Wrap up: Mid-level veterinary role continues to draw pushback, and other news

Happy Friday, dvm360 readers! It's been a big week on the policy front, and we're also gearing up for Fetch dvm360 in Kansas City later this month — including a first look at this year's Veterinary Heroes honorees. Here's what you might have missed.

Mission Pet Health, one of the largest veterinary care organizations in the US, issued a formal position statement opposing the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role, arguing the mid-level position threatens standards of care without solving the workforce shortages it was designed to address. The company said it would rather see investment in credentialed veterinary technicians, including title protection and an expanded scope of practice, than a new role built on a fraction of a veterinarian's training.

Here is what else came out this week on dvm360.com:

• Suffolk County, New York, confirmed a 4th human case of tularemia, or "rabbit fever," this year, as tick-bite ER visits hit their highest level in nearly a decade. The piece breaks down clinical signs, diagnosis, and PPE precautions for veterinary teams handling suspected cases.
• dvm360 announced the winners of its 6th Annual Veterinary Heroes Awards, honoring standouts across categories from behavior to lifetime achievement. Honorees will be recognized live at the Fetch dvm360 conference in Kansas City, Missouri, August 28-30.
• On this week's episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360, Robert Armentano, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), joins host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, to bust lingering myths about lepto vaccination, snap-test reliability, and treatment.
• American Regent Animal Health recalled 4 lots of Adequan canine and equine injections nationwide after glass fibers turned up in testing of retained samples. No adverse events have been reported so far.
• A 22-year-old cat in Orlando made a full recovery after accidentally receiving a housemate dog's hydrocodone instead of his own thyroid medication — a Pet Poison Helpline case shared for National Senior Pet Day that's a good reminder on multi-pet medication safety.
• And more!