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Assessment of new therapies for alleviation of pain in animals
Assessing the efficacy of analgesics used in veterinary clinical practice requires well-designed and appropriately controlled experimental clinical…
policy
UNDER REVIEWAVMA policy to promote veterinary medical research and discovery
The AVMA recognizes that veterinary medical research is fundamental to the continued advancement of evidence-based veterinary practice.
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AVMA support of comparative medicine programs at the National Institutes of Health
AVMA recommends that NIH expand opportunities for veterinarians and veterinary students to take part in scientific education and training, research…
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Beak conditioning
Commercial poultry beak conditioning, which includes beak trimming, should be practiced only when necessary to prevent feather pecking and…
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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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Canine devocalization
The AVMA strongly discourages the devocalization of dogs because of the surgery's negative impacts on animal welfare. Canine devocalization does not…
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Companion animal spay-neuter programs
Every animal, regardless of its ownership, should receive quality veterinary and surgical care.
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Comparative medicine and translational research
Comparative medicine studies the similarities and differences in biology among animals to enhance the understanding of mechanisms of human and animal…
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Creation and use of genetically modified animals as research models
Creation and use of genetically modified animals for investigating diseases affecting animals and people should not be needlessly restricted and…
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Declawing captive exotic and wild indigenous cats
The AVMA condemns declawing captive exotic and other wild indigenous cats for nonmedical reasons.
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Declawing of domestic cats
The AVMA discourages elective declawing of cats and supports non-surgical alternatives, respecting the veterinarian’s right to use professional…
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Docking of lambs' tails
Lambs' tails may be docked for cleanliness and to minimize fly strike. AVMA opposes excessively short tail docking, which is unacceptable for sheep…
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Dog and cat population management
Dog and cat population management is a complex animal welfare problem, with many contributing factors.
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Ear cropping and tail docking of dogs
The AVMA opposes canine ear cropping and tail docking when done solely for cosmetic purposes, and encourages eliminating ear cropping and tail docking…
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Embryo transfer and advanced reproductive technology procedures
Embryo transfer and advanced reproductive technology procedures demand a licensed veterinarian's extensive knowledge in anatomy, physiology,…
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Establishment and use of veterinary clinical studies committees
All veterinary clinical research conducted on client-owned animals should be performed with oversight that ensures the safe and ethical treatment of…
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UNDER REVIEWForeign animal disease laboratory
The AVMA actively seeks continued adequate congressional funding for the upgrading, maintenance, operation, or rebuilding of the United States'…
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Genetic modification of animals in agriculture
Genetic research and the practical application of that knowledge in farm-raised* animals should be encouraged.
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UNDER REVIEWJohne's disease
Johne's is a disease of significant economic importance to cattle and small ruminants.
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NIH support of biomedical research training for veterinarians
Veterinarians play an important role in biomedical research that benefits animal, human, and environmental health. The AVMA strongly supports…
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Pediatric spay/neuter of dogs and cats
The AVMA supports the concept of pediatric spay/neuter in dogs and cats to reduce the number of unwanted animals. Veterinarians should use their best…
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UNDER REVIEWResearch dogs and cats adoption
The following factors should be considered when developing a research institution adoption program and determining an animal's potential for adoption.
policy
Research priorities of the American Veterinary Medical Association
The AVMA strongly prioritizes the overall concept of One Health as a model for integrating relevant clinical and scientific expertise to solve…
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Safety testing
The AVMA supports research to discover and develop safe and efficacious drugs, vaccines, biologicals, and medical devices that benefit animals 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…