New resources support attending veterinarians for dog breeders

For veterinarians interested in promoting the health and welfare of future generations of dogs, one great way is to serve as an attending veterinarian for commercial dog breeders. A new suite of AVMA resources explains this role and its requirements, and provides tools to help educate clients.

What is an attending veterinarian?

An attending veterinarian’s responsibilities cover both individual and population health. The main role is to work closely with dog breeders to develop and maintain a program of veterinary care. This is a written document that’s required for all canine breeding programs licensed and registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and it provides the breeder with guidance on all aspects of canine health and care. The program itself encompasses everything from disease control and prevention to euthanasia, with optional details in areas like nutrition and mitigating anthelmintic and antimicrobial resistance.

Other duties of the attending veterinarian include performing physical exams, conducting regular visits to breeders’ premises, and providing care for sick and/or injured animals, among other things. 

New resources free to all AVMA members

Becoming an attending veterinarian is easier than you might think, and the rewards are extensive. Find out more at avma.org/AttendingVeterinarian. There, you’ll also find these new resources, exclusively for AVMA members:

• Detailed explanation of the program of veterinary care
• Client handout explaining this program 
• Discussion topics on inherited disorders in companion animals