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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Aug 1, 2008

News Tackling turnover By Rachael Whitcomb Lakewood, Colo. — Associate veterinarians are jumping jobs faster than the average American worker, according to a new study, and salaries that don't keep pace with inflation could be partly to blame. A house divided? By Christina Macejko New Orleans — Veterinarians once again squared off on animal-welfare and human-health issues at this year's American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) House of Delegates meeting. Big Easy's rebound has been anything but for DVMs By Christina Macejko New Orleans — Local veterinarians say growth doesn't mean their practices are brimming with clients, especially considering the number of clinics has declined, due to delayed construction, financial and other reasons, so that the number of practices remaining is just about on par with the client base. Hot-button veterinary topics from AVMA meeting By Christina Macejko New Orleans — Whether even to discuss a ban on antimicrobials in livestock feed for growth promotion split the House of Delegates nearly in half at the annual American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) conference. A market in transition: Is profession ready to seize the opportunities? By Daniel R. Verdon Portland, Ore. — Dr. Hugh B. Lewis shared a big vision during his career. California's recovery By Rachael Whitcomb Paradise, Calif. — Thick smoke forced him from his home, but it hasn't kept Dr. Mike Seely from visiting a local evacuation shelter where he checks on hundreds of pets and livestock displaced by the wildfires that burn throughout California. 'Declaw law' could set broad precedent By Rachael Whitcomb Sacramento, Calif. — Municipalities won't be able to ban state-sanctioned medical practices if a proposed bill passes in California. Veterinary salaries remain modest, but job security's great By James M. Lewis Veterinarians' salaries continue to rank near the low end of those within the health-care field, but DVMs job security and job-growth prospects are among the best, according to the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Calif. Senate snips spay/neuter bill By Rachael Whitcomb Impotent might be the best word to describe a law that would have required almost every cat and dog older than 4 months to be spayed or neutered before the measure was dramatically altered on the California Senate floor. Preparing for Olympics a challenge for equestrians By Kenneth L. Marcella, DVM When the equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are held Aug. 9-20, the world will see if China has met the numerous challenges facing the successful staging of those events. Concern was raised, even from the beginning of China's Olympic bid, in three main areas: Waters recede, but flood's impact remains By Christina Macejko Although floodwaters receded along the banks of the Mississippi, the aftermath will continue to be felt for months and even years. Floods threaten livestock food supply By Christina Macejko Devastating floods in several Midwest states left most farm animals unscathed, but food shortages and disease still loom as major concerns for farmers and veterinarians in coming months and years. Pew industrial farm report By Jennifer Fiala Washington — A report exploring big agriculture's impact on the environment, animal welfare and human health is encountering strong criticism from a faction of leaders in veterinary medicine. DVM Newsmakers' Summit: Exploring the legal realities for the profession Editor's Note: Understanding consumer behavior can help you as a clinician and business manager. DVM Newsmagazine asked five veterinary market leaders to join this year's DVM Newsmakers' Summit at CVC East in Baltimore. Following is the last of three excerpts from the panel discussion. ACVS readies for San Diego San Diego — Veterinarians can earn more than 300 CE credits and peruse the offerings of numerous product vendors at the American College of Veterinary Surgeons' Symposium in San Diego Oct. 22-25 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Racing industry acting quickly on some reforms By James M. Lewis National Report — The Thoroughbred racing industry, now effectively on notice to bring about serious reforms or look for Congress to do so, appears to be taking strides in that direction. Humor When opposites collide By Michael A. Obenski, DVM I could almost hear the "twang" when Blitz hit the end of his leash and it stopped him short. The snapping sound of his big mouth almost catching my arm followed immediately. Mrs. Whiteflag was quick to apologize. Who said that? The directions I held in my hand were leading me to a residential district in Lubbock, Texas. That would not have been a big deal, were it not for the fact that I was on my way to visit a horse. I knew that people in a city residential area were likely to know as much about horses as I knew about submarines, but I could be wrong. Business The 20 percent solution By Gerald Snyder, VMD The Pareto Principle is an observation (not a law) that most things in life are not distributed evenly. It could mean any or all of the following: What's really bothering you? By Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD Veterinary school and law-school training actually have quite a bit in common. For example, when I finished each, I soon realized just how huge was the volume of practical things I needed to know but did not. Self-financing may be your best option By Mark E. Battersby A surprising number of principals in veterinary practices depend on themselves for their financing needs. With conventional financing increasingly more difficult to obtain, it's now the No. 1 form of financing used by small business owners. It's quick, doesn't require a lot of paper work and often is less expensive than conventional financing. Small Animal Epidemiology of feline uroliths and urethral plugs By Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM In 1981, calcium oxalate was detected in only 2 percent of feline uroliths submitted to the Minnesota Urolith Center, whereas struvite was detected in 78 percent. However, beginning in the mid-1980s, a dramatic increase in the frequency of calcium oxalate uroliths occurred in association with a decrease in the frequency of struvite uroliths (Figure 1) . Is it megaesophagus or a normal variation? By Allison Zwingenberger, DVM, Dipl. ACVR, Dipl. ECVDI Megaesophagus is a condition in which the esophagus has reduced peristalsis, and has poor tone at rest. The esophagus can have a mild, focal motility problem, or the entire organ may be dilated and functioning poorly. Cardiology: What's good for treating one type of heart disease, isn't good for all By Stephanie Skernivitz Lawndale, Calif. — Treating heart disease in companion animals is an ever-evolving science. And, especially for the aging U.S. pet population, the risks for heart disease increase. Nausea, vomiting: First treat the underlying cause By Johnny D. Hoskins, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Please provide a review of anti-emetic and prokinetic drugs — I am confused. Heat stroke: diagnosis and treatment By Melissa Marshall, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition characterized by an elevated core body temperature and central nervous system dysfunction. Despite aggressive lowering of core body temperature and treatment, the pathophysiologic changes associated with heat stroke can lead to multi-organ dysfunction, which can be fatal. Recognizing dermatologic effects of steroids By Alice M. Jeromin, RPh, DVM, Dipl. ACVD I am often asked about what can be done for "dry skin" for patients on chemotherapy, where steroid is a part of that chemotherapy. However, it is not only patients on steroid for chemotherapy; some canine and feline patients have varying degrees of sensitivity to steroids and the changes they produce in the skin. Surgery STAT: Tracheal collapse: rings or stents? By Chick Weisse, VMD, Dipl. ACVS Editor's note: SurgerySTAT is a collaborative column between the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) and DVM Newsmagazine. In September, Shawn Mattson, DVM, DVSc, BSc will discuss "Treating Subchondral Bone Cysts in the Fetlock Joint." Dr. Mattson is an ACVS board-certified surgeon who practices at Moore and Company Veterinary Services, a full-service equine hospital in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Dr. Mattson, previously at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario, has published scientific articles in the American Journal of Veterinary Research and Veterinary Surgery related to research on orthopedic infections in horses. Equine DVMs partner with human microsurgeon to reverse vasectomy By Rachael Whitcomb Washington — A team of reproductive experts performed what is believed to be the first reverse vasectomy on an equid at the Smithsonian National Zoo. The new ice age By Kenneth L. Marcella, DVM Veterinarians often are called upon to help their clients sort out all of the commercial choices available when equine products are being purchased. Equine nutritional products (primarily feeds), vitamin, mineral and other performance supplements and joint-protection products tend to be the three areas where client confusion abounds and veterinary clarification is sought. Fetlock arthrodesis boost survival rates By Ed Kane, PhD Lexington, Ky. — It is the most common fatal injury of the racing Thoroughbred — catastrophic injury to the fetlock, involving the distal cannon bone and/or the proximal sesamoid bones of the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint, with a rupture of suspensory apparatus.