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Delaware Code Title 24. Professions and Occupations § 3303A. Veterinarian-client-patient relationship

Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) For a veterinarian to practice veterinary medicine, a veterinarian-client-patient relationship must be established and maintained.  Except as provided under subsection (b) of this section, a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is established and maintained if all of the following are met:

(1) The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making medical judgements regarding the health of the patient and the client has agreed to follow the veterinarian's instructions.

(2) The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the patient.  This means that the veterinarian is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the patient by virtue of a timely examination of the patient, or medically-appropriate and timely visits to the operation where the patient is managed.

(3) The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up evaluation or has arranged for the following:  veterinary emergency coverage and continuing care and treatment.

(4) The veterinarian provides oversite of treatment, compliance, and outcome.

(5) Patient records are maintained.

(b) In operations where there are several animals, such as shelters, farms, laboratories, or zoos, the veterinarian-client-patient requirement may be established and maintained by 1 of the following:

(1) Examination of health, laboratory, or production records.

(2) Consultation with owners, managers, directors, caretakers, or other supervisory staff who oversee the health-care management of the operation.

(3) Maintenance of information regarding the local epidemiology of diseases for the appropriate species.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Delaware Code Title 24. Professions and Occupations § 3303A. Veterinarian-client-patient relationship - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/de/title-24-professions-and-occupations/de-code-sect-24-3303a/

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