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Service animals
If an animal meets this definition, it is considered a service animal regardless whether it has been licensed or certified by a government or an…
policy
Support for veterinary extension and outreach services
Veterinary extension and outreach services play a vital role to protect the health and wellbeing of animals, contribute to public health, and…
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Surgery or procedures performed on show animals
The AVMA recommends that procedures to correct injury or deformity for an animal’s welfare not be grounds to disqualify the animal from conformation…
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Swine castration
The AVMA recommends using swine castration procedures and practices that reduce or eliminate pain, including the use of approved or AMDUCA-permissible…
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Tail docking and teeth clipping of swine
The AVMA recommends the use of procedures and practices that reduce or eliminate pain associated with tail docking and teeth clipping of pigs. This…
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Tail alteration in horses
The AVMA endorses this American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) policy on Tail Alteration in Horses.
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Telemedicine
AVMA is committed to ensuring access to the convenience and benefits afforded by telemedicine, while promoting the responsible provision of…
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The veterinarian’s role in supporting appropriate selection and use of service, assistance and therapy animals
The AVMA encourages veterinarians to be familiar with the legal status and protections accorded to service, assistance, emotional support, and therapy…
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The veterinary profession's role in addressing the opioid epidemic
AVMA strongly recommends that veterinarians, legislators, state veterinary medical boards, and state pharmacy boards work together to create practical…
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Therapeutic medications in racehorses
Health care decisions for individual horses are the responsibility of the veterinarian, trainer, and owner and must have the best interests of the…
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Therapeutic medications in competition equids
The AVMA condemns the administration of non-therapeutic or unprescribed medications to competition equids. Health care decisions regarding individual…
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Therapeutic pet food health claims
The FDA uses enforcement discretion in overseeing certain pet food claims. While many of these could legally be considered drugs, certain claims are…
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Training in foreign and emerging animal diseases
Veterinarians must be adequately prepared to recognize foreign animal diseases, emerging or reemerging diseases, or animal disease resulting from an…
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Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
TSEs are important diseases worldwide. The AVMA encourages research and dissemination of scientific knowledge about them; and supports surveillance,…
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Transportation of research animals for the purpose of research, testing, and education
Transportation of animals for research, testing, and education should be conducted humanely and assure the animals are handled appropriately for their…
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Trapping and steel-jawed leghold traps
The AVMA opposes the use of conventional (non-padded, non-offset) steel jawed foothold traps, also called leghold traps.
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USDA leadership in farmed animal health
The USDA is the lead agency for farmed animal health as authorized by the Animal Health Protection Act of 2003.
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UNDER REVIEWUse of aquatic animal therapeutic agents
The AVMA recognizes the need for sufficient approved therapeutics to facilitate safe and effective prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of…
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UNDER REVIEWUse of electro-muscular disruption devices (EMDDs) on animals
Understand the AVMA's position on the use of electro-muscular disruption devices such as stun guns on animals.
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Use of horses in urban environments
The AVMA endorses the American Association of Equine Practitioners' policy on the use of horses in urban environments.
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Use of action devices and performance packages for Tennessee Walking Horses
The AVMA and the American Association of Equine Practitioners support a ban on the use of action devices and performance packages in the training and…
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Use of technology in veterinary medicine
The AVMA supports responsible and ethical development and use of technology that can benefit and protect public health, animal health and welfare, and…
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Vaccination principles
Vaccines have been proven highly efficacious and beneficial to the health of veterinary patients, as well as the general public. Decisions about…
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UNDER REVIEWVeal calf management
The AVMA supports modern veal calf production practices that meet the welfare and health needs of calves. View the policy on veal calf management.
policy
UNDER REVIEWVeterinarian-client-patient relationship
The veterinarian-client-patient relationship is the basis for veterinary care. To establish such a relationship these conditions must be satisfied.