Which activity qualifies an animal for category E?

Category E activities are defined under the Animal Welfare Act as those involving procedures that may cause death or distress to an animal without relief. Such activities are generally viewed as having significant pain or distress associated with them. The activity described in the first choice involves lethal dose experiments, specifically allowing animals to die without any form of intervention, which clearly represents a situation where the well-being of the animal is not safeguarded, aligning it with the criteria for Category E.

In contrast, observation studies of normal primate behavior fall under procedures that do not induce pain or distress, thereby not satisfying the conditions for Category E. Similarly, blood collection from a superficial vessel in a dog is typically a minor procedure that would not be deemed severe enough to warrant a Category E classification, as it is performed with minimal discomfort and does not lead to death. Major surgery under anesthesia with postoperative analgesics indicates that pain management is being administered, which is contrary to the conditions of Category E, as it implies an effort to alleviate distress rather than allowing it to occur. Thus, the first choice represents an activity that clearly meets the criteria for being classified as Category E.