Governance · ethics · research integrity
Editorial Policies
JVHC applies independent editorial assessment, single-blind peer review and veterinary research-integrity requirements to every submission. Fees, waivers, memberships and service as an editor or reviewer do not affect editorial decisions.
- Peer review
- Single-blind
- Reviewers
- At least two
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Data statement
- Required
Editorial assessment
Single-blind · independent reviewFrom screening to decision
Submissions are screened for scope, originality, ethical documentation, reporting quality and basic methodological completeness. Manuscripts that proceed are evaluated by at least two independent reviewers with relevant expertise. Reviewer identities are not disclosed to authors.
Initial screening
The editorial office checks scope, files, ethics and required declarations.
Independent review
An editor selects at least two suitably qualified reviewers without relevant conflicts.
Editorial decision
The editor weighs the evidence and reviewer reports; reviewer recommendations do not replace editorial judgment.
Revision or closure
Authors respond point by point when revision is invited. A manuscript may be declined at any stage when concerns cannot be resolved.
Editors do not handle or decide manuscripts they authored or manuscripts for which they have a competing interest. Another editor oversees the usual independent review process.
Animal ethics and welfare
Welfare · consent · permitsEvidence must be ethically obtained
- Ethics oversightState the responsible ethics or animal-welfare body and approval identifier where applicable. If formal review was not required, explain the applicable legal or institutional basis.
- Welfare reportingDescribe husbandry, handling, analgesia or anaesthesia where relevant, welfare monitoring, humane endpoints and methods used to minimise harm.
- Owner consent and privacyWritten consent is required for identifiable animals, clinical case details and farm-specific information. Remove unnecessary owner-identifying information.
- Wildlife and field researchProvide relevant collection, handling, transport, conservation and access permits, together with the issuing authority and permit identifier.
- Veterinary relevanceOne Health claims must remain linked to animal-health evidence, veterinary practice, zoonoses, food safety or another clearly justified veterinary question.
Authorship and research integrity
Authorship · data · disclosureAccountability for the scholarly record
Authorship and contributions
All listed authors must have made accountable contributions, approved the submitted version and disclosed relevant funding and relationships. Contributors who do not qualify for authorship should be acknowledged.
Originality and overlap
Authors must disclose related manuscripts, prior dissemination and substantial overlap. Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, duplicate publication and manipulated images or data are not acceptable.
Competing interests
Authors, editors and reviewers must disclose financial, professional or personal interests that could reasonably be perceived to influence the work or its assessment.
Data and images
Every submission requires a data-availability statement. Image adjustment must not obscure, remove or invent information; restrictions on data access must be explained.
Reporting and AI use
Reporting · reproducibilityTransparent methods and responsible tools
Authors should use the reporting standard appropriate to the study design and submit the relevant checklist when requested.
- ARRIVE 2.0Animal research and in vivo studies.
- CONSORT 2025Randomised controlled trials.
- STROBEObservational and epidemiological studies.
- PRISMA 2020Systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
- AI-assisted technologiesDisclose use of generative or analytical AI in writing, analysis or image preparation. AI cannot be an author; human authors remain responsible for accuracy, citations, confidentiality and the submitted work.
Post-publication record
Record correction · due processCorrections, concerns and appeals
- CorrectionsMaterial errors that affect interpretation but do not invalidate the work may require a linked correction. Minor typographical changes are assessed proportionately.
- Expressions of concernA notice may be used while a serious, unresolved integrity concern is investigated.
- RetractionsRetraction is considered when findings are unreliable, publication is redundant, research is unethical or serious misconduct has affected the record. Notices remain linked and explain the reason.
- Complaints and appealsA request should identify the manuscript or article, the contested decision or process and supporting evidence. The journal assesses procedural concerns separately from disagreement with a scientific judgment.
- Advertising and commercial activityCommercial relationships, advertising and payment arrangements are kept separate from peer review and editorial decisions.
Prepare a policy-complete submission
Review the required declarations, ethics documentation and reporting guidance before uploading files.
Digital preservation
This journal’s content is committed to Portico, a not-for-profit digital-preservation archive run by ITHAKA (the organisation behind JSTOR). As articles are deposited they enter Portico’s permanent archive, so the scholarly record stays available for the long term — even if a title one day ceases to publish. Read our preservation policy.