News

When I moved to the Conejo Valley in California's Ventura County in 1957, the valley had never had a resident veterinary practitioner. Back then, the human population was small, limiting the number of available small-animal patients. However, there were thousands of beef cattle and horses in the area and, intriguingly, an abundance of exotic animals.

As the owner/office manager of a small animal clinic, I found your answer to the question about discounts pretty one-sided ("I Want My Discount Back," Ask the Experts, September/October 2006). Do these employees consider the cost the practice owner bears for this benefit? The employees' hearts are in the right place-they want to help all of the pets that come their way. The problem is that it's at the practice owner's expense. Some employees feel that they can take home pet after pet because the cost is minimal. This becomes a problem when several employees have multiple-pet households that the clinic is basically supporting.

Every veterinarian should buy a professional liability policy.

If you want to be treated like a doctor, you need to dress like one. No, flip-flops aren't acceptable.

CORVALLIS, OR - 10/31/06 - A team of Oregon State University veterinary medicine students will journey to Nicaragua in December to spend two weeks in remote villages providing veterinary care to large animals, conducting public outreach and education, and hosting free spay and neuter clinics.

COLUMBIA, MO - 10/30/06 - University of Missouri-Columbia researchers have identified telltale, genetic signs that indicate the early onset of arthritis in dogs.

NORTH GRAFTON, MA - 10/23/06 - Audubon Society of Rhode Island, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and Wildlife Rehabilitators of Rhode Island are teaming up with the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine's Seabird Ecological Assessment Network (SEANET) to study the health of seabirds in Rhode Island through beached bird surveys conducted by volunteers.

PULLMAN, WA - 10/17/06 - Dr. Guy Palmer, a veterinary pathologist at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, was elected to the National Academy of Science's Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Sacramento, CA - 10/12/06 - Bad behavior is the most common reason pets are surrendered by owners to other homes or shelters, according to the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).

DAVIS, CA - 10/11/06 - Two faculty members of the University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine were honored with awards.

MADISON, WI - 10/9/06 - To date, the only cure for Johne's disease, a debilitating wasting disease in dairy cattle, has been to eliminate affected cows from the herd.

BATTLE GROUND, IN - 10/6/06 - Veterinary technicians will be in the spotlight next week as the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Inc. (NAVTA) readies for National Veterinary Technician Week (NVTW) Oct. 15-21.

COLUMBUS, OH - 10/5/06 - According to a survey of animal shelters across Ohio, the outlook for sheltered dogs has improved considerably in the last decade. But conditions have deteriorated for cats.

Pro Brands introduces AppliGator, a device that automatically administers pesticides to animals when they eat from a feeding trough.

In mid-September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report there have been 670 cumulative veterinary disease cases of West Nile virus (WNV).

In response to a myriad of problems confronting people today, there is a widespread and insidious tendency to blame others. The tendency to fan the flames of blame is so pervasive that it directly and indirectly affects everyone who is a member of the veterinary profession.

Securos introduces a 100-pound crimp clamp for use with the Securos Cruciate Repair System and the 100-pound monofilament suture.

Novartis introduces Clostridium perfringens Type A Toxoid, a vaccine to help battle diarrhea associated with Clostridium perfringens Type A.

The entire staff uses the letter Q instead of saying euthanasia when discussing it among ourselves.

Our nurses use a whiteboard with magnetic colored circles to document twice-an-hour checks on hospitalized patients.

When performing otoscopic examinations in dogs and cats, especially ones with severe otitis externa, I put a little Surgilube (Fougera) lubricating jelly on the otoscope speculum to ease discomfort caused by the examination.

Spectrum Surgical Instruments Corp. introduces its line of orthopedic cerclage wire.

Veterinary medicine was not on the forefront of John Ensign's mind until playing softball with a vet in college, which led to volunteering at his clinic. "The first day down there that was it," he says. "I fell in love with it." So he changed his major from marketing to veterinary medicine, thus beginning 14 years of animal practice.

Maxisonic Jet II is a combination Piezo Ultrasonic Scaler and bicarbonate polisher.

Hill's introduces the Rewarding your Dedication? Program that works in concert with the Prescription j/d canine pet food.

Pan American Veterinary Laboratories introduces immunotherapeutic treatment for pythiosis in dogs and horses.

Infinium Medical Inc. introduces the Oxcyon Veterinary Pulse Oximeter.

Impromed introduces a Web site redesign that includes the ability to log into the company's online customer support center and get access to a live news feed service.

Henry Schein's new Ultima 250 Arm Mount Unit is a complete veterinary dental system that comes mounted on a 12-in. arm for a wall or pole-mount option to maximize workspace.

Konsyl Pharmaceuticals Inc. offers Konsyl? Original, a powder-form, natural fiber supplement and bowel normalizer for animals, the company reports.