Ethics: The Ethics of Agent Compensation

By Scott Hay, DVM; David W. Ramey, DVM; and Elizabeth M. Santschi, DVM, DACVS

In competitive veterinary environments such as the racetrack, big show and performance horse barns, and breeding farms, the temptation to agree to agents’ requests for financial accommodations or payments in return for  access to their clients’ veterinary work can be severe, but must be resisted. A better grasp of both the ethical and legal ramifications of such arrangements can help equine veterinarians respond to and withstand those pressures.