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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Oct 1, 2007

News Weak medicine? By Jennifer Fiala Washington — Dr. Michael Blackwell isn't ungrateful. But the $500,000 grants tied to the U.S. Senate's version of the Veterinary Public Health Workforce Expansion Act, passed in July, will do little to add seats to the University of Tennessee's (UT) veterinary program. Such funds fall short of expanding even one classroom, and neglect the public's need for more DVMs, the veterinary college dean explains. The other victims By James M. Lewis The illegal sport of dog fighting has yet another dark side — one that a Mississippi veterinarian knows all too well. Tennessee fights to ease LVMT shortage By Krista Schultz Task force to lobby for approval of two new technician-training schools to boost recruitment Practitioners want disease database, survey says Columbus, Ohio — Ohio veterinarians would do a better job of reporting animal diseases if they had access to an electronic reporting system. Five veterinary careers on the fringe By Jessica Wangness Many great philosophers have noted that we find ourselves by doing, by allowing one path to lead to the next. UT dean plans retirement, forms business venture Knoxville, Tenn. — Dr. Michael Blackwell, dean of the University of Tennessee (UT) College of Veterinary Medicine, plans to retire, effective Jan. 1. CSU to build cancer supercluster Fort Collins, Colo. — Colorado State University (CSU) announced it will build its second supercluster, this one for cancer research and treatment, along with NeoTREX, an embedded business enterprise dedicated to speeding the transition of cancer research from the academic world to the global marketplace. Alabama disaster shelters open for animals Montgomery, Ala. — The Alabama Veterinary Medical Association announced the opening of three shelters equipped to house pets in the event of a disaster. Editor's Note: Complaints are up; so is the quality of care By Daniel R. Verdon It started with one simple, undocumented question: "Are complaints against veterinarians on the rise nationally?" Exclusive DVM Survey: Client demand fuels spike in complaints to state boards By Daniel R. Verdon National Report — When a medical case goes bad, consumers are more likely to complain to state boards than in years past, veterinarians report. The cross hairs of complaints By Jennifer Fiala Sacramento, Calif. — Invite Dr. Wade Himes to shed light on the inner-workings of state regulatory agencies and he pauses, then laughs and asks, "Do you want me to lose my license?" The price of pain By Jennifer Fiala Minneapolis — For 59 years, Dr. Carl Seemann practiced as northern Minnesota's surgical "spine man," a solo generalist who, at age 84, saw three clients a day until Christmas last year. Care standards more sophisticated, but still unequal across nation By Krista Schultz National Report — Standards of care are on the rise across the nation. Yet a blurry line marks the difference between negligence and proper care because acceptable standards often are based on region, rather than documented guidelines. Lay equine dentists sue Texas board By Jennifer Fiala Austin, Texas — Veterinary regulators employ a "monopolistic licensing scheme" to put lay equine dentists out of business. Their anti-competition tactics are unconstitutional, punishing those with skills that "far exceed that of nearly every veterinarian in the state of Texas." Anatomy of a state board hearing By James M. Lewis With the number of client complaints on the rise, more veterinarians sooner or later will have to answer to their state regulatory boards. Iowa veterinary teaching hospital in line for $1 million challenge grant Ames, Iowa — The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine has been offered a $1 million incentive to reach its overall school fund-raising goal by next summer. AAHA releases new pain-management guidelines By Krista Schultz Denver, Colo. — Changing viewpoints on addressing companion-animal pain and the benefits of doing so are highlighted in newly created pain-management guidelines — the product of a partnership task force between the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). Hoang joins AVMA Scientific Activities Division Schaumburg, Ill. — Dr. Christine N. Hoang is the American Veterinary Medical Association's assistant director of the Scientific Activities Division. She fills the seat vacated by Dr. Elizabeth Curry-Galvin, who was promoted to division director last year. Dechra's muricin topical treatment for canines Veterinarian-approved MURICINâ„¢ Ointment was launched by Dechra Veterinary Products to treat canine bacterial skin infections, including superficial pyroderma. DVM News poll: What's your total number of patient visits? Please describe your total number of patient visits to date in 2007, compared to 2006 Humor This story may be hard to swallow, but it's true Sometimes the animals in a veterinary clinic are just plain funny. You never know what they might do next. But that's a good thing. It adds a bit of adventure and fun to our lives, and is part of the reason we veterinarians have the best job in the world. More curious, spurious ways to transport a cat By Michael A. Obenski, DVM Strange noises were coming from my examination room. Small Animal EPA probes suspected link between household chemical, feline hyperthyroidism By Krista Schultz National Report — A potential connection between feline hyperthyroidism (FH) and a flame-retardant chemical found in common household products, house dust and some food items may exist, concludes a recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study. LSU seeks dogs for study of renal disease Baton Rouge, La. — The Louisiana State University (LSU) veterinary school seeks dogs with chronic kidney disease to participate in a 12-month clinical study to examine the effects of new treatments. Comparing therapies for canine hyperadrenocorticism By Johnny D. Hoskins, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Dr. Edward C. Feldman lectured at the 2007 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum in Seattle on "Medical Management of Canine Hyperadrenocorticism: A Comparison of Trilostane to Mitotane." Here are some relevant points: Equine 53rd AAEP convention set for Dec. 1-5 in Orlando Seattle facility takes surgical, medical rehabilitation to next level By Ed Kane, PhD Seattle — Just over two years ago, Dr. Mark Dedomenico, MD, a renowned cardiovascular surgeon with a passion for developing elite equine athletes, opened one of the nation's most luxurious and state-of-the-art equine training and rehabilitation facilities. U.S. has 9.5 million horses, most in world, report says The AHC says the horse industry has a direct impact of $3.9 billion on the U.S. economy. Showcasing equine practice By James M. Lewis Lexington, Ky. — For the last five years, Dr. William A. Rood, co-founder and director of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, has been doing some proselytizing — seeking to convert as many young veterinary students as he can to the practice of equine medicine. Live foals expected to reach 37,500 in 2007, Jockey Club says Live foals throughout North America so far in 2007, as reported to the Jockey Club, are running slightly behind last year's pace, but the organization says that, with additional reports in the next few months, its previously announced projection of 37,500 registered live foals in 2007 is likely to be on target. Identifying poisoning signs, sequelae By Bryan Stegelmeier, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVP This is the third in a series of articles on toxic plants that are likely to poison horses in North America. This installment covers myotoxic plants, those that damage muscle and the cardiovascular system. Business Commentary: Gender gap is everyone's concern By Karen Fine, DVM Worcester, Mass. — In 1992, I graduated from veterinary school and began job hunting. I searched through journal ads and mailed out resumes. When I called one clinic to make sure they had received my resume, the clinic owner picked up the phone. What he said astounded me. Are you patient? By David M. Lane, DVM, MS Donna was 30 minutes late but finally made it into the exam room with her new puppy, Rudy. How a practice's 'good will' is valued and taxed By Mark E. Battersby Good will is one of those intangible business assets that usually has little or no impact on a veterinary practice's tax bill — until least expected. It's never too early to plan for ownership of a veterinary practice By Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD When I speak to veterinary students or new graduates, the topic of an eventual practice purchase often comes up. Training humans to train pets By Michael H. Riegger, DVM, Dipl. ABVP It has been said that 90 percent of all American families are dysfunctional — a major socioeconomic issue that permeates human domestic life.