The Importance of VCPR for Your Pet

VCPR, also known as Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship, is a critical component to veterinary medicine. It exists when we know your pet well enough to be able to diagnose and treat any condition your pet may develop. It requires us to keep written record of your pet’s medical care, allows us to advise you on the risks and benefits of treatment options, oversee the treatment and care of your pet, and more. It is essentially the bedrock of providing quality care for every patient.

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To establish a VCPR, we must meet both you and your pet through an office visit. While every state is different, Minnesota requires a VCPR be established before any veterinarian can prescribe and distribute any medication or prescription diets to your pet. (Minn. Stat. § 156.16, Minn. R. 9100.0700, and Minn. Stat. §156.18) This applies to all clients, regardless of whether they’re longtime supporters of a clinic or brand new.

In the case of TLC Cat Clinic, when the clinic changed ownership in November 2019, it meant all clients and patients (current or new) must establish a new VCPR with Dr. Shea (the new veterinarian and owner) through an office visit, even to get their long-time prescriptions renewed. It’s so that Dr. Shea can meet you, your pet, and get brought up to speed on how your pet is doing, feeling, and acting. It is in the best interest of your pet as their prescription’s needs may have changed or new treatments may have become available that would better suit them. Just like yearly human eye exams are recommended to keep your eyeglass prescription up-to-date, so to are pet exams to make sure their prescriptions are up-to-date.

For more information about VCPR, please visit the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)’s website here.

If you have questions about the VCPR and our clinic, the cost of an office visit, or other questions, please do not hesitate to give our office a call. We are happy to help in any way that we can and to answer any questions you may have.

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