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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Feb 1, 2009

News Contagious equine metritis probe involves 45 states By James M. Lewis National Report — Investigators tracing a wide-ranging outbreak of contagious equine metritis (CEM) made important discoveries and took steps to halt the infectious reproductive disease, but after nearly two months the origin remains elusive and quarantines and testings continue. Stock slide batters AVMA By Christina Macejko Schaumburg, Ill. — The AVMA is looking at a $6.8 million shortfall to its investment earnings. Veterinarians wrestle with legal ethical concerns over microchips and ownership By Rachael Whitcomb National Report — As microchipping becomes more common, veterinarians are questioning their legal liability and ethical obligations in regard to sorting out ownership disputes. Pet health insurance boosts client spending, DVM visits, survey says By Rachael Whitcomb Chicago — Clients with pet health insurance spend and visit the veterinary more, according to a survey conducted by Brakke Veterinary Practice Management Group for the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues. FARAD future in question By Christina Macejko Washington — As the Food Animal Reside Avoidance Databank continues to struggle, operating with bare-bones staff, Washington insiders hope for a reprieve. AVMA alters pet-insurance position By Christina Macejko Schaumburg, Ill. — The AVMA revised its policy on pet health insurance after the Council on Veterinary Service found GHLIT's white paper too prescriptive. Vets to the stars recalls stories, lessons learned on the set By Rachael Whitcomb Thousand Oaks, Calif. — One might think life as a veterinarian to the animal stars would be filled with glamour and excitement. Tenn. veterinary school placed on limited accreditation By Christina Macejko Knoxville, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine has been moved from full to limited accreditation for the next two years. State DVMs face unpaid time off in California; UC-Davis spared By Rachael Whitcomb Sacramento — State-employed veterinarians will lose some work starting this moth to combat California's ever-mounting budget deficit. AVMA PAC packs a punch in D.C. By Christina Macejko Schaumburg, Ill. — The AVMA Political Action Committee broke records for the 2007-2008 campaign cycle — generating $580,000 to donate to 145 campaigns. 3 DVMs aid horse after accident at start of inauguration parade By Rachael Whitcomb Washington — It took three veterinarians and a dozen other workers two hours to free a 10-year-old horse at the start of the inauguration parade Jan. 20. AVMA calls on USDA to help with veterinary student-debt relief By Christina Macejko Schaumburg, Ill. — Seven of nine resolutions where approved by the AVMA's House of Delegates in January. AVMA, Hill's work to educate pet owners about veterinary dentistry Topeka, Kan. — As part of the Pet Dental Health Month, Hill's Pet Nutrition is co-sponsoring the 15th annual Pets Need Dental Care, Too campaign. AVMF seeks volunteers at Seattle meeting By Christina Macejko Schaumburg, Ill. — Get ready to pick up those paintbrushes and dustpans at this summer's AVMA meeting in Seattle. Colorado bill would require feline IDs By Rachael Whitcomb Denver — Colorado lawmakers are considering a bill that would require cat owners in the state' largest cities to microchip or tag. Colorado measure would order DVM exams for dogs bred commercially By Daniel R. Verdon Denver — Newly introduced legislation in Colorado would limit the number of dogs owned by commercial breeders and mandate veterinary certification exams. DEA resumes issuing permits to Md. Shelters Annapolis — The state's animal shelters again have access to drugs needed to perform their work safely and humanely because of recent legislation and action by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. DVM News Poll: Welfare or Warfare? From positions on ear-cropping to sow housing, animal-welfare questions are capturing consumer headlines. DVM Newsmagazine asked veterinarians to share their opinions on these issues. Dogs wanted for pain study Madison, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine is recruiting for a clinical trial designed to evaluate pain relief in post-surgical patients. Florida scales back Rx permit requirements By Rachael Whitcomb Tallahassee, Fla. — Practitioners in Florida who decided to act quickly to comply with a new law requiring a prescription drug permit might be out of luck when it comes to getting a refund. Vindication follows charges veterinarian improperly disposed of horse remains By Rachael Whitcomb Brunswick, Ga. — Charged with improperly disposing of two dead horses, citizens spoke up to vindicate this veterinarian. IDEXX offers feline disease prevalence maps in wellness drive Westbrook, Maine — IDEXX Laboratories launched a campaign to promote feline wellness, including interactive disease prevalence maps. Labrador Retriever again leads AKC's Top 10 list By Rachael Whitcomb Raleigh, N.C. — The Labrador Retriever is again the nation's most popular purebred dog, but it has nothing to do with the recent movie, "Marley and Me." Looking back at Ike By Rachael Whitcomb National Report — When Hurricane Ike hit Texas last fall, Texas Veterinary Medical Association Executive Director Elbert Hutchins likened the storm's impact to a bomb site. FEMA dropped $1.4 billion to clean it up. NCVEI tool gauges practice profitability Schaumburg, Ill. — Veterinarians soon will have a new tool to ensure their practice is earning money. New hospital treats military working dogs By Christina Macejko Lackland, AFB, Texas — The new 38,000-square-foot Military Working Dog Veterinary Hospital at Lackland Air Force Base is open. OSU envisions more staff and a new hospital By Rachael Whitcomb Columbus, Ohio — One of the nation's largest veterinary colleges is without a permanent dean and squeezed for state funding. Obama administration's influx of people and power unlikely to affect practitioners in high-turnover D.C. By Rachael Whitcomb Washington — The nation's capital is a notoriously transient city, but many veterinarians in the area don't expect the influx of new bureaucrats to have much effect on their practices. Retired Army veterinarian heads KSU master's program By Christina Macejko Manhattan, Kan. — Retired Brig. General Michael B. Cates was named director of Kansas State University's master of public health program. SPCA opens largest nonprofit veterinary hospital in San Francisco By Rachael Whitcomb San Francisco — A dental suite, top-of-the-line technology, scales that are built into the floor and an intensive-care unit spread over 60,000 square feet doesn't sound like the description of a non-profit, but it is. Veterinary teaching hospital in Chicago to open in March Chicago — The new Chicago Center for Veterinary Medicine is scheduled to open in March in collaboration with the University of Illinois. Web program answers canine cancer questions Denver — Canine cancer is the subject of an online presentation from Morris Animal Foundation. Small Animal Surgery STAT: Limb sparing: less common procedures By Bernard Séguin, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS Last month's column covered limb sparing in dogs for the treatment of appendicular tumors, namely sarcomas. This month, I will briefly review the use of limb sparing for other, less common, more challenging, anatomic sites. Three new breeds join AKC By Rachael Whitcomb Three new breeds were added to the roster of American Kennel Club-registered dogs for 2009, and open breed registration for each will be available until 2012. Canine retrograde urohydropropulsion: A standard of care By Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Urocystoliths are commonly voided in the urethra of male dogs where they often become lodged adjacent to the caudal aspect of the os penis. Diagnosis and treatment of atopy in cats By Alice M. Jeromin, RPh, DVM, Dipl. ACVD Now that cats have overtaken dogs as the most popular pet in American homes, we are seeing more with dermatological problems. How to ultrasound and evaluate the thyroid and parathyroid glands By Allison Zwingenberger, DVM, Dipl. ACVR, Dipl. ECVDI One of the strengths of ultrasound imaging is its ability to resolve very small soft-tissue structures. Poorly regulated diabetic cats need systematic exam By Johnny D. Hoskins, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Please review management of difficult-to-regulate diabetic cats. Business Is it the economy, or are your fees holding you back? By Gerald Snyder, VMD It's human nature to have biases — preconceived notions — that shade our daily experiences. Tax-law changes in 2008 that can help you now By Mark E. Battersby With the season for filing 2008 tax returns well under way, all veterinarians should be aware of changes to the laws. Discounts: Manage them well to protect your bottom line By Marsha L. Heinke DVM, EA, CPA, CVPM To discount or not to discount — that is the question. But what is the answer? 11 inexpensive ways to brighten a practice amid recession By Michael H. Riegger, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Look at all the layoffs, even within the biggest and strongest companies. Thinking of converting a building into a clinic? By Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD The prospect of building an all-new practice facility is a daunting one, especially for veterinarians who have not owned a practice before. Equine Ancient science aids modern equine medicine By Ed Kane, PhD A healing science that dates back thousands of years in another culture has gained acceptance in recent years as a method of diagnosing and treating lameness in horses. Evaluating treatment options for equine tendon, ligament and joint disease By Kenneth L. Marcella, DVM There are many treatment options available to equine practitioners dealing with injuries to tendons and ligaments and an equally large number of drugs, techniques and modalities that can be used to help manage joint problems in the athletic horse. Problems mounting for wild-horse management By James M. Lewis Reno, NV. — The spiraling nationwide problem of how to deal with thousands of unwanted horses isn't just about domesticated horses. Humor Picking apart the grapevine By Michael A. Obenski, DVM My receptionist had a certain look on her face. "The lady on Line 1 needs to talk to you. She says it's very important." The moving fence: A 'good' idea trampled by common sense There is one in every crowd. You know the type — someone who knows everything and has done it all.