IL State Practice Act VCPR Rules:
At Lombard, we require an active vet/client relationship to be able to offer medical care and treatment electronically. This means that you must be an active client and had a recent in-person exam. Without this relationship, any interactions can only be general and non-specific. In all circumstances, we reserve the right to recommend an in-person consultation if we believe it is in the best interest of your pet. Below is a description of what it means to have an active VCPR. Please take the time to read before requesting a digital consultation
"Veterinarian-client-patient relationship" means that all of the following conditions have been met:
1. The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making clinical judgments regarding the health of an animal and the need for medical treatment and the client, owner, or other caretaker has agreed to follow the instructions of the veterinarian;
2. There is sufficient knowledge of an animal by the veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal. This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by virtue of an examination of the animal or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept, or the veterinarian has access to the animal patient’s records and has been designated by the veterinarian with the prior relationship to provide reasonable and appropriate medical care if he or she is unavailable; and
3. The practicing veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in case of adverse reactions or failure of the treatment regimen, or, if unavailable, has designated another available veterinarian who has access to the animal patient’s records to provide reasonable and appropriate medical care (225 ILCS 115/3).
Statement on Electronic Creation of VCPR
“Veterinarian-client-patient relationship” does not mean a relationship solely based on telephonic or other electronic communications (225 ILCS 115/3).