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DVM360 MAGAZINE, Jun 1, 2011

News Jobs report: Can the market handle vet school enrollment increases? By Rachael Whitcomb Pet ownership and spending are up, but not enough to keep pace with a surge of new DVMs. Jobs report: Turnover might worsen as economy improves By Rachael Whitcomb Strategies to build employee engagement can help, veterinarians say. Analysis: First-of-its-kind study by Banfield reveals companion-animal health trends By Daniel R. Verdon Portland, Ore. — A first-of-its kind study of 2.1 million dogs and 450,000 cats by Banfield Pet Hospital show increases in diabetes dental disease, flea infestations and other common and preventable health problems. More than 2,600 new veterinarians to enter tight job market By Rachael Whitcomb National Report -- The number of new veterinarians entering the market is up 2.92 percent over last year, with a total of 2,638 earning degrees from the nation's 28 veterinary colleges this spring. APPA says pet spending is up, predicts big jump in veterinary care By Rachael Whitcomb National Report — While repots within the veterinary profession are signaling an alarm that visits are down, a new poll from the American Pet Products Association indicates that 16 percent of dog owners and 13 percent of cat owners say their pets' health takes as much priority as their own. AAHA study looks at pet-owner purchasing habits By Rachael Whitcomb Just 37 percent of dog owners purchase heartworm medication from veterinarians. Pet insurance growth outpaces veterinary service sales By Rachael Whitcomb As the cost of owning a pet—and running a veterinary practice—rises, more pet owners are turning to insurance to keep their animals healthy. Texas A&M Board considers differential tuition hike College Station, Texas -- Tuition for first-year students at Texas A&M University?s (TAMU) College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences may jump $2,000 this fall, increasing by another $2,000 each year until 2015. AVMA's 20/20 Vision Committee advocates radical change By Rachael Whitcomb Schaumburg, Ill. — The American Veterinary Medical Association does not have the structure to adequately lead the veterinary profession into the future, according to a new report from the association's own 20/20 Vision Committee. AVMA committee to work with FDA on antimicrobial guidelines Schaumburg, Ill. — The American Veterinary Medical Association created a new five-member Steering Committee for FDA Policy on Veterinary Oversight of Antimicrobials to provide veterinary input on the use of antimicrobials in food animals. Alabama wants veterinarians to report animal abuse By Rachael Whitcomb Montgomery, Ala. — Alabama lawmakers introduced a bill March 29 that would require veterinarians and veterinary technicians to report torture or cruelty to animals. Ark. lawmakers exempt some equine treatments from practice act By Rachael Whitcomb Little Rock, Ark. — Horseshoeing, training, the selling of equine medications and certain equine reproductive procedures are no longer a part of the veterinary practice act in Arkansas. Colorado mandates reimbursement for animal abuse By Rachael Whitcomb Denver, Colo. — Anyone convicted of animal abuse in Colorado will now also have to reimburse the animal's owner for any costs of care of replacement. Cornell links Toxoplasma and Crohn's to shed light on autoimmune disease By Rachael Whitcomb Ithaca, N.Y. — Veterinary immunologists at Cornell believe their work with Toxoplasma and development of Crohn's disease offers new insights into the prevention and treatment of a slew of autoimmune disorders. Gulf spill offered veterinarians insights on emergency response By Stephanie Fellenstein National Report — For veterinarians still taking care of marine mammals and sea turtles along the Gulf Coast, it was business as usual on April 20—the one-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that dumped millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Hawaii looks to ban the sale of intact pets By Rachael Whitcomb Honolulu, Hawaii — A bill originally aimed at preventing animal abuse has turned into something entirely different and now suggests that Hawaii stop the sale of intact cats or dogs. Livestock reproductive services would require DVM supervision By Rachael Whitcomb Des Moines, Iowa — Lawmakers are calling for certification for pregnancy testing using ultrasound and embryo-transfer services by mandating that non-DVMs performing such duties be certified by the board of veterinary medicine and work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. National Mutt Census examines health trends, parasite control and compliance By Rachael Whitcomb National Report — Only 30 percent of mixed-breed dogs are on monthly flea-and-tick medications, according to a new survey from Mars Veterinary. Nevada may allow medication 'donations' By Rachael Whitcomb Carson City, Nev. — Nevada Sen. Valerie Weiner is asking that pet owners be allowed to donate unused medications to animals in need, much like human-health facilities do. Nutritional value of senior dog food varies widely By Stephanie Skernivitz North Grafton, Mass. — Dog owners often assume that pet food for senior dogs is tailored to the nutritional needs of the older pet, possibly offering reduced calories or age-specific nutrients. But results of a new study indicate the nutritional value of food targeted to older dogs can vary widely from brand to brand. Ohio State appoints new director for veterinary teaching hospital By Rachael Whitcomb Columbus, Ohio — Karin Zuckerman, former chief executive officer of Easter Seals of Southeast Ohio, took over s the new director of the Ohio State Veterinary Medical Center April 11. Oklahoma vet board reverses rules for equine teeth floating By Rachael Whitcomb Oklahoma City, Okla. — New rules that passed last August to allow lay persons in Oklahoma to float horses' teeth have been reversed by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. PLIT: Relief veterinarians don't need workers comp insurance coverage By Rachael Whitcomb Schaumburg, Ill. — Clarifying earlier advice that practices need to carry workers' compensation insurance for relief veterinarians, the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Professional Liability Insurance Trust (PLIT) says that's not the case. Specialty hospital sued after technician contracts MRSA infection By Rachael Whitcomb A veterinary technician is suing the specialty clinic where she worked after claiming she contracted MRSA. Tennessee proposal seeks to keep pets in the back seat By Rachael Whitcomb Nashville, Tenn. — A fatal car accident involving a woman and her dog triggered new legislation in Tennessee aimed at keeping pets in the back seats of vehicles. Texas lawmakers address emotional, financial damages in pet loss By Rachael Whitcomb Austin, Texas — Texas legislators hoep to tackle the issue of compensation for the loss of a pet, including non-economic damages. UF manages spinal-cord stroke through alternative therapies, rehab By Stephanie Skernivitz Gainesville, Fla. — Fibrocartilaginous embolism, referred to as spinal-cord stroke, may be increasing in incidence in certain dogs. UK veterinary groups ward off effort to limit sales By Stephanie Skernivitz London — The British Veterinary Medical Association and the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe were effective in thwarting a move by members of the European Paliament to limit veterinarians' access to sell veterinary medicines directly to farmers and other animal owners. Veterinary colleges share more than $14 million to study cattle disease By Rachael Whitcomb College Station, Texas — Researchers at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are leading studies on Bovine Respiratory Disease, funded through $14.2 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Small Animal Canine mortality: 20-year study of dog breeds diseases, death rates By Rachael Whitcomb Athens, Ga. — Large breeds don't just have shorter life spans than smaller dogs—they are also more likely to die of muscoskeletal and gastrointestinal diseases and cancer. How to identify, treat self-injurious patients By Andrew Rosenfeld, DVM, Dipl. ABVP , Kelly Moffat, DVM, Dipl. ACVB Self-traumatizing disorders can occasionally start as a behavioral pathology. Malocclusion and tooth-on-tooth trauma By Brett Beckman, DVM, FAVD, Dipl. AVDC, Dipl. AAPM While an uncommon option, odontoplasty can resolve some cases. Treating feline elimination disorders By Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVB, CAAB For problems with an underlying behavioral cause, try these options. Humor Helping clients understand the anatomy of a bill By Michael A. Obenski Mr. Quibble's dog was scheduled for surgery last Thursday. On Wednesday, he showed up at my office for a chat. Apparently, there were some "very important matters" that he needed to discuss with me. Lessons in stand-up comedy I was talking to a client the other day, and it occurred to me that our job often requires telling folks things they don't want to hear. Equine Radiation oncology for equine tumors By Ed Kane, PhD Radiation was first used on horses in 1906. Today, finer, more sophisticated therapeutic techniques, procedures and equipment can be used to treat the relatively uncommon tumors in horses. Early detection and treatment of laryngeal neuropathy By Ed Kane, PhD John Cheetham, VetMB, Dipl. ACVS, Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, has recently received a grant from the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation to study recurrent laryngeal neuropathy in horses. Puncture wounds of the equine sole By Andrea E. Floyd, DVM Puncture wounds of the sole in horses can range from simple to complex—even life-threatening—depending on the area of penetration. Medicine Surgery STAT: Surgical management of esophageal foreign bodies By Janice Buback, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS While esophageal foreign bodies are not as common in our patients as gastrointestinal foreign bodies, they still can and do pose a challenge. Feline urolith epidemiology: 1981 to 2010 By Carl A. Osborne, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM , Jody P. Lulich, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM Dr. Carl Osborne examines feline urolith composition over the past three decades. Using S.O.A.P. is good medicine By Michael H. Riegger, DVM, Dipl. ABVP We all see these articles about what it takes to run a successful practice: slick marketing, conflict management, Web pages, team training, appropriate compensation packages, etc. The list is endless. Commentary Are we honestly surprised? By Michael A. McLaughlin, DVM California reporter Rick Romero is often good-naturedly credited with filing incredibly obvious news flashes on the hilarious website fark.com. Business Drug abuse poses a load of liability problems By Christopher J. Allen After a recent talk I gave in Las Vegas, a veterinarian came up to the podium and told me she'd been considering applying to law school. Calling all veterinary heroes By Gerald Snyder, VMD The bravest man in history was the first guy who ate an oyster to see if it would kill him. Why change is like sledding with children By Andrew Roark, DVM, MS In my heart, I am an 8-year-old boy trapped in the body of a 34-year-old man.