Code of Ethics for Veterinarians Collaborating with the Vetee/uVeterinare Platform

Date: 2026-06-24

Preamble

The uVeterinare platform (Vetee.ai) provides dog and cat owners with immediate expert help in moments of uncertainty – when a pet stops eating, behaves strangely, vomits, limps, or when the owner does not know whether it is a minor issue or a condition requiring immediate veterinary care.

Our goal is to give the client peace of mind, clarity, a sense of security, and a specific professional solution. Immediately.

This Code of Ethics establishes binding rules for all veterinarians cooperating with the uVeterinare platform. 

The Code is based on internationally recognized principles of virtual veterinary care (including the VVCA) and primarily on the applicable Czech legislation and professional rules of the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons of the Czech Republic.

The uVeterinare service operates primarily in telehealth/teletriage mode – providing general professional advice and case triage. It is not a substitute for clinical examination or telemedicine in the full sense of the word.

1. Mission and Values

Every veterinarian collaborating with the uVeterinare platform represents the values of:

• Expertise and current knowledge in veterinary medicine

• Humanity and empathy towards both client and patient

• Transparency and honesty in communication

• Accessibility and speed of assistance

• Patient safety as the highest priority

2. Scope of Service – Telehealth vs. Telemedicine

The uVeterinare platform provides services in telehealth and teletriage modes. It is essential to distinguish between:

• Telehealth / Teletriage: General professional advice and sorting of cases (triage) – without establishing a diagnosis, prognosis, or prescription for a specific patient.

• Telemedicine: Full-fledged remote veterinary care including diagnosis, prognosis, or prescription of medications for a specific patient, provided exclusively by a licensed veterinarian.

The veterinarian always clearly communicates to the client the mode in which the consultation takes place and its limitations.

3. Expertise and Professional Attitude

The veterinarian:

• provides recommendations in accordance with current veterinary medical knowledge,

• always acts in the best interest of the animal and its welfare,

• is aware of the limitations of online advice and communicates them transparently,

• recommends an in-person veterinary examination whenever the situation requires it,

• does not downplay the severity of clinical symptoms,

• does not create a false sense of security where the condition cannot be safely assessed remotely,

• continuously educates themselves and develops their professional knowledge, including the area of virtual care.

4. Veterinarian–Client–Patient Relationship (VCPR)

The veterinarian acknowledges that:

• Consultations on the uVeterinare platform take place primarily without a prior clinical examination of the patient, and are therefore telehealth/teletriage, not full telemedicine with an established VCPR.

• A full VCPR relationship requires knowledge of the patient, their medical history, and typically a physical clinical examination.

• The veterinarian must hold a valid Certificate for the Practice of Veterinary Activity in the Czech Republic.

5. Client Informed Consent

Before starting a consultation, the client must understand the terms of service. The platform ensures that the client confirms consent containing:

• identification of the provider and their qualifications,

• the nature and limitations of the telehealth/teletriage consultation,

• the fact that the consultation does not replace a clinical examination,

• the client's right to withdraw consent at any time,

• availability of alternative care in case of emergency or technical failure,

• rules for the protection of personal and medical data,

• the possibility to file a complaint with the competent regulatory body (Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons of the Czech Republic).

6. Empathy, Humanity, and Communication

Clients contact us in times of stress, uncertainty, or concern for their pet. The manner of communication is just as important as the professional accuracy of the response.

The veterinarian:

• communicates calmly, empathetically, and with respect,

• never ridicules the client or downplays their concerns,

• uses clear, understandable language without unnecessary professional jargon,

• strives to give the client a sense of support and reassurance,

• understands that for the owner, their animal is a member of the family,

• responds within a reasonable time according to the internal rules of the platform,

• provides clear, practical recommendations – what to do next.

7. Patient Safety

Patient safety is always the highest priority. The veterinarian:

• recommends an immediate in-person visit to a veterinarian in case of suspected acute or life-threatening conditions,

• does not support dangerous home remedies or procedures,

• does not recommend administering prescription-only veterinary medicines without clinical examination – especially antibiotics, corticoids, or other treatments that could majorly affect the animal's health status,

• ensures safe dosing of medications and proper instructions,

• takes into account the age, weight, species, breed, and other individual factors of the patient,

• transparently communicates uncertainty if sufficient information is not available.

8. Prescribing Medications within Online Consultations

Within a telehealth consultation, the veterinarian does not prescribe prescription-only veterinary medicines. Recommendations are not a veterinary prescription. In case Rx medications are needed, the client is referred to an in-person physical clinical examination.

9. Documentation of Consultations

Records of online consultations are maintained meticulously and in compliance with GDPR.

In this context, the platform ensures:

• archiving of all communication between the client and the veterinarian,

• recording basic patient data (species, breed, gender, weight, age, symptom description),

• secure storage and encryption of data in compliance with GDPR,

• availability of records to the client upon request,

• clear definition of who has access to the data and under what conditions.

The veterinarian does not share communication, photos, or documentation outside the platform without the client's consent.

10. Licensing and Legal Framework

The veterinarian collaborating with the uVeterinare platform:

• holds a valid Certificate for the Practice of Veterinary Activity issued by the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons of the Czech Republic,

• complies with the applicable Act No. 166/1999 Coll., on Veterinary Care and related regulations,

• is aware that providing veterinary services to clients in other jurisdictions may be subject to different legal requirements,

• continuously monitors developments in legislation covering telemedicine and virtual care.

11. Emergency Protocol and Technical Failure

In case of an acute threat to the health or life of the patient, the veterinarian:

• immediately advises the client to contact the nearest veterinary emergency service or clinic,

• provides basic first aid instructions if safe and within their competence,

• does not delay the client with unnecessary communication in situations where immediate physical care is required.

In case of technical failure of the platform:

• the client is informed in advance about alternative contact methods,

• the platform ensures a backup communication channel for acute cases.

12. Collegiality and Respect for the Veterinary Profession

The veterinarian:

• respects the work of colleagues and other veterinary clinics,

• does not slander other veterinarians publicly or privately,

• does not judge the work of another veterinarian without knowing the complete case files,

• upholds the good reputation of the veterinary profession,

• acts professionally towards both clients and colleagues,

• understands that they represent not only themselves but also the entire uVeterinare team.

Internally, we support open communication, sharing of experience, and mutual assistance among veterinarians.

13. Corporate Culture and Team Collaboration

uVeterinare stands on:

• mutual respect and trust,

• expertise and continuous education,

• open communication,

• willingness to help one another,

• a shared goal of providing quality and accessible veterinary help.

Every team member has the right to ask colleagues for advice or support with more complex cases. A strong team creates a quality service for clients as well as a better working environment for veterinarians.

14. Complaints and Regulatory Oversight

The client has the right to:

• file a complaint regarding the quality of the consultation through the uVeterinare platform,

• contact the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons of the Czech Republic as the competent regulatory body,

• withdraw consent for the provision of the service at any time,

• for consumer disputes, the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (CTIA) is competent.

The uVeterinare platform undertakes to resolve complaints transparently, within a reasonable timeframe, and with respect to both parties.

Closing Provisions

Compliance with this Code of Ethics is an essential part of cooperating with the Vetee.ai / uVeterinare platform.

Our common goal is to provide modern, professional, and humane veterinary support that helps clients navigate uncertain situations and ensures safe, high-quality care for animals.

Every response, every communication, and every recommendation affects the client’s trust in our service and in the veterinary profession as a whole. Therefore, we want to be:

• expert,

• empathetic,

• clear,

• accessible,

• and always on the side of the animal and its owner.