§ 5-25-2 - Definitions.
SECTION 5-25-2
§ 5-25-2 Definitions. – As used in this chapter:
(1) "Animal" means any animal other than man and includes, byway of illustration, not limitation, fowl, birds, fish, livestock, andreptiles, wild or domestic, living or dead.
(2) "Department" means the Rhode Island department of health.
(3) "Director" means the director of the Rhode Islanddepartment of health.
(4) "Division" means the division of professional regulationwithin the department of health established in chapter 26 of this title.
(5) "Veterinarian" means a person who practices veterinarymedicine.
(6) "Veterinarian/client/patient relationship" means arelationship where all of the following conditions have been met:
(i) The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility formaking medical judgments regarding the health of the animal or animals and theneed for medical treatment, and the client has agreed to follow theinstructions of the veterinarian.
(ii) The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animalor animals to initiate at least a general or preliminary (e.g. tentative)diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal or animals. This means thatthe veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with thekeeping and care of the animal or animals, and/or by medically appropriate andtimely visits to the premises where the animal or animals are kept.
(iii) The veterinarian is readily available for follow-up incases of adverse reactions or failure of the regimen of therapy.
(iv) The veterinarian maintains records, which documentpatient visits, diagnosis, treatment, and other relevant information.
(7) "Veterinary dentistry" means that part of veterinaryscience that deals with the prevention and treatment of diseases, developmentalconditions and injuries of the teeth, gums and oral cavity in animals.