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= AVMA/SAVMA  Members Only

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Page contents:

• Animal Welfare
• Alternative and Complimentary Therapies
• Dangerous Animal Legislation
• Foreign Veterinary Graduates
• Genetically Modified Animals
• Prescription Drugs
• Rabies
• Vaccination
• Wild Animals as Pets

The AVMA has a long-term commitment to the welfare, humane treatment, and care of animals. Current scientific knowledge, professional judgment, and ethical, philosophical, and moral values inherent to the veterinary profession provide the basis for these positions.

Animal welfare and animal rights are not synonymous terms.

Animal welfare is a human responsibility that encompasses all aspects of animal well being, including proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane handling, and, when necessary, humane euthanasia.

Animal rights, on the other hand, is a philosophical view and personal value advanced by various animal rights groups.

The AVMA recognizes and supports the long-standing legal concept of animals as property. However, the AVMA recognizes that some animals have value to their owners that may exceed the animal's market value. In determining the real monetary value of the animal, the AVMA believes the purchase price, age and health of the animal, breeding status, pedigree, special training, veterinary expenses for the care of the animal's injury or sickness, related to the incident in question, and any particular economic utility the animal has to the owner should be considered. Any extension of available remedies beyond economic damages would be inappropriate and ultimately harm animals. Therefore, the AVMA opposes the potential recovery of non-economic damages.

Any change in terminology describing the relationship between animals and owners, including "guardian," does not strengthen this relationship and may, in fact, harm it. Such changes in terminology may adversely affect the ability of society to obtain and deliver animal services and, ultimately, result in animal suffering.

The AVMA recognizes that veterinarians may observe cases of animal abuse or neglect as defined by federal laws, state laws or local ordinances. When these situations cannot be resolved through education, the AVMA considers it the responsibility of the veterinarian to report such cases to appropriate authorities. Disclosure may be necessary to protect the health and welfare of animals and people.

The AVMA supports laws against the use and/or transport of domestic or foreign animals for fighting ventures. Further, the AVMA recommends that animal fighting be considered a felony offense.

The AVMA believes that animal pain and suffering are clinically important conditions that adversely affect an animal's quality of life. Drugs, medical techniques, or husbandry methods used to prevent and control pain must be tailored to individual animals and should be based, in part, on the species, breed, age, procedure performed, degree of tissue trauma, individual behavioral characteristics, degree of pain, and health status.

Beak trimming of chickens, turkeys, pheasants, and other gallinaceous birds should be practiced only when necessary to prevent feather picking, fighting and cannibalism. If alternative methods are available, such as genetic selection or management of light or nutrition, they are preferable. If beak trimming is necessary, it should be performed only by trained personnel, using precision automated equipment, when birds are 10 days of age or younger. Re-trimming of beaks is not recommended after birds are 8 weeks old.

Canine devocalization should only be performed by qualified, licensed veterinarians as a final alternative after behavioral modification efforts to correct excessive vocalization have failed.

The AVMA supports the use of procedures that reduce or eliminate the pain of dehorning and castrating of cattle. These procedures should be completed at the earliest age practicable. Research in developing improved techniques for painless, humane castration and dehorning is encouraged. In addition, it is recommended that viable alternatives to castration and dehorning be developed and applied.

Declawing of domestic cats should be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or when its clawing presents a zoonotic risk for its owner(s). The AVMA believes it is the obligation of veterinarians to provide cat owners with complete education with regard to feline onychectomy. The AVMA opposes declawing captive exotic and other wild (indigenous) cats for nonmedical reasons.

The population of dogs and cats in the United States currently exceeds the capacity of our society to care for them and provide homes for them as companion animals. As a result, millions do not have homes and are euthanatized annually by animal control agencies, humane organizations, and veterinarians in private practice. Dogs and cats that are not adopted can become victims of trauma, starvation, or disease. The AVMA concludes that dog and cat population control is a primary welfare concern of our society.

Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs for cosmetic reasons are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection. Therefore, veterinarians should counsel dog owners about these matters before agreeing to perform these surgeries.

The AVMA is not opposed to the euthanasia of unwanted animals, when appropriate, by properly trained personnel, using acceptable humane methods.

The AVMA encourages and supports actions to eliminate the problem of free-roaming abandoned and feral cats. As a result of irresponsible societal attitudes, millions of these cats exist in the United States. Unfortunately, most of these cats will suffer premature mortality from disease, starvation, or trauma. Their suffering is of sufficient magnitude that it constitutes a national tragedy of epidemic proportions. These free-roaming abandoned and feral cats represent a significant factor in the mortality of hundreds of millions of birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. This population of cats also poses a zoonotic disease risk for the public.

The AVMA considers flank ovariectomies, if performed without anesthesia, to be inhumane.

Veterinarians are obligated morally, ethically, and philosophically to promote the welfare of all animals, as defined by AVMA policy. Veterinarians should assume a leadership role to help eliminate cruelty, abuse, and neglect of animals in modern livestock production. It is the duty of livestock and poultry producers, the vast majority of whom are vitally concerned with the welfare of animals, to recognize and deal with people who are cruel, abusive, and neglectful in their production practices and to ensure that those practices that are contrary to animal welfare are abandoned or otherwise corrected.

Cages should be designed and maintained so as to avoid injury to birds. Construction of cages, feeders, and waterers should take into account scientifically documented advantages for bird comfort and health, and facilitate the safe removal of birds. Cage configuration should be such that manure from birds in upper level cages does not drop directly on birds in lower level cages. All hens should be able to stand comfortably upright in their cages. Feeder space should be sufficient to permit all birds to eat at the = same time.

Given the number of variables and large variation in performance within both group and stall systems for pregnant sows, no one system is clearly better than others under all conditions and according to all criteria of animal welfare.

Sow housing systems should:

• Minimize aggression and competition among sows;
• Protect sows from detrimental effects associated with environmental extremes, particularly temperature extremes;
• Reduce exposure to hazards that result in injuries, pain or disease;
• Provide every animal with daily access to appropriate food and water;
• Facilitate observation of individual sow appetite, respiratory rate, urination and defecation, and reproductive status by caregivers; and
• Allow sows to express most normal patterns of behavior.

Molting is a natural seasonal event in which birds substantially reduce their feed intake, cease egg production, and replace their plumage. Induced molting is a process that simulates natural molting events. Induced molting extends the productive life of commercial chicken flocks, improves long-term flock health and performance, and results in substantial reduction in the number of chickens needed to produce the nation's egg supply. When birds return to full feed, a new plumage develops and the birds resume egg production at a higher rate with better egg quality. Induced molting also has a positive impact on the environment through reduction of waste and natural resources needed for growing more birds for egg production.

The commercial induced molting procedure is carefully monitored and controlled. Acceptable practices include reduction of photoperiod (day length) and dietary restrictions (including diets of low nutrient density) that result in cessation of egg production. Neither water nor food should be withdrawn. Special attention should be paid to flock health, mortality, and bird weight. Egg quality and safety should be monitored through an egg quality assurance program. The welfare of birds should be a major consideration in this and any management practice. The AVMA encourages ongoing research into the effect of various methods of induced molting on the performance and well-being of laying chickens.

The AVMA is opposed to the surgical removal of the tails of prehensile-tailed monkeys. The tail of this type of monkey serves as an essential appendage, and veterinarians should not remove it either for cosmetic purposes or for the owner's convenience.

Humane and safe physical restraint is the use of manual or mechanical means to limit some or all of an animal's normal voluntary movement for the purposes of examination, collection of samples, drug administration, therapy, or manipulation. The method used should provide the least restraint required to allow the specific procedure(s) to be performed properly, and should protect both the animal and personnel from harm. In some situations, chemical restraint may be the preferred method. Whenever possible, restraint should be planned, formulated, and communicated prior to its application.

The AVMA is opposed to removal or reduction of healthy teeth of dogs as a treatment for canine aggression. This approach to managing aggression does not address the cause of the behavior. The welfare of the patient may be adversely affected because the animal is subjected to dental procedures that are painful, invasive, and do not address the problem. Removal or reduction of teeth for nonmedical reasons may also create oral pathologic conditions. In addition, dogs may still cause severe injury with any remaining teeth, and removal or reduction of teeth may provide owners with a false sense of security. Injury prevention and the welfare of the dog are best addressed through behavioral assessment and modification by a qualified behaviorist.

The AVMA encourages development of humane alternatives to chemical restraint and analgesia to harvest velvet, which is consumed by humans. The AVMA recommends that amputation of the growing, living antler of a member of the family Cervidae (e.g., deer, moose, elk, caribou) be conducted humanely and within the bounds of a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship. It is unacceptable to remove velvet antlers without analgesia. The goal of the procedure should be to minimize stress and pain to the animal, while protecting the animal against excess blood loss, risk of infection, or fly strike. An additional goal is to acquire a clean, wholesome product containing a minimum of drug residue(s). Removal of velvet antler from animals that have been humanely slaughtered for the purpose of obtaining meat is acceptable.

The AVMA recognizes that animals play a central and essential role in research, testing, and education for continued improvement in the health and welfare of human beings and animals. The AVMA also recognizes that humane care of animals used in research, testing, and education is an integral part of those activities. In keeping with these concerns, the AVMA endorses the following principles: refinement of experimental methods to eliminate or reduce animal pain and distress; reduction of the number of animals consistent with sound experimental design; and replacement of animals with non-animal methods wherever feasible. The AVMA condemns all acts of vandalism against researchers and research facilities. The AVMA opposes legislation that seeks to eliminate animal-based safety assessment unless that legislation is based on sound scientific principles.

The AVMA supports the humane and ethical use of animals in shows and for exhibition, in accordance with existing federal, state, and local animal protection laws. The AVMA also encourages compliance with voluntary and self-regulated programs to ensure the humane treatment of animals. The AVMA condemns the fraudulent use of drugs, non-nutritive agents, or procedures intended to alter performance, conformation, appearance, or other functions of animals competing in fairs, exhibitions, displays, or contests. The Association urges its members to report such activities to the appropriate authorities.

The AVMA supports the concept of early (prepubertal, 8 to 16 weeks of age) spay/neuter in dogs and cats in an effort to reduce the number of unwanted animals of these species. Just as for other veterinary procedures, veterinarians should use their best medical judgment in deciding at what age spay/neuter should be performed on individual animals.

The AVMA condemns spectator events involving animals that have injury or death intended. These events include, but are not limited to, cock fighting, dog fighting and bull fighting. The AVMA recommends that any spectator event involving animals where injuries may occur be conducted in a manner that minimizes injury. These events include, but are not limited to: dog racing; dog sled racing; animal exhibitions; rodeo; polo; horse racing; cutting, reining, and jumping; and field trials. The AVMA opposes the use of live animals for training racing dogs, and encourages the development of artificial racing lures. The AVMA condemns the practice of "soring" horses to accentuate a horse's gait for training or show purposes.

Certain procedures may be necessary for proper care and management of swine. Good hygiene and trained personnel are required. Tail docking is a management practice performed to prevent tail biting that results from aggression between pigs. Tail docking should be performed within the first week of the pig's life. Ear notching is a practice used for identification. It should be performed within the first week of life. Castration of swine can help control aggression. Castration should be performed at least 5 days prior to weaning to allow for adequate healing. When swine are castrated after they are 28 days old, anesthesia and/or analgesia should be used, and these castrations should be performed by a veterinarian.

The AVMA opposes routine tail docking of cattle. Current scientific literature indicates that routine tail docking provides no benefit to the animal, and that tail docking can lead to distress during fly seasons. When medically necessary, amputation of tails must be performed by a licensed veterinarian.

Lambs are tail docked for cleanliness and to minimize fly strike, But cosmetic, excessively short tail docking can lead to an increased incidence of rectal prolaspses and is unacceptable for the welfare of the lamb. We recommend that lambs' tails be docked at the level of the distal end of the caudal tail fold.

Wildlife populations may exceed the carrying capacity of their habitat, and the AVMA recognizes that trapping is a useful and necessary method for managing these populations. Trapping devices that cause instant death or work on the principle of live capture without pain or injury are acceptable. The AVMA encourages the development of trapping devices that meet these criteria and recommends phasing out trapping devices that do not meet these criteria. The AVMA considers the steel jaw leghold trap to be inhumane.

The AVMA recognizes the interest in Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine (CAVM), which includes medical approaches known by terms such as "complementary," "alternative," and "integrative." All veterinary medicine, including CAVM, should be held to the same standards. Ultimately, safety and effectiveness claims should be proven by the scientific method. Circumstances commonly require that veterinarians extrapolate information when formulating a course of therapy. Veterinarians should exercise caution in such circumstances. Practices and philosophies that are ineffective or unsafe should be discarded.

Veterinarians should ensure that they have the requisite skills and knowledge for any treatment modality they may consider using. The AVMA does not officially recognize diplomate-status or certificates other than those awarded by veterinary specialty organizations that are members of the AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties, nor has it evaluated the training or education programs of other entities that provide such certificates. Recognition of a veterinary specialty organization by the AVMA requires demonstration of a substantial body of scientific knowledge. The AVMA encourages CAVM organizations to demonstrate such a body of knowledge.

The creation of new, genetic-based knowledge through basic genetic research and the practical application of that knowledge should not be needlessly restricted so long as it does not impact the integrity of the environment and the general health and well being of the genetically modified animal remains preferential to human values and needs.

Since the time when animals were first domesticated, humans have been actively involved in the selection of preferred traits that enhance the functional value and aesthetic appeal of specific animal breeds, while at the same time working to preserve and improve animal health and well being. The ability to select for a specific genetic trait through controlled breeding has resulted in a remarkable variety of animal breeds that are both physically and functionally unique.

Advancements made in sequencing the genomes of animals and improved technologies in functional genomics and biotechnology now present the opportunity to accelerate ongoing genetic improvements in animals at a pace and with a precision that is not possible by traditional selective breeding programs.

In this regard, having the DNA sequences for animals presents both a remarkable opportunity as well as a profound responsibility to utilize this knowledge and technology in a fashion that will preserve, if not improve, the health and well being of animals, while at the same time enhancing their appeal and value to humans.

Compounding is the manipulation of a drug, other than in accordance with the FDA approved label, to make a different formulation of the drug to meet the needs of a specific patient.

Compounding, including formulation in a novel drug delivery system (e.g. transdermal), may impact the absorption and depletion of a drug. The use of a compounded drug may result in drug concentrations that lead to the development of an adverse drug event, including therapeutic failure. In order to minimize the risk of adverse events associated with compounded drugs, the following actions are recommended:

1. The decision to use a compounded drug should be veterinarian (not pharmacy) driven, based on a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
   
   
2. Compounding must be implemented in compliance with applicable federal law and FDA regulations. Use of compounded drugs in food animals is accompanied by food safety concerns that preclude their use unless information exists to assure avoidance of illegal tissue residues.
   
   
3. Use of a compounded drug should be limited to:
   1. Those drugs for which both safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in the compounded form in the target species;
   2. Disease conditions for which response to therapy or drug concentration can be monitored; or
   3. Those individual patients for which no other method or route of drug delivery is practical.

Use of a compounded drug should be accompanied by the same precautions followed when using a drug in its original form, including counseling of the client regarding potential adverse reactions and attention to the potential for unintended human or animal exposure to the drug.

Drug therapy, when medically indicated, should be initiated by the attending veterinarian in the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Clients that wish to purchase their prescription drugs from a pharmacy rather than the veterinarian, should be advised to first obtain a prescription from their veterinarian before contacting a pharmacy. The veterinarian may choose to either issue the prescription in writing for the client, or contact the pharmacy electronically or by phone.

Both human and animal drugs may be either dispensed or prescribed. Veterinarians should honor client requests to prescribe rather than dispense a drug. The client has the option of filling a prescription at any pharmacy. If clients indicate an intent to use an Internet pharmacy, they should be encouraged to select one certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, whose program and its accompanying seal of approval identify to the public those online pharmacies that are appropriately licensed and prepared to practice pharmacy via the Internet.