News

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.

The boxer mix with a big underbite took this year's title, upsetting a trend of winners from the Chinese crested breed.

Denver -- For the third year in a row, Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is setting out to find America's "best" veterinarian.

Washington -- Starting Aug. 3, imported horses can be quarantined in permanent, privately owned facilities.

By adding genes to fibroblasts obtained from pigs, scientists from the University of Missouri have created stem cells without the use of cloning.

Sacramento, Calif. -- California employees, including veterinarians employed by the state, already are being forced to take three days of unpaid leave each month, and the University of California-Davis is trying to figure out how to absorb a $2.1 million state funding cut. Now, businesses and organizations that receive state funding, including social programs like animal shelters, can expect their state funds to come in the form of IOUs.

The USDA again will provide access to annual reports for facilities conducting animal research.

As preventive medicine catches on and medical therapies improve, cats are living longer and longer.

Elmont, N.Y. - At least the victory stayed in the family. Mine that Bird, this year's Kentucky Derby winner, finished third in this year's $1 million Belmont Stakes.

Bethesda, Md. - Cost plays a major role in keeping some pet owners from having their cats neutered, according to a new study.

Columbia, Mo. - Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine are growing cartilage in a lab that can be molded into permanent joint replacements for dogs and eventually humans.

Seattle - The Utah Veterinary Medical Association wants the AVMA to lay off the "hard-line slant" it took when the policy on ear cropping and tail docking was changed late last year.

Lakewood, Colo. - A study testing the effects or irradiated food led to the discovery that a cat's central nervous system can repair itself.

Gainesville, Fla. - Veterinarians and physicians from the University of Florida's Glycogen Storage Disease Program believe they have successfully used gene therapy to treat a dog born with glycogen-storage disease.

Washington - Reopening of U.S. processing plants is among the four most popular solutions suggested for dealing with increasing numbers of unwanted horses, according to a new survey.

Gainesville, Fla. - The University of Florida veterinary college's pleas to state legislators and the university for minimal budget cuts achieved results.

Laughter is good medicine. It doesn't require a doctor's prescription and there is very little danger of overdose.

Philadelphia - The waiting room was full at the Radbill Animal Hospital when a man walked behind the reception desk and confronted a technician.

Osteoarthritis is a common problem for the athletic horse and has been estimated to cause 60 percent of lameness cases in the athletic horse.