News

Horses are closely watching your body language to see if they've got your attention, according to research by Leanne Proops and Karen McComb at the University of Sussex.

A bill introduced into Congress would allow pet owners to deduct up to $3,500 each year on expenses such as veterinary care.

Calgary, Alberta -- The University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) will hold an open house Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. for the public to tour its new Clinical Skills Building on Spy Hill Campus. The facility opens to veterinary students in September.

Gainesville, Fla. -- Ellis Greiner, PhD, a professor in the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine?s department of infectious diseases and pathology, received the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists? (AAVP) Distinguished Veterinary Parasitologist Award.

Fort Collins, Colo. -- Gordon Woods, DVM, PhD, who successfully cloned the first mule and explored human-health issues through work on animals, died Aug. 20 at age 57.

Pet wellness report card

Great TV commercials that feature animals can pull at the heart strings as much as at the funny bone. Check out these contenders for the best.

National Report -- Of 35 equine cases of West Nile virus (WNV) reported nationwide so far this season, 20 are in Washington state.

Schaumburg, Ill. -- Dr. Cia L. Johnson, newly appointed assistant director of the American Veterinary Medical Association?s (AVMA) Animal Welfare Division, hopes to use her food-animal experience to implement new policies and objectives.

Gainesville, Fla. -- A two-day conference for shelter veterinarians, directors, technicians and volunteers, sponsored by the University of Florida, will be held Oct. 23-24 at the Paramount Plaza Hotel in Gainesville.

The Canadian Lung Association is questioning the policy many airlines are adopting that allows pets to ride in the passenger cabin.

Brighton, United Kingdom -- Horses are closely watching your body language to see if they?ve got your attention, according to research by Leanne Proops and Karen McComb at the University of Sussex.

Saskatoon, Canada -- Certain airlines recently announced new programs to allow pets in carriers to fly in cabins instead of baggage compartments. But Canadian physicians have joined the Canadian Lung Association in asking for a government investigation into possible effects of onboard pets on passengers with respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Brisbane, Australia -- An equine practitioner from Queensland, Australia, is in a medically induced coma after contracting the potentially fatal Hendra virus from a horse, according to the Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC).

Indiana's regulations on the sale and possession of reptiles, amphibians and fish are under review.

Motola, a Thai elephant that lost part of her left front leg after stepping on a land mine, is taking her first steps with a new prosthesis.

Seattle -- AVMA treasurer projects $2.8 million loss this year, $90,000 profit in 2010.

Seventeen states have reported 140 cases of Eastern equine encephalitis so far this season.

A researcher has found that dog owners generally fall into three categories; where you fall is likely dictated by personal experience, your demographic characteristics and culture, and your family structure.

Antigua, West Indies -- American University of Antigua, a 5-year-old human medical college, announced this week that it will open a new veterinary college in January with an exclusive partnership with the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine for clinical training.

Manhattan, Kan. -- Two Kansas State professors and one from Iowa State University are collaborating with a scientist at the New York State Department of Health (NYDH) on diagnostic and intervention tools for the H1N1 virus.

Elmont, N.Y. -- Surgery to repair Mine That Bird's entrapped epiglottis "went perfectly" Tuesday, according to Leonard Blach, DVM, co-owner of the horse that won this year's Kentucky Derby.

East Lansing, Mich. -- There's a new equine medicine residency at Michigan State University (MSU), thanks to an endowment from an alumni couple.

Among AVMA president Dr. Larry Curry's goals is to make sure veterinarians are the major voice in animal welfare issues.

Banfield Summit explores economic recovery; challenges remain, economist predicts.

Ames, Iowa -- Several employees with USDA laboratories in Ames, Iowa, were sanctioned for alleged improper conduct by using their credentials to purchase medications for human use for the benefit of other employees.

More and more dogs are being rescued from bad conditions because of a recent law in Pennsylvania that requires adequate housing and care for dogs kept in kennels for breeding.

Calgary, Alberta -- Fleas are as susceptible now to the insecticide imidacloprid as they were in 2001, according to data presented last week at an international veterinary parasitology conference in Canada.

Elmont, N.Y. -- Mine That Bird, the 3-year-old gelding that won this year's Kentucky Derby, will undergo minor surgery Tuesday morning for an entrapped epiglottis.

Washington -- AVMA is questioning the scientific validity of the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production report released last year, urging Congress not to consider it when voting on the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA).