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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Jun 1, 2007

Small Animal Analysis of 36,032 canine cases shows decline in struvite uroliths By Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM , Jody P. Lulich, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Knowledge of urolith composition is important because contemporary methods of detection, treatment and prevention of the underlying causes of urolithiasis largely depend on knowledge of urolith composition. How serious is a dog's cough? By Johnny D. Hoskins, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Determining the right category of cough relies on clinical signs and diagnostic findings. Therapies to get patients through a tough allergy season By Alice M. Jeromin, RPh, DVM, Dipl. ACVD This allergy season in the Midwest appears to be one of the worst in memory. Equine National database to keep statistics on racetrack injuries By James M. Lewis Horse injuries at the nation's racetracks might be reduced significantly if track veterinarians and officials had better informational tools in making pre-race assessments of horses and track conditions, experts say. Soothing the savage beast By Kenneth L. Marcella, DVM It is early morning on the average American horse show grounds. The mist is just beginning to clear and the horses, trainers, riders and associated show personnel are only now beginning to rise. But some grooms and horses have been at it for a while already. They are in the warm-up ring or on a nearby field, and they have been lunging around since first light. NRC guidelines show how age, weather affect nutrition needs By Ed Kane, PhD Hot weather requires an increase in water intake ... to compensate for sweat and respiratory losses. Humor Just follow the bouncing ball By Michael A. Obenski, DVM Over my four decades as a veterinarian, I have been privileged to meet and retain many fine clients. You know the type – those who seem more like close friends than a source of practice revenue. I feel a loyalty to those pet owners, and have a notion that the feeling is mutual. Business Is the management upside down? If you go on VIN, you will see dozens of posts and links trying to define what production pay is and how to pay it. Unfortunately, it is a constantly moving target. The current thinking is this: Considering - or coping with - bankruptcy By Mark E. Battersby Veterinarians who learn that a client filed for bankruptcy often wrongly assume that the practice has no options. Identity theft: Are your clients protected? Identity theft is an ongoing problem. What should you be watching out for? The motivated staff: It's not an impossible dream By Gerald Snyder, VMD Each day provides an opportunity to offer some nuggets of education. Controlled substances: Strict protocols, records crucial to compliance By Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD Nothing will help nip an investigation faster than a clearly maintained drug record book. Playing the percentages By David M. Lane, DVM, MS Let's return to our story that began in this column in the May issue. Success often depends on how well we manage times of peak activity By Michael H. Riegger, DVM, Dipl. ABVP It finally happened. News AVMA reaffirms veterinary hospice-care guidelines Denver, Colo. — The American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Executive Board reaffirmed "Guidelines for veterinary hospice care" after a committee advised that the guidelines continue to be referenced and used. Wrongful-death case against pharmacy dismissed Swedesboro, N.J. — A wrongful-death suit alleging Wedgewood Pharmacy — the largest veterinary compounding pharmacy in the nation — improperly compounded drugs was dismissed by a U.S. district court after testing confirmed the administered product was made correctly. Canine flu gets dose of research funding Gainesville, Fla. — A two-year study on the prevalence and spread of canine influenza received a $78,000 research grant from the Morris Animal Foundation, American Humane Association and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). University of Florida expert Dr. Cynda Crawford is leading the study. Skin conditions among insurance claims Brea, Calif. — Pyroderma and benign skin cancer topped the list of skin-condition claims submitted by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) policyholders in 2006. Animal-welfare issues take center stage in House hearing By Stephanie Skernivitz AVMA's position: No assessment of animal welfare is complete unless all elements are considered. Cornell nails No. 1 spot among U.S. veterinary schools By James M. Lewis Ithaca, N.Y. — It's nice to be No. 1, but Dr. Michael I. Kotlikoff, incoming dean of Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, doesn't want to overplay the fact that U.S. News and World Report recently rated Cornell's veterinary program as the nation's best in its 2008 edition of "America's Best Graduate Schools." Purdue teaching hospital accredited by AAHA West Lafayette, Ind. — Purdue's small-animal teaching hospital earned accreditation through the American Animal Hospital Association. Canine cancer campaign fetches $500,000 from Golden Retriever Foundation Denver — The fight against canine cancer received $500,000 over the next five years from the Golden Retriever Foundation (GRF). California board to allow RVTs to administer controlled substances under indirect supervision By Krista Schultz Sacramento, Calif. — Registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) in California will be able to administer controlled substances under veterinarians' indirect supervision, according to a new interpretation of federal drug laws by the California Veterinary Medical Board (CVMB). Michigan creates animal response team Lansing, Mich. — Michigan created a veterinary State Animal Response Team (SART) to act as first responders during emergencies and disasters. New food-protection position filled af FDA Washington — Dr. David Acheson was appointed assistant commissioner for Food Protection, a newly created role within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide advice and counsel on food-safety and food-defense issues. Colorado to mandate animal-abuse reporting By Krista Schultz Denver, Colo. — Colorado's governor inked a new practice-act statute that requires DVMs to report suspected animal abuse. Supported by organized veterinary medicine, the statute change is meant to improve protection of animals and people. IVECCS coming to the Big Easy New Orleans — Two years after Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Big Easy, the 13th International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium is coming to the rebounding city. Wind shattered By Krista Schultz Greensburg, Kan. — When warning sirens wailed just before 10 p.m. on Friday, May 4, residents of this oil, gas and farming town sought cover, bracing themselves for a storm. What they didn't know was that, while most of them would survive the F-5 category tornado, at least 11 people and almost their entire city would succumb to the power and brutality of 205-mph winds. Entering a new era By Elizabeth Rhodes Many believe the growth of specialty practices benefits the entire profession. California RVTs get OK for catheter procedure By Krista Schultz Sacramento, Calif. — Registered veterinary technicians in California are chalking up another task to their approved list — creating a relief hole — despite some opponents classifying the procedure as "surgery" and an infringement on the practice of veterinary medicine. DVMs seeing fewer cases; online survey, long-range government probe continue By James M. Lewis Veterinarians are seeing fewer cases related to the nation's ongoing pet-food crisis and hundreds are participating in an online survey they hope finally will solve the mystery of what caused so many pets to become ill and die. Cornell's famed cat expert is mourned on campus, beyond By James M. Lewis Ithaca, N.Y. — Patient care and life in general are moving on at the Feline Health Center, part of Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, but people who work at the center agree things haven't been the same – and probably won't be for quite some time – since the death of the center's director, James R. Richards, DVM.