California Won't Tax Vet ServicesApril 17, 2009The California Legislature passed a 17-month budget on Feb. 19 that does not include a sales tax on veterinary services. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had proposed taxing veterinary services as well as auto, appliance and furniture repairs, golf fees and amusement parks as one way to help fix the state's $11.2 billion budget shortfall. The budget plan passed on Feb. 19 still requires the governor's signature. The California Veterinary Medical Assn. launched a statewide campaign in November and asked its more than 6,000 member veterinarians to write to the governor to explain the hardships the tax could impose on pet owners and crowded pet shelters. William Grant II, DVM, president of the CVMA, called the tax discriminatory because it singled out only one healing arts profession. On Feb. 19, the CVMA issued a joint press release with The Humane Society of the United States thanking the governor for responding to the public's opposition to the veterinary tax. "Requiring pet owners to pay a tax to care for their animals is bad public policy," Dr. Grant said. "We are pleased members of the 'Big Five,' including the governor, recognized that and the proposed tax was removed from the final budget …
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EU Issues Rabies Alert Of "Unprecedented Seriousness"April 17, 2009 The European Commission issued a European Union-wide rabies alert regarding a case of the disease found in a dog in southwest France. The commission reports that the dog, allegedly imported illegally into the country, had numerous contacts with people during the month of August in areas that commonly attract many foreign tourists. Officials urge anyone who might have been in contact with the animal to consult their physician immediately for appropriate treatment. The dog is described as a four-month-old puppy with medium-length brown/apricot hair, a black muzzle, a long tail and floppy ears. The French national health agency has identified the period Aug. 2-21 as the time during which the dog was infectious. Authorities report the animal is known to have come in contact with and possibly bitten several people and other dogs. The agency is currently searching for several specific people, including a jogger who was known to have been bitten on either Aug. 18 or 19. One official was quoted at a press conference calling the alert one of "unprecedented seriousness." <HOME>
New Business Sends Vet Techs To Homes For Follow-Up CareApril 17, 2009 Charlene Overcash, a registered nurse who spent about eight years in the human home health industry, has started Pet Home Health Agency LLC in New York. Similar to a visiting nurse service, the agency employs three veterinary technicians. Among its services are postoperative care, diet control, blood glucose monitoring, insulin injections, medicine management and subcutaneous infusions and dressing changes. Overcash, a self-described animal lover, said she applied her business management skills as a home nurse to the new business. For pet health guidance, she consulted the Animal Medical Center of New York and NYC Veterinary Specialists. “I found there is a huge gap from what pet owners are taught to do at discharge, such as after a surgery, to what is being done at home until the following checkup,” she said. Client referrals are made by veterinarians in New York City and parts of New Jersey. The veterinary technician visits a home, provides the services and faxes to the veterinarian a form detailing the work and client education. Overcash said pet owners, especially the elderly, welcome the in-home visits. <HOME>
CVMA Launches Campaign Against Proposed Tax On Vet ServicesApril 17, 2009 The California Veterinary Medical Assn. launched a statewide campaign on 11/14/08 opposing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed tax on veterinary services, among other services, to help fix the state’s $11.2 billion budget shortfall. “Subjecting complicated veterinary medical procedures and treatments to taxation would be the same as taxing health care for children in California,” said William Grant, II, DVM, president of the CVMA. “What will happen to the sick or injured pets or people already struggling with potential home foreclosures and job losses? How much more heartbreak is it fair to ask of our fellow citizens?” The CVMA is asking its membership of more than 6,000 veterinarians to write letters to the governor about the hardship this proposed sales tax would have on consumers, the potential adverse impact on overcrowded pet shelters and the unintended consequence of increases in food prices at the supermarket due to taxes on care for food production animals. Dr. Grant added that the tax would be discriminatory because it singles out only one healing arts profession. However, H.D. Palmer, deputy director for External Affairs at the California Department of Finance, points out that the broadening sales …
November/December Self TestApril 17, 2009 A 9-month-old boxer presented with an inability to chew on the left side of its mouth. Pre-anesthetic testing, including blood chemistry profile, CBC and U/A, were normal. Under general inhalation anesthesia, the patient’s heart rate and blood pressure accelerated with exploration of tooth #309’s incisal surface. There was no sign of pulp exposure but attrition was noted. Tooth #409 appeared normal upon intraoral exam and digital oral radiology showed no evident pathology. What is your diagnosis? What other tests should be run? Click here for the answer ANSWER: During the initial exam, the client mentioned that the boxer mainly chews on its left side. The owner had been giving pig ears and cow hoofs as treats. The cusp of tooth #309 was worn and the pulp was visible. Even though there was no pulp exposure that does not mean that the pulp in this tooth was healthy. Reparative dentin is formed in response to wear or trauma to dentin and reparative dentin does not always protect the pulp. It can be deposited in a pulp that is irreversibly inflamed and its presence does not …
Senate Amendment Alters Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill In CaliforniaApril 17, 2009 California Assembly Bill 1634, which would have mandated neutering dogs and cats in the state, was significantly amended and no longer requires pet sterilization. Instead, the bill stiffens penalties for existing laws associated with unneutered dogs and cats. Specifically, the bill would increase the fines for owners of intact cats and dogs impounded by animal control agencies from $35 to $50 for the first occurrence. For dogs, that fine would increase from $50 to $100 for the second occurrence and require sterilizing the dog, at the owner’s expense, on the third occurrence. Cats would need to be sterilized following the second occurrence. The amended legislation also calls for a fine for intact animals when the owner is cited for another animal-related complaint, except for excessive noise or barking. The fines, which would be in addition to fines associated with the original complaint, would be $50 for first occurrence for cats or dogs. Just as with the impound fines, that fine for dogs would be $100 for the second occurrence and require neutering on the third occurrence. Owners would be required to sterilize cats following the second occurrence. The fines can …
Douglas Corey To Give Keynote At Canadian Equine MeetingApril 17, 2009 Douglas Corey, DVM, of Adams, Ore., will be the keynote speaker at the Canadian Quarter Horse Assn.’s 2009 Annual General Meeting, to be held Feb. 6 in Ottawa, Ontario. The meeting will be held in conjunction with the 2009 Equine Canada Annual Conference, which runs Feb. 1-9. Dr. Corey will discuss “The Problem of the Unwanted Horse.” The presentation is sponsored by the North American Equine Ranching Information Council. Corey, a partner at Associated Veterinary Medical Center, has devoted much of his attention to horse welfare issues, particularly through the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assn. Instrumental in the establishment of a full-time animal welfare position at the PRCA, Corey helped develop minimum care guidelines for rodeo livestock as well as other welfare rules and guidelines for the PRCA. Corey served through 2007 as the 53rd president of the American Assn. of Equine Practitioners and is past president and board member of the Oregon Veterinary Medical Assn. An assembly Feb. 7 will discuss contagious equine metritis and other topics. Click here for details or email ctataryn@equinecanada.ca. <HOME>
Antioxidants' Effects On Cancer Therapy UnclearApril 17, 2009 In human oncology journals, debate is raging about whether cancer patients should receive antioxidants during radiation and chemotherapy treatment. The human literature is rife with articles like, "Use of antioxidants during chemotherapy and radiotherapy should be avoided"1 and "Multiple dietary antioxidants enhance the efficacy of standard and experimental cancer therapies and decrease their toxicity."2 In 2004, an entire issue of Integrative Cancer Therapies focused on the topic, chock full of well-defended reasons why one should and should not combine the two. In the end, Keith I. Block, MD, the journal's editor-in-chief, scientific director of the Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Education and medical director of the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Care at the University of Illinois, added the following comment: "Even with these excellent articles and more than two decades of personal clinical work on antioxidants, I feel the question is still open."3 Typically, products designed to lessen side effects display strong antioxidant properties, whether they are dietary supplements, herbal mixtures or vitamin combinations. Animals receiving these products may indeed feel better during treatment and be able to endure cytotoxic therapy longer. But at what cost? No one knows for sure. Unanswered …
Speaking In Veterinarian To Lawyers Of The FutureApril 17, 2009I recently played schoolteacher at my local law school. Like most U.S. law schools, this one has been entreated to adopt animal law offerings in advance of the burgeoning number of animal law cases. With topics as diverse as death benefits for pets, common cruelty cases, puppy mill claims and veterinary malpractice scenarios, animal law is making significant inroads, at least in the classroom. Lawyers-to-be have pushed for animal law curricula at their schools, and students have packed the classrooms. Though not all have gone on to make a difference in animals’ lives through law, the population of lawyers waiting to tackle significant animal cases is undeniably growing. According to a February Associated Press story, “Incidents of [animal] abuse and a shifting national consciousness have made this one of the fastest-growing fields in the legal profession. In 1993, just seven states had felony animal cruelty laws; today, all but four do.” That’s why law schools are looking for veterinarians willing to lend a vet’s-eye view to those who would either see us squashed like a bug in a malpractice lawsuit, fight on our side against those who commit crimes against animals, or push for higher standards for treatment of animals …
California Governor Proposes Taxing Veterinary ServicesApril 17, 2009 California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a plan Thursday that would raise the state's sales tax rate and apply it to veterinary services, among other services, to help fix the state’s $11.2 billion budget shortfall. “We have drastic problems that require drastic and immediate action—we must stop the bleeding right now,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement. The state's sales tax rate is 7.25 percent. Many counties add to that basic rate. Under the proposal, Los Angeles County's sales tax rate would be 10.25 percent. Hawaii, New Mexico and South Dakota are the only states that currently tax veterinary medical services, including routine exams and vaccinations, according to the American Veterinary Medical Assn.’s state tax summary report. While California does not tax ancillary veterinary services, such as grooming and boarding, or prescription medications, it does tax non-prescription products, as do 33 other states. Only eight states charge no taxes of any kind on animal products or services. “The regulations and exemptions on sales tax vary greatly from state to state,” said David Kirkpatrick, AVMA media relations manager. Members at the California Veterinary Medical Assn. are not thrilled with Schwarzenegger’s plan. “We strongly believe that …
