News

Washington, D.C. - The National Research Council is behind a project to assess current and future workforce needs in veterinary medicine and conclude with a report identifying industry options for continued success.

In the opening days of the pet food recall, veterinarians needed early warnings and facts from the pet food industry. We didn't get them.

National Report - The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is asking its members who treat companion animals to participate in an online survey to generate more information on the pet-food recall.

This author and dermatology professor thinks the increasingly urbanized public is losing its perspective when it comes to animals and the veterinary profession. "Veterinary medicine is most commonly associated with dogs and cats-people forget that veterinarians are the caretakers of the food source."

National Report - As confusion, outcry and updates continue to grow on pace with the pet food recall, several key organized veterinary associations stepped up to help calm the frenzy and restore pet owner sanity.

In the thick of media reports and hourly updates, we asked your colleagues how they were handling the pet food recall. Here are their tips from the trenches.

National Report - Governments have fallen, diseases conquered and new technologies have changed the face of medicine.

St. Paul, Minn. - More than three decades in the academic realm of veterinary medicine are drawing to a close for Dr. Jeffry S. Klausner, dean of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, as he prepares to become president and chief executive officer of New York City's prestigious Animal Medical Center (AMC) on July 1.

National Report –– The wave of lawsuits filed over the pet-food recall leaves officials uncertain if the precedent for disallowing emotional distress damages will be followed or overturned - a move that could create new liability for DVMs facing malpractice claims.

Denver, Colo. - One vote defeated Colorado HB 1296 and decided the fate of lay practitioners who, at least for now, must continue to seek veterinary referral and supervision before treating animals.

C.A. Tony Buffington, professor of veterinary sciences at The Ohio State University, shares his thoughts on nutrition issues facing pets.

Duluth, Ga. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the first conditional license for a cancer therapeutic vaccine from Merial Ltd.

The weather in New York is beginning to improve after a long winter and my staff is fielding the usual rash of telephone calls from vets hoping to open new practices. And, though I am going to be giving a day-long lecture on the topic of new practice formation at the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference later this year, I thought now would be a good time to provide some useful pointers to veterinarians planning to set up shop in the near future.

National Report - Parasites are on the move. Warmer winters, exploding wildlife populations and reforestation are all fueling the trend.

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine has selected five finalists in the search to fill the school's dean position.

Denver, Colo.-The Morris Animal Foundation launched a $30-million fundraising effort to back its three-phased canine-cancer initiative that aims not only to save dogs from the disease, but also help produce breakthroughs in human cancers - especially those typically found in childhood.

St. Louis, Mo. – Nestle Purina PetCare received the 2007 "Inline Booth of the Year" award from the American Veterinary Exhibitors' Association (AVEA) for having the most outstanding booth throughout 2006.

North Grafton, Mass. –– For the first time since the Fogarty Fellowship was established, a veterinary student was selected as one of 20 annual participants in the National Institutes of Health overseas research program.

Denver, Colo. –– Veterinary medicine in Colorado is facing giant changes in regulation and oversight.

Blacksburg, Va. - While almost 400 Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) students attended classes and labs the morning of April 16, the start of a massacre was underway just 500 yards across campus.

It's an important day in the life of every veterinarian. Do you remember your day? Put yourself back in time: It's graduation day.

National Report - The Pet Food Institute (PFI) created a new industry-government commission to investigate the pet-food crisis and make recommendations, its president says.

National Report - Healthy Pet bought six new animal hospitals in New England, bringing its ownership portfolio to 44 practices along the East Coast.

Denver, Colo. - The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released two publications as part of the Practice Management Solution Series to help assist those interested in practice start-up or purchase.

Topeka, Kan.- Hill's Pet Nutrition dispatched a 250-person team to collect its recalled products after they were snared in the large-scale pet-food contamination crisis from Menu Foods.

Rockville , MD. - The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine posted its Cumulative Adverse Drug Experiences (ADE) Summaries Report, providing veterinarians and animal owners easy access to information about reactions and other signs that have been associated with drugs.

Columbus, Ohio - Dr. Stephen Reed, Bud and Marilyn Jenne Professor in Equine Clinical Sciences and Research, announced his retirement from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine after 25 years.

A few years ago I found myself in search of a new hobby.

Orlando, Fla. - The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) installed DVMs Daryl Olsen and Rodney Baker as the organization's new president and vice president, respectively, at its annual meeting.

Ithaca, NY - 4/25/07 - Feline expert and veterinary leader James R. Richards died yesterday from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident.