JACKSON, MISS. — The Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine filed a new rule stating that only veterinarians licensed in the state may diagnose pregnancies in livestock.

The rule, adopted Feb. 7, states that diagnosing pregnancies "clearly constitutes" the practice of veterinary medicine and therefore may only be performed by a veterinarian licensed to practice in Mississippi. The rule also defines livestock as any hoofed animal raised in captivity for meat, sport or exhibition.