During an AAEP presentation sponsored by American Regent Animal Health, veterinarians* discussed the ethical, legal and practical challenges veterinarians face. Nancy S. Loving, DVM, captured the discussion in this article.
Equine veterinarians must balance horse welfare with client preferences and financial limitations through informed consent, communication, and sound judgment.“
Source: EquiManagement, November 3, 2026. Link. Babcock, speaking from a perspective as both a veterinarian and lawyer, distinguished “standard of care” from “standards of practice” and “best practice”:
- Standard of care is the minimum legally acceptable level of care under the circumstances; it can vary with state jurisdictional requirements.
- Standards of practice reflect professional expectations.
- Best practice might involve obtaining a definitive diagnosis before choosing targeted treatment.
The legal minimum establishes the threshold for determining whether an option falls within an acceptable spectrum of care.
* Sarah Babcock, DVM, JD; Barb Crabbe, DVM; Bibi Freer, DVM; Glennon Mays, DVM; and Coralie Morauw, DVM
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