At the AVMA’s January 2026 session, a new policy on camelid castration was introduced — but not without controversy. The original draft required that appropriate pain management must be utilized for surgical castration procedures. During committee review, that mandatory language was removed and replaced with language mirroring existing sheep and goat and swine policies, which state that AVMA recommends the use of appropriate pain medications for surgical procedures (see the text below).
Your Hawaii delegate responded by proposing an amendment to insert the word “strongly” before “recommends” — a small but meaningful change that signals a higher standard of care. The amendment was voted down, primarily due to concerns about inconsistency with the existing sheep and goat and swine policies.
Rather than accept that outcome, we’re taking the next step. At the July summer session, HVMA will submit three new resolutions — covering sheep and goat, swine, and camelid castration policies — each proposing the same single-word addition of “strongly” before “recommends.” Aligning the language across all three policies eliminates the consistency objection and strengthens pain management guidance across species.
The proposed text changes and our supporting statement of reasoning are below for your review. The submission deadline is May 1st, so your feedback is needed soon. If you have comments before we submit, please reach out directly to Carolyn Naun or Jenee Odani. Mahalo!
Links to the current policies:
Sheep and goat castration:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/sheep-and-goat-castration
Camelid castration:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/camelid-castration
Swine castration:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/swine-castration
Current text from these policies:
“The AVMA recommends the use of procedures and practices that reduce or eliminate pain, including the use of approved or AMDUCA-permissible clinically effective medications whenever possible.”
Proposed text:
“The AVMA strongly recommends the use of procedures and practices that reduce or eliminate pain, including the use of approved or AMDUCA-permissible clinically effective medications whenever possible.”
Statement to be submitted with the resolution:
“It is well documented that the use of appropriate analgesics improves not only animal welfare but overall patient outcomes. Addition of the word “strongly” to the recommendation signals to the profession as well as the public at large that AVMA takes the well-being of livestock species seriously, while still protecting the discretion of the individual practitioner to make case by case judgements as needed.
“At the 2026 winter session, including the word “strongly” in the new camelid castration policy was rejected by the House due to concerns over inconsistency with the corresponding sheep and goat and swine policies. By amending all three policies concurrently, HOD can preserve this consistency while communicating to the public that AVMA cares about animal welfare and responsible husbandry.”
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