Rachael Zimlich, BSN, RN

Schaumburg, Ill. -- A new report is calling for major organizational change within the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Severe storms yesterday spawned dozens of tornadoes killing more than 248 people in six states.

ISU sues DVMs for breach of contract, veterinarians file monopoly countersuit.

Two decades of mortality data is analyzed by breed, age and size.

New Westminster, B.C. - More than a year after his license was revoked by the British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Hakam Bhullar can practice again, according to a ruling by the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

National Report - Little was or could be done to control infectious diseases endemic to the Gulf Coast when Hurricane Katrina made landfall in August 2005. In the weeks that followed, well-intentioned individuals came to the aid of an estimated 600,000 animals, scattering them across the country with little to no documentation or veterinary care.

It took almost two years for Florida regulators to clear the name of a veterinarian wrongly accused of issuing bogus health certificates to an unscrupulous dog breeder.

Crisp County, Ga. - A three-month marijuana distribution investigation came to a close Feb. 9 when law enforcement officials found 20 marijuana plants in Dr. Ronal Lee Wilkie's Arabi, Ga., clinic, plus another 80 in his home.

National Report - They combed through more tha a million tons of hazardous debris with nothing more than a nose to the ground in the days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, while their human counterparts were outfitted in protective gear.

Male DVMs out-earning female colleagues; AVMA notes 4 percent increase overall.

Landsdale, Pa. -- Veterinarian David Rapoport sits in a Pennsylvania prison without bail while he awaits a court date to face charges that he murdered his mistress, a veterinary technician, and her unborn child.

National Report - A herder, a hunter and an ancient breed are the newest additions to the American Kennel Club's recognized breed list.

Chicago - Dues will be going up gradually over the next five years fo American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) members.

Frankfort, Ky. - A bill introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives Jan. 7 could make many food-animal medicines tax exempt.

Two years of work by 14 shelter veterinarians resulted in the first-ever comprehensive report for care of animals in shelters.

Hartford, Conn. - State lawmakers are eyeing legislation that would require veterinarians to screen patients for potential drug therapy problems before prescribing medications.

Message asks students to decide fate of pregnant student.

Madison County, Ill. - A plan to have veterinarians collect rabies certification fees for the county is drawing ire from area practitioners.

Des Moines, Iowa - Iowa State University is buying a veterinary emergency hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, for nearly $4.6 million.

Okemos, Mich. - A Brucella canis outbreak in Michigan should not be pinned on venereal transmission, cautions the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA).

The roadmap for veterinary education is a few months farther from becoming reality due to the overwhelming response organizers received during the open comment period.

Jackson, Miss. - A newly mandated computerized prescription monitoring system in Mississippi might be funded prescribers if the state Senate has its way.

Trenton, N.J. - New Jersey officials want healthcare professionals to start reporting impairment, incompetence or professional misconduct.

A court ruling temporarily disabled the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners from taking action against non-DVM teeth floaters.

Dr. Robert Riggles, a retired DVM who sometimes worked as a relief veterinarian, is one of four Americans killed by pirates off the coast of Somalia.

Change of routine can actually trigger behaviors.

National Report - A new study by the American Society for the pRevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that only 19 percent of law enforcement officers are trained in handling crimes against animals, even though 78 percent acknowledge there is a link between animal abuse and other violent crimes.

Modesto, Calif. - a poultry producer filed a civil suit in California seeking specific directions on how to comply with the controversial Prop 2.

Topeka, Kan. - More than 1,000 dogs were euthanized as a last resort to thwart a canine distemper virus (CDV) outbreak at a USDA-licensed Kansas kennel, reports Dr. Bill Brown, Kansas' Livestock Commissioner.

San Francisco - Flea and tick products sold in California containing the chemical propoxur now must include a warning label.