Further information on the treatment of Animals

Animal's Owner

Subject to the Protection of Animals Act 1911, the owner of the animal can give whatever treatment they want to their animal. However, that treatment must not involve intrusion into the animal's body e.g. an owner is not entitled by Law to give their animal an injection (unless instructed to do so by a vet).

Veterinary Surgeon

Under the terms of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, a vet is legally able to give any normal veterinary treatment he or she deems appropriate to the animal in question. The term 'normal veterinary treatment' means that a vet is only entitled to provide a 'complementary' treatment if they are qualified in that particular 'therapy'

There is no such thing as 'alternative therapy' for animals, unlike for human's - as you can do want you want to yourself! The law states that any sick animal must be taken to a vet and, following veterinary diagnosis, a vet recommends treatment and that treatment may include a 'complementary therapy' i.e. one provided in conjunction with allopathic veterinary care.

Equally if an owner of a sick animal does nothing and the animal suffers unnecessarily or dies the owner is liable for prosecution under the Protection of Animals Act.

Under the terms of the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order of 1962, the manipulative therapies of chiropractic, physiotherapy and osteopathy can be given by a non-veterinarian therapist to animals. This act restates that it is illegal for any other non-veterinary therapist to treat an animal. A manipulative therapy can legally be given to an animal only by direct veterinary referral.

Those wishing to treat animals should contact their insurance provider to verify cover.