1. (a)

   1. (1) The Arkansas Board of Animal Health or its employees may at any time inspect the premises in which veterinary medicine, veterinary dentistry, or veterinary surgery is practiced.
   2. (2) All locations where veterinary medicine is practiced shall be adequate for the maintenance of good hygiene at all times.
   3. (3) All areas of the premises shall be maintained in a clean, odor free, and orderly condition at all times.

2. (b) The minimum standards for all facilities where veterinary medicine is practiced shall be:

   1. (1) Adequate heating and cooling shall be provided for the comfort of the animals, and the facility shall have sufficient ventilation in all areas;
   2. (2) Proper lighting shall be provided in all rooms utilized for the practice of veterinary medicine;
   3. (3) Hot and cold running water shall be provided along with adequate toilets and lavatories for the personnel and for the clients;
   4. (4) All premises shall have sanitary storage that is adequate for the size of the facility;

   5. (5) The facility shall have interior and exterior receptacles for waste disposal that comply with state, county, and municipal health:

      1. (A) Laws;
      2. (B) Ordinances;
      3. (C) Rules; and
      4. (D) Regulations;

   6. (6)

      1. (A) The facilities shall employ a procedure for the prompt, sanitary, and aesthetic disposal of dead animals that complies with all state, county, and municipal:

3. (i) Laws;

   1. (ii) Ordinances;

      1. (iii) Rules; and

         1. (iv) Regulations.
      2. (B) Dead animals held on premises for longer than six (6) hours shall be placed in a refrigerator;
   2. (7) All interior spaces in the facility must be clean and orderly;

   3. (8) The facility shall have the capability for use of either in-house or consultant laboratory service for:

      1. (A) Blood chemistry;
      2. (B) Cultures and antibiotic sensitivity examinations;
      3. (C) Complete blood counts;
      4. (D) Histopathological examinations; and
      5. (E) Complete necropsies;

   4. (9)

      1. (A) Surgery shall be performed in a manner compatible with current veterinary medical practice with regard to anesthesia, asepsis, life support, and monitoring procedures as well as recovery care.

      2. (B) At all times, the minimum standards for surgery shall be:

         1. (i)
4. (a) (a) Surgery shall be performed in a room designed and reserved for surgery.

5. (b) (b) This applies to all facilities constructed after June 23, 1993;

   1. (ii) The surgery room shall be:
6. (a) (a) Clean;

7. (b) (b) Orderly; and

   1. (c) (c) Well lighted;

      1. (iii)
8. (a) (a) Sterilization must include a steam pressure sterilizer or autoclave or gas sterilization equipment.

9. (b) (b) Cold sterilization may be used for field conditions;

   1. (iv) Instruments and equipment utilized in the surgery room shall be commensurate with the type of surgical service being provided;

      1. (v) Storage in the surgery room shall be limited to only items and equipment normally related to surgery and surgical procedures;

         1. (vi) Emergency drugs must be readily available to the surgery area;
         2. (vii) The operating table shall be constructed of a smooth and impervious material;
         3. (viii)
10. (a) (a) There shall be a separate surgical preparation area.

11. (b) (b) This applies to all facilities constructed after June 23, 1993;

    1. (ix) There shall be available for surgery sterilized:
12. (a) (a) Instruments;

13. (b) (b) Gowns;

    1. (c) (c) Towels;

       1. (d) (d) Drapes;
14. (e) (e) Gloves;
15. (f) (f) Caps; and

16. (g) (g) Masks; and

    1. (x) Regulated oxygen under positive pressure shall be available;

    2. (10) The following minimum standards shall apply to radiography:

       1. (A) Capability and proof of use of either in-house or consultant services for obtaining diagnostic quality radiographs;
       2. (B) Radiology equipment and use shall be in accordance with all federal and state laws;
       3. (C) All personnel using radiology equipment must wear a monitoring device; and
       4. (D) Permanent identification tags must appear on all radiographs;

    3. (11) Cages, exercise areas, pens, and stalls are to be kept in a clean and orderly condition, in a well-lighted area, and in good repair to:

       1. (A) Prevent injury to animals; and
       2. (B) Promote physical comfort; and

    4. (12) Clinics must make known to the public whether a veterinarian is on-site or on call after hours.

       1. (c) Each veterinarian shall have posted or displayed at his or her office in full view of his or her clients, his or her:
    5. (1) Original Arkansas license to practice veterinary medicine; and

    6. (2) Current year’s license renewal certificate.

       1. (d) Violation of these or other accepted standards of sanitation or professional practice shall be prima facie evidence of unprofessional conduct or incompetence.

17. (e) In the event a license is revoked or suspended by the board, the board may post a notice of its order of revocation or suspension:

    1. (1) In a conspicuous place; or
    2. (2) At the business of the licensee.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided the following at the beginning of the section: “(Adopted: 12/1/1976) (Amended: 11/12/2008) (Effective: 1/1/2009)”.