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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Jan 1, 2008

Small Animal Xylitol, a sweetener for people, a potential killer for dogs By Ronald Lyman, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM , Pierre Bichsel, DVM, Dipl. ECVN, Dipl. ACVIM (neurology) Xylitol, a so-called wood sugar, is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that is found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables. Dangerous screwworm species found in U.S., poses little threat By Krista Schultz Norwell, Mass. — An imported dog carried a larvae species never before detected in the Western Hemisphere into the country. Newer tests shed light on causes, treatment of adrenal disorders By Johnny D. Hoskins, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Q: Could you update the diagnosis and management of atypical hyperadrenocorticism? Are you and your patients in safe hands? By Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Have you read or heard about the crisis associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that is sweeping across the United States? Hospitals, nursing homes, schools, sports facilities, correctional facilities and child day-care centers are reporting outbreaks of human nosocomial infections with methicillin-resistant staphylococci. Surgery STAT: Gastrojejunostomy tubes improve nutrition By Janet Kovak, DVM, Dipl. ACVS EDITORS NOTE: A new collaborative column with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and DVM Newsmagazine debuts this month. SurgerySTAT offers DVM readers insightful information for preoperative preparation, a surgical technique or postoperative care. Seeing is believing: The subtleties of peritoneal detail By Allison Zwingenberger, DVM, Dipl. ACVR, Dipl. ECVDI One of the subtleties of interpreting abdominal radiographs is peritoneal detail. Pain management for oral surgery in dogs and cats By Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. AAPM Oral surgery in canine and feline patients often requires extended periods of anesthesia necessitating optimal anesthetic management. Experts release behavior modification guidelines By Jennifer Fiala San Francisco — The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) urges specialists and general practitioners to drop punishment as a first-line treatment to modify a pet's behavior. Global small-animal vaccine guidelines developed National Report — International companion-animal vaccine guidelines were developed by a World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) committee to help ensure effective care for pets around the world. Food Animal Pain management: Graze on these options By Christine Navarre, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM Relief of acute and chronic pain in animals is an important part of the practice of veterinary medicine. Human pain medications frequently are used in small-animal and equine practice. However, food-animal practitioners must follow the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA), which limits extra-label drug use to treatment when an animal's health is threatened, it is suffering or death might result from failure to treat. APHIS Swine report details DVM visits By Jennifer Fiala Fort Collins, Colo. — More than 69 percent of U.S. swine producers use a veterinarian, with five out of 10 large operations employing a DVM on staff. Overall, approximately half the sites polled turn to a local practitioner for care. Equine Jockey Club reports decline in stallions, mares bred in 2007 By James M. Lewis The number of stallions covering mares, and the number of mares bred in North America both declined in 2007, according to the latest statistics from the Jockey Club. Strangles: Fighting an age-old disease By Ed Kane, PhD It was described in veterinary literature as far back as 1251, more than 750 years ago, yet it remains one of the most commonly diagnosed infectious diseases in horses worldwide. News; Small animal news DVM aims to set Guinness speed record Naples, Fla. - It took Dr. Randy Eisel, of Naples, Fla., 10 hours to neuter 56 cats last month. His goal: to raise spay/neuter awareness and earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Business Going green By Krista Schultz Shadyside, Pa. — Believed to be the first in this region, a veterinary practice has gone green. Compliance with disability act can bring tax savings By Mark E. Battersby It has been 17 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. Although some veterinarians still fall short when it comes to making their business premises — and the practice itself — ADA compliant, others have used financial and tax incentives created to help ease the cost of complying with the ADA to improve and grow their practices. Opening a practice today requires vigilance By Gerald Snyder, VMD To invest our hard-earned dollars, many of us purchase securities in the stock market. It is purely legalized gambling. We are betting that, at some future date, we can sell that stock for a profit. Don't fall into the complacency trap: Track the numbers By Michael H. Riegger, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Complacency can kill relationships, skills, marriages, businesses, teams, countries and empires. Employee evaluation: Is it worth the effort? By Charles E. Gardner, DVM, MBA, Dipl. ABVP "What frustrates you most about your job?" 10 of the most common legal troubles for veterinarians By Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD Mind-numbing television programs truly have a therapeutic effect after a long day at work. Listening to Oprah Winfrey or Tom Cruise talk about their latest philanthropic and humanitarian undertakings makes my eyes roll back in my head faster than a pint of Guinness. Humor Honey Sweets might 'not hurt a fly,' just me By Michael A. Obenski, DVM Meanwhile, Honey Sweets growled, barked and snapped repeatedly at imaginary veterinarians. When he bares his teeth, it's time to run We veterinarians always keep an eye out for teeth. If we aren't careful, some of our patients might sink theirs into us. News North Carolina to update practice act Raleigh, N.C. — A committee to review and update the state practice act is expected to present a draft of suggested changes to the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board (NCVMB) for approval next month. FDA to set pet-food warning system, labeling guidelines Washington — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must establish an early-warning and surveillance system by this fall to identify adulteration of the nation's pet-food supply and any future outbreaks of illness associated with pet foods. OVMA mulls facility ownership OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) leaders want members' feedback concerning whether the group should purchase its own building. R.I. DVMs, physicians partner at joint conference By Krista Schultz Providence, R.I. — More than 200 physicians and veterinarians gathered to share ideas, improve knowledge and open communication lines about zoonotic and vector diseases at the state's first joint conference. DVM is shot by teen son in family dispute Washington Township, Pa. — Despite taking two bullets to the back, a local veterinarian argues the shooter — his 18-year-old son — had no intention to cause harm and should not be given jail time. Web page maps food-animal DVM shortage Schaumburg, Ill. — The American Veterinary Medical Association unveiled a Web page designed to illustrate nationwide needs for food-animal practitioners. AVMA policy counters declaw ban Schaumburg, Ill. — The American Veterinary Medical Association's Executive Board adopted a policy designed to steer local municipalities away from regulating veterinary procedures. Oregon regulators crack down on CVT renewals Portland, Ore. — The Oregon veterinary state board says it will discipline certified veterinary technicians (CVT) who fail to renew their licenses but continue to perform their duties. Oregon regulators keep licensees' information private Portland, Ore. — The phone numbers and addresses of DVM license holders in Oregon are now protected from public disclosure. AAEP sets attendance record, names first female president AVMA coverage: Executive board opens access to information By Jennifer Fiala Schaumburg, Ill. — American Veterinary Medical Association leaders approved a Policy on Transparency during the Executive Board's fall meeting as well as a strategy for released AVMA-owned data. AVMA Executive Board approves 2008 Washington agenda The American Veterinary Medical Association's Governmental Relations Division received leadership's guidance to act on a long list of federal initiatives. New conference unveiled in New York ITHACA, N.Y. — The New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYSVMS) and Cornell University's veterinary college have teamed up to produce the New York State Veterinary Conference. Georgia VMA targets membership, public opinion with campaigns Atlanta — The Georgia Veterinary Medical Association has two New Year's resolutions: showcase the importance of veterinary medicine to the public and bolster its flat membership. Welfare's Political Animal By Jennifer Fiala He's been called a wolf in sheep's clothing, a man with hidden agendas and the most influential player the animal-welfare arena has ever seen. AVMA coverage: Human medicine meets veterinary medicine Schaumburg, Ill. — The One Health Initiative Task Force met Nov. 28-30 at American Veterinary Medical Association offices with American Medical Association President Ron Davis (right) in attendance. AVMA Executive Board roundup Executive Board members authorized $72,185 from the American Veterinary Medical Association's contingency fund and $150,000 from its reserve fund to support some of the following Life after the pet-food recall By James M. Lewis A nationwide network of veterinary toxicology laboratories, each with similar testing capabilities and an efficient communication system, could become one of the best weapons to help ward off another major pet-food crisis, even helping protect the human food supply against a serious poisoning outbreak. HSUS readies launch of new veterinary association By Jennifer Fiala GAITHERSBURG, MD. — Consumers are driving a new animal-welfare agenda, says Humane Society of the United States front man Wayne Pacelle. And he wants veterinarians to join his cause by spearheading a new veterinary association. Nanotechnology breakthrough targets cancerous tumors By Krista Schultz Corvallis, Ore. — A team of Oregon State University (OSU) scientists successfully used nanotechnology to detect and define cancer tumors, introducing a less invasive way to fight cancer in humans and animals. Tennessee expects spay/neuter legislation Memphis, Tenn. — The Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) anticipates mandatory spay/neuter and breed-specific banning legislation — both of which it opposes — to be introduced in the next legislative session. NMVMA seeks improved regulation of alternative therapies New Mexico — New Mexico Veterinary Medical Association (NMVMA) officials want to better define what constitutes the practice of veterinary medicine through the state's practice act. Vet clinic employees held at gunpoint By Krista Schultz Phoenix — A 19-year-old man entered a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic armed with a gun and looking for drugs and money, but hours after releasing four employees held at gunpoint, he left with nothing but handcuffs and felony charges, according to police. DVM sentenced to jail for '04 traffic fatality Ops Township, Ont. — A veterinarian was sentenced to two years in jail for causing a fatal car crash that left one man dead and another seriously injured. DVM News poll: Which philosophy about animals most closely aligns with your own? Which philosophy about animals most closely aligns with your own? Georgia DVMs fear escalating technician shortage Atlanta, Ga. — The end of a state clause that eased licensing requirements for veterinary technicians could cause more staff shortages for Georgia DVMs. Senate bill calls for tracking animal cruelty AVMA Animal Welfare Committee to review measure Task force drafts legislation to regulate breeders Oklahoma City — An Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) task force is looking into proposing legislation that would provide state regulation for pet-production facilities. Lawsuit, injunction muddy CVMA insurance plans Sacramento, Calif. — The California Veterinary Medical Association's (CVMA) former insurance broker is accusing the group and an ex-executive of using confidential documents in a "scheme" to start its own insurance business. AVMA promotes Vogel, Golab Schaumburg, Ill. — Dr. Lyle Vogel is the American Veterinary Medical Association's new assistant executive vice president, replacing Dr. Jan Donlin, who left the job in July. He now ranks second in command behind Dr. Ron DeHaven, executive vice president. Ownership up, veterinary visits down By Jennifer Fiala SCHAUMBURG, ILL. — Dog- and cat-owning households visited veterinarians less in 2006 than in 2001, while the number of U.S. households with pets grew to 68.7 million, a 12.4 percent increase.