Regulatory

National Report - U.S. officials banned the import of four snake species in an effort to protect the Everglades National Park in Florida.

Topeka, Kan. - The Kansas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners recently amended minimum standards for veterinary practices.

Denver, Colo. - The Colorado veterinary board amended a number of regulations from a definition on veterinary dentistry to rules on waiving a valid veterinarian-patient relationship in times of emergency.

Winnipeg, Canada -- Manitoba veterinarians who perform cosmetic ear cropping on dogs could lose their veterinary licenses, according to veterinary regulators.

Rockville, Md. -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety warning to veterinarians about the use (and purchase) of some hand-held dental X-ray units sold over the Internet from foreign sources.

Rockville, Md. -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to tackle anthelmintic resistance in horses and ruminants during a two-day public meeting in March.

Madison, Wis.-- Veterinary researchers, urged by international government officials to censor their findings on the transmission of H5N1 influenza viruses due to risks of bioterrorism, have agreed to a two-month moratorium on their studies.

Indianapolis, Ind. -- Indiana lawmakers proposed a new animal sterilization program that would reimburse veterinarians who spay or neuter dogs or cats owned by Medicaid recipients.

Richmond, Va. -The Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine finalized new drug destruction procedures for veterinarians.

Washington - When it comes to reopening horse slaughter operations in the United States, government officials say they doubt horse slaughter for meat will resume any time soon.

Tallahassee, Fla. - Pharmacists in Florida will be able to fill veterinary prescriptions for out-of-state pharmacists is new state legislation passes.

Salem, Ore. - The Oregon Board of Pharmacy amended its controlled substances rules as they apply to certain euthanasia drugs

National Report -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an order Jan. 4 prohibiting certain uses of cephalosporin antibiotics in food animals after April 5.

The Texas Supreme Court will be asked to decide if non-economic damages should be awarded in a mistaken euthanasia case.

Washington - Manufacturers of spot-on flea-and-tick products have six months to make labeling changes, according to a new directive from the Environmental Protection Agency, to address increasing adverse events associated with the misapplication of these products by pet owners.

Rockville, Md. - Twelve years after filing a petition calling for the phase-out of non-medical uses of antibiotics in food animals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently denied these petitions by saying withdrawing approvals for certain antimicrobail uses in food animals would consume too much of the agency's time and resources.

Albany, N.Y. - Veterinarians in New York may soon be required to complete a minimum of 45 hours of continuing education (CE) every three years, according to a proposed amendment to the state's education regulations.

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York now requires animals that have been exposed to rabies to go through a 10-day confinement and observation period in a secured facility, like a veterinarian's office.

Rockville, Md. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a 2012-2016 strategic plan for the Center for Veterinary Medicine and Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Washington - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and a number of other animal welfare groups are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a lawsuit filed by the National Meat Association that seeks to overturn a California law banning the killing and processing of "downer" livestock."

Practice negotiates settlement with state's environmental agency over medical-waste disposal.

Tallahassee, Fla. - The definition of domestic violence in Florida may be expanded to include animals, according to new legislation.

Sacramento, Calif. - Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill Oct. 7 that would have created new licensing protocols and reporting requirements for institutions that offer dogs for adoption or sale.

Sacramento, Calif. - Dogs whose lives could be endangered by a rabies vaccination may receive an exemption in California.

Salem, Ore. - Chiropractic treatment by non-veterinarians is believed to be the most common form of "illegal practice" in Oregon, according to a new survey of veterinarians by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).

Sacramento, Calif. - The repeal date on rules that allow registered veterinary technicians or unregistered assistants to administer controlled drugs under wither direct or indirect supervision of a veterinarian have been extended following the passage of Senate Bill 943.

New York, N.Y. -- ASPCA and other advocacy groups hosted a rally to announce their support of legislation calling for a phase-out of horse carriages in Manhattan.

Columbus, Ohio -- An Ohio task force proposed a ban on owning dangerous, exotic animals in the state by 2014.