The Pet Blood Bank, a Cherokee, Texas, supplier of canine blood for veterinary transfusions has closed following allegations by an animal rights group that the company neglected about 150 greyhounds for which it was caring. The San Saba County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Texas Greyhound Association found no evidence of abuse or neglect. Source: Washington Post, October … [Read more...]
Training, SOPS, meetings help businesses run smoothly
Whether you run a clinic, a sales staff or a farm, helping employees get started right and keeping everyone informed of progress makes things run more efficiently than if you didn’t. Source: Progressive Dairyman, October 10, 2017. Give your employees the tools they need to succeed right off the bat. If everything is explained thoroughly from the start, you will reduce … [Read more...]
Prevent prescription errors
We all need to do the best we can to improve communication between human pharmacies and veterinarians. During a session this year at the AVMA Convention 2017, Jennifer Buur, DVM, and Maureen Schanck, PharmD, shared common challenges and ways to better communicate prescriptive information to match the pharmacists’ training or lack thereof. Source: JAVMA News, October 1, … [Read more...]
Ketamine; time for a review
Ketamine is a common, safe, injectable anesthetic used in veterinary medicine. In 1999, it became a Schedule III non-narcotic substance under the Federal Controlled Substance Act. Veterinary teams need to review the licit and illicit aspects of ketamine, how to deter and report theft associated with illicit demand and weak regulations, and the legal requirements surrounding the … [Read more...]
AVMA takes a stand on assistance animals
The AVMA House of Delegates passed a policy on "The Veterinarian's Role in Supporting Appropriate Selection and Use of Service, Assistance and Therapy Animals." Therapy animals are not covered under the ADA, FH, or ACAA. Source: JAVMA News, September 15, 2017. The AVMA encourages veterinarians to be familiar with the legal status and protections accorded to service, … [Read more...]
U.S. Court of Appeals puts gray wolf back on endangered list
The debate about whether or not to list or delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species list will likely bring new legislation and further definition to managing endangered species. Still, the recovery of a nearly extinct predator has been a remarkable wildlife management process. Source: Drovers Cattle Network, August 2, 2017. Currently there are Republicans and … [Read more...]
New horse welfare guidelines and penalties released
US Equestrian Federation has released new, official guidelines for horse welfare and safety penalties. To do this, the organization has created rules to govern the actions of its members and protect horses and humans, allowing them to experience the joy of horse sports. The guidelines fall into these categories: Excessive use of whip or spurs and improper use of bits … [Read more...]
New recommendations for feline spay/neuter surgery
The AVMA board of directors has endorsed a consensus document recommending that cats not intended for breeding be gonadectomized prior to five months of age. Source: AVMA@Work, July 10, 2017. This document represents a clear and evidence-based position that promotes individual animal health and welfare, contributes to effective population control, and can be communicated … [Read more...]
Remember Beef Quality Assurance guidelines
Dan Thomson, DVM, Ph.D., reminds us to remember BQA guidelines when doing injections. Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated and state-implemented program. It provides ongoing information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers about how common-sense husbandry techniques, coupled with scientific knowledge, work together to raise cattle under optimum management and … [Read more...]
Hypoallergenic shampoo a misnomer
Cynthia Foley provides a thorough discussion of the hypoallergenic description, its history, lack of regulatory basis and suggests it is the best word we have for less-likely-to-cause-allergic-reactions. She opines the products that are marketed as particularly gentle or for dogs with particularly sensitive skin should be held to a higher standard than regular … [Read more...]
What is a product recall?
The regulatory affairs group at Henry Schein Animal Health explain product recalls, various recall levels and processes required to complete them. Veterinary clinic staff members with fewer than five years’ experience will appreciate this overview. Source: Animal Health Solution, 2Q2017, page 22. A product recall occurs when a manufacturer, or the FDA determines that an … [Read more...]
A good veterinarian-producer relationship is priceless
The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) has increased interest in creating or improving relationships with veterinarian. Joe Paschal, an Extension livestock specialist with Texas A&M University, offers some down-to-earth perspective about the value these relationships can offer. Source: Progressive Cattleman, May 16, 2017. Since your veterinarian is not as familiar with … [Read more...]
CAPC issues first mosquito control guidelines
The first set of guidelines on mosquito control were issued in April. According to the CAPC Parasite Prevalence Maps, in 2016 more than 118,000 cases of canine heartworm were diagnosed in the United States. Heartworm infections are becoming more prevalent in areas previously considered to be at a low risk (see Heartworm disease in CAPC guidelines). In response, the … [Read more...]
Considerations for controlling ketamine
Veterinarians and their team members need to be aware of the licit and illicit aspects of ketamine. They should also know how to deter and report theft associated with illegal demand and weak regulations, and the legal requirements about using this controlled substance. This article will make a good reference for a staff meeting about scheduled drug processes and … [Read more...]
NHF Blueprint dives into antibiotic research
All animal health pros can gain valuable perspectives on the issues surrounding antibiotics and how to decrease or avoid their use in this Blueprint from National Hog Farmer. Though dedicated to swine production, the research has parallel meaning in other monogastric mammals. Source: National Hog Farmer, April 2017. This Blueprint issue examines antimicrobial use, … [Read more...]
South Dakota veterinarian shares VFD experiences
Veterinarian Corale Dorn of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, said transitioning to VFD protocols isn't difficult as long as there's already a healthy veterinary-client-patient relationship. She sees the VFD as an opportunity to improve animal health and safeguard public health. Source: AgWeek, April 17, 2017. Dr. Dorn doesn't think the VFD should be looked at as just another … [Read more...]
Dispose of powdered gloves now
The FDA ban on powdered gloves went into effect on January 18, 2017. This means that any powdered surgical gloves, powdered patient exam gloves and absorbable powder for lubricating surgical gloves sold and in possession of veterinary clinics and animal surgical centers fall under the ban and should be disposed of. Source: Veterinary Practice News, April 3, 2017. According … [Read more...]
A short lesson on AVMA policy
Dr. Mark Helfat, chair of the AVMA board of directors, recently answered questions about what AVMA policies are, how they’re created and why they’re important. The association has 250 policies that span issues from animal welfare to food safety to antimicrobials to general practice. Source: JAVMA, April 12, 2017. AVMA policies exist in three primary categories and are … [Read more...]
South Korean dog meat farm closed down (warning: disturbing images)
Humane Society International estimates that around 17,000 dog meat farms operate in South Korea, rearing a total of 2.5 million dogs for human consumption every year. Rescuers share the story of 55 dogs recently saved from a meat farm outside Seoul. Source: Dogs Today, March 21, 2017. The conditions, deprivation and layout of this completely indoor facility was unusual and … [Read more...]
Does America have enough dogs for everyone who wants one?
Research funded by the Pet Leadership Council sought to establish data on the number of pet dogs Americans want each year and the sources available to fill that demand. Estimates from advocacy groups whose “adopt, don’t shop” campaigns urge consumers to shun breeders and pet stores and get dogs from shelters and rescue groups may have skewed data to support local law changes … [Read more...]
World Veterinary Day is April 29
Antimicrobial Resistance – From Awareness to Action, is the theme of World Veterinary Day, which will be celebrated April 29 this year. The celebration of the profession began in 2000 and is scheduled annually for the last Saturday in April. Source: Pork Network, March 21, 2017. Veterinary Services including veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals have a key part to … [Read more...]
FDA regulates stem cells
The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is encouraging its members to comply with a recent FDA guidance document that outlined regulatory requirements for animal cell-based products (ACPs). Source: Modern Equine Veterinarian, Issue 2, 2017, page 8. There is considerable concern about the impact on the equine veterinary industry,” Said Christopher E. Kawcak, … [Read more...]
Proposed GMO rules are nonsense
In the future, the FDA would like to regulate any animal whose genome has been intentionally altered as an animal drug writes Kristen Brown. Complicating the discussion is a different position taken by the USDA. Source: Gizmodo, January 24, 2017. In a narrow sense, the proposed rules signal a pretty significant regulatory crackdown on genetically engineered animals. The … [Read more...]
VCPR critical for horse health
Stephanie Church reminds her readers that individual horses are unique and that having a good relationship with a veterinarian is essential in managing its health. She warns against using leftover prescriptions, as well. This article would be good content for clinic websites and newsletters. Source: The Horse, February 7, 2017. I’m fortunate enough to see the VCPR work as … [Read more...]
Swine industry audits ensure safe pork
Consumer demand continues to grow for certified safe foods. The National Pork Board responded to these demands by developing an extension of the Pork Quality Assurance Plus certification called the Common Swine Industry Audit. Source: National Hog Farmer, January 2017. The CSIA, certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) in October of … [Read more...]
Addicts using pets and vets to get their fix
Hydrocodone, Ketamine, Tramadol and Valium are opioids that some pet owners are trying to get for themselves by causing or not treating pet injuries or illnesses. Authorities are unsure how widespread the practice is. Veterinarians believe it to be a small problem. Source: Washington Post, January 23, 2017 (limited free views). John de Jong, former chairman of the board of … [Read more...]
VFD farm visits must pass the smell test
Tom Burkgren, DVM, AASV executive director, speaks out on the importance of the farm visit as part of the new VFD requirements. He calls for swine veterinarians to keep the integrity of the veterinary-client-patient-relationship valid and professional. “A farm visit by a veterinarian for the sole purpose of meeting a regulatory requirement may not pass the smell test,” he … [Read more...]
Get in line with VFD
January 1st came and brought a new set of rules and questions. This article reconfirms the regulatory details and offers some questions for producers should ask themselves before inspections occur. They include: Did you keep copies of VFD orders for at least two years? Did you feed the authorized number of animals on the VFD order? Did you feed VFD feed for … [Read more...]
Pig producers are VFD ready
In a survey conducted by the National Pork Board in November, 95 percent of pig farmers surveyed said that they were ready to be fully compliant by the time the rules took effect on Jan. 1, 2017. Source: National Hog Farmer, January 9, 2017. Jan Archer, NPB president and a pig farmer from Goldsboro, N.C. noted a key hurdle in complying with new FDA rules is ensuring that … [Read more...]
Dr. Scott Dee discusses antimicrobial resistance
A recent CDC report that listed the most worrisome threats associated with antibiotic resistance did not implicate livestock, veterinarian Scott Dee says. Veterinarians, producers and others in the food industry are nevertheless working to improve stewardship of antimicrobials. Source: Pork Network, January 9, 2017 via AVMA Animal Health SmartBrief. Research to better … [Read more...]