News

Washington -- The cost of implementing a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) in the cattle sector is $175.9 million annually, which represents 91.5 percent of the total cost of the program, according to a study released by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Washington -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will hold a series of listening sessions on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) this month.

Orono, Maine -- A laboratory that will test various racetrack surfaces and possible effect on the safety of horses will begin operation soon, financed by a consortium of racing interests.

Stillwater, Okla. -- Starting this fall, live animals used in Oklahoma State University's veterinary school surgical laboratory will be returned to shelters for adoption instead of being euthanized, officials say.

Washington -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a final guidance document April 30 about the substances prohibited for use in animal feed, relating to its new rule to protect against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Staphylococcus aureus is part of the normal flora of the skin, mucous membranes, urogential tract and alimentary tract of people.

Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy several thousand miles of our federal interstate highway system. So, I figured it would be a great time to try a fun experiment.

Tallahassee - A bill that would have required sterilization of all cats and dogs by the age of 4 months of age was substantially changed by the Florida House Agriculture and natural Resources Policy Committee.

National Report - While the telephone may be the most preferred method of communicating with clients, veterinarians recognize the benefits of e-mail and social networking.

Hook them while they are young, and they be loyal.

When a pet arrives that is obviously having labored and difficulty breathing, an immediate course of treatment is to provide supplemental oxygen at high concentrations.

Washington - A federal rule requiring businesses, including veterinary practices, to have a written program to spot identification theft takes effect this month.

For nearly 20 years, equine dentistry has been considered a veterinary act in Oklahoma.

National Report -- The pleading of agriculture groups against using the term "swine flu" for the new multi-species strain of swine influenza got results. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced they would now refer to the pandemic-causing virus as influenza A/H1N1.

To keep blood sample vials from rolling off the counter, I built attractive wooden lab racks for each exam room.

With small-animal practitioners deferring payments and large-animal veterinarians billing their clients, there is no doubt that the "Red Flags" provision of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, which became effective May 1, applies to the veterinary profession.

Lakewood, Colo. - Veterinarians play as much a role in improving poor compliance as pet owners, according to a new study slated for release in July.

Veterinary oncologists are making strides in research, diagnostics and treatment choices.

I commonly place transcutaneous stay sutures in critically ill patients to secure nasoesophageal tubes, nasal oxygen tubes, or urinary catheters.

True or false? The needs of the patient come before the interests of clients.

To better coordinate animal-rescue efforts during times of disaster, the AVMA, AVMF and the American Red Cross are working together.

The technical language of medicine that we routine use in describing various aspects of a diagnosis, prognosis and treatment often baffles clients who are unfamiliar with medical terminology.

The biggest concern for veterinarians is financial pressure on clients, whose disposable income may be reduced in a down economy.

When I tell clients to clean their pets' ears, give medications, or perform other procedures twice a week, I tell them to do it on garbage-pick-up days, which are Tuesdays and Fridays in our area.

Louisville, Ky. - Racing officials say it seems only appropriate that Louisville's Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, is the nation's first racetrack to win accreditation by NTRA.

Lacey heard the tell-tale chirp from her cell phone.

Portland, Ore. - Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, former CEO and president of New York City's Animal Medical Center, accepted a position with Banfield.

This physical therapist and certified canine rehabilitation practitioner discusses canine physical therapy and demonstrates underwater treadmill therapy in a German shorthaired pointer with a partial cranial cruciate ligament tear and a German shepherd dog with type II intervertebral disc disease and hip dysplasia.

My grandmother, whom we called Nonny, grew up in a family of five sisters and one brother.

Phoenix - A $1 million pet-owner-awareness campaign about the merits of hospital accreditation has been unveiled y the American Animal Hospital Association.