Breaking News

East Lansing, Mich. - 1/11/08 - The state's equine population has grown by 23,000 animals since 1996, according to the initial findings of a new study conducted by researchers from Michigan State University, the Michigan Horse Council and the National Agriculture Statistics Service.

Aiea, Hawaii - 1/10/08 - Initial testing for a human West Nile Virus vaccine has gotten the green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Washington - 1/7/08 - Two Food and Drug Administration (FDA) leadership changes have been implemented today: Stephen Sundlof has been named the director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and Bernadette Dunham will assume directorship of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

Fargo, N.D. - 1/7/08 - International animal agriculture security is the topic of a new conference being promoted by North Dakota State University (NDSU) and sponsored by the Extension Disaster Education Network.

Rockville, MD. - 1/4/08 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is seeking applicants to participate in the 2008 Summer Intern Program.

Washington - 1/3/08 - Leaders in veterinary medicine are lobbying for several amendments in the Senate's version of the Farm Bill to remain intact.

Des Moines, Iowa - 1/2/08 - David Schmitt, DVM, was selected as the new state veterinarian by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Washington, D.C. - 12/27/07 - Improved communication between veterinarians and the pet food industry, the development of state feed regulations and the establishment of DVM-patient diet histories can all help improve the safety and monitoring of pet food, according to the National Pet Food Commission (NPFC).

Baton Rouge, LA. - 12/22/07 - Fellow DVM and State Rep. Mike Strain, who will take over as Louisiana's agriculture and forestry commissioner next month has tapped another local veterinarian to a high-ranking position in the department.

National Report -- Researchers have identified a new strain of swine influenza that is molecularly composed of both avian and swine influenza genes.

Battle Ground, Ind. - 12/18/07 - After almost two decades, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has parted ways with their management company, leaving the organization searching for a new executive director.

Laurel, MD. - 12/13/07 - Licensed veterinarians and acupuncturists with previous training qualifications are encouraged to attend the Animal Acupuncture program, put on by the Tai Sophia Institute, to further their knowledge and experience.

Schaumburg, Ill. - 12/11/07 - More dog owners than cat owners exist in the U.S. but more cats than dogs live in homes. Nearly half of those pet owners consider their animals family members, and on average, spent $366 per household on veterinary care in 2006.

St. Augustine, Fla. - 12/12/07 - The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, Inc. is holding its annual Management Retreat Feb. 1-3 at the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Fla.

San Francisco - 12/12/07 - The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) released a position statement and guidelines last month titled "Use of punishment for dealing with behavior problems in animals."

New Delhi - 12/11/07 - The United States has pledged another $195 million to internationally fight avian influenza, bringing the country's total donations since 2005 to $629 million.

Topeka, Kan. - 12/4/07 - With oral disease marking the most frequently diagnosed health problems for pets, National Dental Health Month kicks off in February.

Ithaca, N.Y. - 12/1/07 - The New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYSVMS) and Cornell University's veterinary college have teamed up to produce the New York State Veterinary Conference.

National Report - 11/30/07 - With veterinarians reporting that 47 percent of their clients are overweight, the National Canine Weight Check seeks to fight back, offering pet owners free weight assessments for their animals.

Reno, Nev. - 11/29/07 - This year's pet-food crisis points to a need for more efficient means of finding, evaluating and halting any future food-supply contamination.

Baton Rouge - 11/28/07 - Louisiana State University and University of Georgia researchers will head two equine laminitis-focused projects, with the more than $100,000 total costs to be funded by donations from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) in memory of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro.

Schaumburg, Ill. - 11/27/07 - The American Veterinary Medical Association's Executive Board passed a policy designed to steer local municipalities away from regulating veterinary procedures.

Washington - 11/20/07 - In an effort to get the bogged down Farm Bill passed with its veterinary-related amendments, the American Veterinary Medical Association's political arm wants DVMs to contact their senators.

Schaumburg, Ill. - 11/20/07 - Dr. Lyle Vogel is the American Veterinary Medical Association's new assistant executive vice president, replacing Dr. Jan Donlin, who left the job in July. He now ranks second-in-command behind Dr. Ron DeHaven, executive vice president.

Rockville, MD - 11/19/07 - It's official. Charles Raker, VMD, Dipl. ACVS is a legend in veterinary surgery.

Edison, N.J. - 11/15/07 - Nintendo is the latest platform to enhance veterinary medicine education, allowing players - whether they're pet owners, kids or DVMs looking for more practice - to diagnose and treat animal medical cases.

Baton Rouge - 11/14/07 - The first-time procedure for professors in the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU) has saved the life of a colleague's German Shepherd that had been suffering from congestive heart failure.

Austin - 11/13/07 - The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) plans to launch what's tentatively titled The Catalyst Summit, an invitation-only conference charged with exploring how to reverse the trend of decreasing feline visits among practices while cat ownership rises nationally.