policy
UNDER REVIEWTransport, sale yard practices, and humane slaughter of hoofstock and poultry
The AVMA supports science-based guidelines for transport and humane slaughter of hoofstock and poultry, developed in collaboration with experienced…
JAVMA news
BSE rules finalized
The Food and Drug Administration finalized rules that prohibit adding certain cattle parts to foods for human consumption and other human-
Plague FAQ
Human Plague frequently asked questions: Plague is an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
policy
UNDER REVIEWDisabled livestock
Disabled livestock must be handled humanely. View AVMA's policy on disabled livestock.
JAVMA news
AVMA revises policy on feral cats to encourage collaboration
The AVMA has revised its policy on “Free-roaming Abandoned and Feral Cats” to encourage collaboration among veterinarians, humane groups, and wildlife…
Zika virus
Can pets be reservoir hosts for Zika virus? Can dogs or other pets get Zika from humans or transmit it to them? Is there a vaccine for Zika?
JAVMA news
Study: Calves grew faster with gentle attention
Dairy calves petted and exposed to soft talk from humans early in life may grow quicker and could later produce more milk, compared with control…
policy
Bovine disbudding and dehorning
Disbudding and dehorning of cattle are important for human and animal safety, although they are procedures that cause pain and discomfort. AVMA…
JAVMA news
California cow had lone known BSE infection
Federal agriculture authorities found no threat to human health from a California cow discovered in April to have been infected with an atypical form…
JAVMA news
Editing Animals
Recent gene-editing technologies are being used to create mice that model human genetic diseases, Holstein cattle lacking horns, and current research…
policy
AVMA animal welfare principles
The AVMA, as a medical authority for the health and welfare of animals, offers eight integrated principles for developing and evaluating animal…
JAVMA news
Virus suspected in ruminant illnesses, deaths in Europe
A newly identified virus is thought to have caused illnesses, stillbirths, and congenital malformations among ruminants in at least five Western…
policy
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
TSEs are important diseases worldwide. The AVMA encourages research and dissemination of scientific knowledge about them; and supports surveillance,…
Animal carcass disposal
Determine the best means of disposal for animal carcasses, tissues, and body parts.
Antimicrobial use and resistance: FAQs for pet owners
AVMA's antimicrobial FAQs provide science-based information to help you make educated decisions about the use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial…
JAVMA news
AVMA giving help on veterinary feed directives
Veterinarians who want help filing veterinary feed directives can use a model form and instructions provided by the AVMA.
JAVMA news
Antimicrobial sales rise despite pending changes
Agreements between federal regulators and pharmaceutical companies are expected to reduce antimicrobial use in agriculture by the end of this year.
JAVMA news
FDA to require species-specific antimicrobial data
Pharmaceutical companies will need to give federal authorities data that could be used to compare antimicrobial consumption and
JAVMA news
Proposal calls for changes in antimicrobial use
The Food and Drug Administration hopes a guide and draft guide on antimicrobial use and availability
JAVMA news
Slaughter plant briefly shut down on handling allegations
Federal authorities temporarily halted inspections at a California slaughterhouse where workers were accused of inhumanely
JAVMA news
Supreme Court strikes down Calif. slaughter rules
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in January that the state of California cannot prohibit the slaughter of pigs that become
JAVMA news
FSIS will require euthanasia of calves unable to walk
Starting in September, veal calves that are unable to walk at slaughter facilities must be euthanized.
JAVMA news
Withdrawal times may improve with disease consideration
Recommended waiting periods between administering drugs to livestock and sending them to slaughter should account for effects of disease on…
JAVMA news
BSE found in dairy cow
A dairy cow in California was found to be infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
policy
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.