Livestock owners know the value of planning ahead when it comes to animal health. From making herd management decisions to navigating unexpected challenges, producers rely on experience, knowledge and trusted resources to care for their animals.
One way that they can strengthen their planning is by establishing a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with a local veterinarian.
Dr. Kevin Washburn, a professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, explains how a VCPR helps veterinarians better understand an operation and provide recommendations that support both producers and their animals.
A Relationship Worth Herding
A VCPR is the professional relationship between a veterinarian, a producer, and the animals under their care. These relationships are required by state and/or federal law for specialized actions that can include prescribing drugs, use of certain kinds of medications, and conducting telemedicine appointments.
“VCPR is important for producers because if you are involved with livestock or even pet livestock, the health of the animals is of the utmost importance,” Washburn says. “In order to ensure good health, veterinarians are the trusted source for any questions one might have and should have a working knowledge of not only individual animals that get sick, but of the condition of the entire herd as well.”
Establishing that relationship does not require a sick animal or an emergency.
“We don’t have to treat an animal; we just have to get to know you, how these animals are housed, how they’re being fed, and how they’re being cared for,” Washburn says. “Or, if you brought one of your herd members to us, that would also establish a VCPR.”
By learning about a producer’s operation, management practices and animals, veterinarians can provide recommendations based on the specific needs of that herd rather than general advice.
A Healthy Dose of Trust
One of the biggest benefits of a VCPR is it allows veterinarians to make more informed decisions about treatments and medications.
“The only legal way to get most medications is via prescription from a veterinarian,” Washburn explains. “Legally, we cannot prescribe you a medication for your animal without having that relationship; when your veterinarian knows your animal, and your ability to care for and treat that animal, they can be confident that you will use that medication properly and abide by any regulations associated with it such as milk and/or meat withdrawal times.”
A veterinarian’s familiarity with an operation also helps when producers need guidance about an animal’s condition. While photos and videos can help provide information, they do not replace a veterinarian’s understanding of the situation.
“If we have that established relationship and a producer sends me a picture, I know them well enough to know, ‘You need to bring the animal into the hospital now,’ or ‘I think that can wait,’” Washburn says. “But if we don’t have a relationship with you, we can’t legally do that, nor can we safely make those decisions based solely on a picture or video.”
A VCPR is not only valuable when an animal becomes sick but also allows veterinarians to help producers develop proactive herd health plans.
“Veterinarians should be able to help you set up vaccine protocols, nutrition, deworming schedules, and all those things tailored specifically to the needs of your herd,” Washburn says. “But it all comes back to establishing a relationship.”
The Price of Preparation
Like any good working relationship, a VCPR works best when it is established before it is needed.
In many rural communities, food animal veterinarians are in high demand. Developing a relationship before an emergency can make it easier to access veterinary care when time matters most.
“If you live in one of those areas, especially, you should find a veterinarian and develop a relationship,” Washburn stresses. “Some practices will only do emergencies if you’re one of their clients. It all just ties right into that relationship. It’s the best way to get help.”
Whether it is developing herd health plans, prescribing medications or responding during an emergency, a VCPR gives veterinarians the knowledge they need to provide informed care; therefore, establishing a relationship with your closest veterinarian before problems arise helps ensure producers can receive the guidance they need when they need it most.
