PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Spring 2020 - 31

Delegates Meeting
teeth. The AVMA encourages research to understand and
address the underlying causes of cribbing.

VIF Topics

Resolution Three: Declawing of Cats

Cannabis (CBD)
Data was presented from the FDA and AVMA outlining
the current status of cannabis use, steps undertaken and
future plans. Members are encouraged to use the website
AXON.AVMA.ORG. There will also be a cannabis symposium
at AVMA 2020 in San Diego. Members are reminded that
currently there is no FDA approved animal CBD product and
that the products in the market are supplements; however,
cannabis is a drug as defined by the FDA and therefore it is
not legal to recommend these products. Members should
refer to their own State VMA and Practice Act regarding
legality of discussion of cannabis products with clients in their
State. The committee reviewing this topic recommended the
Board take no action.

The AVMA discourages the declawing (onychectomy) of cats as
an elective procedure and supports non-surgical alternatives to
the procedure. The AVMA respects the veterinarian's right to use
professional judgment when deciding how to best protect their
individual patients' health and welfare. Therefore, it is incumbent
upon the veterinarian to counsel the owner about the natural
scratching behavior of cats, the alternatives to surgery, as well
as the details of the procedure itself and subsequent potential
complications. Onychectomy is a surgical amputation and if
performed, perioperative pain management must be utilized.

Resolution Four: Microchips
The AVMA endorses the implantation of electronic identification
in companion animals and equids and supports standardization
in materials, procedures, equipment and registries. Veterinary
healthcare teams are thereby encouraged to recommend the
implantation of electronic identification of animals to their
clients.
Objectives of an effective system of electronic identification of
animal are to:
1.	 Accurately identify animals to aid in reuniting animals with
their owners.
2.	 Accurately identify animals for regulatory purposes:
a.	 Travel (international and domestic);
b.	 Certificates of Inspection; and
c.	 Identification of specific animals such as breeding 		
	
animals, competition animals, animals where legislation
	
mandates permanent identification.
3.	 Accurately identify animals prior to providing medical or
surgical treatment or euthanasia. The AVMA supports ISO
(International Organization for Standardization) compliant
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology that
adheres to and is based on ISO 11784/11785 standards.

Connected Care and Telehealth
Connected care and telehealth spans a wide variety of
technology areas, including artificial intelligence and machine
learning (e.g. smart collars for dogs). The biggest concern
is the maintenance of a VCPR. Members should refer to
their State's Practice Act with regards to VCPR regulations.
Members with questions on telehealth should contact
Telehealth@AVMA.org or refer to AVMA.org/Telehealth for
more information.
Student Externs and Practice Volunteers and Potential
Liabilities
Many areas were discussed, and it was recommended to
the Board of Directors that a toolkit should be developed
to assist practices with the legal side of hosting veterinary
and pre-veterinary and technician students. Due to the lack
of widespread awareness of potential liabilities associated
with hosting externs and volunteers, the board was also
tasked with developing an awareness campaign. The AVMA
Trust clarified that while students may have their own PLIT
insurance, this does not cover them for injuries on farms
or in the practice. The AVMA Trust can assist practices with
Workman Comp, Business Liability and other insurance that
may cover students depending on the state.
Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association | 31
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PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Spring 2020

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