Animal health topics

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AVMA emergency preparedness and response guide

Saving the whole family^©

Disaster preparedness for veterinary practices

Veterinary medical assistance teams (VMAT)

Frequently Asked Questions

National Pet Wellness Month

National Pet Week

Pet Dental Health Month

Pet Wellness Calendar

World Rabies Day

AVMA resources for educators

Pet food recalls

First aid tips for pet owners

Safe use of flea and tick products on pets

Dogs' social lives and disease risks

AAFP/AAHA Feline Life Stage Guidelines

Paws for Pets

Adverse event reporting

Emerging canine viruses

Veterinary and animal science organizations

Reference section

= AVMA/SAVMA  Members Only

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Have a question about a certain topic but not quite sure where to look for the answer?
Below is a list of all frequently asked questions compiled by the AVMA.

Click on a section below to view available FAQs for that topic.

• Canine parvovirus type 2c FAQ
  
  A strain of canine parvovirus that has recently emerged in the United States as a cause of vomiting and diarrhea.
• Canine respiratory coronavirus FAQ
  
  A virus that causes respiratory infections in dogs, and recently gained media attention when a shelter in Lee County, Florida experienced an outbreak that sickened many animals.
• Caring For an Older Pet FAQ
  
  Thanks to better care, pet are living longer...but aging pets have special needs. Find out what you can do to help your aging pet live a happy, healthy life.
• Information for human healthcare providers about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and animals
  
  How are animals involved in the spread of MRSA? How common is MRSA in animals? What are the symptoms of MRSA infection in animals? ... [more]
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
  
  What is MRSA? How common is MRSA? Where do you find MRSA? Are there different types of MRSA? ... [more]
• Pets and Zoonotic Diseases
  
  Can animals carry diseases I can catch? Are these diseases deadly? What is the risk that I or my children will become infected? ... [more]
• Traveling with your pet
  
  What should I think about when deciding to travel with my pet? Whom should I contact as I am considering travel arrangements? What should I bring with me on my trip? ... [more]
• Vaccination
  
  What are vaccines? Is it important to vaccinate? How often should pets be revaccinated? Are there risks associated with vaccination? ... [more]

• 2009 AVMA Convention Opening Ceremony
  
  Responses to frequently asked questions about the AVMA 2009 Annual Convention opening session Pike Place Fish Market team building presentation.
• AVMA and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA)
  
  The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) announced a 'corporate combination' with the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR) to form the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA). Read answers to some questions the AVMA has been asked regarding this new association.
• Canine tail docking
  
  Frequently asked questions about canine tail docking.
• Ear cropping and canine otitis externa
  
  Frequently asked questions about ear cropping and canine otitis externa.
• Pets and foreclosed homes
  
  The mortgage crisis has also affected the lives of our pets. This Frequently Asked Questions document provides guidance and resources.
• Unwanted horses and the AVMA's policy on horse slaughter
  
  What is an "unwanted horse?" How many unwanted horses are there? What happens to unwanted horses? Aren't there enough homes for all of them? ... [more]

• Animal Health SmartBrief
  
  Responses to frequently asked questions about Animal Health SmartBrief, an e-newsletter produced as a partnership between the AVMA and SmartBrief. ... [more]

• AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT) program
  
  When was the AVMA VMAT program created? Are the AVMA VMAT teams currently deployable? ... [more]
• PETS Act FAQ
  
  What led to the development of the PETS Act? What does the PETS Act do? ... [more]

• Compounding
  
  What is compounding? What is a bulk drug? Does the FDA's Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) on compounding for animals disallow all compounding from bulk pharmaceutical ingredients? ... [more]
• What animal owners should know about Internet pharmacies
  
  With the recent emergence of Internet pharmacies, many pet owners have questions regarding their safety and credibility. The AVMA appreciates the rising cost of health care for pets as well as humans, but cautions pet owners to be aware of the risks that may be involved. Like you, we want to ensure the highest quality of care for your animal.
• Minor Use and Minor Species (MUMS) Animal Health Act
  
  What are minor species? Why is the "Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act" needed? What does the Act do? How will the Act ensure public health is protected? ... [more]
• What veterinarians should know about prescribing and dispensing
  
  Veterinarians increasingly must wrestle with prescribing issues in their practices, particularly given the emergence of Internet-based services in recent years. These resources have been created to help you navigate the issues that are key for optimal patient care and the future of your practice.

• Programs seeking AVMA CVTEA accreditation
  
  When should we apply for accreditation? What expenses can be anticipated for accreditation? How long is a site visit? How long will it take to prepare the self-study report? ... [more]

• The American Veterinary Medical Association's Political Action Committee (AVMAPAC)
  
  The American Veterinary Medical Association's Political Action Committee (AVMAPAC) may be one of the AVMA's most important political tools, in terms of its impact on veterinary medicine, but many members still have questions about it. Read some of the most common questions about the program.

• Meetings and CE Calendar
  
  What types of meetings and events are included in the calendar? How do I submit a meeting? How do I search for a meeting? How do I see all meetings for the current month? ... [more]

• Microchipping animals
  
  What is a microchip? How is a microchip implanted into an animal? Is it painful? Does it require surgery or anesthesia? What kind of information is contained in the microchip? Is there a tracking device in it? Will it store my pet's medical information? ... [more]

• Pet food recall (Melamine)
  
  Read frequently asked questions related to pet food products recalled between March 15, 2007 and August 22, 2007 due to potential melamine contamination.
• AVMA alert regarding jerky treats
  
  Read frequently asked questions related to the jerky treat alert in September 2007 in which jerky treats from China could have be causing illness in pets.

• Anthrax
  
  What causes anthrax? What species are typically at risk for developing anthrax? How common is anthrax in the United States? What are the signs of anthrax infection? ... [more]
• Avian influenza
  
  What is avian influenza? How is avian influenza transmitted? Can people become ill with highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza? Should I be concerned about highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza causing a problem in the United States? ... [more]
• Plague
  
  What causes plague? What species are typically at risk for developing plague infection? How can humans acquire plague? How is plague diagnosed and treated? ... [more]
• Pets and Zoonotic Diseases
  
  Can animals carry diseases I can catch? Are these diseases deadly? What is the risk that I or my children will become infected? ... [more]

• Employers' FAQ
  
  What kinds of jobs can be posted on the AVMA Veterinary Career Center? How do I post a job? How much does it cost to post a job on the AVMA Veterinary Career Center? ... [more]
• Job seekers' FAQ
  
  Who can find a job through the Veterinary Career Center? How often can I check the job listings? Can my resume and application be listed confidentially? How long will my information remain online? ... [more]