News

One of the profession's most successful doctors comments on women's contributions.

This week, Dr. Fitzgerald talks about building your client base by getting involved in the community.

Denver - Veterinary oncologists from two leading canine cancer research centers, at Colorado State University and Cornell University, participated in a canine cancer exclusive presentation currently offered on the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) Web site, www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.

Manhattan, Kan. - Kansas State University researchers committed to solving the problem of swine diseases have been rewarded for their efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the tune of $4.8 million.

Baltimore, Md. - A new law will allow animal control facilities to gain access to certain sedatives they need to do their jobs safely and humanely.

Overland Park, Kan. - ProHeart 6 is back.

United Kingdom - A variation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus auereus (MRSA) has been found in three humans in the United Kingdom.

June 5, 2008 North Grafton, Mass. - A new study released yesterday predicts a continued shortage of veterinarians in New England.

College Park, Md. - The University of Maryland-College Park will continue its bird-flu research with the help of a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Sacramento, Calif. - Animal emergency response specialists, veterinarians and disaster rescue volunteers are meeting at Sacramento's Doubletree Hotel June 3-6 for the National Conference on Animals in Disaster.

Portland, Ore. - The Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board has put into effect a temporary rule to allow shelter staffers to receive euthanasia training and testing through October from board-approved vendors or veterinarians.

In the third installment of his blog, Dr. Fitzgerald reflects on the wonder of the veterinary profession.

Tampa, Fla. - Three veterinary specialty hospitals from different parts of the country merged under a new partnership known as BluePearl Veterinary Partners, the principals of which say they will offer a new paradigm in veterinary medicine.

Cleveland - Rachael Whitcomb joined DVM Newsmagazine as associate editor.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners launched an equine dental awareness campaign in April to run throughout 2008.

Tallahassee, Fla. - Owners of Florida veterinary medical practices must buy pharmacy permits by Jan. 1, 2009, to be in compliance with a recently passed law.

My receptionist was choking, but there was no need for the Heimlich maneuver.

Schaumburg, Ill. - American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) leaders gave the OK for an exotic companion-mammal specialty practice area that focuses on ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, rodents and other small exotic mammals.

Behavior is as vital to veterinary practice as anatomy and physiology are. I think every U.S. veterinary school should require students to take a basic animal behavior course, and behavior should be on every state board exam.

Fort Collins - A financial reprieve in the form of a million-dollar boost from the state means a Colorado teaching hospital won't have to sacrifice personnel for a balanced budget.

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.

Decreasing budgets and changing business climates can sway the confidence of even the best marketers.

Ithaca, N.Y. - Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine broke ground May 22 for the new New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC), an $80.5 million project expected to be completed in 2010.

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.

Columbus, Ohio - Prescriptions and veterinarian-client-patient relationships are not needed for consumers to purchase therapeutic pet food, according to the Ohio Board of Pharmacy, which issued an update to veterinarians stating that Ohio law does not consider therapeutic food a "dangerous drug," and therefore it requires no prescription oversight.

College Station, Texas - Texas A&M University's veterinary college received approval to build a veterinary imaging and cancer research center. Plans for the $4.5-million project include an 8,000-square-foot building for small-animal and equine patients.

Equine practitioners need not go far these days before being reminded that they and their clients are facing difficult economic times. Rising gas prices, feed prices, seed and fertilizer costs, reduced travel to horse shows and generally lower consumer spending suggest a tough business year for many veterinarians.

Solana Beach, Calif. - Classmates and friends of retired DVM David Martin, killed recently in a shark attack not far from his Solana Beach home, remember him as modest, soft-spoken and confident, one describing him as "the essence of a successful Southern California veterinarian."

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.

Mineola, N.Y. - An appeal of a court decision allowing persons in New York other than veterinarians to float horses' teeth is moving forward, but probably won't be decided until this fall because of the backlog of cases, according to the attorney for the New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYSVMS).