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…
Plague FAQ
Human Plague frequently asked questions: Plague is an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
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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…
policy
UNDER REVIEWRemoval of antlers (velveting)
If amputation of living, growing antlers of cervids is performed, it must be done humanely and within the bounds of a veterinarian-client-patient…
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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…
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Bovine castration
Cattle castration is important to animal and human safety, reduces aggressive behavior, and improves meat quality. The veterinarian of record should…
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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…
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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,…
Animal carcass disposal
Determine the best means of disposal for animal carcasses, tissues, and body parts.
JAVMA news
Viral Threats
Harvey V. Fineberg, MD, said the world is ill-prepared for a sustained pandemic, and a severe one could kill tens of millions of people.
JAVMA news
Problems persist with federal veterinary workforce numbers
GAO: Not enough veterinarians to respond to animal disease emergency
JAVMA news
USDA to help pets in distress
USDA to help pets in distress Following the devastation wrought upon North Carolina by Hurricane Floyd, the USDA,
AVMA news
Beef cow with atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy found in South Carolina
A beef cow at a slaughter plant in South Carolina tested positive for an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), according to a May…
policy
Animal agriculture manure management
The AVMA supports appropriate efforts and actions to prevent negative environmental impacts from wastes generated by terrestrial or aquatic animal…
JAVMA news
FAO, OIE urge reduction of rinderpest stocks
A disease that devastated herds over the centuries is gone, declared eradicated in 2011. Still, global authorities worry rinderpest could re-emerge…
JAVMA news
In Short
Aquarium cleaner death, anxiety in dogs, and more in the May 1 “In Short” section
JAVMA news
1995 - 2005
This decade was a time of relatively high caseloads, allowing for continued accumulation of case experience.
JAVMA news
Border violence complicates animal health surveillance
Drug cartel violence along the U.S.-Mexican border has become a hazard to animal health and movement in that area.
policy
Brucellosis
Continued support for disease control efforts toward the ultimate elimination of brucellosis should remain a national priority.
JAVMA news
Donation station
Veterinarians have been volunteering in a variety of ways to support public health and each other during the COVID-19 pandemic.
JAVMA news
Convention-goers get a peek at DC Public Health Lab
Kicking off the tour was Tony Tran, PHL director and a doctor of public health, who described some of the laboratory's activities.
AVMA news
USDA requires HPAI testing for lactating dairy cattle before movement, reporting for all livestock
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is starting to require negative tests for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, more specifically avian…
JAVMA news
Public Health Service veterinarians work to protect people during pandemic
As people returned to the U.S. from cities with COVID-19 outbreaks, federal veterinarians helped protect them and the communities where they arrived.…
JAVMA news
California rises from the ashes again
In 2018, California faced its most destructive year of fires.