News

National Report –– The wave of lawsuits filed over the pet-food recall leaves officials uncertain if the precedent for disallowing emotional distress damages will be followed or overturned - a move that could create new liability for DVMs facing malpractice claims.

Duluth, Ga. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the first conditional license for a cancer therapeutic vaccine from Merial Ltd.

St. Louis, Mo. – Nestle Purina PetCare received the 2007 "Inline Booth of the Year" award from the American Veterinary Exhibitors' Association (AVEA) for having the most outstanding booth throughout 2006.

Denver, Colo. –– Veterinary medicine in Colorado is facing giant changes in regulation and oversight.

National Report - The Pet Food Institute (PFI) created a new industry-government commission to investigate the pet-food crisis and make recommendations, its president says.

A few years ago I found myself in search of a new hobby.

Orlando, Fla. - The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) installed DVMs Daryl Olsen and Rodney Baker as the organization's new president and vice president, respectively, at its annual meeting.

Dr. Washabau describes how to handle this toxicosis in dogs.

Dr. Kim Hammond works in Africa for three to six weeks at a time to provide medical care for endangered mountain gorillas. These photos give you a close look at the gentle giants he works to protect.

I was a practicing veterinarian for 32 years. In all that time, I was never sued for malpractice. Did I ever make a mistake? Of course.

The long needle that comes attached to some types of central venous catheters comes with a needle and guard that can be cumbersome, especially in small patients.

It is difficult for staff members in the back of the clinic to know when a critically ill patient or an animal being euthanized is in an exam room and, thus, when they should walk by quietly.

National Report - When used with caution, the modern capabilities of e-mail and text messaging, now available on almost any cell phone or Blackberry, can improve and speed communication in a veterinary practice. But without appropriate limits, that practice can be damaged swiftly, experts say.

Las Vegas - Explain care benefits, cater communication to client personalities and show genuine interest in a pet owner's concerns. These techniques, according to a recent study, ensure pet owners are willing to pay for the highest quality of veterinary care.

Colebrook, N.H. - Despite warnings describing the shortage of large-animal veterinarians as acute, new graduates continue to steer clear of what's arguably the profession's neediest segment.

The public believes veterinarians are smart, compassionate and empathetic.

Recent veterinary graduates with a yen to open their own practice often face what might seem an insurmountable barrier.

Washington - U.S. Secret Service agents removed $62 million in counterfeit bills from circulation last year, a 10 percent increase from the previous year, USA Today reports.

Overland Park, Kan. - Fifty-three grand-prize winners were named in Fort Dodge Animal Health's "Twice a Year for Life" sweepstakes.

Manhattan, Kan. - Kansas State University's veterinary program unveiled a six-week intensive beef-production medicine course, funded by a $100,000 gift from Pfizer Animal Health Beef Production Medicine Fund. The funds will be distributed over two years.

I guess one of my favorite things about being a veterinarian is helping in the process of bringing a new critter into the world.

In veterinary medicine, patients often are diagnosed with a generalized hepatic disease or disorder.

Lexington, Ky. – The ongoing risk that equine viral arteritis (EVA) poses for American horses, its detection, carriers, possible new strains and the various means of prevention were the subject of a recent DVM Newsmagazine interview with expert Peter Timoney, MVB, PhD, FRCVS, chairman of the Department of Veterinary Science at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He has spent 24 years studying EVA. We asked him the following questions:

Decision reflects Census report that unmarried couples head more than half of U.S. households.

National Report –– Implementing simple review processes and business procedures can safeguard veterinary practices from embezzlement and the risks that come with it - fraud, theft and financial downfall.

National Report - Two companies engaged in animal testing and diagnostics have partnered to create the first USDA-approved test to identify Johne's disease in bovine milk samples.

For an inexpensive catheter guard for cats, I take the cardboard tube center from a roll of Vetrap (3M) bandaging tape and cut it lengthwise so it can be slipped over the catheter site on the cat's forelimb.

Washington - Veterinarians fill top levels of national security, protect public health and command a unique skill set used to defend the nation's food supply. Yet these highly trained professionals aren't licensed to practice small-animal medicine.