. In Arizona, the vet becomes responsible for making any medical judgements, deciding the necessary treatments, and being available for follow-up evaluation or have arrangements in place to provide emergency care and continued treatment for the animals. The owner or caretaker, the client part of the relationship, agrees to follow instructions given by the vet.

All of this is to aid in the care of the animals. If a vet knows the animal or herd well, they can make better decisions when illness or emergencies occur. This allows for the nuances between individual animals and environments to be accounted for when diagnosing and treating. Hands-on examinations allow veterinarians a full picture of the animal’s health, even things that may not show up in everyday behavior. In addition, federal law mandates that some medications cannot be prescribed without an active VCPR. 

Livestock
For livestock, VCPRs function the same. A vet needs to have sufficient knowledge of the herd, which includes laying eyes on the herd usually at least once a year. Many producers conduct these evaluations during pregnancy checks or other processing activities when animals are brought into corrals and moved through a chute. It’s just as important to have a VCPR in food producing animals as in pets. This allows vets to know the herd and be able to address disease and illness, prescribe medications when needed, and issue health certificates. In addition to medication restrictions outside of this relationship, a VCPR is required for any veterinarian feed directive (VFD) or extra-label drug use in animals. 

Conclusion
Establishing and maintaining a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship is an important part of responsible animal ownership and livestock management. A VCPR helps ensure animals receive timely, appropriate veterinary care while giving veterinarians the knowledge needed to make sound medical decisions. Whether for a family pet or a livestock herd, an active VCPR supports animal health, aids in disease prevention and treatment, and ensures access to important veterinary services and medications when they are needed most.

Katie H. Spanyers serves as an Assistant Agent for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. She supports livestock production in Yavapai and Coconino Counties.