P & P practice

Authors: Christensen NH
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 34, Issue 5, pp 73-74, May 1986
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: General
Subject Terms: Ethics, Management, Veterinary profession
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Page 15 of the new Guide to Professional Conduct under practice categories lists the categories which may be used: Domestic pet (or companion animal) veterinary services. Equine (or horse) veterinary services. Farm (or production animal) veterinary services. General veterinary services, which are “standardised to avoid any confusion or misleading of the public”. I would like to see the inclusion of the category poultry, or more generally, avian veterinary services. The requirements of the poultry industry for veterinary services are likely to increase with current changes in the industry, and our past neglect of this sector could possibly be compensated for by an expression of our willingness to look after the animal health needs of avian clients. I doubt if any member of the profession could substantiate an argument that poultry, and indeed birds in general are outwith the categories mentioned above, and a potential avian client would not gain much useful information as to whom to consult from a list restricted to the above categories. As the other categories have an alternative, I wish to propose the addition of at least one more category “Avian (or poultry) veterinary services”. This leads me into the difficult position of the intensive pig farmer client in the New Zealand veterinary scene. Undoubtedly, the pig is a “production animal”, but the veterinary services required by the modern, intensive pig farmer are…

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