Ariz. board tweaks rabies rules to spur involvement

Phoenix-recording vitals before administering a rabies vaccine has been omitted from veterinarians' regimen in a change of rules passed by the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examiners Board.

The standards of practice revision was necessary for the protection of veterinarians participating in rabies clinics , says Emily Kane , executive director of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association ( AZVMA ). The proposed new language says , " A veterinarian who administers only a rabies vaccine on behalf of an animal control agency or animal shelter is exempt for the requirements of subsection J " ( which states a full exam is necessary ). Dr. Elisabeth Lawaczeck, state public health veterinarian, and State Veterinarian Dr. Rick Willer initiated the change in hopes of keeping practitioners involved in rabies clinics.

"Rabies clinics are very necessary for the area, especially in the rural areas," says Kane. "Veterinarians were finding it difficult to document animals' temperature, pulse and respirations (TPR) because so many are semi-feral," she adds.

Rural veterinarians were calling the AZVMA asking if they would be negligent if they did not document TPRs, Kane says. When they were told they would be, they didn't want the risks involved with participating in rabies clinics.

"We knew there would eventually be a rabies problem in the state if these clinics were stopped, so the AZVMA supported the change of practice act," Kane says.

The proposed language of the revision was drafted by the AZVMA, Association of Rabies Animal Control Enforcement Agents of Arizona, the state veterinarian, state public health veterinarian and Arizona Department of Health Services, says Jenna Jones, executive director of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. "Less risk to the animal and the veterinarian are what all parties are interested in," Jones says.

"There has been no opposition to this change," Kane says. "It will just be safer and keep the rabies clinics running."

The process of revising the rule will take approximately six months. In the meantime, the board plans to selectively enforce the standards of practice rule reflective of the proposed rule revision language.