policy
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…
policy
Veterinary dentistry
Veterinary dentistry, oral medicine, and oral surgery are part of the practice of veterinary medicine and are regarded as such under state veterinary…
policy
Canine devocalization
The AVMA strongly discourages the devocalization of dogs because of the surgery's negative impacts on animal welfare. Canine devocalization does not…
policy
Veterinarians practicing aquatic animal medicine
Aquatic animal veterinarians in the U.S. care for animals and protect public health, diagnosing disease, performing surgery, evaluating and…
AVMA news
AVMA pledges to 'vigorously defend' against expanding scope of practice
Broadening nonveterinarians' scope of practice would compromise the quality of veterinary care, thus threatening animal and public health, according…
policy
Safeguarding care for animals with veterinarian-led teams
The AVMA will vigorously defend the practice of veterinary medicine—including the ability to diagnose, prognose, develop treatment plans, prescribe,…
policy
Surgical procedures for nonveterinary students
AVMA does not advocate for the instruction of nonveterinary students in surgical procedures.
JAVMA news
Specialty organizations reshape training and examinations
Veterinary specialty organizations are temporarily reshaping their certification programs for new diplomates to fit the changing dimensions of the…
What do board-certified veterinary specialists do?
A veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed additional training in a specific area of veterinary medicine, and has passed an…
AVMA news
Specialty organization proposed in veterinary education
The organizing committee of the proposed American College of Veterinary Medical Education has petitioned the AVMA American Board of Veterinary…
policy
Veterinary ergonomic guidelines
Discover risk factors that could lead to musculo-skeletal injury, examples of related tasks in veterinary medicine, and what to do if you identify a…
policy
Declawing of domestic cats
The AVMA discourages elective declawing of cats and supports non-surgical alternatives, respecting the veterinarian’s right to use professional…
policy
Removal or reduction of teeth in nonhuman primates and carnivores
The AVMA opposes removal or reduction of healthy teeth in nonhuman primates and carnivores, except when required for medical treatment or approved…
blog
AVMA COE may add dentistry to required curriculum
Public comment on the proposal is due July 1, 2020.
JAVMA news
AVMA revises declawing policy
Policy discourages procedure but defers to veterinarians on each case
Veterinary specialties
The AVMA’s American Board of Veterinary Specialties recognizes veterinary specialty organizations and specialties, promoting advanced levels of…
policy
Embryo transfer and advanced reproductive technology procedures
Embryo transfer and advanced reproductive technology procedures demand a licensed veterinarian's extensive knowledge in anatomy, physiology,…
JAVMA news
Veterinary technicians fully recognize zoology specialty
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America announced that the Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians received full…
policy
AVMA policy on veterinary technology
The AVMA recognizes the value of veterinary technicians as an integral component of veterinary medicine and urges full utilization of veterinary…
JAVMA news
HOD to deliberate on declawing
AVMA House of Delegates also to consider microchips, cribbing, use of technology
blog
New legislation would help veterinarians pursue additional training
The AVMA has taken a leadership role in advocating for the VET MED Act, which would pause student loan repayment and interest accumulation for…
blog
New specialty proposed: Nephrology and urology
The AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties is seeking comments through July 6, 2020, on a proposal to recognize a new veterinary specialty for…
AVMA news
Policies on physical restraint of animals, canine devocalization approved
The AVMA House of Delegates adopted a handful of revised animal welfare policies, including one on “Canine Devocalization” that supersedes the…
Comments open: Proposed specialty in clinical wildlife practice
The American Board of Veterinary Specialties will accept public comment through July 31, 2024, on a proposal seeking recognition of a veterinary…
policy
Veterinary internship guidelines
Internships should prepare veterinarians for high-quality service in practice or advanced specialty training. These guidelines establish reasonable…