Long-running veterinary free speech suit resolved

The United States Supreme Court's refusal in April to review an appellate ruling marks the end of a case that hovered over veterinary telemedicine for 13 years.

The denial of review allows a 2024 Fifth Circuit decision to stand. The court found state regulators violated the free speech rights of a Texas veterinarian when they penalized him for advising clients by email without having first conducted a hands-on patient exam.

This story was published on May 8, 2026.