Sec. 15.14.01.04. Professional Conduct

A. The principal objectives of the veterinary profession are to render service to society, to conserve our livestock resources, and to relieve suffering of animals. A veterinarian shall act in relation to the public, the veterinarian's colleagues, and their patients, and the allied professions so as to merit their full confidence and respect. Examples of conduct which are prohibited by this standard include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Using a college degree to which the veterinarian is not entitled or any degree or title granted by an institution declared unworthy by contemporary institutions of its class;

(2) Accepting a fee from the seller of an animal by a veterinarian employed by a buyer to inspect an animal for soundness which is prima facie evidence of fraud;

(3) Guaranteeing a cure;

(4) Performing or participating in surgery if it is known the surgery was requested with intent to deceive a third party;

(5) Promoting, selling, prescribing, or using any product, the ingredient formula of which has not been revealed to the veterinarian;

(6) Performing a surgical procedure to conceal or to correct genetic defects in animals to be shown, bred, or sold;

(7) Making payments to any person for referring, attempting to refer, or promising to refer animals to that veterinarian;

(8) Accepting payments from any person for referring, attempting to refer, or promising to promote the sale of services, drugs, devices, appliances, or goods to a client so as to exploit the client for financial gain; and

(9) Prescribing or dispensing veterinary prescription drugs outside of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

B. A veterinarian may not act in an unprofessional or immoral manner in the practice of veterinary medicine.