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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Mar 1, 2010

News States crack down on puppy mills By Rachael Whitcomb At last count, 287,000 dogs crossed U.S. borders, and officials fear importation problems are getting worse. AKC registrations continue to decline By Daniel R. Verdon While new laws are closing puppy mills, they also are putting reputable breeders out of business. New research reveals 155 regions in canine genome likely influenced by selective breeding By Mindy Valcarcel Seattle — Researchers at the University of Washington have scanned the genomes of 275 unrelated dogs to discover what role human selection has had in purebred dogs. In the process, they identified 155 regions that they believe have been affected by selective breeding. School cuts deepen By Rachael Whitcomb Vet schools have lost up to $50 million in state funding, and now Penn faces a new 30 percent cut. Haiti's hard recovery By Rachael Whitcomb Port-au-Prince, Haiti — In the good times, before the earthquakes pounded the impoverished island, thousands of dogs roamed free. Delaware state vet granted control over licensing of exotics Dover, Del. — The Delaware state veterinarian now will have greater power over the ownership, sale, display and rehabilitation of exotic animals. Dog-nappings grab lawmakers' attention Albany, N.Y. — A sharp increase in "dog-nappings" recorded by the American Kennel Club (AKC) last year has resulted in the introduction of two new laws in New York that would make pet theft penalties more harsh. Examining this year's risks for vector-borne diseases By Susan Ruiz Patton National Report — Vector-borne diseases have the attention of the nation's parasitologists this year. And they are watching for signs of migration and disease spread. NAVC panelists address veterinary workforce trends, student debt By Daniel R. Verdon Orlando — How insidious is escalating veterinary student debt? Virginia law would create new animal welfare committees Richmond, Va. — Virginia lawmakers are takin gnote of the animal-welfare movement and have decided to create a new subcommittee to give greater attention to the state's welfare issues. AVMA Executive Board cites need for guidelines on carcass disposal Schaumburg, Ill. — Many changes were made by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Executive Board during its fall and winter meetings, though most of the changes were of the minor "housekeeping" variety. Arizona rabies spike blamed on skunks By Chris Sweeney National Report — In Arizona, skunk rabies is on the incline, despite notd decreases in reported cases for the rest of the country. Humor Expect surprises working with spouse By Michael A. Obenski, DVM It's a whole new set of challenges. Country mouse visits the city It must be written on my forehead: "Small town." Trips to big cities always leave me feeling stupid. Business Compensation: Strike the right balance By Michael H. Riegger, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Happy associates deliver great customer service. Pay them right. Arm your leases against inflation By Marsha L. Heinke DVM, EA, CPA, CVPM Today's veterinary practice owners wisely are devising short-term strategies for managing operational expenses such as payroll and supply costs. The state of your practice is in jeopardy By Gerald Snyder, VMD There is little doubt that we, as a profession, are suffering the multiple effects of not-enough-self-­interest. Small Animal Heartworm: An emerging disease By Tom Nelson, DVM Heartworm: An emerging disease? It may seem to be an odd title when you consider Dirofilaria immitis was discovered in Italy in 1626, and the first reported case in the United States was in 1847. Ear edge dermatitis: Look beyond scabies By Alice M. Jeromin, RPh, DVM, Dipl. ACVD Ear edge dermatoses in dogs can consist of alopecia, seborrhea, crusting, ulceration and necrosis. Monitoring anesthetized dental patients: the five-parameter approach By Jan Bellows, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. ABVP Clients frequently express concern about the anesthesia their dogs or cats need for professional oral evaluation and care. Surgery STAT: Diagnosis and surgical management of atresia ani in small animals By Gary W. Ellison, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS Atresia ani is a congenital embryological anomaly in which the hindgut fails to fully communicate with the perineum. Stones in the wild: A Pet Rock study By Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Remember Pet Rocks? They might have been a short-lived fad, but I think they're still alive and well in the U.S. Equine Racing safety spurs new rules By Chris Sweeney Lexington, Ky. — Monitoring the use of medications in performance horses is no easy task. The usual suspects By Kenneth L. Marcella, DVM The trials of diagnosing neurologic disorders. Treating gastric ulcers in racehorses By Ed Kane, PhD This common disease in Thoroughbred racehorses hurts performance. Opinion/Analysis The new-graduate conundrum By Christopher J. Allen, DVM, JD The cost of an advanced degree is becoming nearly impossible for graduates to pay in a reasonable time. Commentary What pet planet are you from? By Michael A. McLaughlin, DVM An author once suggested that neither gender was indigenous to Earth, each having arrived from a different planet with divergent philosophies. My observation suggests a similar dichotomy between groups of pet owners and veterinarians.