GOVT. REGULATION REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF PVT. VET PATHOLOGICAL LAB CUM X-RAY MACHINE

Veterinary Council of India

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the _____________________

GSR __________ In exercise of the powers conferred under preamble read with clause of sub-section (2) of section 66 of the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984 (52 of 1984), the Veterinary Council of India, with the previous approval of the Central Government, hereby makes the following regulations namely Veterinary Council of India – (Veterinary Practice) Regulations, 2005.

                                                                              PART – I

                                                                          PRELIMIMARY

1. Short Title and Commencement —

(i) These regulations may be called the “Veterinary Council of India – (Veterinary

Practice) Regulations, 2005”. (These regulations are part of the total set of regulations

to be framed in a phased manner so as to include all the spheres of activities in which

the services of veterinarians are required. The present regulations pertain to the

veterinary services rendered by registered veterinarians in respect of disease diagnosis, medical, surgical and gynaecological/reproductive aid to animals.)

(ii) They shall come into force with immediate effect from the date of publication in the

Official Gazette.

2. Definitions – In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires:-

(a) ‘Act’ means the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984 (52 of 1984).

(b) ‘Animal’ means any animal insect other than humans and includes, but not limited to,

fowl, fish, birds and reptiles, wild or domestic, living or dead.

(c) ‘Animal Ambulance’ means a mode of transport by road/air/rail/water which carries sick

or injured animals safely to or from a veterinary dispensary, veterinary hospital, veterinary polyclinic, or a veterinary clinic.

(d) ‘Client’ means and includes the owner of the patient or his/her representative who

presents the patient(s) to a veterinarian and/or seeks his/her advice and treatment.

(e) ‘Consultant’ means a registered Veterinary practitioner who provides professional advice

on request.

(f) ‘Diagnostic Clinic’ means an institution which receives animals for the purpose of

diagnosis and has facilities of performing diagnostic tests that help in diagnosis of animal

disease.

(g) ‘Diagnostic Laboratory’ means an institution/society/organization/body which receives

samples for the purpose of diagnosis and has facilities of performing diagnostic tests

that help in diagnosis of animal disease.

(h) ‘District Veterinary Center (DVC) means an institution at the district level under the

charge of a registered Veterinary Practitioner to render Veterinary service in all of its branches, have the diagnostic facilities and facilities for both out and in-door patients

(i) ‘Emergency Veterinary Services’ means the services rendered by registered Veterinary

Practitioners as emergency measures for the benefit of the animal(s) or designated as such by the Central or State Government for specific purposes

(j) ‘Minor Veterinary Service’ means minor veterinary service rendered under supervision

and guidance of a registered Veterinary practitioner by a person trained for the purpose as prescribed under clause (b) of Section 30 of the Act.

(k) “Mobile Veterinary Practice” means providing a wide range of medical or surgical

services in a movable trailer, pick-up, or other vehicle on land or water or airship designed or modified to function as a veterinary facility.

(l) ‘Patient’ means and includes animal as defined in part I (2) (b) above and a group of

them being treated or managed or advised to be treated or managed by veterinarian(s).

(m) ‘President’ means the President of the Veterinary Council of India elected under sub-

section (4) of Section 3 of the Act.

`Regulation Committee’ means the Regulation Committee of the Veterinary Council of

India constituted under sub-section (1) of Section 12 of the Act.

(o) ‘Registered Veterinary Practitioner’ means a registered Veterinary practitioner as

defined in Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984.

(p) ‘Regulations’ means the Regulations framed by Veterinary Council of India as per the

provisions of the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984.

(q) ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Veterinary Council of India appointed under sub-

section (1) of Section 11 of the Act.

(r) ‘Specialist’ means a veterinary practitioner who provides a specialized veterinary

service or advice by virtue of his/her additional qualification(s) recognized by VCI from a recognized veterinary institution.

(s) ‘Small Animal Mobile Facility’ means a trailer or mobile unit established to function as a

veterinary premises which concentrates in providing veterinary services to common domestic household pets.

(t) ‘Special Wastes’ are hazardous or aesthetically obnoxious wastes that demand special

attention to ensure safe disposal. Special wastes include anatomical waste, blood-soaked swabs and dressings, infected animal carcasses, soiled dressings, contaminated or infectious waste from examination, treatment, and kennel rooms, pharmaceutical waste, cytotoxic waste, sharps, and syringes.

(u) ‘Veterinary Clinic’ means a place where a registered veterinary practitioner renders

services for treatment, prophylaxis, diagnosis, or advice on request of a client.

(v) ‘Veterinary Dispensary’ means a veterinary institution under the charge of a registered

Veterinary practitioner for providing out-patient veterinary services in all of its branches related to veterinary practice.

(w) ‘Veterinary Ethology’ means the scientific study of the needs of domestic animals in their

usual environments. Needs are that of nutrition, housing, hygiene, exercise,

environmental enrichment, social relationship, training, transport of animals, handling and

breeding of facilities.

(x) “Veterinary Facility” means a facility at or from which a registered veterinary practitioner

practices veterinary profession. This may include a farm building, kennel, mobile unit, vehicle, animal shelter, pet shop, animal supply store including vaccination clinics or any other veterinary services, being provided temporarily or permanently by any private or Government agency.

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‘Veterinary Hospital’ means an institution under the charge of a registered veterinary

practitioner where veterinary services are available at all times and wherein examination,

diagnostic, prophylactic, medical, surgical and extended accommodation services for

hospitalized animals are provided. The hospital shall have facility for indoor patients & at

least minimal facilities for client accommodation.

(z) ‘Veterinary Polyclinic’ means an institution under the charge of a registered veterinary

practitioner where the prescribed number of specialists gives diagnosis, health care, veterinary treatment or advises in various branches of veterinary medical service.

(aa) “Veterinary Practice” means the practice of Veterinary service delivery by a

registered Veterinary practitioners to any species of animal(s) within the sphere/practice of

the Veterinary profession in any one or all branches of Veterinary science (by whatever

name called). It calls for human skill, sound knowledge & compassion for animals.

Veterinary practice includes animal health care, clinical veterinary service, advice on the

management and production of animals, animal based technology, technical

administration & community development through animal resource development. This

shall also include management of the professional service, teaching, research and

extension in veterinary science, zoonosis control, disaster management, laboratory animal

medicine and animal welfare.

A registered Veterinary practitioner shall always strive to provide service through “Good

Veterinary practice”. He/ she shall attempt to provide quality Veterinary service for which

minimum infrastructure, standard manual of practice, transparent information, proper

record keeping, safe and compassionate handling of patient shall be available.

(bb) ‘Veterinary Practitioner’ means a person holding a veterinary qualification recognized

under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984 and registered with a State/UT Veterinary

Council.

(cc) ‘Veterinary Premises’ means any facility where the practice of veterinary medicine is

undertaken, including, but not limited to, a mobile unit, mobile clinic, outpatient clinic, livestock farm with treatment facilities, satellite clinic, public service outreach of a veterinary facility, or veterinary hospital or dispensary or polyclinic or clinic. The term ‘veterinary premises’ shall not include the premises of a client.

(dd) ‘Veterinary Profession’ means veterinary profession involving all its branches, namely,

animal health, animal reproduction, animal productivity and animal nutrition, animal product technology, genetic improvement including genetic engineering and transgenesis, and areas of sister professions wherein veterinary service is extended or is sought or is made use of, namely laboratory animal medicine, aquatic/marine animal, veterinary public health, animal experimentation and vaccine production.

(ee) “Veterinary Service” means to provide the complete range of medical, surgical,

nutritional biotechnological tools artificial insemination, embryo transfer, diagnostic, vaccination, production, nutritional biotechnological tools and all other services that alleviates pain & sufferings of livestock and zoo animals or enhance animal & human life or prevent zoonosis or animal related activities for the development of the society by a registered veterinary practitioner.

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                                                                     PART- II

                                                                           CHAPTER – I

1. Fundamentals

1. Standards of veterinary practice have been established as a mechanism by which the

profession can promote and maintain an excellent standard of practice in the treatment of animals.

2. A veterinary institution is required to declare that it fulfils all of the conditions laid down

by these regulations for each of the premises specified by the veterinary institution.

The State/UT Veterinary Council shall, after an inspection made (if deem necessary),

send the proposal to the Veterinary Council of India for accreditation/recognition of the

Veterinary Institution. For this purpose the format as prescribed by the Veterinary

Council of India is to be filled by the institution and forwarded/recommended by the

Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (by whatever name called) of

the State/UT to the State/UT Veterinary Council. In case of private clinic such

applications are to be forwarded/recommended by the District Veterinary Officer (by

whatever name called) to the State/UT Veterinary Council through the Director of

Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services.

3. In case the application is made for a particular/limited activity, it should be mentioned

in the Application and in such case, accreditation/recognition shall be considered for that activity only. The veterinary institution must specify which of their premises meet these regulations. There may be branch premises that do not qualify.

4. In setting standards for veterinary institutions, these regulations serve to protect the

best interests of clients, their animals, and the veterinary profession.

5. Recognizing the fact that there are a variety of methods and types of equipment in use

that can be of an acceptably high standard, some of the facilities required like equipments, apparatus, software, infrastructural design etc. that should be available are purposefully broad in their definition.

6. In order to render veterinary services by the registered veterinary practitioners, every

Veterinary institution under their charge should obtain accreditation/recognition by the Veterinary Council of India through the State/UT Veterinary Councils. Accreditation will be done by a committee constituted for the purpose by the Council. It will be represented by eminent members representing various services, teaching & research professionals and those in government employment.

7. Accreditation of veterinary dispensary or veterinary hospitals or veterinary polyclinics

or veterinary clinics shall be limited to location, provision of minimum facilities, hygiene, and standard operative procedure being followed and recorded/reported from time to time. They shall follow guidelines of Good Veterinary Practice.

8. Every head of the veterinary institutions providing veterinary services shall apply to the

State/UT Veterinary Council (through the State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary

Services Director), specifying the nature of the service provided for accreditation as

provided in the guidelines. The head of the veterinary institutions shall sign the

‘Declaration of Compliance’ to maintain the minimum service facilities every five years.

The accreditation which is to be renewed every five years will be subjected to

declaration of compliance.

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The Director of Veterinary Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services of the

States/UTs shall immediately (within 1 year of notification of these Regulations) submit

application in the prescribed form to the respective State/UT Veterinary Councils for

accreditation of all the existing veterinary institutions under their jurisdiction. The

State/UT Veterinary Councils on examining each proposal carefully, may recommend

to accreditate the institutions for the first instance and may prescribe certain time limit

for strengthening in phased manner by the State Government. The time limit so given

should not exceed 5 years and such a limit shall be a binding to the State A.H. and

Veterinary Services Department to fulfill all the requirements as specified in these

regulations on fulfillment of the standards or completion of the time limit, whichever is

earlier, the Director of A.H. and Veterinary Services shall submit a fresh application

along with compliance report of fulfillment to the State/UT Veterinary Council for further

consideration.

For the existing private veterinary clinics or other non-governmental veterinary

institutions, the time limit shall be maximum of one year. The procedures for fresh

application in such cases will remain the same as in the case of Government

institutions.

The State/UT Veterinary Council may, then examine such applications and recovered (either without or after inspection as deemed fit) for accreditation/rejection.

The applicant institution/authority/individual shall have to deposit the amount of fees (as fixed by Veterinary Council of India from time to time) to the State/UT Veterinary Council while making the application. Applications without the accompanying fees shall not be considered by the State/UT Veterinary Council.

The State/UT Veterinary Council shall remit ¼ th share of the fees realized for the purpose of accreditation while referring such proposals to Veterinary Council of India for consideration.

9. All veterinary institutions must make proper provision for the treatment of animals for

the relief of pain and suffering and for their further follow up treatment where

necessary.

10. Where minor veterinary services are provided within the Veterinary Institutions,

specific confirmed arrangements must be made for an emergency service to be

provided.

11. The public must be notified about the nature of veterinary services being provided at the

institution by suitable means.

12. It shall be binding on the part of State/UT Government to provide/create all the

necessary facilities as provided in these Regulations at the various Veterinary Institutions under their jurisdiction failing which the accreditation/ licensing of such institution(s) shall be withdrawn.

3. Norms For Veterinary Practice

1. A person, an agency, an institution or state providing veterinary service shall display,

in local or acceptable language, the type of the unit depicting the nature of service

being provided as defined in these regulations so that the public can request for the

available service. The institution shall be responsible for making available the

necessary facilities by way of building, equipment(s), medicine, trained personnel as

prescribed for a Good Veterinary Practice.

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2. These regulations by no way make or intend to make it mandatory on any person,

agency, institution or state to undertake veterinary practice or prohibit them from doing

so. But an agency, person or State who undertakes the onus of providing veterinary

service shall do so as prescribed and shall maintain a record of all such activities to be

made available to the accreditation agency on demand.

3. Since as per the Act, Veterinary practice includes the responsibility to supervise and

guide minor Veterinary services, every registered veterinary practitioner shall do so

without any negligence on his part and as laid down in the guidelines to be issued by

the council.

4. While governments currently hold the responsibilities of Veterinary services, there is

and shall be no bar on any institution, co-operative, non-government organizations,

and/or individual to provide any (aspect of) Veterinary service, provided that such

veterinary practice (or part thereof) shall be performed consistent with the laws

prevailing for the time being and as per the provisions of the Indian Veterinary Council

Act, 1984 (52, of 1984) and the regulations made there under.

5. Institutions other than the government and/or individuals involving themselves in

veterinary practice can choose to provide either the holistic primary veterinary service,

a specialist service or a specialized professional service, provided that registered

veterinary practitioners with the prescribed competence/qualifications are engaged to

perform such service.

6. The basics for regulating veterinary practice shall be “Good Veterinary Practice”

(GVP). Guidelines on GVP, circulated by the council for achieving an acceptable standard of Veterinary Practice shall be based on the presence of a holistic veterinary service system in the institution, state/region/country.

7. Prevention of animal diseases shall be done by registered veterinary practitioners and

as per the rules and regulations regulating such activity and as adopted by the

State/UT.

4. Personnel

1. The Veterinary professionals in charge of the Veterinary Institutions or services shall

possess a qualification included in the First or Second schedule to the Act and shall

have a valid registration in the veterinary Council of the state where he/she is

practicing.

2. All associated staff must be trained for the tasks performed by them. The assistant

veterinary technician/compounder (by whatever name called) should obtain training

from a recognized by the State/UT Government/Institution or shall be prepared to

undertake study, at the earliest, towards such training/qualifications.

3. A high standard of professional behavior, cleanliness, and personal appearance must

be maintained by all members of the Veterinary Institutions at all times.

4. The Veterinary Institutions must have, and implement, a written policy that provides for

the ongoing professional development of its veterinary surgeons and veterinary

technicians adequate to maintain a high standard of professional care. The Veterinary

Institutions should encourage regular consultations, attendance at conferences,

seminars, and meetings of the relevant professional institutions/organization/society

etc.

5. There must be sufficient trained nursing staff for proper care and observation of caged

animals. There must be a dedicated trained veterinary technician available at the time

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when animals are undergoing elective anaesthesia by a registered veterinary practitioner. At these times, they must not have other duties.

6. Every Veterinary Institution including District Veterinary Centre, Polyclinics, Veterinary

Hospital, Veterinary Dispensary must have the residential accommodation for the staff

of the institutions in the premises (veterinarian, veterinary assistants, animal

attendants etc.) for providing better and effective services.

7. The Veterinary Institution must have a library of reference books or a Ref erence

Library in electronic form. This should include latest editions covering all of the major

clinical disciplines relating to zoo and companion animal medicine and surgery. The

Veterinary Institutes must subscribe to at least one current clinical small animal,

livestock, and zoo animal journal.

8. Direct supervision of non-veterinarians: Individuals not possessing recognized

veterinary qualifications and not registered with Veterinary Council are prohibited from

practicing veterinary medicine, which includes treatment, embryo transfer, surgery,

treatment of reproductive diseases/disorders or any other related services on animals,

as defined in the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 84, except under the direction and

supervision of a registered veterinarian. Direct supervision includes the following:

(1) The licensed veterinarian must have established a veterinarian-client-patient

relationship.

(2) The treatment must be performed on the direction of a registered veterinarian.

(3) The registered veterinarian must be available on the premises and/or should be

readily available.

(4) The registered veterinarian must assume liability for the quality of any treatment

performed.

(5) The fee for services rendered, if any, shall be paid to the licensed veterinarian or

institution providing the facility.

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                                                                      CHAPTER – II

5. Premises

A. Hospitals, Clinics, Polyclinics, Dispensaries and other institutions providing

primary services:-

1. There must be a waiting room for clients that are of an adequate size and with

sufficient seating for the workload of the Veterinary Institutions. Allow a seating area

sufficient for three people (owner of patient) per consulting veterinarian.

2. There must be at least one consulting room that provides a clean and hygienic

environment for consultation in private. The room must be have running tap water.

There must be an examination table, the surface of which is impervious and able to be

cleaned and disinfected easily. Sufficient diagnostic equipment (thermometer,

stethoscope, otoscope, opthalmoscope, examination gloves, lubricant, fluorescing

strips, ophthalmic local anaesthetic drops, and weighing scales – these being the

minimum essential) to carry out routine physical examinations of the patients should

be available. At least one room must be able to be darkened or a dark room suitable

for examining patients must be available. Examination rooms should be equipped with

a suitable ventilation system or an exhaust facility to remove offensive odours rapidly.

There must be a covered area/space with Travis for examination of large animals.

3. There must be an operating room that is used solely for carrying out sterile surgical

procedures. Specifically, this room must not be used for dental work (other than that

required to have aseptic conditions) or abscess drainage. This must be equipped with

a table and suitable surgical lighting. Surgical instruments, drapes, and surgeon’s

clothing must be provided that is suitable for the types of operations performed.

4. A legible system (facility) of documenting the records of all the case histories of all the

current patients must be provided. There must be an efficient system for filing and

retrieving patient records manually or by computer .

5. Pet care accessories can be displayed for retail sale, provided that the display is of an

acceptably professional nature. The shop area must be clean and tidy, and well

organised. Merchandising signs and displays must not contain misleading messages.

Toxic and hazardous drug/chemicals must be displayed according to the requirements

of the Drug and Cosmetics Act, 1941 and Rules framed thereunder. Merchandising

should, however, not be encouraged in the Govt. Veterinary institution which are

primarily meant for public services.

6. There must be separate room(s) for the accommodation of patients. The number of

cages/rooms must commensurate with the workload of the clinics. The cages/room

must be of an adequate size for the animal to be housed. The cages/rooms must be of

safe construction and maintained in a hygienic condition. There must be solid

partitions between cages. Cages must not be able to drain waste into adjoining cages.

The cage room(s) must be well ventilated and maintained at a comfortable

temperature. There must be facilities for the hygienic preparation and storage of food

and for the cleaning and storage of utensils and food bowls. The wall and floor

surfaces of cages must be impervious to permit thorough cleaning and disinfection. If

there is a door in the kennel room opening to the outside of the building, it must be:

a) protected by an escape-proof room/frame with a second door to the

outside. This safe place between the kennel room and the outside

must be big enough to hold at least one person with an animal.

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b) If there are windows in the kennel room, they must be permanently

secured in a way that prevents animals from escaping. These

windows must be kept closed or have an animal-proof mesh fitted.

An additional accommodation facility for client(s) of an indoor patient must be made available within the premises.

7. There must be a written guideline for dealing with infectious cases. This guideline must

ensure that any other animals being treated at the clinics are not exposed to increased

risk of infection. The guideline must specify where infectious cases will be examined

and treated, and the method of disinfection used afterwards. Either facilities for the

isolation of infectious cases must be provided which are separate and remote from the

other animals or where accommodation is not available, a written guideline for dealing

with such cases must be formulated and written confirmation of the ability to refer such

cases to another clinic with correct isolation facilities must be implemented. All

Accredited Veterinary Clinics must have facilities for the isolation of infectious cases

on the premises. These facilities must have the same standard of cages as described

in (6) above.

8. The floors of all of the rooms used for client waiting, the dark room, examination,

treatment, surgery, or animal accommodation must have an impervious surface to

allow effective cleaning and disinfection. The walls of the rooms used for examination,

treatment, surgery, or accommodation of animals must be lined with materials that are

coated with an impervious surface or scrub-able (with disinfectants) painted surfaces,

to the height of 1.2 meters above the floor.

9. The inside of the premises must be maintained to a high standard, kept clean, and in

good decorative order, with offensive odour eliminated as far as possible. The outside

of the building must be maintained in a good state of repair. The immediate area

surrounding the building must be kept clean and tidy. There should be car parking

available for clients, with easy access to the main entrance of the premises.

10. All premises where veterinary facility (including its various branches) is being

practiced, and all instruments, equipment, apparatus, and apparel used in connection with those practices, shall be kept clean and sanitized and shall conform to the standards specified for different types of facilities.

11. Emergency service either by staff veterinarians or by pre-arranged referral to another

veterinarian within a reasonable distance shall be provided at all times. Referral must

be acknowledged and agreed upon by both the referring and referred veterinarians.

      12. Every veterinary service shall maintain the following facilities:

A sanitary environment to include the proper routine disposal of waste material, proper sterilization or sanitation of all equipment used in diagnosis or treatment, and adequate storage to provide a neat and orderly appearance.

(1) An adequate library of textbooks, journals or other current veterinary

reference materials, readily available on the premises or available through

electronic access.

(2) Proper storage and environmental control for all medicines and biologics,

based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

(3) Properly maintained records.

(4) Legally accessible methods for the disposal of deceased animals and

infectious waste.

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13. Ambulatory services may be made available for 24 hours a day at the polyclinics and

district veterinary centers.

14. Facilities for disposal of cadavers should be available at the Veterinary Hospitals with

proper hygiene and measures to prevent spread of pathogens. Incinerator may be set

up in the hospitals, polyclinics and district veterinary centers.

                                                      CHAPTER – III

6. Apparatus and Equipment

a) Various equipments and veterinary service aids in use at the veterinary institution(s)

shall conform to the highest standards. Proper hygiene and sanitary measures have to

be practiced to avoid any contamination/infection during its use on the patient

(livestock/animal). Equipments requiring sterilization should be sterilized before use.

b) The anaesthetic machine must be serviced and calibrated at intervals as

recommended by the manufacturer (at least every two years for precision

vapourisers). Maintenance records must be kept. Regular daily maintenance must be

carried out to detect leaks, prevent condensation build up, and monitor soda lime

activity.

c) There must be some form of monitoring of anaesthetised animals. This can take the

form of equipment (e.g. electronic devices such as an apnoea monitor or a pulse

oximeter) or a trained assistant who is present at all times during the anaesthesia.

Where equipment is used for this purpose, staff must be trained in its use.

d) There must be a scavenging system taking waste anaesthetic gases out of the

building, this may be active or passive.

e) A recognised and successful method of sterilization must be used to sterilize

instruments, gowns, and drapes in sufficient quantities to meet the workload of the

practice. Steam, gamma irradiation, and ethylene oxide are acceptable alternatives.

Boiling, cold sterilization, and ultraviolet cabinets are not acceptable unless for specific

equipment such as cold sterilization of endoscopic equipment. Sterility indicators must

be used to monitor the efficiency of the system. Instruments must be cleaned and re-

sterilized prior to use for each new surgical case.

f) Face masks, gloves and suitable protection gears for staff using oral or surgical or

gynecological or microbiological procedures or any other procedures involving

infections must be sterilized.

g) The veterinary service must provide facilities for the induction and maintenance of

general anaesthesia. This must include equipment for the maintenance of inhalation

anaesthesia and oxygen for emergency resuscitation. Anaesthetic systems and

circuits used must be appropriate for all types and sizes of animals treated.

                                       CHAPTER – IV

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8. Facilities at Veterinary Service Institutions

1. Radiology Facilities

1. Radiology facilities may be limited to the District Veterinary Center, Polyclinic

and teaching institution. They must have an x-ray machine and associated

ancillary equipment capable of consistently producing diagnostic survey

radiographs of all species commonly being treated at the institution and where

necessary

2. All records pertaining to the recent cases of radiographic study should be kept

as records.

3. The X-ray facilities and procedures must comply with the guidelines of “Safe

Practice for the Use of X-rays in Diagnosis (Veterinary)” .

4. Veterinarians and staff who are required to take radiographs must be fully

conversant with the operation of all of the radiographic and associated

equipment.

5. A veterinarian or a person operating the X-ray machine of the Veterinary

institution having the facilities for radiography must have a current licence,

issued by the competent authority to use an x-ray machine for the purposes of

veterinary diagnosis and shall comply with relevant safety guidelines.

6. The clinics must provide, or have access to, a dark room and processing

system for the development of radiographs. The Veterinary institution must be

able to have radiographs developed at any time, at emergency also.

Where the processing of radiographs is carried out by the clinics/polyclinics/hospital required preventive measures must be adopted to avoid undesired exposure to X-rays and other radiation hazards.

7. The veterinary service institutions should display a technique chart of exposure

factors. This should be used and modified as necessary. Calipers should be

available to measure body part thickness.

8. The clinics must use a system to permanently identify radiographs.

9. Suitable arrangements must be made for the efficient filing, storage, and

retrieval of x-ray films.

10. In a institution where, on average, more than forty films are taken per week,

film badge monitoring of staff working with or near the x-ray machine must be

carried out. Records of personal dosimeter must be kept. X-ray machines must

be maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

11. There must be provision for all types of protective devices to minimize undue

exposure to X-ray.

12. Non-manual restraining aids such as sandbags, foam blocks and wedges, V-

troughs, ropes and tapes must be available and used to reduce the need for

personnel to restrain the animal during radiography. Where the animal’s health

or condition permits, it should be anaesthetised or tranquillised to facilitate the

efficiency of the procedure.

2. Medicinal Products

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1. The clinics/dispensaries/hospitals/veterinary institutions must keep adequate* supplies of medicines and animal remedies including emergency medicine that must be stored in a vermin-proof, clean, tidy, permanent, and secure building.

(*adequate – means the type and quantity as may be required to handle the number

and type of cases recorded, and the policy of the institution on dispensing of

medicines. However, attempts should be made to keep the medicines for dealing with

emergencies and acute disease conditions in order to alleviate pain and save the life

of the animal. In this regard, the experience/records available about the prevalence of

a particular disease/emergency situation may be used as guide to select the

medicines. In all cases, the quality of the medicines should be high with required

efficacy.)

The adequacy of the medicines shall since vary with the type of institution and its ambit of services, the same shall be examined while considering the proposals for accreditation on case to case basis.

2. Smoking, eating, or storage of food for human consumption must not be permitted in areas where medicines are stored or dispensed.

3. Drugs must be stored according to the manufacturers instructions and, where

appropriate, protected from the adverse effects of light, temperature, humidity and

rodents.

4. There must be an efficient stock rotation system that prevents the use of out of-date stock. Expired medicines must never be prescribed.

5. All Controlled Drugs that are not required for immediate use must be kept in a

locked metal or concrete cupboard or safe, that is securely fixed to the building.

When the building is unattended, keys for the cupboard must not be left on the

premises. For safety reasons, all Controlled Drugs should be stored in this manner.

6. An “Emergency Box” must be kept and maintained with the necessary equipment to treat crises such as cardiac arrest.

This box should: –

a) contain a range of different caliber syringes and needles appropriate for

emergency use;

b) contain the drugs adrenaline, atropine, calcium gluconate 10% or

calcium chloride 10%, lignocaine, dextrose solution and normal saline

and lactated Ringer’s solution, antihistaminic and other life saving drugs

in adequate quantity for intravenous use;

c) have the relevant dose rates written on the lid of the box;

d) include a cardiopulmonary resuscitation flow sheet;

e) be stored in one place at all times, and be close to where most

anesthetics are carried out.

7. Tablets and capsules must be dispensed in re-sealable and preferably crush-proof containers. Plastic or paper envelopes are unacceptable unless the product is marketed in a child-resistant pack (foil or plastic blister). Child-resistant containers must be available if requested.

8. Adverse drug reaction and inefficacy report forms must be readily available in the institution. These should be used to report all adverse drug reactions and apparent drug failures to the Council as well as the manufacturer of the drug.

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9. The container in which medicines and animal remedies are

legibly and indelibly labelled with the following information:

Name and address of the veterinary clinic Contact phone number

Emergency phone number Date dispensed

Name and strength of drug

Directions for use, method and frequency Number of tablets or volume of liquid

Name of owner

Name and species of animal

Auxiliary labels and warnings

Name of prescribing veterinarian

The statement “Keep Out of Reach of Children”

dispensed must be

The statement in BOLD PRINT “FOR ANIMAL TREATMENT ONLY”

10. Where licensed animal remedies are repackaged into smaller containers, the new containers and labelling must meet the requirements.

3. Surgical Facilities:

Each Veterinary Institution offering surgical intervention services should have high qualify surgical apparatus, equipments etc. as per the type of services. However, attempts should be made to maintain all the necessary items in good working condition with facilities for sterilization/ disinfection. Also, there should be required number of operation desk/tables both for large and small animal surgery. Suitable anaesthetic machine, gas etc. protective aprons, gears etc. should also be available.

4. Gynaecological Facilities:

The Veterinary institutions offering gynaecological services should atleast have the

facilities for artificial inseminatrion, semen storage, microscope for semen evaluation,

equipment sterilizer, vaginal speculum for different species of animals, dystokia set for large

and small animals, common medicinal and surgical items required for gynaecological and

obstetrical intervention. All these items should be maintained in good working condition.

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CHAPTER V

8. Diagnostic Laboratory Services

A. GENERAL

1) Veterinary Hospitals/Veterinary Polyclinics/Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complexes, District Veterinary Center (but not limited) must provide or have access to veterinary diagnostic laboratory services that perform routine clinical pathology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicological tests, rapidly and accurately. They must have adequate qualified staff and should also act as collection center.

2) Where samples are submitted to an outside laboratory for testing, they must be collected, stored, packaged, and dispatched in a manner which:

a) ensures the safety of people in contact with the samples; and

b) minimises sample deterioration to ensure the best test result.

3) Where diagnostic tests are performed by the clinic/institution itself:

a) any diagnostic test other than routine urine and blood smear examination must

be conducted in room or designated area used specifically for that purpose

and which is kept clean and organised;

b) Quantities of stain, reagents, chemicals, diagnostic kits adequate for the

number of animal patients/samples shall be provided.

c) Registered veterinary practitioners are engaged for diagnosis/ interpretation.

Each such laboratory shall specify the tests they conduct and shall maintain a

record of the sample profile and results in each case. They shall also declare

the methods they used (in each case) for various diagnostic tests and the

normal values while providing the results. Each result shall be signed by the

registered veterinarian concerned along with her/ his name and registration

number appearing conspicuously.

d) Veterinarians and staff must have an understanding of the principles of quality

control as it relates to all diagnostic testing conducted by the institution/clinic

etc. Controls should be used to ensure accurate results. Records of quality

control programmes must be kept(stored). These should demonstrate that

periodic evaluations are made of equipment, reagents, and technical integrity;

e) protective clothing and disposable gloves must be provided;

f) the clinic must maintain diagnostic equipment to a high standard that ensures

accurate results are obtained consistently ;

g) The diagnostic laboratory should have a well ventilated room preferably with

walls, work table and laboratory furniture that can be easily

sanitized/disinfected. It shall have regular water supply, electricity and waste

disposal facility. The diagnostic clinic shall have rooms/areas where animals

can be handled with minimal stress on them. It should have provision for ultra

violet lamp/ray treatment.

h) there must be provision for the correct disposal of Special Waste.

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i) it is recommended that any diagnostic service provider should be able to

provide a minimum of diagnostic laboratory services themselves like Skin scrapings, faecal sample examination, routine semen function test, cytology, urine analysis, urine sediments, and routine Hematological tests. A binocular microscope, microhematocrit centrifuge and urinary refractometer should be provided for these examinations.

j) Biopsy, if necessary, shall normally be performed in a room provided for the

purpose and shall be conducted under proper analgesia prescribed only by a registered veterinarian.

B. LOCATION, INFRASTRUCTURE AND MANPOWER

1) A diagnostic laboratory may be established independently or attached to a polyclinic/ hospital/Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex/Clinic. The laboratory shall not be in the same building housing the post mortem facilities or shall be at a considerable distance and well protected to avoid contamination.

2) The laboratory should have an attached inoculation room/shed, staff room and wash

room.

3) The diagnostic laboratory shall have facility for microbiology, pathology, parasitology

and clinical bio-chemistry procedures leading to diagnosis of disease/ surveillance.

4) The laboratory staff may opine on the samples received from prevailing field problems and should refer the unsolved problems or if the laboratory does not have proper equipments or chemicals or technique for conclusive diagnosis to the state diagnostic laboratory or university or regional or reference laboratories as may deemed fit for confirmatory diagnosis/interpretation.

5) All samples while referred should be properly labeled to indicate the species, identification No. and owner of the animal, the type of sample (tissue/organ etc), method of preservation, test to be carried out etc.

6) No sample shall be referred to any agency/laboratory/individual outside India for

diagnosis without prior approval of the State Government Animal Husbandry

authorities.

7) Independent diagnostic clinic shall have the facility for restraint of animals and for collection of material as the case may be. Diagnostic clinic shall have all the facilities and equipment as a diagnostic Lab.

8) The diagnostic laboratory shall have –

(i)Binocular microscope

(ii)Incubators

(iii)Hot air oven

(iv)Autoclave

(v)Water bath

(vi)Inoculation hood

(vii)Centrifuge machines

(vii)Electrophoresis apparatus

(ix)Spectrophotometer

(x) Glucometer

(xi)Hand refractometer

(xii)Analytical Balance

(xii)Computer with Internet connectivity & Printer (xiii)Refrigerator

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(xiv)Deep freezer

(xv) pH Meter

(xvi)Telephone and fax facilities

9) Every diagnostic laboratory may be provided with at least the following staff :

i. Atleast one registered veterinary practitioner with professional

P.G. Degree/Diploma must be available at the institution undertaking such procedure/tests. The number of such personnel shall, however, vary depending upon the number and types of material handled/tests carried out.

ii. Veterinary laboratory technician – one

iii. Laboratory Assistants – Two

(a) One for pathology, microbiology, parasitology

(b) One for Haematology and clinical chemistry

iv. Sweeper cum post-mortem attendant – as per need

v. Laboratory attendant-cum-animal attendant – one

C. STANDARD OPERATIVE PROCEDURE :

The standard procedures laid down in the relevant scientific books/documents etc. should

be followed for handling each type of sample in the laboratory. Simultaneously, every care

should be taken to avoid spread of infection either to humans or to other animals. Further,

1) Whenever there is a need the staff of the diagnostic laboratory can also collect the appropriate materials as suggested/ required by the clinician.

2) The results of the tests should be communicated without delay, so that the results can be efficiently used by the clinician.

3) The diagnostic laboratory attached to a Veterinary Hospital should be able to analyse :

(i) Urine (qualitative)- pH, albumin, glucose, bile pigment, sediment

(ii) Faecal sample – Parasitic and protozoan ova/cyst.

(iii) Skin scrapings for mites.

(iv) Milk sample for clinical and sub-clinical mastitis by strip cup CMT.

(v) Blood – Protozoa, microfilaria, DLC, haemoglobin/PCV.

(vi) C.S.F.

4) The diagnostic laboratory attached to polyclinic should have facility to analyse :

(i) Urine – (quantitative or qualitative) complete

(ii) Faecal sample – Parasitic ova, cysts of protozoa/ egg.

(iii) Haematology, TLC, DLC, Hb, PCV, platelets

(iv) Skin scrapping – Mites and dermal mycosis.

(v) Milk – CMT, culture and sensitivity

(vi) Microbial culture and sensitivity. (Saliva, urine, pus, uterine discharge

etc.)

(vii) Detection of infectious diseases like Brucellosis, TB, Anthrax,

Pasteurellosis, PPR, FMD, Blue Tongue etc.

5) At the end of every day the results along with patient number etc. may be entered/

recorded in the computer or any other practical method and provided on “read only”

mode so that the results can be accessible to all, but not changed.

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6) The results of laboratory tests and the trend of various etiological agents may be

discussed periodically (preferably at the end of every month) with the field clinicians to

appraise them of the type of organisms, their antibiotic/drug sensitivity in that area.

The diagnostic laboratory may also draw macro epidemiological maps to make

treatment more effective.

7) The diagnostic Laboratory shall depute/ send its staff to various workshop/ meeting

and/ or participate in such related forum where exchange of information can

influence to achieve better service delivery and preparation of effective National

programmes.

8) Any diagnostic laboratory run by an organization, Institutions or individual(s) may also

participate in the discussion of results or shall, sent information on the tests they

conduct every month to the district veterinary officer/ chief of polyclinic/ sub-divisional

veterinary administration of the state/ UT concerned. Such information shall form

part of the epidemiological data generated in the district.

9. Pathological Sampling Procedures :

Standard established procedures for sampling should be followed in all the cases without causing undue stress or damage to the animal or danger to the owner. Guidelines for sampling methods will be circulated by the Council.

Direction and Supervision of persons undertaking minor Veterinary service in their private/ personal capacity in NGO’s, corporate bodies, societies etc.: –

Person(s) or agencies who are organising/ providing minor Veterinary service shall

declare the name of the registered Veterinary practitioner under whose direction and

supervision, any of the minor Veterinary service, by whatever name called is being done. They

also shall keep a record of what they do in the same manner described pre-para, [except (f)]

and shall submit the same for the purpose of inspection, supervision and direction what so

ever. The same shall apply to all the minor Veterinary service as notified by the state and for

artificial insemination, vaccination etc. where they are carried out as part of minor veterinary

service.

Direction and Supervision of Artificial Insemination (A.I.)

Person(s) who carryout A.I. shall do so as notified by the state government and strictly

as provided under the Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984. For this purpose, the state

governments, institutions, organisations or agencies concerned shall declare the names of

persons employed by them, by whatever name called, for minor veterinary service and shall

also declare the name of the registered Veterinary practitioner under whose direction and

supervision such (notified) minor Veterinary service shall be carried out. The place or an

occasion where process is carried shall exhibit the name of the registered Veterinary

Practitioner under whose supervision and direction the A.I. is being carried out for the benefit

of the public. Registered veterinary practitioner shall declare immediate closure of any such

institutions where sub-standard and or illegal Veterinary practice is being followed and will

report the matter to the respective State/UT Veterinary Council immediately.

For the purpose of direction and supervision, a registered Veterinary practitioner shall verify the records of A.I. regularly. Such records shall invariably include: –

a. the date, place and time where service was provided

b. name and address of the client

c. description of the animal,

d. the source of semen straw/ semen with batch number and identification

number

e. the number of any previous A.I. done with reference number & date

f. any failure of A.I. shall be reported to the Registered Veterinary Practitioner

who shall inspect the total A.I. performed every three months, and report on any problem (animal or semen) to a specialist.

g. for this purpose, he/she may seek any other data like the total number of

animals, households, problems, diseases etc. of the area as is required from

time to time

Direction and Supervision of persons undertaking Vaccination

CONSULTANCY: a consultant can renders veterinary service delivery (treatment or

professional advice) at a place on an occasion provided he/she is a registered veterinary

practitioner, as provided in the Indian Veterinary Council Act. She/he shall be doing so as a

desk practice or in a clinic of her/ his own or that of an organisation. While there is no bar on

her/ his undertaking any type of veterinary practice, she/ he is normally expected to equip

herself/ himself to deliver the professional service, whatsoever, or procure them for the

occasion. A consultant shall display her/ his registration number along with her/ his name and

announce the nature of practice, time of practice etc. conspicuously. He/ she shall display any

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fee and/ or other charges for the service(s), conspicuously for the clients to read and understand.

SPECIALIST SERVICES : Being a qualified veterinary practitioner there is no restriction on

registered veterinary practitioners to render any treatment, medication or advice in any branch

of veterinary science and shall always use their veterinary medical skill and knowledge for the

benefit of any animal requiring their attention. But professional ethics demand that they

normally do not indulge in such activity or specialized service unless they acquire the

necessary skill to do so.

Any announcement indicating specialised qualification and/ or competence to undertake specialised job routinely without experience or qualification to do so shall constitute self aggrandisement.

SPECIALIST CONSULTANCY : A specialist renders veterinary service delivery (treatment or

professional advice) in a specific field or specialty at a place or an occasion as is announced.

A specialist should invariably have the required training/ experience/ competence to perform

the service. His/ her performance shall be judged by the standards expected out of a

specialist of the field as is claimed and announced. She/ he shall be doing so as a desk

practice or in a clinic of her/ his own or that of an organization, society, government or

institution. While there is no bar on her/ his undertaking any aspect of veterinary practice, she/

he is normally expected to engage herself/ himself primarily in the specialty. While there is no

bar on her/ his undertaking general veterinary practice, she/he is normally expected to equip

herself/ himself or procure them whatsoever for the occasion. A specialist consultant shall

display her/ his registration number and qualification (including her/his additional qualification)

along with her/ his name and announce the nature of practice, time of practice conspicuously

for clients. They shall display conspicuously the fee for her/ his service or any other charges

(as provided under section 29) for the clients to read and understand. But charge(s) may also

be announced to client by the registered veterinary practitioner or agreed upon by both. Any

charges paid to registered veterinary practitioner for rendering Veterinary service by the Client

shall be treated as agreed charges.

Secretary

Veterinary Council of India

File No. 7-9/2003-VCI