News

Ames, Iowa - In the state that ranks first in pork and third in beef production, the food animal veterinarian soon might be an endangered species. Iowa, like all livestock-dense states, faces a shortage of large-animal practitioners.

Hopefully you have accepted a position that recognizes the gap between education and practice.

Cleveland - Clients judge a book by its cover. There's no way to get around it, especially when it comes to students and new graduates.

WASHINGTON —Veterinary leaders commend President Bush's call to enact association health plans (AHP) during his State of the Union speech Feb. 2, citing national policies as a means of insurance savings for small business owners.

It occurs to me as I lie here suffering an attack of viral gastroenteritis, popularly known as the California crud, that we are becoming a nation of hypochondriacs.

Pedigree Perfection introduces Paw Tectors, waterproof boots that protect dogs from moisture while outside, and keep their feet clean from all elements and hazards, the company says.

Millsboro, Del. — Intervet's Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) is the first and only insulin approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to manage canine diabetes.

ST. LOUIS — Veterinary product sales are expected to fall slightly in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the fourth quarter of 2004, but overall demand remains strong, according to the Animal Health Price & Demand Economic Report, a compilation by C.F. Grass Consulting.

Innotek introduces Zones, a dog-training device that is placed under furniture, on a wall, counter or area indoors that pets are not wanted.

Kodak introduces computed radiography (CR) systems and other medical imaging solutions specifically to meet the needs of veterinarians.

KANSAS CITY — Model practice act standards embracing chiropractic and physical therapies likely will make the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) agenda during the group's annual September conference.

SOUTHEAST ASIA — Veterinarians who traveled to Asia to help with disaster relief from December's tsunami now are combating a new problem as the Sri Lankan military threatens to eradicate thousands of dogs if rabies emerges.

Milwaukee — Midwest Airlines announced a new program that will give pets a free round-trip ticket for every three domestic round-trip flights they take with their owners.

Is there a leader you'd like us to interview? Perhaps an admired teacher, mentor, or colleague?

The least expensive alternative for ovarian ligation is a hand-tied ligating loop.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.— In an effort to streamline state government, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is threatening the state's 88 independent regulatory agencies with consolidation — a move that would eliminate the California Veterinary Medical Board (CVMB).

I have lost count of the number of occasions when I have written in this column that partnership in a veterinary practice is very similar to marriage. The analogy is one that potential partners must ignore at their peril. Nonetheless, joint ownership of a professional practice can be much like something else as well: a couple moving in together.

The IgM-capture ELISA is considered the most reliable test for confirmation of recent exposure to West Nile Virus.

DENVER — They've pulled buffalo, llama, elk, deer, squirrels, snakes and ferrets from the brink of disaster. They've helped cattle, horses, cats and dogs, too, so Code 3 Associates must stock supplies to reflect the diversity of animals that it might save during any given disaster.

VMAC members were asked to answer two key scientific questions.

SCHAUMBURG, ILL. — The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has agreed to reimburse the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR) $1,788 after revoking the activist organization's booth space during its July 2004 annual meeting.

SCHAUMBURG, ILL. — As friction among American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) ruling parties mounts, an apparent power struggle emerges on issues ranging from welfare and constitution reform to leadership and tsunami relief.

Vitality Systems introduces two medicated shampoos for dogs and cats, Oxiderm and Medicated Shampoo.

How do you tell a 400-pound owner that his or her dog is too fat?

It will be the equine veterinarian's job to introduce clients to new feeding concepts and to help them deal with the confusion that new choices will create.

COLUMBUS, OHIO — Although pediatric sterilization is not performed in most general practices, many veterinarians say shelter environments are the most plausible venue for the procedure.

Veterinary Pet Insurance introduces a new booklet, the VPI Resource and the VPI Reference Series to provide professionals a comprehensive analysis of VPI Pet Insurance policies, procedural guidelines and literature on the current thinking in specific areas of clinical medicine.

ROME, GA. — James A. Jarrett, executive vice president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), died at age 69 following a long battle with cancer.

SCHAUMBURG, ILL. —The 2006 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) presidential election promises a race between at least two candidates.

Vetland Medical introduces the Landmark Large Animal Anesthesia System powered by Drager.