Code of Ethics for Veterinarians Cooperating with the Vetee/uVeterináře Platform

Date: June 24, 2026

Preamble

The Vetee/uVeterináře platform provides dog and cat owners with immediate expert assistance 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. Right away.

This Code of Ethics sets binding rules for all veterinarians cooperating with the Vetee/uVeterináře platform. 

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

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

1. Mission and Values

Every veterinarian cooperating with the 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 platform provides services in telehealth and teletriage modes. It is essential to distinguish between:

• Telehealth / Teletriage: General professional advice and case sorting (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 is taking place and its limitations.

3. Expertise and Professionalism

The veterinarian:

• provides recommendations in accordance with current veterinary medicine knowledge,

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

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

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

• does not downplay the severity of clinical symptoms,

• does not create a false sense of security where it is not possible to assess the condition safely from a distance,

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

4. Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR)

The veterinarian acknowledges that:

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

• A full VCPR (Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship) requires knowledge of the patient, its medical history, and usually a clinical examination.

• The veterinarian must hold a valid License to Practice Veterinary Activities in the Czech Republic.

5. Informed Consent of the Client

Before the consultation begins, 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,

• the 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 appropriate regulatory body (Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons of the Czech Republic).

6. Empathy, Humanity, and Communication

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

The veterinarian:

• communicates calmly, empathetically, and respectfully,

• never ridicules the client or downplays their concerns,

• uses clear language without unnecessary professional jargon,

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

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

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

• provides clear and practical recommendations on 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 upon suspicion of an acute or life-threatening condition,

• does not support dangerous home remedies,

• does not recommend administering prescription-only veterinary medicines without examining the patient – especially antibiotics, corticoids, or other pharmaceuticals that could fundamentally affect the animal's health,

• ensures safe dosing of medications and correct instructions,

• considers age, weight, species, breed, and other individual patient factors,

• transparently communicates uncertainty when sufficient information is not available.

8. Prescription of Medications in Online Consultations

Within the scope of a telehealth consultation, the veterinarian does not prescribe prescription-only veterinary medicines. Recommendations are not veterinary prescriptions. If Rx medications are needed, the client is referred to an in-person examination.

9. Documentation of Consultations

Records of online consultations are kept carefully and in compliance with GDPR.

In this regard, the platform ensures:

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

• recording basic data about the patient (species, breed, sex, weight, age, description of symptoms),

• 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 cooperating with the platform:

• holds a valid License to Practice Veterinary Activities 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 in the field of telemedicine and virtual care.

11. Emergency Protocol and Technical Failure

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

• immediately recommends that the client contact the nearest emergency veterinary clinic,

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

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

In case of technical failure of the platform:

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

• the platform provides a backup communication channel for urgent 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, whether publicly or privately,

• does not evaluate the work of another veterinarian without knowing the complete case history,

• supports the good reputation of the veterinary profession,

• acts professionally towards both clients and colleagues,

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

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

13. Corporate Culture and Teamwork

The platform is built on:

• mutual respect and trust,

• expertise and continuous education,

• open communication,

• willingness to help one another,

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

Each team member has the right to ask colleagues for advice or support in 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 platform,

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

• withdraw consent to the provision of services at any time,

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

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

Final Provisions

Compliance with this Code of Ethics is a fundamental part of cooperation with the Vetee.ai / uVeterináře platform.

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

Every answer, every communication, and every recommendation affects the trust of clients in our service as well as in the veterinary profession as a whole. Therefore, we want to be:

• professional,

• empathetic,

• understandable,

• accessible,

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