Report Poor Vet Care to the State Vet Board
How to submit a complaint about a veterinarian
There are no national guidelines or standards for veterinary care. Instead, each state defines its own veterinary medicine rules and regulations in a document called the “Practice Act.”
Here is a link to the most recent draft of the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act. This document is managed by the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners: https://www.okvetboard.com/practice-act/441-practice-act/viewdocument/441
Key points in the OK Vet Practice Act
- Definitions for terms such as “veterinarian” and “veterinary premises.”
- The purpose of the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, including acting on reports of dishonorable conduct.
- A list of behaviors the Board may discipline, such as a vet making false or misleading statements or engaging in conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.
- See what’s missing from the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act.
Reporting bad vet care
If you believe the vet care you received violated the guidelines in the Practice Act – or did not measure up to the standard of care most people would expect – you can submit an official complaint to your state’s vet board.
For vet care received in Oklahoma, the complaint form can be found here: https://www.okvetboard.com/complaint-form
This complaint process is meant to address true concerns about substandard care or ethical or regulatory violations. Billing disputes and other concerns may be better negotiated with the clinic directly or via the traditional legal system. For vet care outside of Oklahoma, consult your state veterinary board for next steps.
Filling out the complaint form
Be very specific when filling out the complaint form, as this may be your only chance to communicate your story to the board. Keep in mind that some veterinarians employee legal council for situations such as these. Your version of events may be compared side-by-side to a draft compiled or reviewed by a lawyer, so take care when writing your submission and be as detailed as possible.
The complaint form for the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners – which can be found here – includes a field for you to supply the details of your complaint. However you may want to attach a longer, detailed draft.
Details to add to your complaint
To provide the vet board with everything they need to make a decision, you may want to include:
- A narrative of what happened, from how you chose the clinic to interactions with clinic staff and details about the care received
- A timeline of events, including when tests were done, when you were told certain bits of information, etc.
- A copy of all notes – both yours and the clinic’s – highlighting relevant details
- Examples of the Practice Act violations you believe you experienced
- Supplemental materials that support your claim, such as advertisements that suggest the clinic will be adequately staffed to treat emergencies (when they in actuality were not)
Why is transparency
Transparency is important because it allows pet owners to make informed decisions about emergency care for their pets. It helps ensure that they have
What are the minimal regulations
Emergency veterinary services are subject to minimal regulations, which can vary by location. These regulations often focus on licensing requirements
What are some worst-case scenarios in pet emergency care?
Worst-case scenarios in pet emergency care can include misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, lack of proper equipment or facilities, and inadequate communication with
How can consumers advocate for better
Consumers can advocate for better emergency care by supporting organizations that promote transparency and oversight,
Why should I contact Emergency Vet Reform?
By contacting Emergency Vet Reform, you can share your experiences, seek guidance, and join a community of pet owners who are working towards improving emergency care for pets.
How can I get involved in the reform efforts?
You can get involved in the reform efforts by signing the petition, sharing your story, and
Join the movement for pet emergency care reform
Your support can make a difference in improving animal emergency care.