AVMA Policy Update On Online Sales TaxJuly 14, 2011 The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) adopted a policy at the association’s June executive board meeting that supports states collecting sales tax on online purchases by out-of-state customers. The AVMA State Advocacy Committee proposed the association's new policy stating that current federal law puts brick and mortar merchants at a disadvantage compared with online retailers who can charge less for the same products. “It's about leveling the playing field,” said Dr. Sullivan, owner of a five-doctor small animal practice in Torrance, Calif. and member of the state advocacy committee. “I have no problems competing with any other form of veterinary medicine as long as we're on the same playing field.” Congress has prohibited state and local governments from levying sales taxes on Internet access since the 1990s. Lawmakers extended the law three times, most recently with the Internet Tax Freedom Act Amendments Act of 2007, which continued the sales tax moratorium through Nov. 1, 2014. The AVMA committee explained in its recommendation to the executive board that veterinary clinics in states selling drugs on-site must charge sales tax, while Internet pharmacies can sell the same drugs across state lines at a cheaper price because they …
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UF Veterinary Researchers ID Possible Vaccine Substances For Anaplasmosis In CattleJuly 13, 2011 Researchers at the University of Florida (U.F.) College of Veterinary Medicine say proteins common to multiple strains of Anaplasma marginale, a tick-borne pathogen could hold the key to developing an effective vaccine against the disease. The disease costs the U.S. cattle industry an estimated $300 million a year. UF veterinary scientists sequenced the genes of multiple strains of the bacteria to identify common substances that could be candidates for vaccine development. Anaplasma bacteria infect red blood cells making infected animals develop a fever, difficulty breathing and anemia. It's estimated that 30 percent of the animals that contract bovine anaplasmosis die. “At the DNA level, we examined genes to determine how similar they are among various strains of the disease,” said Michael J. Dark, DVM, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the college’s department of infectious diseases and pathology. “If they show similarity, they are probably better vaccine candidates because they would presumably offer cross-protection against multiple strains.” Attempts have been made since the early 1900s to develop a vaccine against Anaplasma marginale, but none have provided complete protection against infection with different strains of the bacteria, Dr. Dark said. Previous studies focused on two particular proteins, …
Green Sea Turtle Returns To Ocean After Tumor RemovalJuly 12, 2011 An 8.5-pound tumor was recently removed from a male green sea turtle at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA)'s Marine Turtle Research in Honolulu, Hawaii. Robert A. Morris, DVM, MS, marine biologist and an independent contractor for NOAA, performed the surgery. Dr. Morris has worked with the sea turtle program out of the Makai Animal Clinic Kailua, Hawaii for more than 15 years. “I knew there would be a lot of bleeding from a previous removal of a five pound tumor on another turtle in the same area,” Morris said. “Tying off bleeders is difficult in this area because part of the bone is invaded.” During the 20-minute procedure, Morris used Celox granules on the turtle to slow bleeding. He said the product made the operation easier as very little blood loss occurred. George Balazs, a sea turtle biologist at the NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, said the surgery to remove the tumor was only the second in Hawaii in the past nine years. Hawaiian sea turtles are a threatened species and are protected under federal law. The sea turtle was released post surgery into the ocean near Maui. <Home>
VCA Antech To Acquire MediMedia Animal HealthJuly 11, 2011 The animal healthcare company VCA Antech Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire MediMedia Animal Health LLC (Vetstreet) an online veterinary communications, education and marketing solutions company located in Yardley, Pa. VCA Antech will acquire MediMedia’s Vetstreet for $146 million in cash. The acquisition is conditioned on the expiration or earlier termination of the Hart-Scott Rodino waiting period and other customary conditions. Closing is expected in September. “We are excited about combining Vetstreet with our existing businesses,” said Bob Antin, chairman and CEO of VCA Antech. “This combination will provide both companies with outstanding growth opportunities. Vetstreet has a history of strong year-over-year revenue growth, including growth of approximately 72 percent from 2009 to 2010, as well as an estimated growth rate in excess of 50 percent from 2010 to 2011. Vetstreet's approach to providing services to veterinarians and pet owners, combined with our presence in the animal hospital and diagnostic laboratory businesses, will expand the breadth of our product offerings to the veterinary community.” Continuing education with Vetlearn, pharmaceutical and nutritional reports through VetInsite Analytics, a consumer portal with Vetstreet and communications service with Vetstreet Pro, are products now under VCA Antech ownership. …
Lincoln Memorial University To Open Veterinary College In 2012July 11, 2011 Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), in Harrogate, Tenn., plans to open a veterinary college in 2012, upping the U.S. veterinary school count to 29. The university says it will be the first to offer a six-year option for students to earn a bachelor's degree and a DVM, knocking two years off the typical stretch. Officials say the shorter time to earn a degree would reduce tuition costs and be an incentive for students to apply. LMU notified the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of its intent to initiate a College of Veterinary and Comparative Medicine (CVCM). LMU is located in the Cumberland Gap region of the Appalachian Mountains, close to the Kentucky and Virginia boarders. The need for veterinarians in the rural region is vast considering the livelihood of local farmers and residents depend on animals, according to LMU. “The proposed CVCM will seek to fulfill the mission of Lincoln Memorial University of serving the health and wellness needs of animals and people within rural communities, especially within the Appalachian region, by providing an educational opportunity to Appalachian residents,” said Randy Evans CVCM dean. “The CVCM will make veterinary education more …
Call For U.S. Veterinary Students For Africa Rotation InternshipJuly 11, 2011 Dr. Greg Simpson, lecturer at University of Pretoria and clinic manager at the Hluvukani Animal Health Center in South Africa, is looking for a junior or senior U.S. veterinary student to participate in a rotation internship. Dr. Simpson’s clinic is located in a rural area near Kruger National Park in South Africa. He is a 1998 University of Pretoria graduate and would be in charge of the veterinary interns. Application deadline is July 15. “The students are the manpower to the clinic,” Simpson says. “They are in charge of the cases and I oversee their work. We work as a team of six students and one vet. There will likely be four South African, one German and one American intern. The day starts at sunrise by visiting one of the areas’ 20 dip tanks where local farmers bring their livestock. We treat sick cattle while the animal health technicians dip the cattle for parasites. We then drive a mobile ambulance to treat animals at people's houses, before going back to the clinic to treat inpatients. Mostly dogs are seen and we do routine sterilization as well as other operations. There are many infectious diseases prevalent in this …
AAHA Discontinues Seal Of Acceptance For Pet Health InsuranceJuly 7, 2011The American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) board of directors elected to phase-out the AAHA Seal of Acceptance program for high-deductible pet insurance policies starting July 1 and concluding Dec. 31. Since the program didn’t serve as an insurance commission to the veterinary insurance industry or endorse a specific company, the board chose between increasing funds to administer a more in-depth program and discontinuing it altogether. AAHA officials said members and pet owners would be better served if the association discontinued the Seal of Acceptance and reallocated resources to pet insurance education for the profession and pet owners. The purpose of the program was to encourage pet insurance companies to offer high-deductible, low-premium pet insurance policies, in which AAHA said it achieved based on the number of polices that earned the Seal. But AAHA received requests from members, pet insurance representatives and pet owners for additional Seal of Acceptance requirements and policy scrutiny, prompting the change. AAHA notified pet insurance companies carrying the AAHA seal and is working with them to discontinue the program by Dec. 31. Trupanion, PurinaCare, Petsecure, Pets Best Insurance, HealthyPaws Pet Insurance, Veterinary Pet Insurance and Petplan all earned an AAHA Seal of Acceptance. AAHA said the …
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Cultivates Veterinary Student Research InterestsJuly 6, 2011 The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) located in Chevy Chase, Md. is sponsoring medical research fellows and the HHMI-National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., is sponsoring a research scholars program open to veterinary, medical and dental students. Participants in both programs are chosen by an external panel and spend a year away from traditional medical school studies to research problems in research scientists’ laboratories. The research fellows program began in 1989 and was established to provide opportunities to medical students to have medical research experience. Since the program’s inception, HH forged partnerships with other companies to sponsor fellowships for the program. As more partnerships join, more students are able to participate. Currently, the medical education programs are part of a $4 million annual HHMI initiative. Competition “About four students apply now for each position,” said William Galey, PhD, director of HHMI’s graduate and medical education programs. “We added veterinary students to the list of eligible participants, but we’re just now starting to attract their attention. We recognize a need for trained scientists with veterinary background and encourage vet students to take a year away from studies to pursue research full time. This way, …
International Society For Applied Ethology Congress Kicks Off July 31July 6, 2011 The International Society for Applied Ethology Congress will take place July 31 to Aug. 4 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Indianapolis. International researchers, educators, students and policy-makers will discuss information on animal welfare and behavior. An evaluation of zoo and laboratory animal behavior, welfare and enrichment will be the prime focus along with creating environments and developing standard measuring assessments for science and welfare, pain and distress. The meeting is approved for 16 continuing education units for members of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. Participants can also earn up to 15.5 continuing education credits from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, office of lifelong learning. Registration is open through the Purdue University conference division. Click here to register. Pullbox Fees • ISAE/ISAZ member $700 • Non-member $850 • ISAE/ISAZ student/retired member $450 • Non-member student/retired $600 • Accompanying person $125 <Home>
IVSCS Extends Open Invitation For MeetingJuly 5, 2011 IThe International Veterinary Senior Care Society (IVSCS), a medical and behavior care organization for senior pets, is inviting American Veterinary Medical Association conference attendees to its meeting in St. Louis. Society officials will be elected, and a mission statement, by-laws and brand logo will be created at the July 18 meeting in Landmark Ballroom 7 at America’s Convention Center in downtown St. Louis. The meeting begins at 7 a.m. “There was no formal group specifically for senior care, although there are veterinarians whose services are often geared toward helping senior pets,” says Heidi Lobprise, DVM, senior technical manager, Virbac Animal Health and IVSCS coordinator. “Virbac plans to help get the society off the ground and extends an offer for other companies to provide sponsorship to IVSCS as well.” Dr. Lobprise says the plan is for IVSCS to be a nonprofit organization. The group’s website will be functional soon after the meeting takes place. “I hope to see at least 50 people at the meeting,” Lobprise says. “Free breakfast will be supplied to meeting attendees. The primary scope is to provide a forum where people with different interests and disciplines can come together. The society will …
