dvm360's top news stories of 2019

No. 10: ‘DVM needed': A look at the associate veterinarian shortage

A combination of factors has created an environment where there are more veterinary positions than doctors to fill them. Here's some insight from both perspectives-the clinic's and the candidate's.

More on the associate shortage

• More veterinarians … who want to work less? Trends from the AVMA Economic Summit

• Study: Is there a veterinarian shortage? Yes. Could we fix it immediately? Yes.

• Can't find an associate? Adopt these three hiring strategies right now

• 8 must-ask questions for veterinary hospital hires

• Veterinary recruiting: How one hospital group makes it work

No. 9: A dog was euthanized so it could be buried with its owner. You responded en masse.

Back in May 2019, CNN ran an article that quickly went viral. When we shared it on the dvm360 Facebook page, readers had a lot to say.

No. 8: Human surgeons operating on dogs: When good intentions aren't enough

His heart may have been in the right place, but an Atlanta orthopedic surgeon voluntarily shut down his nonprofit organization after backlash from area veterinarians.

 No. 7: ProHeart 12 approved for use in U.S. veterinary market

Injectable heartworm preventive is approved for dogs 12 months of age and older and provides one year of protection.

 No. 6: Where have all the nurses gone?

Thoughts on the veterinary nurse shortage from a veteran registered technician.

No. 5: FDA issues update on possible tie between grain-free diets and heart disease

Its investigation is ongoing and the agency hasn't changed its recommendation to pet owners whose pets are not ill.

More on grain-free foods and nutrition

• FDA targets peas, lentils, potatoes in investigation of grain-free diets and DCM

• Grain-free pet food sales declining after FDA alerts

• Client handout: Are grain-free diets causing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs?

• Vet confessions: Grain-free diets and overweight pets

• Insurance won't cover a DCM diagnosis?

No. 4: Veterinary student faces fraud charges; allegedly sold rescued horses for slaughter

Tuskegee student Fallon Blackwood was indicted in Alabama and North Carolina; owners she "rescued" horses from said she promised their horses a better life.

No. 3: Purina says it's cracked the (egg) code on feline allergens

News that may save more cats from relinquishment: A diet coated in egg powder has been found to neutralize the protein that causes people to experience allergic reactions to cats.

No. 2:  Reexamining the early spay-neuter paradigm in dogs

Two veterinarians respectfully discuss their disagreements about the medical and societal need for early spays and neuters in America's pets.

No. 1: Veterinarians need better boundaries

Asking pet owners, colleagues and the rest of the world to be nice to veterinarians is not going to solve the profession's problems with burnout, mental health and suicide, this commentator argues. It's time to better manage our emotional and conversational boundaries.