Legal and ethical use of drugs is tied to a "valid veterinarian-client relationship." The elements of such a valid relationship as defined by the AVMA and incorporated into the Federal Statutes are: The Veterinarian is responsible for medical judgments on the health and treatment of the animal(s) and the client (owner/agent) agrees to follow the veterinarian's instructions. Through physical examination of the animal(s) and/or medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animals(s) are kept, the Veterinarian is sufficiently knowledgeable of the animal(s) to make a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical problem. The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in case of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy. Such a relationship can only exist when the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal(s) by virtue of examination of the animal(s), and/or medicaly appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animals are kept.
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