1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person may not practice veterinary medicine in this State except within the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
2. A licensed veterinarian may, in good faith and without the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, provide emergency or urgent care to an animal when a client cannot be identified.
3. A veterinarian has a veterinarian-client-patient relationship concerning an animal if the veterinarian:
(a) Assumes responsibility for making medical judgments concerning the health of the animal and the need for medical treatment of the animal;
(b) Has knowledge of the present care and health of the animal sufficient to provide at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal, which knowledge must have been acquired by:
(1) Conducting a physical examination of the animal; or
(2) Visiting, within a period of time that is appropriate for the medical issue in question, the premises where the animal is kept;
(c) Obtains an agreement with the client to follow the instructions provided by the veterinarian for the care and medical treatment of the animal;
(d) Is readily available for follow-up evaluation or has arranged for:
(1) Emergency or urgent care coverage; or
(2) Continuing medical care and treatment which has been designated by the veterinarian to be provided by another licensed veterinarian who:
(I) Has access to the medical records of the animal; or
(II) Can provide reasonable and appropriate medical care; and
(e) Provides oversight of treatment.
4. A veterinarian-client-patient relationship is not established solely through veterinary telemedicine. However, once established, a veterinarian-client-patient relationship may be maintained via veterinary telemedicine between:
(a) Medically necessary examinations; or
(b) Visits, within periods of time that are appropriate for the medical issue in question, to the premises where the animal is kept.
5. In the absence of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), any advice which is provided through electronic means must be general and not specific to a particular animal or its diagnosis or treatment.
(b) Advice and recommendations may be provided via veterinary telemedicine in an emergency, but only until the animal can be examined in person by a licensed veterinarian.
(Added to NRS by 2021, 872)
Structure Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 638 - Veterinary Medicine; Euthanasia Technicians
NRS 638.0015 - "Agency" defined.
NRS 638.002 - "Animal" defined.
NRS 638.004 - "Board" defined.
NRS 638.005 - "Euthanasia technician" defined.
NRS 638.007 - "Licensed veterinarian" defined.
NRS 638.008 - "Practice of veterinary medicine" defined.
NRS 638.009 - "School of veterinary medicine" defined.
NRS 638.011 - "Veterinarian" defined.
NRS 638.012 - "Veterinary medicine" defined.
NRS 638.013 - "Veterinary technician" defined.
NRS 638.014 - "Veterinary telemedicine" defined.
NRS 638.015 - Applicability of chapter.
NRS 638.017 - Service of process: Methods; filing and recording of proof.
NRS 638.020 - Creation; number, appointment, qualifications and removal of members.
NRS 638.030 - Oaths of members.
NRS 638.060 - Meetings; quorum.
NRS 638.070 - Regulations; powers regarding employees, investigations and evidence and offices.
NRS 638.073 - Administration of oaths.
NRS 638.077 - Inspection of facilities.
NRS 638.080 - Duties of Executive Director; deposit, use and payment of Board’s money.
NRS 638.089 - Records: Additional provisions governing confidentiality and disclosure.
NRS 638.090 - Unlawful to practice without license.
NRS 638.110 - Examination for license to practice veterinary medicine; regulations.
NRS 638.116 - Euthanasia technician: Application for license; qualifications; fee.
NRS 638.117 - Euthanasia technician: Examination.
NRS 638.118 - Euthanasia technician: Duties upon cessation of qualified employment.
NRS 638.119 - Euthanasia technician: Regulations.
NRS 638.122 - Veterinary technician: Application for license; qualifications; fee.
NRS 638.123 - Veterinary technician: Examination; regulations.
NRS 638.124 - Veterinary technician: Regulations; responsibility of supervising veterinarian.
NRS 638.129 - Removal of limitation or suspension of license; reinstatement of revoked license.
NRS 638.132 - Regulations for licensure of facility in which veterinary medicine is practiced.
NRS 638.1402 - Fraudulent acts.
NRS 638.1416 - Physical examination of animal after filing of complaint concerning care of animal.
NRS 638.1419 - Conduct of investigation.
NRS 638.1429 - Procedure after investigation of complaint completed.
NRS 638.1445 - Search warrant.
NRS 638.145 - Evidentiary standard for refusing to issue license or taking disciplinary action.
NRS 638.148 - Judicial review.
NRS 638.151 - Legal representation of Board at hearing.
NRS 638.1515 - Requirements for proof.
NRS 638.152 - Immunity from civil action.
NRS 638.153 - Criminal prosecution not precluded by disciplinary or other action.
NRS 638.155 - Injunctive relief for violations of chapter.
NRS 638.1551 - Injunctive relief for unprofessional conduct.
NRS 638.1555 - Allegation necessary for injunction.
NRS 638.160 - Prosecution of violators by Attorney General or district attorneys.