Animal treatment referrals

The issue of whether an animal should need a referral from a veterinarian to receive chiropractic care was characterized in a committee hearing as two groups muscling each other, trying to get a piece of the business.

The debate surfaced in the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee March 10 during discussion of HF3584, sponsored Rep. Lyle Koenen (DFL-Clara City), which would give definition to the practice of animal chiropractic and its licensing requirements.

This is the first of several bills expected to come from recommendations by the animal husbandry working group convened by the 2007 Legislature to work through issues over who can perform certain animal care.

The Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association objects to Koenen’s bill because it would allow those licensed in animal chiropractic care to perform manipulations without first having a referral from a veterinarian.

“I feel that it is extremely important that with my four years of veterinary school …that I can make a diagnosis and refer them to the appropriate part,” said Kate An Hunter, a veterinarian at the Carver Lake Veterinary Center.

However, Rep. Al Juhnke (DFL-Willmar) questioned why animals need a referral when humans seeking chiropractic care don’t. “It doesn’t seem right that for an animal it is different.”

Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Wabasha) questioned if the consumer is served by having to pay for a referral. “Obviously what we have here is two groups putting their elbows out and saying I want to get in on this.”

The bill was amended to require that a chiropractor, after dispensing treatment, contact the animal’s veterinarian. Following committee approval, the bill awaits action by the House.

Sponsored by Sen. Gary Kubly (DFL-Granite Falls), the companion, SF3165, awaits action by the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Committee.