When asked to provide sedation (administered by any route, e.g. oral, intravenous), it is the veterinary surgeon’s responsibility to:

• Request appropriate information with regards to the requirement for sedation, i.e. ask the owner/keeper what procedure is being carried out, and by who.
• Where relevant, remind the owner that they should use appropriately qualified individuals, e.g. the equine dental technician (EDT) is on the BAEDT/WWAED register, or the farrier is registered with the Farriers Registration Council (FRC).
• Prescribe or administer an appropriate sedation, at an appropriate dose, with appropriate instructions for administration (where left for owner to administer orally) and aftercare instructions.
• Inform the owner that only they or their employees may administer the prescribed sedation.
• Intervene appropriately if, whilst she/he is present it becomes evident that the animal’s welfare is being compromised, or an illegal act is taking place.

• Remain on site (if administering the sedation) until they are satisfied that the animal is stable under sedation.
• Advise the owner to seek veterinary advice/attention should the animal’s condition become a concern.

The following are not the responsibility of the vet:

• The accuracy of the information relayed by the owner to the vet.
• The actions of the allied professional when not under direct and continuous supervision.
• The vet is not required to remain on site to supervise/oversee/be present whilst the sedation and any procedures take place. The only exception to this is sedating a horse for an accredited equine dental technician (EDT) to remove ‘wolf teeth’, for which continuous supervision is recommended.