As used in this article, these words and phrases have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

1. (1) "Animal" means any animal other than a human, and includes fowl, birds, reptiles, and fish which are wild or domestic, living or dead.
2. (2) "Board" means the South Carolina State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.
3. (3) "Veterinary medicine" includes veterinary surgery, obstetrics, dentistry, and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine.

4. (4) "Practice of veterinary medicine" means:

   1. (a) To diagnose, prescribe, or administer any drug, medicine, biologic, appliance, or application or treatment of whatever nature for the cure, prevention, or relief of any wound, fracture, or bodily injury or disease of an animal;
   2. (b) To perform any surgical operation, including cosmetic surgery, upon any animal;
   3. (c) To perform any manual procedure for the diagnosis or treatment for sterility or infertility of animals, including embryo transplants;
   4. (d) To offer, undertake, represent, or hold oneself out as being qualified to diagnose, treat, operate, or prescribe for any animal disease, pain, injury, deformity, or physical condition;
   5. (e) To use any words, letters, or titles in such connection or under such circumstances as to induce the belief that the person using them is engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine; this use is prima facie evidence of the intention to represent oneself as engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine.
5. (5) "Veterinarian" means a person who has received a doctor's degree or equivalent in veterinary medicine.
6. (6) "Licensed veterinarian" means a person who is licensed by law to practice veterinary medicine in this State.
7. (7) "School of veterinary medicine" means any veterinary school or college that offers the DVM or equivalent degree and whose course of study conforms to the standards required for accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association and approved by the Board.
8. (8) "License" means any permit, approval, registration, or certificate issued by the Board.
9. (9) "Temporary permit" means temporary permission to practice veterinary medicine issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
10. (10) "Direct supervision" means that a veterinarian currently licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this State is available on the premises and within immediate vocal communication of the supervisee.
11. (11) "Unprofessional or unethical conduct" includes, but is not limited to, any conduct of a character likely to deceive or defraud the public, fraudulent, false, or deceptive advertising which might mislead the public, obtaining any fee or compensation by fraud or misrepresentation, sharing office space with any person illegally practicing veterinary medicine, employing either directly or indirectly any unlicensed person to practice veterinary medicine or render any veterinary service except as allowed by law, or the violation of any rule adopted by the Board which provides for a code of professional ethics to be followed by persons licensed under this article.