Regulatory

Ocala, Fla. -- The federal government appealed the September decision of a Florida district court that ruled the U.S. Food and Drug Administration overstepped its authority when it tried to shut down a veterinary compounding pharmacy.

Sacramento, Calif. -- Groomers will no longer be able to include dental scaling on their list of services in California.

Albany, N.Y. - New York Senator Thomas Duane says he intends to introduce legislation calling for a statewide ban on the use of furosemide for any horse participating in a state-sanctioned horse race.

A fatal injury of a racehorse during training has some questioning the racetrack's responsibility in maintaining a veterinarian on call even during non-racing events.

Olympia, Wash. - A new prescription-monitoring program that went into effect in early October is already causing so many headaches for Washington practitioners that the state veterinary medical association is pushing for an exemption for the veterinary profession.

Springfield, Ill. - Illinois lawmakers will now allow stable owners to use a lien law to maintain possession of a horse due to unpaid expenses, including veterinary care.

Harrisburg, Pa. -- New legislation in Pennsylvania aims to boost dog and cat adoption rates by offering a tax credit to residents.

Olympia, Wash. -- Washington state lawmakers launched a new comprehensive prescription reporting program for most controlled substances last month.

Columbus, Ohio - As more veterinarians buys products over the Internet from out-of-state suppliers, Ohio says it will crack down to make sure they are collecting often-forgotten use taxes.

Columbus, Ohio - Only licensed veterinarians may cut or amputate a horse's tail-and only if medically necessary, according to a new Ohio law.

Austin, Texas - Dog and cat breeders in Taxas have new licensing requirements.

Springfield, Ill. - Animals tken into custody by animal-control officers or shelters in Illinois must now be scanned for microchips or checked for other identification within 24 hours, according to a new law that takes effect Jan. 12, 2012.

Ocala, Fla. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lost its first attempt at shutting down a veterinary compounding operation Sept. 12, when a U.S. District Court denied its motion for a permanent injunction against Franck's Pharmacy of Ocala, Fla.

Oklahoma City, Okla. -- New regulations on commercial pet breeding require treatment of sick animals and annual veterinary wellness exams. The action follows new rules approved the Oklahoma?s Board of Commercial Pet Breeders on July 15.

Ocala, Fla. -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration lost its first attempt at shutting down a veterinary compounding operation Sept. 12, when a U.S. District Court denied its motion for a permanent injunction against Franck?s Pharmacy of Ocala, Fla.

Lansing, Mich. -- Pet owners in Michigan may soon have the opportunity to "return" sick or diseased animals to their place of purchase if a proposed new law passes.

Annapolis, Md. -- Veterinary candidates who did not earn a degree from a veterinary program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE), but who have passed the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE), will now be considered for state licensure in Maryland.

Rockville, Md. -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning veterinarians about a possible risk of fractures associated with a device used to deliver the feline leukemia vaccine through the skin of cats.

Albany, N. Y. - Shelters with animals whose redemption periods have expired now have new options.

Lawmakers are forcing groups who bring animals into Connecticut for adoption to have them examined by a veterinarian within 48 hours of importation.

Schaumburg, Ill. - Ther American Veterinary Medical Association developed a new data collection tool to help in the fight against non-DVMs performing veterinary prcedures

National Report - Ballot initatives, backed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to change egg-production standards, were dropped in Oregon and Washington after HSUS and the United Egg Producers announced a deal to work together on new federal legislation that would apply to all egg-laying hens in the United States.

Hartford, Conn. - Animal cruelty and child abuse have now been linked in new ways.

Jefferson City, Mo. - A new bill in Missouri will give the state pharmacy board authority over retail veterinary legend drugs, but also adds a licensed veterinarian to the board's advisory committee.

Ponder, Texas - Dr. Phillip Henderson of Ponder Veterinary Hospital spent more than an hour-and-a-half on hold with Texas' Department of Public Safety. He was waiting to hear about the status of his controlled-substance certificate that he tried to renew months before.

Portland, Ore. -- Overwhelming protest by the veterinary community quashed a proposed amendment to Oregon regulations that would have allowed some animals to be vaccinated without an examination by a veterinarian.

Providence, R. I. -- Rhode Island animal owners may now obtain rabies vaccination directly from the Department of Environmental Management--which has sole authority over animal vaccines--rather than through a veterinarian.

Rockville, Md. -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is adding a new component to adverse drug experience reports, now requiring the frequency of reactions to be added.