Jessica Tremayne

SCHAUMBURG, ILL.—In an effort to streamline its media and public relations output, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) hired a new communications director.

More than a decade after serving as the first female president of the American Animal Hospital Association, (AAHA) Dr. Linda Merry defines her experience as more than a fond memory; she is proud of being "eternally useful."

Davis, Calif.-On Oct. 18, the Court of Appeal of the State of California, Third Appellate District, dismissed Dr. Carol Mandell's accusations of gender discrimination and national origin discrimination, but it said there is sufficient evidence to pursue an age discrimination case.

ST. PAUL MINN.-A better way of understanding how rabies affects infected animals is being researched in the Serengeti.

This will be a non-issue five years from now.

Orlando, Fla.- A gaping hole allowed 2 inches of rain water to drench computers and other equipment in the Florida Veterinary Medical Association's (FVMA) building after Hurricane Jeanne gushed across Orlando.

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS-Veterinarians at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine teamed up with a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon in what is believed to be the first collaboration of its kind to repair a heart defect in Liz, a 10-month-old Labrador.

The toughest professional decisions are made with compromise for practice owner Dr. Abby Snyder. She generally reduces the pile of medical charts on her desk by half before going home to her husband and daughter.

Orlando, Fla.-Insurance surprises have burdened Florida veterinarians with piles of bills and questions about their practices' future.

ST. PAUL, MINN.-Researchers discovered the gene responsible for glycogen branching enzyme deficiency (GBED), which kill about one-fourth of foals born to carriers of the faulty make-up.

At some point, female owners must develop a balance between the business and their families.

Poremski says she was encouraged to succeed by professors, veterinarians.

WEST LAFAYETTE, IND.-Purdue University veterinarians set precedent for diagnosis and treatment of a kidney tumor in a 23-year-old horse. Jan Hawkins, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, associate professor of large animal surgery, Purdue University, removed the horse's kidney through its flank using no general anesthesia. The right kidney was removed using a hand-assisted laparoscopic technique.

The role of insects in the virus' spread among farms is being examined.

PUNTA GORDA, FLA.-Seeing mobile homes twisted around trees and cars tipped over like children's toys in the aftermath of hurricane Charley was enough incentive for Dr. Dena Baker of Naples to evacuate before the season's third major storm ravaged the state.

Veterinary positions are projected to increase for all veterinary occupations through 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Veterinarians held approximately 58,000 jobs in 2002, providing a good base for new graduates to select from regionally and financially.

LEXINGTON, KY.-The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky issued a seizure warrant Aug. 11 at the request of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for various compounded drug products at BET Pharm LLC, in Lexington, Ky.

PHILADELPHIA-The Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) unveiled a collaborative union to promote the merits of laboratory animal research.

ORLANDO- At least 60 veterinary practices in three counties have been severely damaged or are out of service as Category 4 Hurricane Charley pounded the Florida coast.

PHILADELPHIA-The 141st American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convention showcased Beastly Bug Rounds, the title given to a session conducted by Joseph Taboada, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University.

Pullman, Wash-More than a year after the first cardiac defibrillator was implanted in a canine, Honus the now 3-year-old Boxer, is doing well.

CINCINNATI - Tachycardic dogs are no longer sentenced to a compromised life of medication and limitation. A breakthrough procedure, called ablation therapy, removes abnormal pathways and the need for drugs.

The act as a whole applies only to veterinarians and veterinary technicians

Veterinarians should chart the progression a cat may experience while on the diet.

The viral disease is transmitted through phlebotomine sand flies and black flies.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Late legislative maneuvering stymied a South Carolina bill that would make complaints against veterinarians' public record.

Treat them like family

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.

FRANKFORT, KY. -The Kentucky legislature voted to mandate rabies vaccinations for the state's large cat population.

Cleveland -The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center rebuts rumors that Swiffer WetJet is toxic to pets that come in contact with recently cleaned floors.