​Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship

If your horse’s vaccinations and other routine work were done by a veterinarian not associated with Blue Water Equine Hospital, you are established with that veterinarian and will need to contact that clinic for emergency services.

A patient DOES NOT qualify for current VCPR:

• If it has been more than 12 months since we last evaluated the patient
• If we’ve only dispensed items (such as vaccines, ointments, etc.) without seeing the patient within 12 months.
• If the only time we’ve treated the patient was during an emergency that our veterinarians saw out of good will.

VCPR is REQUIRED for Emergency Services
BWEH only sees equine emergencies for patients who have valid VCPR and current clients who are in good financial standing with the clinic. Out of dedication to being available for our clients and patients in a timely manner during their time of need, we cannot provide emergency services for those who do not meet these qualifications.

Ambulatory Service Limitations- Have a plan to provide transportation
Please understand that we are asking clients to always be prepared to haul-in their horses. Most times we can meet a request for a farm call, but we do expect clients to have a haul-in option as part of an emergency plan.

If your horse’s location is greater than 45 minutes from the practice, we ask that you have a plan in place to be able to haul your horse to the clinic for emergency evaluation.

Due to the dwindling number of equine veterinarians in the industry and the ever-rising number of horses who need care in a timely manner, we must limit the amount of time that our equine veterinarians spend driving to farms to allow more time for treating patients.

We love our team and want to care for them well, but no one can meet the demand for our entire equine coverage area without your reciprocation through preparedness.

VCPR is required for Prescription Refills
A DVM will not write or renew a prescription if the patient does not have a current VCPR.

The Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) is the essential basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients, and their patients.  It is critical to providing quality veterinary care and vital to animal welfare by allowing a veterinarian to regularly assess a pet’s entire physical status, family environment, and to regularly communicate with the owner.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)