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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Jan 1, 2011

Diagnote The healing power of laughter continues By Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Giggles and guffaws can go a long way in making clients, team members and even ourselves feel better News Border crossing By Rachael Whitcomb Washington — Federal agencies charged with monitoring animal imports are spread too thin and don't have enough of a clear, overall vision to effectively keep animal diseases from entering the United States, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office. CAPC, AHS weigh in on heartworm resistance issue By Daniel R. Verdon National Report — Studies are in the works to determine the scope of heartworm resistance and are expected to be unveiled to the veterinary market in the next six months. 2010's most unusual surgical cases Brea, Calif. — There were nearly 2,00 foreign body ingestion claims received over the past year, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI). AAHA sounds off on feral cat study By Rachael Whitcomb Lincoln, Neb. — A new report advocating shooting as a suitable means of population control for feral cats is drawing the ire of several groups, including the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Advancing treatment of urolithiasis By Donna Loyle A Q&A with nephrology and veterinary urology specialist Jody Lulich COE schedules accreditation visit to Ross University St. Kitts, West Indies — The Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is slated to get a visit from the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Council on Education (COE) this month. CSU turns focus to bedside manner By Rachael Whitcomb Fort Collins, Colo. — Often, veterinarians cite client relationships as one of their most difficult challenges. Chicago DVM accused of covering up dog fights By Rachael Whitcomb Chicago — A Park Forest veterinarian who allegedly covered up dog fights and issued fraudulent rabies certifications, among other things, has been arrested. Dog bites on the rise, study suggests Washington — The number of people admitted to the hospital because of dog bites increased by 86 percent between 1993 and 2008. EEE surge blamed on economy By Chris Sweeney Lansing, Mich. — The effects of Michigan's woeful economy are far reaching. State unemployment is in the double digits, industries have been gutted, and horse owners may be failing to properly care for their animals in order to save a few bucks. FDA releases antimicrobial sales totals Rockville, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration recently released a report summarizing sales and distribution of data of antimicrobial drugs approved for use in food-producing animals. FDA revisits pet-food recall By Rachael Whitcomb Rockville, Md. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently offered a retrospective on how it responded to the pet-food recall in 2007. Federal healthcare reform brings big changes to GHLIT Schaumburg, Ill. — Federal health-care reform measures are resulting in a number of changes with the American Veterinary Medical Association's Group Health and Life Insurance Trust. Financing education the biggest challenge for deans By Rachael Whitcomb National Report — More than hald of the veterinary deans surveyed believe that budget and finances in a time of fiscal restraint remain their biggest challenges, according to a new joint study. Former Florida CVM dean takes over as president at University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn. — Former University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Dr. Joseph A. DiPietro was named the 24th president at the University of Tennessee. Great Britain VMAs ask vets to report c-sections Great Britain — British veterinary associations are asking veterinarians in the United Kingdom to report cesarean sections on purebred dogs. HOD considers annual dues increase, online voting records By Rachael Whitcomb Chicago — Another annual dues increase and a move to make voting records accessible online are among the items up for consideration by the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) House of Delegates at its winter session Jan. 8 in Chicago. In the public eye By Daniel R. Verdon Baltimore — Veterinarians need to engage the public in dialogue about animal-welfare issues. Livestock board votes on Ohio's first set of euthanasia rules Columbus, Ohio — The Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board proposed new rules that may become the state's first set of livestock euthanasia standards. New Jersey DVMs can earn CE credit for volunteer services Trenton, N.J. — Volunteer services now can count for up to 10 percent of continuing education requirements for New Jersey veterinarians. New swine center slated for Iowa State campus Urbandale, Iowa — A new swine medicine education center is coming to Iowa State University. Ohio State dean leads infectious disease collaboration Columbus, Ohio —Dr. Lonnie King recently was appointed to lead a new Public Health Preparedness for Infectious Diseases (PHPID) program at The Ohio State University. Oklahoma City zoo planning new $9 million veterinary hospital Oklahoma City — The Oklahoma City Zoo is preparing to build a new $9 million veterinary hospital that will feature areas for public viewing. Ohio State researcher named to the Institute of Medicine Columbus, Ohio — Michael Lairmore, associate dean for research and graduate studies and professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University recently was named to the national Institute of Medicine. Oklahoma dean to step down; search for replacement already underway Stillwater, Okla. — Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Scienes Dean Dr. Michael D. Lorenz announced recently that his tenure as dean is coming to a close. Online pet pharmacy report By Rachael Whitcomb Pompano Beach, Fla. — Online sales are up 4.1 percent at PetMed Express, Inc., but revenues are still on the decline, leading the company to boost its presence in the pet supplies market, according to a second-quarter financial statement. Pet owner or guardian? By Stephanie Fellenstein National Report — As more and more municipalities consider replacing "pet owner" with "pet guardian" in their animal laws, veterinarians and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) say the change is bad for business. Post-mortem on the Gulf oil spill By Rachael Whitcomb National Report — Nearly 7,000 animals died in the Gulf of Mexico following the worst man-made disaster in U.S. history. Urban farming By Alicia Karapetian National Report — Most urban- and suburban-based DVMs expect to see plenty of dogs and cats, but the increasing number of cities allowing backyard chickens could mean more birds will be flocking to local veterinarians' offices. Utah State gains approval for new vet school collaboration Salt Lake City, Utah — The Utah Board of Regents voted in favor of the creation of a new veterinary program collaboration at Utah State University (USU) Dec. 9. Washington classifies heartworm as reportable By Stephanie Skernivitz Heartworm is now a reportable condition in the state of Washington. Humor Conquering flea-nial By Michael A. Obenski Whenever Mrs. Bicker walks into the office, I know that we are in for a "TnT" situation. Looking for the easy chair At 6 p.m. on a Friday, Dr. Glenn Blodgett was looking forward to putting another stressful week of running a veterinary clinic behind him. Surgery STAT Laparoscopic ovariectomy: A minimally invasive alternative By Nicole J. Buote, DVM, Dipl. ACVS In place of traditional ovariohysterectomies, consider this technique, which results in a quicker recovery time as well as less pain. Business Be the business By Andrew Roark, DVM, MS Veterinarians, generally speaking, are not self-centered people. Become cat confidential By Karyn Gavzer, MBA, CVPM In my November 2010 column, I talked about breed-specific wellness plans as an example of a new, better and different healthcare service to offer dogs. Location: It's one of your most important considerations By Gerald Snyder, VMD Like Bill O'Reilly, I have a word for the day. Today's word is "no." Practicing in the new economic reality By Christopher J. Allen Well, it's all finished, and I am so relieved! The Great Recession is over! Equine Exploring equine fungal keratitis treatments By Avi Black Tackling painful corneal ulcerations in horses is a common occurance. Moyer appointed AAEP president Baltimore — Dr. Bill Moyer will lead the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in 2011. New Bolton Center launching equine home nursing program Kennett Square, Pa. — The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine launched Equi-Assist, an equine home-nursing program Dec. 6. Poisoning in the feed room By Kenneth Marcella, DVM Although rare, feed-associated poisoning in horses occurs, sometimes with fatal consequences. AAEP's guidelines for veterinarians focus on medication use at the racetrack By Ed Kane, PhD The AAEP Clinical Guidelines for Veterinarians Practicing in a Pari-Mutuel Environment are designed as an evolving document to recommend various veterinary procedures "to put the health and safety of racing horses first." Small Animal Noise reactivities and phobias in dogs: Implementing effective drug therapy By Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, CAAB Dogs with noise phobias can benefit from drugs given before or during an anxiety-provoking event or even as lifelong daily drug therapy. Tooth eruption and exfoliation in dogs and cats By Jan Bellows, DVM, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. ABVP Keep in mind that eruption is controlled by genetic, environmental, infectious and traumatic factors. Tracheal stenting for tracheal collapse By Allyson Berent, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM , Chick Weisse, VMD, Dipl. ACVS When medical management is no longer adequate, patients with tracheal collapse need more aggressive surgical intervention.