Notice to Registrants

As communicated by e-blast to registrants on March 4, 2020, Ms. Luisa Hlus has left the College of Veterinarians of British Columbia.  Dr. Stacey Thomas (Deputy Registrar) has been appointed by Council to the role of Acting Registrar while Council conducts a formal search for a new Registrar.  

Results of the 2020 Election

The following three registrants have been elected to Council, effective March 6, 2020:

• Dr. Maarten Hart
• Dr. Jane Mancell
• Dr. Michele Martin

Renewed Council Election Cycle 2020

As messaged to the profession on January 28, 2020, nominations are open again to fill three positions on Council, each for a three-year term.  Below is a revised election schedule applicable only to the current circumstances, modified by Council at its January 24, 2020 meeting (pursuant to Bylaw s. 1.8(4)): 

Nominations Deadline - February 13, 2020 at noon

• Candidates Declared by February 17, 2020
• Electronic Election Opens on February 18, 2020
• Voting Deadline - March 2, 2020 at midnight
• Outcome Announcement by March 4, 2020
• First Council Meeting - March 6, 2020

Unauthorized Practice Alert - Pampered Pets Ultrasonic and Rhonda Marie Hiebert

On December 20, 2019, the CVBC obtained a Court Order by consent, prohibiting a non-veterinarian from offering oral hygiene, dental care and other health services.  A copy of entered Court Order may be found here.  In 2017, the BC Supreme Court delivered reasons for judgement in a similar case Dentapet decision.  Please visit our website page Public Protection/Unauthorized Practice/Injunctions for more information and contact the office if you have any questions. 

Antimicrobial Resistance 

All CVBC registrants are encouraged to review the following material which is of relevance (by extrapolation) to the care of veterinary patients, but also with regards to every veterinarian's responsibility to practice within the principles of antimicrobial stewardship in the "One Health" model.  

In Canada, 26% of infections in humans are resistant to the medicines that are generally first prescribed to treat an infection, a rate that could rise to 40% or beyond in the coming decades, according to an expert panel convened by the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA).  By 2050, a total of 396,000 lives could be lost and the Canadian economy could lose $338 billion.

When Antibiotics Fail  is an independent expert assessment of the best available evidence of the potential impact of antimicrobial resistance, produced by the CCA at the request of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Visit  www.cca-reports.ca download this report.

Understanding the Cannabis Act and Regulations 

The Canadian Council of Veterinary Regulators' (CCVR) Cannabis Working Group has developed the following resource for Canadian veterinarians regarding the Cannabis Act and Regulations.  Please follow this link.  

Application of the CVBC's New Professional Practice Standard: Small Animal Anesthetic Monitoring 

On February 21^st,  the CVBC circulated a message to all registrants advising of a new practice standard to be in effect as of March 1, 2019, reflecting the importance of monitoring and record keeping during anesthetic procedures. 

If your clinic currently does not have the equipment necessary to comply with the standard, proof of having placed an equipment order on or before March 1, 2019 will avoid adverse consequences until you are able to take delivery and train your staff. 

New Standards and Policies

Please see below for links to recently published standards and notices. Please refer to the Legislation, Standards and Policies page for all standards, guidelines, policies and notices. 

Professional Standard: Registrant Cooperation
Professional Practice Standard: Veterinary Dentistry (Companion Animal)
Professional Practice Standard: Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)
Council Policy: Bee Medicine VCPR
Professional Practice Standard: Herd/Flock Medical Records
CCC Policy: Defining the 2-year CE Cycle
PFAC Policy: Change in Scope of Practice

Unauthorized Practice Alert

It is not appropriate for B.C. veterinarians to send invitations for veterinarians licensed in other jurisdictions to provide services directly to B.C. breeders or other members of the public. Such services must be rendered by veterinarians licensed in B.C. and working from a B.C. accredited practice facility. B.C. licensed veterinarians may utilize unlicensed consultants as long as the B.C. veterinarian maintains the veterinary client patient relationship and records, and does not permit the consultant to assume that role, outside of an accredited practice. For more information visit the Unauthorized Practice and Practice Facilities pages. If you have any questions, please contact the office. We will continue to update this post as we receive more information.