Which of the following is NOT a role of the attending veterinarian?

The role of the attending veterinarian is multifaceted and primarily focuses on the health and well-being of research animals. Among the responsibilities are providing veterinary care, assessing animal health, and training staff on appropriate animal handling and care practices.

In this context, approving animal use protocols is not a responsibility of the attending veterinarian. This task falls under the purview of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which is responsible for overseeing animal research and ensuring compliance with ethical standards and regulatory requirements. The attending veterinarian may provide input or recommendations concerning animal welfare issues related to the protocols, but the final approval is not their role.

The other roles—such as providing veterinary treatment, assessing health status, and offering training on sedatives and analgesics—are essential to ensure proper animal care and ethical treatment throughout the research process.