1. (a) A veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists, and a licensed veterinarian may engage in the practice of veterinary medicine for the patient, if the veterinarian

   1. (1) conducts an initial physical meeting with the client and patient, at which the veterinarian

      1. (A) performs a physical examination on the patient; or
      2. (B) is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the patient through medically appropriate visits to the premises where the patient is maintained;
   2. (2) has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the patient's medical conditions;
   3. (3) has assumed responsibility for making clinical judgments for the health of the patient and the need for medical therapy, and has instructed the client on a course of therapy appropriate to the circumstance;
   4. (4) maintains records for the patient; and
   5. (5) provides oversight of treatment and is readily available to provide, or has provided for, follow-up medical care in the event of adverse reactions or failure of the treatment regimen.
2. (b) Once a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is established under (a) of this section, it may be maintained by electronic or telephonic means during the 12 months that follow the initial examination or premises visit. Not later than 12 months after the initial physical examination or medically appropriate visit of the premises, the licensed veterinarian, client, and patient must meet for another physical examination or premises visit. Each additional physical examination or premises visit must occur not later than 12 months after the prior physical exam or premises visit for the veterinarian-client-patient relationship to continue.
3. (c) The licensed veterinarian or the client may decline or discontinue a veterinarian-client- patient relationship.
4. (d) A licensed veterinarian who in good faith engages in the practice of veterinary medicine by rendering or attempting to render emergency care to a patient when a client cannot be identified, or where a veterinarian-client-patient relationship is not established, is not subject to discipline based solely on the veterinarian's inability to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

5. (e) Notwithstanding the requirements in (a)(1) of this section for an initial physical meeting, a veterinarian licensed in this state may conduct an initial evaluation of a patient through electronic or telephonic means only in remote regions of this state where there is no locally available veterinarian if

   1. (1) travel for a physical examination or premises visit with the client is impossible;
   2. (2) the veterinarian requests that, when reasonably achievable, the patient be presented for an in-person examination or that the veterinarian conduct a medically appropriate visit to the premises where the patient is kept; and
   3. (3) the veterinarian provides the client with the veterinarian's identity and clinic address.
6. (f) A veterinarian providing care for patients under (e) of this section does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship without having met the requirements of (a)(2) - (5) and (b) of this section.

(Eff. 5/5/2023, Register 246)

Authority: AS 08.98.050