DVM state watch

Black death detected in Wyoming

LARAMIE, WY.

— Two cats were diagnosed with bubonic plague in Wyoming — the first two cases to be diagnosed in the state in 15 years.

Officials warn residents that a cat that has come in contact with the infection, fleas or rodents can contract plague.

Symptoms of the plague in cats include abscesses around the back of a cat's neck, while early symptoms in people include fever, headache, muscle aches and general weakness.

Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory authorities say the state does not want to alarm people, just educate them on the presence of the disease.

KVMA legislation increases fees for pet stores and breeders

TOPEKA, KAN. —

The Kansas Veterinary Medical Association (KVMA) has been successful in obtaining an increase in fees for those who violate Kansas Animal Health Department and United States Department of Agriculture rules.

New legislation brings the first increase in 14 years for the inspection and regulation of companion animal facilities.

KVMA supported the legislation that was introduced by the Kansas Animal Health Department and lobbied for the fee increase.

Gary Reser, KVMA executive director, testified in the state's House Agriculture Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee, winning a 35-percent increase enabling the continuation of the dual inspection system and mandatory fines or education for violations.

NCVMA looking to support veterinarians called to duty

RALEIGH, N.C. —

The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association (NCVMA) is researching ways to cover for practitioners called to serve in the military.

"There have been some veterinarians in the state who couldn't practice for a while because they were called to duty," says Mollie Rasor, NCVMA executive director. "We have several veterinarians in the National Guard that were sent to war."

The association is gathering a list of veterinarians that may fall under this category and is planning to release more information on its next step soon.

Missouri students to receive scholarships

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. —

Seventy-two first-year veterinary students at University of Missouri (UM) will receive a $100 scholarship this month.

UM's College of Veterinary Medicine hosted a Gentle Doctor Benefit raising $41,000, enabling the university to give all first-year students $7,200 monetary awards for the first time.

The benefit included silent and live auctions that helped the college reach its $100,000 goal for scholarship endowments.

SCAV does not see new practice act

COLUMBIA, S.C. —

The South Carolina Association of Veterinarians (SCAV) was not successful in efforts to pass a bill to change the practice act that would have allowed those who file complaints against veterinarians to attend state board hearings.

The battle line was drawn when the inability to compromise on text allowing for complete public disclosure at hearings was not added.

The state did, however, pass new legislation that provides public disclosure for complaints against medical doctors.

The legislation mimics what Rep. Tom Dantzler, DVM, and others were supporting for this year's legislation.

Officials add that legislation targeting patient complaints against physicians might spark renewed interest in allowing full public disclosure for veterinarians.