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COSMETIC PROCEDURES ALBERTA | SASKATCHEWAN | MANITOBA

EAR CROPPING Veterinarians in the prairie provinces are TAIL DOCKING frequently asked if they can perform TAIL NICKING procedures on animals for cosmetic TAIL BLOCKING DECLAWING purposes. Regulations about permissible PIERCING cosmetic procedures vary between DEVOCALIZATION provinces. The regulatory bodies for COSMETIC DENTISTRY veterinary professionals in each province TATTOOING

dictate which procedures are prohibited. TENDONECTOMY

What's prohibited in your province? Y Back Panel

Saskatchewan VETERINARIANS SVMA Bylaws, Sept 2019 HAVE THE No member shall perform cosmetic ear cropping on an animal for the purpose of having the animal’s appearance conform to a breed standard RIGHT TO or tradition. REFUSE:

Even if provincial regulations Manitoba don't prohibit a certain MVMA Bylaws, May 2019 cosmetic procedure, a Ear cropping: No member shall perform cosmetic ear cropping on a canine veterinarian may refuse to for the purpose of having the animal’s appearance conform to a breed perform it. It is their right. standard or tradition.

Feline declawing: No member of the Manitoba Veterinary Medical For more information, the Association shall perform nontherapeutic (i.e. elective) partial digital CVMA Position Statement amputation (PDA), commonly known as declawing or onychectomy, of on Cosmetic Alteration domestic cats. is available at canadianveterinarians.net/ Alberta documents/alteration ABVMA Council Policy, July 2019

Every registered veterinarian, registered veterinary technologist, permit holder, student and other member of the Association must not perform any elective and/or non-therapeutic, unnecessary medical/surgical procedure. Procedures that are considered unethical include, but are not restricted to:

• Ear Cropping: the surgical removal of a portion of the pinnae or auricles of the ear of a canine;

• Tail Docking: removal of all or part of the tail of dogs, horses, cattle, and includes tail blocking and tail nicking;

• Tail Nicking: cutting any of the tail muscles;

• Tail Blocking: Injecting the major nerves of the tail with a substance which affect the animal’s ability to move the tail;

• Partial Digit Amputation, (declawing or onychectomy), elective and non-therapeutic of any felid, including domestic cats;

• Cosmetic Dentistry to meet show or breed standards;

• Tattooing other than for registration and identification;

• Body piercing except in the case of livestock animals for the purpose of identification or to protect human safety; Communication prepared and distributed December 2019 by the • Devocalization;

• Front Dew Claw Removal; S​ ASKATCHEWAN • Feline Tendonectomy. VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION