Regulatory

New York -- Consumer groups filed a lawsuit against FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine for allowing low-dose antibiotics to be used as growth promoters in livestock.

Paris -- Veterinarians with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) report that the cattle disease rinderpest has been completely eradicated from live animal populations.

Salmonella contamination forced a Boss Pet Products, Inc. recall on pig ear treats for dogs.

Legislation targets sales of prescription medications by DVMs.

Jefferson City, Mo. -- A new law has been signed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon that replaces the highly controversial Proposition B, last fall's ballot issue aimed at ending puppy mills.

Jackson, Miss. - A new law, approved by the governor March 8, will allows chiropractors to treat animal patients on referral from a veterinarian.

Little Rock, Ark. - Arkansas lawmakers are considering multiple exemptions that would officially allow non-DVMs to perform procedures like castration and dehorning of agricultural animals.

Lincoln, Neb. - If passed, non-veterinarians would be able to perform limited reproductive services in Nebraska, according to new legislation.

Harrisburg, Pa. - Veterinarians in Pennsylvania may be required to provide pet owners better documentation about medication usage, dosages and contraindications if drugs are administered outside the veterinary hospital.

Denver - Veterinarians who help a colleague provide a needed medication to a patient will be exempt from any disciplinary action if a new Senate bill is passed.

Hartford, Conn. - Connecticut lawmakers are eyeing legislation that would compensate owners of animals that are killed or maimed by other dogs.

Tallahassee, Fla. - Florida lawmakers want the state's Board of Veterinary Medicine to set minimum standards for vaccination clinics.

Topeka, Kan. - It was designed to protect veterinary/client confidentiality, but pushback from the state veterinary board may table a state bill's chances to move forward this year.

Honolulu - Lawmakers in Hawaii are considering new continuing education (CE) requirements for veterinarians.

Rockville, Md. -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently gave the green light to an iron dextran injectable formulation to alleviate a veterinary product shortage.

Schaumburg, Ill. -- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) created new educational resources to help veterinarians deal with waste disposal.

Washington -- An effort to close Internet loopholes for puppy sales is underway at the federal level. New bills would require breeders selling more than 50 dogs per year to be licensed and undergo veterinary inspections.

Nashville, Tenn. -- A fatal car accident involving a woman and her dog triggered new legislation in Tennessee aimed at keeping pets in the back seats of vehicles.

Phoenix, Ariz. - Kennel operators will be required to microchip all dogs over the age of 3 months in order to get a kennel permit in Arizona if new legislation is passed.

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.

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Legislature is considering a new bill that would require veterinarians to honor the prescriptions of others.

Phoenix, Ariz. - If you treat without establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR), Arizona lawmakers may define it as "unprofessional conduct."

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.

Iowa lawmakers are taking aim at individuals who work undercover at farms to gain footage of alleged animal abuse.

Atlanta, Ga. -- Georgia legislators have pulled veterinary services from a list of new items to tax to boost state revenues.

A new bill in Texas could bring to an end to the debate over equine dentistry.

Albany, N.Y. -- The New York Assembly is considering a new bill that would require all dogs to be microchipped and tracked in a state database.

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

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

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