Position Statements

Integrative Veterinary Medicine

February 25, 2026

Integrative Veterinary Medicine (IVM) is complex and will continue to evolve beyond the publication date of this position. Currently (2025) the veterinary profession and the general public are becoming increasingly aware of options for care of their animals. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) advises readers to keep apprised of progress in this area through reputable information sources.

Position

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) holds that the treatment of animals using various therapies and modalities constitutes the practice of veterinary medicine. In addition, the CVMA holds that integrative veterinary medicine (IVM) should be subject to similar standards as conventional veterinary medicine. Safety and efficacy should be demonstrated by scientific methods and evidence-based principles and the practice of IVM should be provided within the context of a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR).

Summary

  • Integrative Veterinary Medicine (IVM) should be performed under veterinary supervision within a valid Veterinarian Client Patient Relationship (VCPR)
  • The benefits of a CAVM therapy should substantially outweigh the potential risks;
  • The benefits of IVM therapy should outweigh the potential risks.
  • IVM should be subject to similar standards as conventional veterinary medicine. Safety and efficacy should be demonstrated by scientific methods and evidence based principles.

Background

  1. The CVMA considers Integrative Veterinary Medicine to be, veterinary medical care that combines conventional medicine with researched, scientifically-based complementary medical approaches to enhance patient care (1-4), including but not limited to:
    • Acupuncture
    • Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (Chiropractic)
    • Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine
    • Photobiomodulation (therapeutic Laser)
    • Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
    • Massage Therapy
    • Myofascial Release
    • Microbiome therapy
    • Botanicals (herbal medicine, essential oil therapy)
  2. The CVMA encourages veterinarians to use those therapies and modalities that offer the best balance considering risks, benefits, and level of scientific evidence (5 6). Veterinarians are uniquely positioned to advise clients on the risks of therapies, and the current evidence to support the benefits of their use. The CVMA believes that scientific evidence and ongoing research is important to assess the safety and efficacy of IVM therapies, including their potential use alongside conventional veterinary medical therapies.
  3.  IVM modalities exist with varying degrees of scientific evidence demonstrating therapeutic effectiveness. (7-32).
  4. The CVMA encourages veterinarians who practice IVM to clearly explain the risks and benefits of IVM versus conventional veterinary medicine when presenting the available therapeutic options to their clients. Veterinarians should receive informed consent from clients before initiating therapy within the context of a veterinarian-client- patient relationship (VCPR). The VCPR represents an agreement between the client and the veterinarian concerning the care of animals (33). Different therapies present varying levels of risk of harm. Modalities with higher risk of harm should only be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Those with a lower risk of harm could be delegated to an adequately trained allied health professional subject to the rules and regulations of their provincial or territorial regulatory body.
  5. The CVMA does not currently recognize specialist status or certificates other than those awarded by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS) (34). The CVMA supports the rigorous criteria imposed by the ABVS for distinct and identifiable specialties of veterinary medicine whereby diplomates hold a common basis of advanced and expert knowledge based on standardized educational goals and examinations. The CVMA supports the concept of ABVS certification for those IVM therapies and modalities that are based on sound scientific evidence regarding their safety and efficacy. The ABVS recognizes the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation as a specialty related to this area. Specialized certification training is available or is emerging in areas such as veterinary spinal manipulation therapy (chiropractic), acupuncture, osteopathy, and herbal medicine but at this point in time are not recognized by the ABVS. Veterinarians should always have adequate training or experience to practice IVM.
  6. Certain allied human health professionals have the skills and knowledge to apply treatment modalities such as rehabilitation for licensed physiotherapists where there are extensive training programs and certification. However, the CVMA holds that the diagnosis and prescribing of treatment must rest with the patient’s
    veterinarian.
  7. The CVMA recognizes that provincial/territorial veterinary regulatory bodies license veterinarians in Canada, and thus regulate the practice of veterinary medicine, and determine within their jurisdictions (35-39):
    •  procedures that constitute the practice of veterinary medicine;
    • what constitutes a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship VCPR;
    • what constitutes “veterinary supervision”, and the limits of supervision as it pertains to any given therapy, including IVM, and how a non-veterinarian(s) may or may not be involved in a IVM therapy;
    • and any requirement to obtain owner consent prior to initiating any treatment, including an IVM therapy, or modality.
  8. Each provincial/territorial regulatory body in Canada may have different interpretations of what constitutes acceptable practices. All IVM therapies or modalities are very dynamic, and interpretations may change over time as additional experience and research become available.

References

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    Diet
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    Essential Oils
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    Regulatory
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