(a) Definition. For the purpose of this rule, Laser Therapy is an acceptable therapy through the use of laser or IPL device radiation for the purpose of diagnosis, therapy, or treatment in the practice of veterinary medicine.     
      (b) Use of Laser Therapy in the treatment of animals. A licensed veterinarian may perform or prescribe Laser Therapy after a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship has been created in accordance with the Act and Board Rules. An LVT or non-veterinarian employee of a veterinarian may perform Laser Therapy under the general supervision of the veterinarian if the other conditions within this subsection (b) have been met. The veterinarian and his or her employees performing Laser Therapy must be in compliance with all other relevant federal and Texas laws and rules. The veterinarian and his or her employee(s) performing Laser Therapy must comply with the accepted safety standards for use of lasers in health care for animals.     
      (c) Standard Used in Determining Appropriate Use of Laser Therapy. If the Board receives a complaint against a licensee about treatment involving the use of Laser Therapy, investigation of the complaint may include opinions from other licensees who use Laser Therapy in their treatment of animals. However, veterinarians who practice Laser Therapy shall exercise the same degree of humane care, skill, and diligence in treating patients as are ordinarily used in the same or similar circumstances, including the type of practice, by average members of the veterinary medical profession in good standing in the locality or geographic community in which they practice, or in similar communities.     
      (d) Other Board Rules Not Preempted. Nothing in this rule shall remove or limit in any way the applicability of other rules of the Board as they apply to the practice of veterinary medicine.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §573.82 adopted to be effective August 22, 2016, 41 TexReg 6205