DVM Newsmagazine

West LaFayette, Ind. - A vaccine that could offer protection from highly pathogenic bird flu and its evolving forms is under development by Purdue University and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) researchers.

Berrysville, ark. - What started as a vacation led an Arkansas veterinary clinic to set up operations temporarily in a rural Central American town, with staff members vowing to help improve the community's animal-control methods and veterinary care.

Topeka, Kan. - To demonstrate the state's commitment to housing a federal bio-security laboratory, the Kansas governor signed legislation to issue $105 million in bonds.

Camden, N.J. - Another chapter in the lengthy pet-food recall saga is drawing to a close with the reported settlement of more than 100 class-action lawsuits brought on behalf of pet owners in the United States and Canada.

Bethesda, MD. - The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) is moving forward to develop the new group, including plans this month to announce leadership council members.

Spokane, Wash. - With the help of a $25 million grant, Washington State University is building a School for Global Animal Health that will focus on vaccination, diagnostic and eradication research for zoonotic diseases.

Tampa, Fla. - The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) created a program to evaluate animal-insurance plans as a guide for owners.

Springfield, Ill. - A proposed ban on the use of gas for animal euthanasia, considered inhumane treatment, has come under fire from state veterinary leaders who argue the procedure has merit and should not be outlawed completely.

Philadelphia - The Penn Vet World Award - created to honor veterinarians who have spurred practice change and profession recognition, and influenced the lives and careers of others - was presented to Dr. Bernard Vallat, director-general of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

College Station, Texas - Texas A&M University's veterinary college received approval last month to build a veterinary imaging and cancer research center.

Gainesville, fla. - Construction is under way for the Pathogen Research Facility, slated to house the University of Florida's (UFL) new Emerging Pathogens Institute that aims to improve disease preparedness, prevention and treatment statewide.

ST. Louis - Purina will dish out more than $400,000 to the Delta Society for its animal-assisted therapy.

Ames, Iowa- A previously unknown eye disease that can cause canine blindness has been discovered and named at Iowa State University.

Schaumburg, Ill. - Pet health insurance is on the Group Health and Life Insurance Trust's (GHLIT) agenda, with goals to guide veterinarians on current public offerings and tentative plans to provide its own program one day.

NASHVILLE, TEN. - Sedation before intracardial injection euthanasia soon will be required in Tennessee after a DVM's highly publicized disciplinary case led lawmakers to push for legislative clarification on the method.

Atlanta - Clare B. Reagan, CAE, joins the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association as its executive director.

Tampa, Fla. - The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) met veterinarian requests for a shorter, more concentrated conference to reduce time spent away from practices, but saw attendance drop slightly from 2007 at its annual conference in late March.

Lakewood, Colo. - Created in 1933 to help "pet doctors" boost the standards of companion-animal care, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is marking its 75th anniversary.

Los Angeles - A television station investigative reporter used a hidden-camera approach to raise questions about the legitimacy of diagnoses and fees at several veterinary practices in the Los Angeles area.

Sacramento, Calif. - The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) wants to rid its national counterpart of the vice presidency - an office that critics claim generates more election politics than student interest in the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

The current commercial formulation of liquid oral Gabapentin suspension contains xylitol, which may be associated with potentially severe and/or fatal complications in dogs and cats, report Drs. Pierre S. Bichsel, DVM, MS and Ronald Lyman, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM of the Animal Emergency and Referral Center in Ft. Pierce, Fla.

Tampa, fla. - An American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) fund that aims to provide quality health care for companion animals received a $50,000 donation from CareCredit at the association's annual convention in late March.

Albany, N.Y. - New York nurses want veterinarians to stop calling their technicians "nurses" - a term they say applies only to the human-health profession.