News

Seattle -- Some 4,228 veterinarians attended the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) meeting this week.

Researchers from the Plum Island Animal Disease Center have isolated a strain of Ebola virus in pigs from the Philippines, but they believe the risk of mutation to a form that can infect people is low.

Seattle -- Veterinarian volunteers made improvements, not only to an equine rescue facility as announced earlier, but also to two Seattle area pet shelters during the American Veterinary Medical Association convention.

This fall could find the flu rampaging more than ever, so the government is making plans to help prevent the worst, including preparing a vaccination drive.

Abbott Park, Ill. ? A multi-year agreement to market a new chemotherapeutic agent for dogs was finalized by Abbott and Oasmia Pharmaceutical of Uppsala, Sweden.

Sacramento -- In a proactive measure aimed at increasing the number of practicing veterinarians in California, legislators moved forward a bill that will require the state to loosen its licensing practices.

While several AVMA delegates expressed displeasure about being cut out of last November's ear cropping and tail docking policy change, the buzzwords on Friday were that any policy reversal would result in negative "unintended consequences."

Seattle -- AVMA member dues will not increase in 2010 despite a downturn in association revenue due to the recession.

"We are not working as a team," says AVMA Executive Board Chair Dr. David L. McCrystle to a packed House of Delegates meeting Friday.

About a dozen PETA protesters converged on the AVMA's annual meeting to voice opposition to a scheduled motivational fish toss slated during the conference.

Saskatchewan, Canada -- Canadian public health officials are investigating a new strain of influenza that has sickened two pig farm workers in Saskatchewan.

Carson City, Nev. -- Feeding Pets of the Homeless is working to make things a little easier for veterinarians who want to help pets living with homeless people.

VPI signed on this year as a third sponsor of the 2009 National Pet Wellness campaign, joining the AVMA and Fort Dodge.

With an SUV stuffed with medicine and food, Dr. Anne Scholl-Mealey pulls off an Orlando highway and stops at a clearing. She walks carefully through the sticky swamp and clouds of mosquitoes until she finds what she's looking for -- indigent animal owners.

St. Louis -- State and federal authorities, assisted by humane society agents, seized nearly 450 dogs and made nearly 30 arrests in eight states in what is perhaps the nation?s largest-ever dogfighting sweep.

Arrests made in eight states thanks to a group effort.

DR. ANNE SCHOLL-MEALEY isn?t the only DVM offering up her craft for the benefit of the pets of the homeless. Through grants or on their own, there are many other veterinarians who help indigent pet owners.

As the weather gets nicer, more dogs and their owners will head to dog parks for a dose of fresh air. But what are the risks?

The AVMA House of Delegates has voted to not change its policy toward animal use in research, testing, and education.

Lexington, Ky. -- The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) board of directors approved new national laboratory standards for racehorse drug testing and created an accreditation program for laboratories, along with an independent Equine Quality Assurance Program to provide third-party examination of testing labs.

Seattle -- Many veterinarians attending the 2009 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) convention will volunteer some time to make repairs and cosmetic improvements to a nearby equine shelter.

An AVMA resolution that would have revised its policy on use of random-source dogs and cats for research has been quietly killed.

A large joint investigation has resulted in the arrest of 26 people from seven different states who participated in a dogfighting ring involving more than 400 dogs.

A new bill will prevent cities and counties from passing laws banning state-approved veterinary medical procedures.

Preliminary tests with the once-a-month pill have been 100% effective against the pesky pests in both dogs and cats.

Three U.S. representatives, including a veterinarian, introduced the bill that calls for veterinary grants and fellowships as well as and the establishment of a Division of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health at the Health Resources and Services Administration.

New research shows that fish kept by themselves or in pairs in home aquariums are more aggressive and behave less naturally than those kept in larger groups.

Los Angeles -- VCA Antech Inc. has acquired Eklin Medical Systems Inc., a seller of digital radiology, ultrasound and practice management software systems, making the merged companies the largest supplier of diagnostic imaging equipment to the veterinary market.

Lexington, Ky. -- Scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 were awarded through the Winner's Circle Scholarship Program during June to 33 students who study equine veterinary medicine in 28 states, four Canadian provinces and at one school in the West Indies.

Raleigh, N.C. -- The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is adding a second "Focus" continuing-education session this year, offering two days of lectures and a day of laboratories on equine ophthalmology in October.