Section 1. GUIDING PRINCIPLES - It shall be the duty of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to supervise and regulate the establishment, operation and maintenance of veterinary clinics (non-surgical and surgical) and hospitals and any other form of structure for the confinement of animals where they are kept, maintained or treated.  The following shall be the guiding principles in veterinary clinics and hospitals:

1.1       A veterinary clinic or hospital shall be kept clean at all times. Excrements (feces and urine) from small animals shall be cleaned within reasonable time.

1.2       Unless specified as a specialty veterinary clinic (specialty to species, discipline or organ system) the veterinary practice shall be presumed to be of general practice with limitations to species such as practice limited to dogs, cats, or birds or reptiles or a combination thereof.

1.3       The minimum requirement stated in Section 3 shall help ensure that the clinic and practitioner shall have adequate support facilities to perform his/her duties; it shall ensure that the animals confined will be adequately comfortable.

1.4       If the surgery room/s in the clinic is/are not air-conditioned, it/they shall be screened using the fine meshed material to prevent entry of insects. It/they shall be separate from the other rooms used for other purposes.

1.5       All surgeries shall be done within the facilities of a BAI-registered surgical veterinary clinic or hospital, except for minor cuts or small wounds that need suturing which may be done outside these facilities.


2.1 Anesthesia refers to the state in which a patient is rendered insensible to all sensations either locally, as with local anesthetic, or completely as with general anesthetic.

2.2 Anesthetic refers to the agents which are used to render a patient insensible to all sensations either locally, as with local anesthetic or completely as with general anesthetic.

2.3 Animal Patient refers to an animal accepted by veterinary clinics/hospitals for veterinary care and services.

2.4 Licensed Veterinarian refers to a person who graduated from a veterinary college with the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and is duly registered with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and holds a Professional Tax Receipt (PTR), both of which must be current.

2.5 Non-Surgical Veterinary Clinic refers to a BAI-registered veterinary clinic intended only for the diagnosis and treatment of animal patients.  No surgery shall be performed in this clinic. Clinical cases shall be treated/managed only by a duly licensed veterinarian.

2.6 Small Companion Animal refers to dogs, cats, birds, small reptiles, and other animals that can be kept in the household.

2.7 Surgery refers to the procedure performed in the animal with the use of surgical instruments involving incision, excision, and/or transection of organs or part of it with the use of anesthetic.

2.8 Surgical Veterinary Clinic refers to a BAI-registered veterinary clinic intended for the diagnosis, treatment and surgery of animal patients.

2.9 Treatment refers to the management and care of sick animals, by administering the proper medications and/or appropriate intervention.

2.10 Veterinary Hospital refers to a BAI-registered establishment with adequate facilities for the diagnosis, treatment and surgical operation of animal patients.

Section 3.       MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION (as required under the provisions of AO 8, s. 1999)

3.1 Non-Surgical Clinic

3.1.1 Personnel

3.1.1.1 At least one licensed veterinarian
3.1.1.2 At least one veterinary aide.

3.1.2 Document, Books and Other Reading Materials

3.1.2.1           Documents such as PRC Registration, PTR, Dangerous Drugs License or S2, veterinary diploma, and other required documents shall always be made available in the office for inspection.

3.1.2.2           Books necessary for the practice of veterinary medicine shall be available in the clinic. Veterinary drug index, formulary or compendium shall likewise be available.

3.1.2.3           Prescription pads bearing the name and address of the veterinary clinic shall be available.

3.1.2.4           Vaccination Certificates

3.1.2.4.1        Single use, the name of the veterinarian or veterinary institution, veterinary clinic, address, TIN, PRC number and PTR number shall be reflected in the certificate.

3.1.2.4.2        Multiple use or certification (international or universal form meaning that this can be used by many veterinarians) shall not be personalized and the front page shall not reflect the name of the veterinarian or clinic.  The name of the veterinarian/s shall only be reflected or stamped on the space provided for. Included are the TIN, PRC registration number and PTR of the veterinarian signing.  It is suggested that the Philippine Animal Hospital Association (PAHA)/Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines (VPAP) vaccination certificate of format be used.

3.1.2.4.3        Clinical record forms shall be available in the clinic.

3.1.3 Physical Plant Facilities

3.1.3.1 The Reception Room

3.1.3.1.1        The room shall be well lighted, with good ventilation or air conditioning.  The walls shall be smooth for easy cleaning and disinfection.

3.1.3.1.2        The room shall accommodate at least three clients with their animals at any given time.

3.1.3.1.3        The room shall have sufficient number of chairs, reception table, filing cabinet or its equivalent, one typewriter or computer with printer, one simple calculator and one functional phone.

3.1.3.2 The Examination Room

3.1.3.2.1        The room shall be well lighted, with good ventilation or air-conditioning. The walls and floors shall be smooth for easy cleaning and disinfection.

3.1.3.2.2        There shall be an examination table of appropriate size with a top made of either formica, aluminum, stainless steel, or porcelain.

3.1.3.2.3        The room shall have a properly installed and functional sink (porcelain coated or stainless steel or others) with a permanent piping for water supply and drainage.

3.1.3.2.4        There shall be cabinets or shelves for medicines, instruments and others.

3.1.3.3 The following equipment, instrument, and supplies shall be within the clinic:

3.1.3.3.1	refrigerator
3.1.3.3.2	weighing scale
3.1.3.3.3	muzzle and leash (3 pieces each)
3.1.3.3.4	dextrose stand or provisions in the rooms for attachment in the ceiling or walls in the form of hooks
3.1.3.3.5	oxygen cylinder with gauge and control and other paraphernalia to de liver oxygen to the patient
3.1.3.3.6	unused disposable syringes shall be at least 2.5 ml (20 pcs) and needles shall be of gauge 23
3.1.3.3.7	stethoscope
3.1.3.3.8	thermometer, 2 pieces
3.1.3.3.9	Ophthalmoscope or penlight or equivalent (otoscope-optional)
3.1.3.3.10	compound microscope
3.1.3.3.11	nail clipper, 1 each for the dog and cat. (Human nail clipper may be used for cats)
3.1.3.3.12	catheters or infant feeding tubes, 2 pieces each of #10 and #12
3.1.3.3.13	bandages, various sizes
3.1.3.3.14	glass slides and cover slips, 1 box each
3.1.3.3.15	test tubes and racks
3.1.3.3.16	magnifying lens
3.1.3.3.17	emergency pack shall contain the following:
	a) tranquilizer, 1 vial
	b) adrenalin, 2 ampules
	c) atropine, 2 ampules
	d) dexamethasone, 1 vial
	e) oxytocin, 2 ampules
	f) calcium gluconate 10%, 1 ampule
	g) 5 disposable 2 ml syringe with 23 gauge needles
	h) 5 ml disposable syringe with needles
	i) vitamin K1, 2 ampules
	j) 1 needle holder
	l) 1 thumb forceps
	k) needle/silk
	m) 2 mosquito forceps
	n) scissors
	o) bandages and tapes
	p) diazepam, 1 ampule
3.1.3.3.18	medicines/drugs
	a) 5% Dextrose - 6 pcs, LR - 6 bottles, D5LR - 6 bottles
	b) anesthetics
	c) dewormers
	d) vaccines - dogs and cats
	e) antibacterials
	f) disinfectants
3.1.3.3.19	waste receptacles shall be made of tin, porcelain, enamel, stainless steel, or plastic and shall be emptied as frequently as possible.

3.1.3.4     The Cage Room

3.1.3.4.1          The cage room shall be separate from the examination and surgery rooms.

3.1.3.4.2          It shall accommodate at least three (3) cages of different sizes.

3.1.3.4.3          Cage or Kennel

3.1.3.4.3.1       Shall securely accommodate small and large pets.

3.1.3.4.3.2       Made of stainless steel, welded iron, fiber glass, cement or combination or other acceptable materials.  Painting should be chromatone.

3.1.3.4.3.3       Removable flooring or permanent flooring with appropriate drainage.

3.1.3.4.3.4       All cages and kennels shall be secured.

3.1.3.4.4          Waterer and feeder shall be made of durable materials.

3.1.3.4.5          Floors and walls  shall be concrete or equivalent  for easy cleaning and disinfecting.

3.1.3.5     The rest room shall be kept clean.

3.2 Surgical Clinic - requirements are the same as those of non-surgical clinic with the addition of the following:

3.2.1 Surgery Room

3.2.1.1           The room shall be well lighted, with good ventilation or air conditioning.  In the absence, however, of an air conditioning, an exhaust fan shall be provided and windows shall be screened.  The walls and floors shall be smooth for easy cleaning and disinfection.

3.2.1.2           There shall be at least one operating table with top made of stainless steel, aluminum, formica or porcelain. There shall be one metal pail.

3.2.1.3           Dextrose stand or wall or ceiling attachment for dextrose.

3.2.1.4           Surgical lamp or equivalent

3.2.1.6           Instruments and Supplies

3.2.1.6.1	Instrument tray
3.2.1.6.2	One surgical pack shall contain the following:
	a) 3 mosquito curve forceps
	b) 3 mosquito straight forceps
	c) 3 Kelly curve forceps
	d) 3 Kelly straight forceps
	e) 2 Carmalt forceps straight
	f) 1 pair of abdominal retractor
	g) 1 pair Mayo/Metzenbaum scissors
	h) 2 scalpel handle with corresponding blades #4
	i) 1 thumb forceps plain
	j) 1 thumb forceps rat-toothed
	k) 1 pair of sharp and blunt forceps
	l) 1 needle holder 6 
	m) 4 towel clamps
	n) 2 Aliss tissue forceps
	o) 1 spay hook or equivalent
3.2.1.6.3	Surgical needles
	a) 3 pcs. traumatic (cutting, curved)
	b) 3 pcs traumatic (non-cutting for dogs, curved)
	c) 2 pcs straight
3.2.1.6.4	Drapes (reusable or disposable), 8 pcs.
3.2.1.6.5	Gauze packs 4 x4 , 15 pcs.
3.2.1.6.6	Laparotomy sheets, 3 sizes (small, medium and large)
3.2.1.6.7	Cotton jars
3.2.1.6.8	Surgical gloves, 6 pairs
3.2.1.6.9	Masks, 6 pcs.
3.2.1.6.10	Caps, 6 pcs.
3.2.1.6.11	Gowns, 2 pcs.
3.2.1.6.12	Surgical threads, absorbable and non-absorbable, #00-000, 1 dozen of each

3.2.1.7 Provisions for proper disposal of unclaimed dead patients (on or off sites)

3.3 Hospital

3.3.1 Personnel

3.3.1.1 2 licensed veterinarians
3.3.1.2 1 receptionist/secretary/medical technologist
3.3.1.3 2 veterinary aides

3.3.2 Physical Plant Facilities

3.3.2.1           Essentially similar to the requirements for a surgical clinic with the addition of the following:

3.3.2.1.1 Reception room shall accommodate at least 5 clients with their animal at any given time.

3.3.2.1.2 Cage room shall have at least six (6) cages.
3.3.2.2   Laboratory room shall be capable of doing the following examinations:
3.3.2.2.1 Hematology and blood chemistry
3.3.2.2.2 Urinalysis
3.3.2.2.3 Fecalysis

3.3.2.3           Instruments and supplies shall be the same as that for the surgical clinic but shall have 2 or more surgical packs.

3.3.2.4           Medicines shall have twice the clinic requirements.

3.3.2.5           Shall provide personnel to attend to emergency cases outside of the regular hospital hours.

Section 4.       PENAL PROVISIONS - Violation of any of the provisions of this Rules and Regulations shall be penalized in accordance with the law.

Section 5.       SEPARABILITY CLAUSE -In case any provision of this Rules and Regulations is declared unconstitutional and/or contrary to law, other provisions which are not affected thereby shall or continue to be enforced and in effect.

Section 6.       REPEALING CLAUSE -All Administrative Orders, Rules and Regulations and other administrative issuance or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Regulation are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7.       EFFECTIVITY -This Regulation shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Adopted: 16 Oct. 2000

(SGD.) EDGARDO J. ANGARA
Secretary

Recommending Approval of the Rules and Regulations on Code of Standards for Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals for Small Companion Animals

(SGD.) ENRIQUE T. CARLOS (PVMA) Chairperson
(SGD.) NITA HONTIVEROS-LICHAUCO (PAWS) Vice-Chairperson	(SGD.) TEODORO A. ABILAY (BAI) Vice-Chairperson
MEMBERS
(SGD.) EFREN C. NUESTRO National Meat Inspection Commission	(SGD.) ADOLFO R. ACORDA Philippine College of Swine Practitioners
(SGD.) RUTH M. SONACO Agricultural Training Institute	(SGD.) JOSE V. VALENZUELA Philippine Society of Animal Science
(SGD.) ABELARDO B. AGULTO Philippine College of Canine Practitioners	(SGD.) MENANDRO C. VALERIO Philippine Animal Hospital Association
(SGD.) CONRADO A. FRANCISCO Phil. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals	(SGD.) DONA U. TANLIMCO Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines
(SGD.) ELEANOR R. JAVIER Department of Education, Culture and Sports	(SGD.) REYNALDO C. BAYABOS Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau