News

Saskatoon, Canada -- Certain airlines recently announced new programs to allow pets in carriers to fly in cabins instead of baggage compartments. But Canadian physicians have joined the Canadian Lung Association in asking for a government investigation into possible effects of onboard pets on passengers with respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Brisbane, Australia -- An equine practitioner from Queensland, Australia, is in a medically induced coma after contracting the potentially fatal Hendra virus from a horse, according to the Australian Horse Industry Council (AHIC).

Indiana's regulations on the sale and possession of reptiles, amphibians and fish are under review.

Motola, a Thai elephant that lost part of her left front leg after stepping on a land mine, is taking her first steps with a new prosthesis.

Seattle -- AVMA treasurer projects $2.8 million loss this year, $90,000 profit in 2010.

Seventeen states have reported 140 cases of Eastern equine encephalitis so far this season.

A researcher has found that dog owners generally fall into three categories; where you fall is likely dictated by personal experience, your demographic characteristics and culture, and your family structure.

Antigua, West Indies -- American University of Antigua, a 5-year-old human medical college, announced this week that it will open a new veterinary college in January with an exclusive partnership with the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine for clinical training.

Manhattan, Kan. -- Two Kansas State professors and one from Iowa State University are collaborating with a scientist at the New York State Department of Health (NYDH) on diagnostic and intervention tools for the H1N1 virus.

Elmont, N.Y. -- Surgery to repair Mine That Bird's entrapped epiglottis "went perfectly" Tuesday, according to Leonard Blach, DVM, co-owner of the horse that won this year's Kentucky Derby.

East Lansing, Mich. -- There's a new equine medicine residency at Michigan State University (MSU), thanks to an endowment from an alumni couple.

Among AVMA president Dr. Larry Curry's goals is to make sure veterinarians are the major voice in animal welfare issues.

Banfield Summit explores economic recovery; challenges remain, economist predicts.

Ames, Iowa -- Several employees with USDA laboratories in Ames, Iowa, were sanctioned for alleged improper conduct by using their credentials to purchase medications for human use for the benefit of other employees.

More and more dogs are being rescued from bad conditions because of a recent law in Pennsylvania that requires adequate housing and care for dogs kept in kennels for breeding.

Calgary, Alberta -- Fleas are as susceptible now to the insecticide imidacloprid as they were in 2001, according to data presented last week at an international veterinary parasitology conference in Canada.

Elmont, N.Y. -- Mine That Bird, the 3-year-old gelding that won this year's Kentucky Derby, will undergo minor surgery Tuesday morning for an entrapped epiglottis.

Washington -- AVMA is questioning the scientific validity of the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production report released last year, urging Congress not to consider it when voting on the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA).

China has implemented a one-dog-per-household policy, ostensively to reduce the number of unregistered dogs.

Irvine, Calif. -- The Association for Women Veterinarians Foundation (AWVF) is sponsoring a one-time essay contest for U.S. veterinary students, offering a $500 cash prize and an additional $1,000 in travel funds for the winner to attend the 2010 AVMA convention in Atlanta.

British Columbia -- Dogs' mental abilities are equivalent to a 2- or 2.5-year-old child, according to psychologist and canine researcher Stanley Coren, PhD, of the University of British Columbia.

Looking for adventure? The government is hiring veterinarians, technicians, and college students for paid part-time positions in disaster veterinary corps.

Denver -- After 23 years as leader of AAHA, Dr. John Albers announced today that he will resign his position as executive director effective Dec. 31.

Snakes that squeeze and venomous reptiles must now be kept under lock and key in North Carolina.

A dog's vocabulary and counting ability are about the same as those of 2-year-old children, according to new research.

Washington -- The government is hiring veterinarians, veterinary technicians and college students for paid part-time positions in the country?s disaster veterinary corps, said Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Read a Q&A about canine influenza with Dr. Cynda Crawford.

Phoenix -- The attorney for at least six pet owners who filed a class-action suit against Ohio-based Petland Inc. and the Hunte Corp., accusing them of selling unhealthy puppies from puppy mills to unsuspecting consumers, says he will amend and re-file the suit after the original was dismissed by a federal judge in Phoenix.

The Department of Homeland Security is having to defend the proposed new site for a bio-defense research laboratory at Kansas State University in light of a Government Accountability Office report.

Schaumburg, Ill. -- Dr. Larry Corry, AVMA president, skewered Smart Money magazine in a letter to the editor for an article titled "10 Things Veterinarians Won't Tell You." (Aug. 7, 2009).