A pet nanny who gave subcutaneous infusion to a cat with kidney disease was illegal. The New Taipei City Animal Welfare Office warned that she could be fined up to NT$500,000.

Pet nannies are not allowed to give injections at will! The New Taipei City Animal Protection and Epidemic Prevention Office recently received a report that when a pet nanny came to take care of the pet, the cat was given subcutaneous infusions every two days at the owner's request. An investigation by the Animal Welfare Department pointed out that a nanny who does not have the qualifications of a veterinarian but performs medical treatment for other people's pets has violated the "Veterinary Practitioners Act" and may be fined up to 500,000 yuan and confiscate medicine and equipment. The Animal Welfare Department emphasizes that subcutaneous infusion is a medical act and medical treatment should not be regarded as ordinary daily care.

The Animal Welfare Department pointed out that subcutaneous infusion seems to be just an "injection", but in fact it involves the animal's disease status, infusion content, dosage, administration method and follow-up observation, and is a veterinary medical practice. If an owner needs regular treatment for a pet's illness, he or she should first have a diagnosis and assessment by a veterinarian, and then provide follow-up care according to the doctor's instructions. Unqualified personnel should not be used to vaccinate other people's pets just because the owner requests it, or because the caregiver has previous operating experience.

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Luo Qingbo, chairman of the New Taipei City Veterinary Medical Association, said that pet care and animal medical treatment have different professional boundaries. Subcutaneous infusion is not just daily care work. It is still necessary to evaluate the appropriate infusion content and dose, as well as the site and method of injection according to the animal's health condition, and observe whether there are any abnormal reactions after the injection. Improper operation may cause infection, bleeding or other injuries, so medical treatment should not be regarded as general pet care work.

The Animal Welfare Department stated that there is a difference between "an owner taking care of his own pet" and "being entrusted to take care of and perform medical treatment for others." According to a past letter from the Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture, if a pet is diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian and it is deemed that the owner needs to cooperate with the treatment at home, the veterinarian will issue a prescription and provide drugs, and then instruct the owner to provide necessary care for their sick pet. This is home care where the owner cooperates with the veterinarian's medical instructions; however, if pet nannies, caregivers, etc. are entrusted to take care of pets for others, even if the owner agrees or has received relevant operating guidance, they cannot perform medical actions involving the veterinarian's business.

The Animal Welfare Department reminds that if owners need help from others to take care of sick pets, they should confirm with the animal hospital in advance the appropriate care methods and matters that can be cooperated by the owners. Veterinary services involving diagnosis, treatment, etc. should be carried out by qualified personnel in accordance with the law. Pet nannies should also clearly distinguish between "care" and "medical treatment" to avoid breaking the law and being punished for a seemingly simple "injection".