News

College Station, Texas - Two equine veterinarians, one in academia and one in private practice, were inducted into the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame, recognizing their contributions to the advancement of equine foot care.

There's an old axiom in the veterinary profession that the field essentially is recession-proof.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. - The Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine clarified that DVMs must be present during microchipping, despite strong opposition from shelter representatives.

Portland, Ore. - A new Oregon law requires practice owners, among others, to develop, implement and maintain reasonable safeguards to ensure the security, confidentiality and integrity of sensitive personal information.

Congenital portosystemic shunts usually are single vessels that develop inside or outside the liver (Photo 1). Because these vessels carry blood around the liver instead of through it, the normal hepatic processes of metabolism, storage and production are disrupted. Most animals with congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) present with mild to moderate clinical signs that are not life-threatening. The most critical component for their long-term treatment is restriction of dietary protein to reduce substrates for ammonia formation by colonic bacteria. Diets for dogs with CPSS should be 15 percent to 20 percent protein on a dry-matter basis, readily digestible, high in zinc and vitamin E, and low in manganese. Sources of gastrointestinal hemorrhage (gastritis, parasites), which provide additional protein substrate, should be treated. Ammonia production and absorption can be reduced by administration of lactulose, antibiotics such as neomycin or metronidazole, or unflavored yogurt with active cultures. Cystitis..

After administration of ABS to geldings and mares, stallion-like behavior was observed.

It is not often that one is able to bear witness to a sea change. The veterinary community has, in my opinion, seen one with the development of the melanoma vaccine. This unique form of therapy, a DNA-based vaccine, would justify my opinion, but the successful collaboration between veterinary oncologists, human oncologists and the pharmaceutical industry also serve to mark this event as extraordinary.

Dallas - Far from television characterizations as a city filled with cowboy hats, bolero ties and society debutantes, the reality is that the Dallas area is economically strong, with a thriving job market and stable housing.

In the January 2008 issue, the article "Toxicology Brief: Sodium hypochlorite bleach ingestion in two dogs" states that lactated Ringer's solution was used to treat hypernatremia and hyperchloremia. It seems that a fluid such as dextrose 5% in water may be more appropriate, as well as something without sodium to replenish bicarbonate.

Sacramento, Calif. - West Hollywood City Council promises to fight California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)-backed legislation that would bar local governments from criminalizing state regulated and sanctioned procedures.

Chronic renal disease is one of the most common ultra-sonographic findings in older cats. If you're doing ultrasounds on cats, you're sure to see signs of chronic renal changes daily.

Tallahassee, Fla. - A deal between Florida officials and Google Inc. soon will allow the public easy access to licensee records in all state-regulated professions, including veterinary medicine.

As an aspiring veterinarian, I spend a great deal of time reading your informative journal.

Baton Rouge, La. - Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine launched a program that trains students in underserved area animal shelters.

Schaumburg, Ill. - 4/1/08 - The National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues (NCVEI) now offers live-action video created to help veterinarians better communicate with clients.

Lexington, Ky. - The Thoroughbred racing industry will look for ways to attract and retain more regulatory veterinarians, improve track surfaces to reduce injuries and develop a research and development plan for drug testing.

As discussed previously, the emergence of a "reasonable physician" standard of care affects both human and veterinary practitioners, defining our approach to error management. Under this standard, adverse events previously defensible by deference to custom might now result in decisions of negligence if it is determined that such events were easily preventable.

National Report - Real-estate foreclosures for February were up nearly 60 percent from the same period a year ago, and pet relinquishments aren't far behind, officials report.

We have adapted NBC's hit reality show "The Biggest Loser" for our canine patients.

Gainesville, Fla.- Canine flu has been circulating in the United States canine population since at least 1999, according to a recent University of Florida (UFL) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) study.

We have always had trouble using ink to label the plastic bottles in our exam rooms and lab areas (e.g. alcohol, peroxide, lubricant).

Hershey, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) honored Dr. Michael A. Obenski with the association's 2007 Dr. A. Wayne Mountan Memorial Media Award.

This legal threat, as with so many others, leaves us as veterinary practitioners with a "to-do" list. Actually two "to-do" lists, and they are as follows:

College Station, Texas- 3/31/08 - The Texas A&M University Board of Regents has approved the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences to begin construction on a veterinary imaging and cancer treatment center.

Northampton, Mass. - 3/29/08 - Fleeced by a payroll scam, a Haydenville veterinary clinic had more than $90,000 stolen by its former bookkeeper.

Tucson, Ariz. - 3/28/08 - After following a suggestion from her veterinarian, a woman's tip to local authorities led to the discovery of almost 900 animals in a triple-wide mobile home.

Boston - 3/27/08 - Health officials in Massachusetts and New Hampshire already are preparing to go on the attack this summer against mosquitoes that cause Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus, because of several localized cases in both states during the last three years.

The next morning started as all those before it, with my cell phone ringing to inform me it was time to get out of bed. The unwelcome sound is the single part of my day that I never look forward to, even if it could be signaling that this is the day my husband and I will become homeowners.

Washington - 3/25/08 - Five veterinarians are weighing in on what legal experts consider one of the biggest capital punishment cases to face the U.S. Supreme Court in a generation.

The new list of houses for sale arrived in my inbox sometime over the weekend. I perused the list with little interest, focusing instead on the house for which we already had a bid entered. My husband, however, saw something in one of the listings that sparked his interest.