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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Feb 1, 2007

Small Animal ACVIM Abstracts: Genetic methods of detection may spur greater understanding, control of leptospirosis By Bethany Howe, DVM , Diane Monsein Levitan, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM The test proved to be accurate, easy and cost-effective. But further documentation is needed. Your guide to understanding how behavior medications work By Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, CAAB This column is the first in a series addressing the most-common questions that veterinarians ask me about behavioral medicine. Infectious hemoylytic anemias: Look for an underlying cause By Johnny D. Hoskins, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Canine rickettsial infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Bridging the compliance gap: Talk to clients about infection By Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. AAPM Quality veterinary dental education for staff, technicians and practitioners is readily available. Many practices take advantage of courses and seminars to increase knowledge and upgrade dental-care equipment. Changing trends in composition of feline uroliths and urethral plugs By Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM , Jody P. Lulich, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Analysis: 1981 to 2006 Equine Biomarkers aid early detection of joint disease, bone damage By Ed Kane, PhD Bone and articular cartilage turnover in horses occurs both in normal and abnormal states, in healthy and in damaged tissue. Equine herpes kills 7 horses in 2 states By Krista Schultz National Report — A horse imported from Germany and treated for fever at a USDA facility has been connected to an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus – type 1 (EHV-1) affecting 14 horses, half of which have died. Equine immunostimulant therapy By Elizabeth Davis, DVM, PhD Definitive diagnostic criteria should be used to aid in the selection of available agents. For equine practitioners, education is key to disaster preparation By Kenneth L. Marcella, DVM The SEEN program's first objective is ... education. Humor Focused on the problem at hand: tracking down a stray doughnut By Michael A. Obenski, DVM An office call with Mr. Sidetrack is always a little frustrating. So, since he was 10 minutes early for last week's office call, I decided to postpone my grief as long as possible. Face-to-face with pure evil The snake raised its head three feet off the ground and started right toward me. Business Develop and use a pain-score system for all your patients By Michael H. Riegger, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Put the Pain Score into the record each time a patient comes in. Hire financial quality control, hire a good bookkeeper By Marsha L. Heinke DVM, EA, CPA, CVPM Outsourcing payroll is advised in practices with relatively small staffs. Engaging the drive to succeed By Gerald Snyder, VMD All life forms appear to have a central inner drive — a soul, a balance of yin and yang or one of many other concepts that are more than this publication, I am sure, wants to address. This is not about religion. Overcoming compassion fatigue By Dana Durrance, MA Seek comfort from friends rather than stoically trying to push feelings aside. Mastering Management: Business cards are golden By Jack Rife, DVM The following tip is brought to you by a member of the Veterinary Leadership Group (VLG), a group of 20 management-savvy practitioners and hospital managers from across the country who meet twice a year to discuss business improvement, personal growth and social development issues for their practices. The art of seizing opportunity By Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD Each had a blank slate to fill; the only difference may have been the decisions made during each doctor's professional life. IRS seeks tighter rules to ensure timely tax payments in 2007 By Mark E. Battersby Any practice or veterinarian who fails to pay a required installment faces penalties. News Colorado Blizzards take heavy toll By Krista Schultz Colorado — Not yet able to fully assess the level of damage inflicted to southeastern Colorado's cattle population, officials hope for the best but fear the worst after back-to-back blizzards dumped enough snow and ice to bury pastures and trap livestock among snowdrifts more than 10 feet high. Candidate contests AVMA's electoral system Chicago — A Michigan veterinarian challenges organized veterinary medicine's method for filling executive seats by campaigning against the establishment's candidate. Veterinarians neglect food-safety role, study says By Krista Schultz Orlando, Fla. –– Veterinarians are falling short of their original mandate to be guardians of the nation's food supply, and that could pose a security risk in the event of a major food-animal emergency, a recent study shows. Poll again ranks veterinarians near top in ethics, honesty Washington — The public continues to rate veterinarians high when it comes to honesty and ethics. Bill seeks to make dog fighting a felony Atlanta — Legislation in the Georgia Senate proposes increasing the penalties for fighting dogs or training them to fight. College receives funds for foreign partnerships Knoxville, Tenn — The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) is the first college to receive funds from the Global Initiatives in Veterinary Education (GIVE) program, designed to help develop partnerships with foreign veterinary schools. Court rules horse slaughter illegal in Texas By Krista Schultz New Orleans –– A federal appeals court ruled that horse slaughter is illegal in Texas, home to two of the country's three processing plants. Publically revered, professionally taxed By Jennifer Fiala Chicago — Veterinarians are still beloved and clients remain willing to pay high fees despite growing public expectations and prices rising faster than inflation. Yet practitioners, wary of practice ownership, aren't eager to put in a lot of hours, a trend that's straining the U.S. supply of DVMs. Schwarzenegger signs anti-chaining bill Sacramento, Calif. — California now limits the time canines can be chained to three hours, except for activities that involve the use of a dog. Lost dogs found more than cats Columbus, Ohio — Two studies at The Ohio State University show that a lost dog is more likely to be reunited with its owner than a lost cat. Hawaii convention leaves AVMA $1.2-million shortfall Chicago — The American Veterinary Medical Association is sweeping up a $1.2 million loss from last year's annual convention in Hawaii. Veterinary board holds line on license fees, despite debt By Krista Schultz Nashville, Tenn. — Despite a reported debt of more than $130,000 for the 2006 fiscal year, the Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners will not be raising fees. Withrow wins Morris award Orlando, Fla. — Credited with changing the way veterinarians treat cancer, Stephen J. Withrow, DVM, DACVS, Dipl. ACVIM, received the prestigious 2007 Mark L. Morris, Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award. FDA approves first drug for canine obesity New York — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first drug for managing canine obesity, a common health-threatening condition in millions of dogs in the United States. Iverson Bell Award goes to Dr. Halcyon Watkins Washington — A dedicated proponent of racial and ethnic diversity in veterinary medicine has won the 2007 Iverson Bell Award. Herriott's Legacy By Daniel R. Verdon James Herriot's books sold some 70 million copies worldwide. Yet, veterinarian, author and son James Wight never lived in the shadow of that legacy. AASV foundation creates memorial fund Perry, Iowa — The American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation establishes the Alex Hogg Memorial Fund with a $50,000 bequest from the namesake's estate. Eli Lilly Co. to enter companion-animal market segment Orlando, Fla. — Eli Lilly Co. is entering the companion-animal segment, contributing $250,000 to Purdue's Center for the Human-Animal Bond to show its commitment to veterinary medicine, company officials say. N.C. rabies cases spike Raleigh, N.C. — Rabies cases in North Carolina rose 13.5 percent in 2006 and 13 already have been identified this year, officials with the North Carolina Division of Public Health report. 'Animal Chiropractic' earns Yellow Pages heading By Jennifer Fiala St. Louis, Mo. — Chiropractic treatment for animals has become so popular that the nation's largest directory publisher now gives the term its own heading. The big chill By Krista Schultz National Report — Ice storms pummeled parts of the country for six days last month, leaving in their wake several deaths, extensive power outages, highway closings, citrus crop damage and record-setting cold temperatures. A letter worth writing By Daniel R. Verdon Sometimes the fewest words last the longest. Campaign leaders want heartworm prevention to become infectious By Daniel R. Verdon Orlando — With only 4 percent of cats estimated to be on heartworm medicine, a new campaign from the American Heartworm Society (AHS) aims to change what officials are calling an abysmal prevention rate. AAVMC director Heider to retire Washington — Dr. Lawrence Heider, executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), plans to retire, effective Aug. 31. Sen. Allard won't seek re-election Washington — U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard wants to return to being a "country veterinarian." OSHA redrafts guidelines on avian flu protection Washington — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its guidelines on occupational exposure to avian influenza from infected birds. CaliciVax updated to cover virulent system feline calicivirus Orlando, Fla.— Fort Dodge Animal Health reports it received licensure of CaliciVaxâ„¢, the only vaccine licensed and proven effective against the deadly virulent systemic feline calicivirus (VS-FCV), which has emerged in the United States. Discrimination charges plague organization By Jennifer Fiala Vancouver, British Columbia — Teetering on financial ruin, the British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association (BCVMA) faces roughly 50 lawsuits carrying millions of dollars in punitive damages if veterinarians from India prove Canadian regulators guilty of discrimination. Mark Morris Jr., DVM, was leading animal nutritionist By Krista Schultz Denver — Respected veterinarian and researcher Dr. Mark Morris Jr., who dedicated his life to improving those of companion animals through the Denver-based Morris Animal Foundation (MAF), died Jan. 14 at his home in Topeka, Kan. He was 72.