Section 7.02. Delegation of veterinary medical acts.

 

(1)  The following acts are limited to those holding a license under s. 89.06 (1) , 89.06 (2m) (a) , or 89.072 , Stats.; a permit under s. VE 3.05 , 5.03 or 6.02 ; or active status as a student at a college of veterinary medicine approved by the board, and may not be delegated to or performed by veterinary technicians or other persons not holding such license or permit:

(a) Diagnosis and prognosis of animal diseases and conditions.

(b) Prescribing of drugs, medicines, treatments and appliances.

(c) Performing surgery.

(2)  Except as provided under s. 95.21 (2) , Stats., veterinarians may delegate to veterinary students the provision of veterinary medical services under the direct supervision of the veterinarian when the veterinarian is personally present on the premises where the services are provided.

(3)  Except as provided under s. 95.21 (2) , Stats., veterinarians may delegate to certified veterinary technicians the provision of the following veterinary medical services under the direct supervision of the veterinarian:

(a) Nonsurgical veterinary treatment of animal diseases and conditions, including administration of vaccines, including rabies vaccines.

(b) Observations and findings related to animal diseases and conditions to be utilized by a veterinarian in establishing a diagnosis or prognosis, including routine radiographs, nonsurgical specimen collection, drawing of blood for diagnostic purposes, and laboratory testing procedures.

(c) Administration of sedatives and presurgical medications.

(e) Nutritional evaluation and counseling.

(4)  Veterinarians may delegate to certified veterinary technicians the provision of the following veterinary medical services under the direct supervision of the veterinarian when the veterinarian is personally present on the premises where the services are provided:

(a) Administration of local or general anesthesia, including induction and monitoring.

(b) Performing diagnostic radiographic contrast studies.

(c) Dental prophylaxis and simple extractions that require minor manipulation and minimal elevation.

(5)  Veterinarians may delegate to unlicensed assistants the provision of the following veterinary medical services under the direct supervision of the veterinarian:

(a) Basic diagnostic studies, including routine radiographs, nonsurgical specimen collection, and laboratory testing procedures.

(b) Monitoring and reporting to the veterinarian changes in the condition of a hospitalized animal patient.

(c) Dispensing prescription drugs pursuant to the written order of the veterinarian.

(6)  Except as provided under s. 95.21 , Stats., veterinarians may delegate to unlicensed assistants the provision of the following veterinary medical services under the direct supervision of the veterinarian when the veterinarian is personally present on the premises where the services are provided:

(a) Nonsurgical veterinary treatment of animal diseases and conditions, including administration of vaccines, and administration of sedatives and presurgical medications.

(b) Observations and findings related to animal diseases and conditions to be utilized by a veterinarian in establishing a diagnosis or prognosis, including the drawing of blood for diagnostic purposes.

(c) Dental prophylaxis.

(d) Nutritional evaluation and counseling.

(7)  Notwithstanding subs. (1) to (6) , a veterinary student, certified veterinary technician or unlicensed assistant employed by a veterinarian may, under the direct supervision of the veterinarian and pursuant to mutually acceptable written protocols, perform evaluative and treatment procedures necessary to provide an appropriate response to life-threatening emergency situations for the purpose of stabilizing the patient pending further treatment.

(8)  In delegating the provision of veterinary medical acts to veterinary students, certified veterinary technicians and others, the veterinarian shall do all of the following:

(a) Delegate only those tasks commensurate with the education, training, experience and demonstrated abilities of the person supervised.

(b) Provide the supervision required under subs. (2) to (7) .

(c) Where the veterinarian is not required to be personally present on the premises where the delegated services are provided, be available at all times for consultation either in person or within 15 minutes of contact by telephone, by video conference or by electronic communication device.

(d) Observe and monitor the activities of those supervised on a daily basis.

(e) Evaluate the effectiveness of delegated acts performed under supervision on a daily basis.

(f) Establish and maintain a daily log of each delegated patient service which has been provided off the premises of the supervising veterinarian.

(g) Notify the client that some services may be provided by a veterinary student, certified veterinary technician or an unlicensed assistant.

History: Cr. Register, September, 1989, No. 405 , eff. 10-1-89; r. and recr., Register, May, 1994, No. 461 , eff. 6-1-94; am. (1) (intro.), (3) (intro.), (a) to (c), (4) (intro.), (a) and (b), (5) (a) and (b), (6) (a) to (c), (7) and (8), Register, December, 1998, No. 516 , eff. 1-1-99; CR 13-031 : am. (3) (a), r. (3) (d), am. (4) (c), (8) (c) Register April 2014 No. 700 , eff. 5-1-14; correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register October 2015 No. 718 .