The principal responsibility of the UV is to develop and implement an effective program of veterinary care. Such a program has multiple components (AWAR §2.33.b.1-§2.33.b.5; Guide, page 56). These responsibilities and associated aspects include the following:

• Diagnostic Procedures – Direct or perform procedures to identify disease etiologies.
• Provision of Medical Care – Prescribe treatments to treat ill animals.
• Preventive Medicine – Develop programs for quarantine and isolation, monitoring of vendors, monitoring of colony health, and routine vaccinations and parasite control.
• Use of Anesthetics, Analgesics, Sedatives, and Tranquilizers – Advise investigators on and assure proper use of methods to relieve or reduce pain and distress.
• Perioperative Care – Oversee presurgical preparation, surgical procedures, and postsurgical care of animals.
• Euthanasia – Assure that animals are euthanized when appropriate and in a humane manner.
• Animal Husbandry - Assure that programs for disinfection, housing, nutrition, breeding, and environmental enrichment are appropriate.
• Use of Hazards – Work with hazards oversight professionals to assure safe use of biologic, radiologic, and chemical hazards.
• Use of Animals – Advise investigators and the IACUC on the appropriateness of specific techniques and methods in animals, and the availability of alternative animal and nonanimal models.
• Occupational Health – Advise IACUC and health professionals on aspects of the occupational health program.
• Training and Education - Assists as team member in conducting IACUC Orientation sessions and other species-specific and procedural training as necessary.

Source: Silverman, J., et al. (Eds.). (2000). The IACUC Handbook, (pg. 455). Washington, D.C.: CRC Press.