PART 3 - SURGICAL AND OTHER VETERINARY PROCEDURES
3.1 - Surgical alteration to the natural state of animals
Policy
Surgical alterations to the natural states of animals are
acceptable only if they are necessary for the welfare of the animals
concerned. Performance of these procedures for purely cosmetic reasons
is unacceptable.
Surgical procedures must be performed with due regard to current
surgical principles, anaesthesia and husbandry practice, and should
result in minimal deleterious side effects.
Veterinarians have an obligation to educate the general public about
their responsibilities as owners and the fact that animals are sentient
beings, not simply objects for self-gratification or adornment.
3.2 - Pain and analgesia
Policy
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) considers that pain
in animals should be relieved whenever possible.
Euthanasia is indicated where an animal is suffering, or is likely to
suffer, unmanageable pain.
3.3 - Code for infection control
Policy
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) supports practices
that:
- ensure the safety and welfare of all animals under veterinary
care
- provide a safe and healthy working environment for owners,
veterinarians and staff
Animal hospitals and practitioners have a duty of care and must take
reasonable action to safeguard animals, staff and the public from
infection. Employers must establish procedures and provide information,
training and supervision, especially for infection control.
Veterinarians must be conscious of the potential for zoonoses to present
as inapparent infections in animals and of their responsibilities
regarding cross infection among animal patients. They must recognise the
potential for pyrogens and pathogens to be introduced through inadequate
infection control during administration of medication.
3.4 - Use of projectile syringe equipment
Policy
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) believes that
systems for the remote injection of drugs in livestock, wild animals or
companion animals can be used safely and humanely, provided that
veterinarians involved in the procedure are appropriately trained.
3.5 - Electroimmobilisation
Position statement
Electroimmobilisation of animals must not be used in place of
good handling facilities and practices to perform protracted procedures
or procedures for which, in regard to the welfare of the animal,
anaesthesia, analgesia or veterinary treatment is indicated.
Devices used for this purpose must be capable of delivering variable
current, the lowest setting that produces restraint must always be
selected and applied for the shortest time possible, and the animal must
be adequately restrained to prevent injury.
3.6 - Embryo transfer
Policy
Procedures involved in embryo transfer - that is, embryo
collection and embryo implantation - are acts of veterinary science and
should therefore be restricted to registered, qualified
veterinarians.
3.7 – Collection of semen by electroejaculation
Policy
The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recognises that
electroejaculation is used as a normal management procedure for
collecting semen.
To ensure animal welfare, electroejaculation should be used only by, or
under the supervision of, a veterinarian with:
- appropriate training in the use of the equipment
- an understanding of, and ability to recognise and manage, potential
adverse outcomes.
The equipment and procedures used should be appropriate for the
species and size of the animal.
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