AVMA Begins Accepting Input On Model Veterinary Practice Act In JanuaryDecember 30, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association will begin accepting comments on the Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA) on its website in January. The 30-day public comment period will be open to veterinarians, veterinary team members, pet owners, farmers and anyone else who has an interest in animals and veterinary medicine. The AVMA first made the announcement in early November to give interested parties time to review the current model, which can be found here. The MVPA, which was last reviewed in 2003, is used by state legislatures and state veterinary licensing and exam boards to help shape the rules and laws that govern the course of veterinary medicine, according to John Scamahorn, DVM, chair of the AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act Task Force. Related story: AVMA Seeks Comments on Model Veterinary Practice Act <Home>
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Small-Animal Practices Not Immune To Antimicrobial ConcernDecember 29, 2010 Though study results vary, researchers looking into methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in human and animal medicine say the incidence of colonization is high. Veterinary researchers postulate that animals can be carriers of the bacteria and transfer it to humans, but it is much more likely for the animal to become colonized by a human carrier than the latter. Scientists report that every bacterium has resistance capabilities and that determining which animal a resistant strain will show up in is impossible. Statistics are lacking, and there’s not a specific region, breed or healthy person known to be more affected than another. This lack of information calls for vigilance from the veterinary industry, as it has become a target when looking to pin blame on why antibiotic resistance is occurring. “The American Veterinary Medical Association created the judicious use guidelines, in part to ensure current and future availability of veterinary antimicrobials,” says Christine Hoang, DVM, MPH, assistant director in the Scientific Activities Division of the AVMA. “We are bringing veterinary expertise to the table in the antimicrobial discussion for the benefit of people and animals.” Veterinarians in small-animal practices should keep up with federal discussions regarding the therapeutic …
Boost Profit Now To Maximize Practice ValueDecember 29, 2010 Practice values have been trending down for the past decade because of the economy and management mistakes, according to consultants. But, they say, an owner can maximize practice value by increasing net profit. Those steps aren’t new or mysterious but take work and a willingness to change. Seasoned owners are shocked when the appraised value of their practice is less than anticipated, so they may postpone retirement in hope of recouping some value. “Veterinarians frequently rely on the sale of their practice for retirement funds,” says Paul Camilo, CVPM, of Veterinary Consulting Services. “This is a bad idea. If the practice doesn’t sell at the rate necessary for a comfortable retirement, there’s no Plan B and veterinarians end up holding onto the practice, working past their planned retirement date.” A better idea is to make the practice as profitable as possible during the practicing years and save money during that time, says Jessica Lee, CVPM, of Pinnacle Integrated Veterinary Solutions. “Building practice value can be simple,” Lee says. “Having good customer service, making your practice stand apart from others and adding new services can bring in new clients and retain existing ones. Having a good …
Rush To Stem Cells Carries Some RiskDecember 28, 2010 Regenerative medicine, the buzzword for stem-cell therapy and the like, has given birth to the possibility of a pain-free life for orthopedic patients. Thousands of veterinarians in North America are learning to treat degenerative joint conditions using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).1 The implied translational benefits for humans are compelling. According to one account, nearly 2,000 dogs suffering from osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal ailments have received intra-articular injections of autologous, pre-processed stem cells.2 A majority responded favorably and about one-third no longer needed anti-inflammatory medication.3 Media hype suggests that a veritable fountain of youth giving old dogs new joints may have been unearthed.4-5-6-7 While hope for an arthritis cure springs eternal, if stem cells do, a problem blossoms, and that is neoplasia. This has happened and is raising questions about the safety of stem-cell therapy. The authors of a paper released in October 2010 wrote, “Understanding the conditions in which MSCs enhance tumor growth and metastasis is crucial, both to safely develop MSCs as a therapeutic tool and to advance our understanding of the role of tumor stroma in carcinogenesis.” 8In 2009, a teenager developed a brain tumor from …
AMA President To Show At NAVC’s One Health EventDecember 28, 2010The North American Veterinary Conference reported today that Cecil Wilson, MD, president of the American Medical Association, will be attending the One Health Symposium at the NAVC Conference on Monday, Jan. 17, in Orlando, Fla. Dr. Wilson will also participate in an evening panel discussion on the topic. “We are excited about the possibilities of collaboration among physicians and veterinarians that this meeting will afford—and by the implicit encouragement for physicians to think and act in a one-health manner that Dr. Wilson’s attendance extends,” said NAVC Executive Director Colin Burrows, BVetMed, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM. “The AMA strongly supports the One Health Initiative, the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines to attain optimal health for humans, animals and our environment. “More than 60 percent of human infectious diseases and the preponderance of emerging infectious disease have an animal vector. Better collaboration is needed between human and veterinary medicine to protect the public health.” The One Health Initiative is described as a worldwide movement to forge co-equal, all-inclusive collaboration between veterinarians, physicians and other health care and scientific disciplines. It is endorsed by various professional organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, AMA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global …
Certification Day Nears For Surgical Techs EverywhereDecember 28, 2010 At long last, surgery technicians will have their own certification. This is excellent news for technicians who spend their lives behind a surgical mask, scrubbed in or handing surgical instruments. After years in the making, a new breed of veterinary technicians specializing in surgery will soon emerge. The Academy of Veterinary Surgical Technicians (AVST) was approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. After completing a rigorous application process and passing an examination, veterinary surgical technicians will have a degree that shows their unique expertise. Since the certification announcement, hundreds of technicians from the United States and abroad have e-mailed AVST board members. Below is a guide to the seven parts of the application package. The information came from AVST president Heidi Reuss-Lamky and secretary Teri Raffel. 1. Proof of professional experience • Applicants must show proof of credentials and must be licensed, certified or registered veterinary technicians. For U.S. applicants, the designation may vary depending on the state. • A copy of a diploma from an American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited program should be submitted. • Applicants should show that they have worked at least 6,000 hours as credentialed technicians. This represents about three …
NAVC Seminar To Focus On Stress-Related Behavior IssuesDecember 22, 2010 Veterinary Products Laboratories will be sponsoring a seminar on stress-related behavior issues on Sunday, Jan. 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. during the 2011 NAVC Conference in Orlando, Fla. “Canine Fears, Phobias and Noise Aversions,” to be presented by Gary Landsberg, DVM, Dipl. ACVB, and Theresa DePorter, DVM, will cover how management and treatment through the combined use of environmental management, behavior modification and an evidence based look at drug and natural options can provide a long term solution. The final conference program will have the assigned room. Refreshments will be served and there will be time for questions, according to Veterinary Products Laboratories (conference booth No. 2110/2112). <Home>
Kroger Recalls Dog, Cat FoodDecember 22, 2010 The Kroger Co. issued a recall on Saturday of select varieties of dog and cat food sold in some of its stores, mostly in the South and Midwest, because the products may contain the toxic chemical aflatoxin. The affected product includes certain Pet Pride, Old Yeller and Kroger Value brands with Oct. 23, 2011 and Oct. 24, 2011 sell by dates. Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen's, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana. The Kroger Co. manufactured the recalled pet food items at its own facility in Springfield, Tenn., according to company spokeswoman Denise Osterhues. No other manufacturers are included in this recall. The recalled products may contain aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. Pet owners are …
AVMA Comments On DEA’s Proposed Controls For PropofolDecember 21, 2010 The American Veterinary Medical Association reported today that it sent a letter to the Drug Enforcement Agency offering guidance on the DEA’s proposal of designating propofol as a Schedule IV drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The DEA issued the proposal in late October based on reports it received concerning the increased abuse of propofol and that the abuse potential is comparable to other Schedule IV substances. Propofol abuse also has a high mortality rate, the DEA noted. If finalized, the rule would impose the regulatory controls and criminal sanctions of Schedule IV on those who handle propofol and products containing propofol. The AVMA is concerned that the new rule could discourage veterinarians from using the “useful and effective induction agent.” “While we understand the importance of controlling the use of any drug with high abuse potential, we also have concerns that adding propofol as a Schedule IV controlled substance may result in decreased use of this important anesthetic by some veterinarians because of the burdens associated with registration, record keeping and, especially, waste disposal in accordance with DEA rules,” Ron DeHaven, DVM, CEO of the AVMA, said in the letter. He goes on …
Appeals Court Upholds Most Of Pet Food SettlementDecember 21, 2010 A federal appeals court has upheld all but one of the terms in the $24 million class action lawsuit settlement over melamine-contaminated pet food. The term at issue involves a $250,000 cap for product reimbursements claims. The four individuals who filed the appeal argued that the figure is “inadequate.” The settling parties argued that the money was primarily for pet owners who had bought the recalled pet food back in 2007 but couldn’t return the product because they didn’t have a sales receipt. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, in a judgment issued Dec. 16, 2010, found that the lower court lacked the information necessary to evaluate the value and allocation of the purchase claims. The appellate court has ordered the case back to the U.S. District Court in New Jersey for the settling parties to provide more information related to the $250,000 cap on reimbursements. Lisa Rodriquez, one of the attorneys representing the class of pet owners, said the appellate court ruling is not a major setback. “It basically says for us to expand the record with some of the information that we had when we were before the Third Circuit …
