According to the AVMA Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics, it is unethical, and in New York State, unlawful, for a veterinarian to write a prescription or dispense a prescription drug outside a Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR). In order to maintain a VCPR, your veterinarian must see your pet regularly – how regularly they need to see your pet depends on your pet’s health. If your pet is on a prescription medicine, your veterinarian may need to reexamine your pet, check blood work, or perform other tests to monitor your pet’s response to treatment and determine if the medication needs to be changed. For example, a cat being treated for hyperthyroidism needs to be reevaluated regularly to make sure the dosage is having the effect it needs to have and that no secondary conditions requiring changes in therapy have developed.
