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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Dec 1, 2008

News State boards wage war on lay persons practicing veterinary medicine By Christina Macejko National Report — State licensing boards are waging war against lay persons performing veterinary medicine, but with attorneys unwilling to prosecute the problem continues to grow. Some believe lay persons are pushing the boundary by offering therapeutic massage, reproductive and chiropractic services. California's proposed tax on veterinary care draws fire By Rachael Whitcomb National Report — Veterinarians are protesting a state proposal to tax veterinary services in California. Hundreds of letters were sent to the California Veterinary Medical Association. Currently, only three other states tax veterinary services — Hawaii, New Mexico and South Dakota, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. FBI conducts agro-terrorism drill at Penn Vet center By James M. Lewis Kennett Square, Pa. — Is this country ready for an agroterrorism attack? The FBI recently worked with the veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. Six Penn veterinary students participated. Fever ticks make a comeback in Texas By Christina Macejko Austin, Texas — Fever ticks are making a resurgence in Texas. In fact officials fear the outbreak of the parasite could kill livestock and wildlife. The fever tick can survive winters as far north as Washington D.C. Kansas task force evaluates DVM's exemption for state's prescription monitoring program Topeka, Kan. — A newly formed veterinary task force in Kansas will determine whether DVMs there will remain exempt from a new law requiring those who dispense scheduled substances to report to an electronic prescription monitoring program. AVMA, members disagree on priority of welfare, education Schaumburg, Ill. — AVMA members and leaders differ on association roles in education and animal welfare, according to recent AVMA survey. AVMA House Advisory Committee recommends approval of 3 resolutions By Christina Macejko Schaumburg, Ill. — The AVMA House Advisory Committee considered 10 resolutions at its November meeting, recommending three for approval. Beyond specialization: ACVS developing certification program for sub-specialties that could begin in 2010 By James M. Lewis Rockville, Md. — The American College of Veterinary Surgeons is developing sub-specialization certification program tentatively slated for introduction in 2010. Report pet-food problems to the FDA Washington, D.C. — The Food and Drug Administration wants you to report adverse events from pet food. Mars Petcare US recalls some bags of dry cat food Franklin, Tenn. — Mars Petcare US voluntarily recalled a limited number of bags of a gourmet dry cat food. California board OKs exam change for technicians By Rachael Whitcomb Sacramento, Calif. — Veterinary technicians with five years of clinical experience and a minimum of 24 hours of education can now take the California State Registered Veterinary Technician Exam. Tufts veterinary school co-founder dies in Boston Boston — Henry L. Foster, DVM, died of cancer Oct. 14. Foster helped found Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Veterinary groups oppose FDA's proposed ban on extra-label use of cephalosporins Washington, D.C. — An FDA-ordered ban of extra-label use of cephalosporin antimicrobial drugs was delayed after nearly 300 comments poured in during an extended period. FARAD remains open, for now Washington, D.C. —The financially threatened Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank garnered a few extra months of life support, but with drastic cutbacks. WSU veterinary dean takes over as provost following scuffle By Rachael Whitcomb Pullman, Wash.— Dr. Warwick Bayley became provost of Washington State University resigning his position as dean of the veterinary college. Coming to a waiting room near you National Report — The Chihuahua could become even more popular as a result of the current Disney movie "Beverly Hills Chihuahua." Schrader wins seat in Congress By Christina Macejko Having newly elected U.S. Rep. Kurt Schrader in Congress means veterinarians have a representative in government who understands issues specific to the veterinary community, officials say. Mass. voters OK Greyhound racing ban Boston — Veterinarians' opinions in Massachusetts are mixed on the subject of dog racing, but voters have spoken and two Greyhound racetracks will shut down by 2010. What did this election mean for the veterinary profession? Veterinary leaders discuss the long- and short-term implications of this year's election on practice, academia and the economy. AVMA cautions against consequences of Proposition 2; HSUS lauds victory National Report — AVMA pledges to help affected food-animal producers by providing information on alternative production systems. $25 million prize offered for single-dose nonsurgical sterilization Chicago — A millionaire spinal surgeon with an affinity for animals hopes to step up research on finding a viable nonsurgical method of sterilization for cats and dogs by offering $75 million in incentives. $9 million specialty hospital to be built in New Jersey Robbinsville, N.J. — Construction is to begin next spring on a 33,000-square-foot veterinary specialty and emergency practice. BLM receives offer of horse sanctuary Thousands of horses in U.S. Bureau of Land Management holding facilities could be saved if the agency decides to accept an offer from Madeleine Pickens, wife of Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens. Big specialty hospital in Utah closes By James M. Lewis Salt Lake City — Just short of six months after it opened, the Utah Pet Center — billed as the nation's largest — closed. Clinic destroyed by fire: DVM to rebuild By Christina Macejko Puyallup, Wash. — The Farris Veterinary Clinic is back in operation following a break-in and suspicious fire that shuttered the facility in one night. Commentary: Perhaps we should be careful what we wish for By Michael A. McLaughlin, DVM While some vets are convinced that emulating medical doctors is the salvation of veterinary medicine, some medical doctors aspire to practice like veterinarians. Customer data security guidelines are updated The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council recently updated its guidelines for veterinary practices and other businesses. DVM News Poll: How has the Internet influenced your product sales? DVM News Poll: How has the Internet influenced your products sales? DVM honored for oncology work Anaheim Hills, Calif. — Dr. Mona Rosenberg was honored for lifetime service and dedication to animal cancer patients and their owners. DVMs to help set guidelines for Pa. dog law By Christina Macejko Harrisburg, Pa. — A newly formed nine-member Canine Health Board has just 45 days to establish guidelines. Lawyer heads South Dakota VMA Brookings, S.D.— The South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association chose an attorney as its new executive director. On the road: changing trends in equine mobile practice The modes of transportation for equine veterinarians are changing. Take a look through the decades. Preparing an equine practice for a natural disaster By Ed Kane, PhD A spate of natural diasters — hurricanes, tornadoes, flood, wildfires and earthquakes — have impacted veterinary practices in many parts of the country this year. Putting on a happy face By Christina Macejko Schaumburg, Ill.— Veterinarians are the most content with their jobs, according to a 2007 member needs assessment survey conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The line of succession for ACVS After completing a year as president of ACVS, Dr. Larry R. Bramlage was installed as chairman of its Board of Regents. UT receives grants for animal, food security Knoxville, Tenn.— A $5 million federal grant will help the University of Tennessee develop training programs for animal-related disasters. Medicine Surgery STAT: Options for treating subchondral bone cysts By Shawn Mattson, DVM, DVSc, BSc, Dipl. ACVS A 3-month-old Warmblood filly was referred to our hospital for evaluation of a left front-limb lameness of one week duration. Managing TMJ in companion animals By Johnny D. Hoskins, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Q: Please review management of temporomandibular joint problems in dogs and cats. Evaluating studies: First weigh all the evidence By Kim L. Cronin, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM There is current emphasis in the veterinary field to practice evidence-based medicine. The concept is simplistic, although the practice is not always easy. Case-histories study aims to improve diagnosis of EPE, halt outbreaks By James M. Lewis Lexington, Ky. — A retrospective study of 57 horses treated for proliferative enteropathy aims to help equine practitioners make a timely diagnosis. Business Tax breaks in the bailout bill By Mark E. Battersby Talk about last-minute changes in tax laws that will affect veterinarians. Clients' confidence: How can we earn it? By Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Trust is one of the highest forms of human motivation. It fosters a climate in which veterinarians and clients can work cooperatively to establish shared objectives of patient care. It's time to bail out your practice By Gerald Snyder, VMD Life can be very strange indeed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics proclaims veterinary medicine to be one of the fastest-growing fields. Yet, if you are a companion-animal practitioner in a mature practice, your transactions are likely down for each year of this decade. Hiring a relief vet? By Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD Several factors determine whether they're subcontractors or employees. Humor Down on the floor — it's another pill stampede By Michael A. Obenski, DVM Pill bottles seem designed to keep the freshness in and the doctor out. A shot in the dark There was a note of regret, mixed with relief, in Dr. Mark Justice's voice when he called to relate the events of the previous night.