What are the grounds for disciplinary action against a veterinarian in Arizona?

The grounds for disciplinary action against a veterinarian in Arizona primarily include unprofessional conduct, negligence, and violations of the veterinary practice act. This framework is established to ensure that veterinarians uphold high standards of practice, maintain ethical behavior, and provide safe and effective care to animals. Unprofessional conduct can encompass a wide range of behaviors that undermine the integrity of the profession, while negligence refers to a failure to provide the standard of care expected in veterinary practice. Violating the veterinary practice act denotes actions that contravene the established regulations governing veterinary medicine in Arizona.

While failure to meet licensing requirements and inadequate continuing education pertain to a veterinarian's ability to practice legally and competently, they are often considered separate issues that might lead to disciplinary action rather than being broad grounds for discipline like those outlined in the first option. Personal disagreements with clients, though potentially problematic in a professional setting, do not constitute valid grounds for disciplinary action against a veterinarian unless they escalate to unethical behavior or a breach of the veterinary practice act. Thus, the identified criteria under the first choice reflect significant infractions that justify disciplinary measures within the veterinary profession in Arizona.