Jennifer Fiala

NATIONAL REPORT - Brett Cordes, DVM, turned 35 when he felt the lump in his neck.

Washington - A report exploring big agriculture's impact on the environment, animal welfare and human health is encountering strong criticism from a faction of leaders in veterinary medicine.

Davis, Calif. - A bacterium common among horses kills infected shelter dogs at an alarming rate, researchers say, prompting an alert to clinical practitioners who encounter densely housed animals.

Schaumburg, Ill. - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) leaders want to tap the group's invested reserves to support up to $1 million in future programs that guide and promote the profession.

North Grafton, Mass. - For every 100 veterinary medical jobs in New England, an additional 59 jobs are created in related industries.

Schaumburg, Ill. - The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) remains the sole financier of its One Health initiative, allocating another $12,000 for it during the group's April Executive Board meeting.

Dr. Hazel Holman was one of 34 veterinary practices targeted by Massachusetts environmental regulators in a medical-waste compliance crackdown.

Editor's Note: On May 28, Alabama veterinarian Jerrry Handley was charged with second-degree arson, seven felony counts of animal curelty and a misdemenaor charge of filing a false report. Handley allegedly confessed to police shortly after this story went to press.

Montpelier, vt. - Organized veterinary medicine is going head-to-head with activists in an attempt to convince the Vermont Supreme Court that pet owners have no right to sue for loss of companionship and emotional distress in alleged malpractice cases.

Trenton, N.J. - A plan to eliminate the New Jersey Department of Agriculture has ignited Statehouse protests and rallied the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association (NJVMA).

Dr. John Rossi questions his decision to become a veterinarian.

Sacramento, Calif. - Longstanding disputes between the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and California Veterinary Medical Board (CVMB) came to a head last month, with the introduction of a bill designed to curb the power of regulators.

Hartford, Conn. - Veterinary medicine's leaders oppose a bill that seeks to outlaw non-therapeutic cat declawing in Connecticut and strip the licenses of DVMs caught violating the ban.

National Report - Some call it evolutionary. Others consider it a mistake. No matter how it's defined, limiting the licenses of veterinarians is stirring national debate, from college classrooms to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The outcome could mean licensure limitations, experts say.

Sacramento, Calif. - West Hollywood City Council promises to fight California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)-backed legislation that would bar local governments from criminalizing state regulated and sanctioned procedures.

Ames, Iowa - Scientists have discovered a new subtype of influenza virus in swine that has not previously been recovered from mammals.

Lexington, Ky. - Four American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) leaders want to visit Mexican horse-slaughter plants following widespread reports of equine abuse and inhumane euthanasia.

Chino, Calif. - A California meat company recalled 143 million pounds of beef last month in response to animal-abuse allegations that center on purported efforts to sneak sick and injured cattle into the U.S. food system.

Twin Cities, Minn. - The Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine (MBVM) wants Dr. Carl Seemann to pay nearly $40,000 in administrative penalties and fees and complete a list of directives in order to regain his license to practice.

Tbensalem, pa. - Dr. John Rossi questions his decision to become a veterinarian.

Seneca, Pa. - It's taken six years for Dr. James Nelson to win what he considers vindication against the regulatory board he claims marred his reputation.

Veterinary medical students accustomed to living on borrowed money now will forfeit a large percentage of future earnings to pay down their educational loan obligations. Consultant James F. Wilson, DVM, JD explores the long-term implications.

Leaders narrow association's direction to five key areas

Schaumburg, ill. - The American Veterinary Medical Association wants to have a real presence in a pretend world.

Los Gatos, Calif. - Plain-clothes police entered Dr. Ian Stone's practice the morning of his office's Christmas party, quietly identified a receptionist and arrested her in front of the entire staff.

Harrisburg, Pa. - Emergency practitioners plan to weigh in on a draft mandate by Pennsylvania regulators that orders licensees to treat or euthanize animals in trauma situations regardless of any financial considerations.

Los Gatos, Calif. - Plain-clothes police entered Dr. Ian Stone's practice the morning of his office's Christmas party, quietly identified a receptionist and arrested her in front of the entire staff.To the small-animal veterinarian's surprise, the receptionist was accused of stealing clients' credit-card information, which she allegedly forwarded to a boyfriend who was racking up bills totaling an estimated $400,000.

Schaumburg, Ill. - Educational indebtedness for 2007 veterinary medical graduates increased nearly 100 percent since 1997, while starting salaries rose 46.5 percent during the same 10-year period.

House members explore their significance in AVMA's governance structure

2.7 percent of association members contributed $256,948, officials report