Question

A client brings in a dog for a parvovirus vaccination. The only canine parvovirus vaccine in the clinic has an expiration date that indicates it expired 2 months earlier. What should be done?

1. Do or say nothing
2. Warn clients
3. Discuss your concerns with the veterinarian
4. Immediately report the veterinarian to the State Board of Examiners

Answer 1

The correct action when discovering an expired parvovirus vaccine is to discuss the issue with the veterinarian. The client should be informed, and vaccination rescheduled. Reporting this incident to the State Board should be considered only if negligence is detected.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client brings in a dog for a parvovirus vaccination and the only vaccine available is expired, the correct action would be to discuss your concerns with the veterinarian. Using an expired vaccine could be ineffective or even harmful to the animal, and it is not in adherence with professional standards. Depending on clinic policy or the judgment of the veterinarian, the client should be informed about the situation and advised that the vaccination should be rescheduled until appropriate, non-expired vaccine can be administered.

It is also important to review inventory management practices in the clinic to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. Reporting the veterinarian to the State Board of Examiners would typically be an excessive step unless there is evidence of a pattern of negligent practice or refusal to address the issue by the veterinarian.