News

Dr. Fitzgerald takes on the importance of time management in his latest blog.

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.

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

Cleveland - Rachael Whitcomb joined DVM Newsmagazine as associate editor.

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.

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.

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.

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."

Knoxville, Tenn. - There's plenty of extra space to accommodate patients and several new services at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine's (UTCVM) small-animal teaching hospital, with the formal opening of a 32,000-square-foot addition.

Schaumburg, Ill. - More than 250 veterinarians and others plan to roll up their sleeves to revive four New Orleans animal shelters during next month's American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) annual convention.

To make abdominal bandaging easier, we bridge the patient's body across two platforms--the treatment table and a small table, surgery tray, or barstool.

A recent study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found higher concentration levels of many synthetic industrial chemicals in dogs and cats than in humans.

Instead of lighters, we use candle warmers (small circular hot plates) to dry stained slides and to fix them when necessary.

Like many veterinarians, I prefer not to wear a wristwatch because of frequent hand washing, yet I need a second hand for measuring heart rates or respiration or performing ocular tear tests.

Editor's Note: On May 28, Alabama veterinarian Jerrry Handley was charged with second-degree arson, seven felony counts of animal curelty and a misdemenaor charge of filing a false report. Handley allegedly confessed to police shortly after this story went to press.

Occasionally, we find ourselves saying, "If only the referring veterinarian had performed a ____________ test." These are the 10 diagnostic tests that most commonly fill in that blank.

Use this client education form to educate clients about the care their pet receives during a dental appointment.

According to the IRS, your evacuation box should include copies of these items.

Check out the second installment of Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald's new blog to find out how you can keep it clean.

Check out Dr. Fitzgerald's new weekly blog, which presents the practical side of veterinary practice with a personal touch.

When I was veterinary school, summer meant RAGBRAI, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. While I never participated, I was in awe as legions of bicyclists made their way through Ames en route to a finish line on the state's eastern edge. There's even a veterinarian version of the famed race, which takes place during fall semester.

Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, celebrating the end of the French occupation of Mexico in 1862. It also was a special day for my husband and me. We reached one year of wedded bliss.

At this time last year, shortly before I married, I could not imagine doing full-time emergency medicine. Even now, it seems like a daunting task. Last year, our local emergency clinic was looking for two full-time veterinarians and recruited heavily for local DVMs. At the time, I was new to the area. I had no intention of switching jobs so soon, despite the monetary benefits.