MAF sponsors favorite vet essay contest
Denver -- For the third year in a row, Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is setting out to find America's
"best" veterinarian.
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Changes coming to imported-horse quarantine facilities
Washington -- Starting Aug. 3, imported horses can be quarantined in permanent, privately owned
facilities.
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California prepares to send out IOUs
Sacramento, Calif. -- California employees, including veterinarians employed by the state, already are
being forced to take three days of unpaid leave each month, and the University of California-Davis is trying to
figure out how to absorb a $2.1 million state funding cut. Now, businesses and organizations that receive state
funding, including social programs like animal shelters, can expect their state funds to come in the form of
IOUs.
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USDA settles suit, opens access to animal-research reports
Washington -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) again will provide access to annual reports
for facilities conducting animal research.
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Veterinarian is top amateur in cross-country bicycle race
Annapolis, Md. -- A 60-year-old Wisconsin relief veterinarian finished first in his category and
fourth overall in the 28th Ride Across America, a 3,021-mile coast-to-coast bicycle race.
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CEM probe passes 6-month mark, involves 48 states
National Report -- Federal and state veterinary investigators continue to look for the source of an
outbreak of contagious equine metritis (CEM) that began more than six months ago in Kentucky and now involves
horses in 48 states.
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Missouri scientists turn fibroblasts into stem cells
Columbia, Mo. -- Scientists at the University of Missouri say they found a way to convert regular
cells from a pig's connective tissue -- called fibroblasts -- into stem cells, with no cloning
involved.
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U.S. Congress introduces legislation calling for grants, fellowships to aid veterinary education
Bill targets shortage of veterinarians in public health, underserved areas.
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Cornell in talks with local officials to build new animal shelter and clinic
Ithaca, New York -- Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine is talking with county
government officials and a local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to build an emergency
animal shelter and clinic.
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Furosemide decreases bleeding in racehorses, study finds
Furosemide decreases bleeding in racehorses, according to a new study released from the University of
Pretoria, Colorado State University (CSU) and the University of Melbourne.
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OVMA calls for more veterinarian representation on Ohio livestock board
Columbus, Ohio -- A ballot issue that would create a statewide board standardizing livestock housing
is a step in the right direction, according to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).
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Pet insurance CE course slated for AVMA meeting
Seattle -- The AVMA GHLIT will offer a preview of its pet health insurance continuing-education course
at the annual convention in Seattle next month.
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50 percent in poll give pets equal status in household
National Report -- A new survey shows that pets have equal status with other members of many American
households, a finding that translates into business for veterinarians.
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Environmental contaminants might affect racetrack drug tests
Baton Rouge, La. -- Environmental contaminants at racetracks could possibly skew the results of drug
tests in racehorses, according to a researcher at Louisiana State University's School of Veterinary
Medicine.
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Wyoming state vet, assistant switch roles
Cheyenne, Wyo. -- The Wyoming state veterinarian and assistant state veterinarian will switch roles
after the reversal was approved by the Wyoming Livestock Board June 19.
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TAMU earns funding for deer study
College Station, Texas -- The Texas Deer Association awarded Texas A&M University's
College of Veterinary Medicine $50,000 in research funding for studies that will benefit the deer
industry.
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Louisiana lawmakers eye graduate tuition increases
Baton Rouge, La. -- Tuition may be going up $1,500 a year at the Louisiana State University School of
Veterinary Medicine next year if state legislators have their way.
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Lawmaker calls for new Texas veterinary college
Amarillo, Texas -- A Texas senator believes a new veterinary school, or a large-animal program, might
be what it takes to increase the number of food-animal veterinarians in his state.
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AVMA again backs fish-throwing program despite PETA threat
Schaumburg, Ill. -- After AVMA reiterated its decision to move forward with a motivational
fish-tossing presentation by the Pike Place Fish Market fishmongers at the AVMA convention next month, PETA
threatened to "out" those in attendance.
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USDA grants conditional license to Intervet/Schering-Plough for new canine influenza vaccine
Roseland, N.J. -- Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health introduces the first vaccine against canine
influenza virus (CIV). The vaccine was granted a conditional product license by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) on May 27.
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VS infection found in horse in south Texas
Austin, Texas -- What is reported to be the nation's first case of vesicular stomatitis (VS) for 2009
was detected in a horse in Starr County, one of Texas' southernmost counties.
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Cattle TB confirmed at west Texas dairy
Austin, Texas -- Cattle tuberculosis was confirmed in a west Texas dairy that was placed under
quarantine when some animals in the herd responded to a TB test conducted prior to a sale.
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Georgia 'Paws to Help' campaign raises $20,000
Atlanta -- The Georgia Veterinary Medical Association's annual "Paws to Help"
fund-raiser netted more than $20,000 to provide veterinary care for service animals owned by people with
disabilities and for other pet owners experiencing financial hardship.
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UC-Davis shutters 59-year-old diagnostics lab
In a matter of weeks, UC-Davis will close the Fresno branch of the California Animal Health and Food
Safety Laboratory system, which it has managed since 1987.
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Humane Society University now offering bachelor degrees
Washington -- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has received a license as a higher
education degree-granting institution by the District of Columbia Education Licensure Commission.
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UC-Davis system starts welfare advisory council
Davis, Calif. -- An Animal Welfare Advisory Council has been formed at the University of
California-Davis to review welfare issues related to food animals and to promote science-based recommendations to
improve the welfare of livestock and poultry.
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Pet-food firm seeks FDA OK to resume shipments
Wheeling, Ill. -- Evanger's Dog and Cat Food Co. filed a formal request with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) seeking a reinstatement order permitting it to resume interstate shipping of its canned
pet-food products.
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Survey says processing plants a solution
Horse owners open to reopening of U.S. processing plants, according to survey.
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Couple pleads guilty to role in 2007 pet food recall
The owners of a pet-food company implicated in the 2007 recall that is estimated to have killed 4,000
pets pleaded guilty to some of the charges leveled against them.
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Calif. antibiotics bill fails to move forward
A California Senate bill that would have placed limits on antibiotic use in food animals has
failed.
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Sen. John Ensign resigns key Republican post after admitting to extramarital affair
Veterinarian and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nevada, admitted Tuesday he had an affair with a member of his
campaign staff.
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AAHA Helping Pets Fund reinstated after $25,000 donation from VPI
Denver -- A benevolent fund for pets that was suspended as a result of too many requests and too
little funding has resumed its grant giving after a $25,000 donation from Veterinary Pet Insurance Company
(VPI).
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Intervet/Schering-Plough launches new canine Lyme vaccine
National Report -- Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health just introduced Nobivac Lyme -- a vaccine
specifically designed to provide protection by targeting two key outer-surface proteins involved in the
transmission of canine Lyme disease, the company says.
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FDA halts Illinois pet-food firm's shipments
Washington -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered Illinois-based Evanger's Dog
& Cat Food Co. to cease distribution after the agency determined the company was not in compliance with
various food processing rules.
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Fish will fly at AVMA convention
Schaumburg, Ill. -- The Pike Place fishmongers will perform as planned during the AVMA's annual
convention in Seattle.
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MU study shows promise for early detection of OA in dogs
Columbia, Mo. -- In a study that could have applications in human medicine as well, researchers at the
University of Missouri are studying potential biomarkers in dogs that could lead to early diagnosis of
osteoarthritis, helping identify patients at higher risk for the disease.
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OSU offers new equine CE
Three new courses are available on The Ohio State University's Web site.
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Pets take flight on Southwest
National Report -- Southwest Airlines is making the sky friendlier to more species, allowing small
dogs and cats to fly in plane cabins with their owners.
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Mutated DNA blamed for Golden Retriever neurological disorder
Uppsala, Sweden -- A new study conducted by researchers from three international universities
concluded that an inherited neurological disorder affecting Golden Retrievers is caused by a DNA
mutation.
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Vet school collaboration enters second phase
Lincoln, Neb. -- Students in the inaugural class of the professional program in veterinary medicine, a
collaboration between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Iowa State University, have completed the first two
years of study at Nebraska and will move on to Iowa in the fall.
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CVMA watches new bill to limit importation of eggs in California
Sacramento, Calif. -- As a result of Proposition 2, which bans gestational crates, veal crates and
battery cages, the state Legislature is considering a new bill that would limit the import of eggs.
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AVMA not yet biting on PETA protest
The AVMA hasn't bitten on PETA's request to change a planned fish-throwing demonstration at its annual
meeting next month.
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Virginia Tech plans new public-health degree
Blacksburg, Va. -- Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors approved a new Master of Public Health degree
program aimed at addressing shortages in the public health work force in human and veterinary
medicine.
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ACVIM releases consensus statement on EHV-1
Lakewood, Colo. -- The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) released a 12-page
consensus statement on equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) as a guide to veterinarians in managing the
disease.
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More states sign on for uniformity in emergencies
National Report -- North Dakota and Oklahoma are the latest to join a growing number of states that
have passed laws to make things easier for veterinary volunteers during declared emergencies.
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Study highlights risks faced by pregnant veterinarians
Find out why pregnant veterinarians are at heightened risk of preterm delivery.
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Study examines how vets respond to clients during wellness exams, treating sick animals
When it comes to problem appointments, DVMs may hide behind their stethoscopes.
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Primary care service opened at University of Illinois veterinary teaching hospital
Urbana, Ill. -- The University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital is offering primary care
services for routine and wellness check-ups.
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ACVIM to update mitral valve consensus statement
Montreal, Canada -- An updated mitral valve disease consensus statement was presented at this month's
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) meeting in Montreal.
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Ky. offers vouchers for stallion castration
Lexington, Ky. -- The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) is offering incentives for stallion castration in
an effort to address the neglected horse issue in the state.
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DVM's horse finishes third in Belmont Stakes
Elmont, N.Y. -- Mine That Bird, this year's Kentucky Derby winner co-owned by a veterinarian, finished
third in Saturday's $1 million Belmont Stakes, the final race in the 2009 Triple Crown.
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AHC plans wide-ranging forum on horse safety, welfare
Washington -- The American Horse Council (AHC) is putting together what it believes will be
"the most inclusive presentation on safety and welfare ever assembled" June 16 at its annual
National Issues Forum, focusing on "Welfare of the Horse."
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Suspended racetrack veterinarian sues racing panel
Lexington, Ky. -- A racetrack veterinarian recently suspended for five years for medication
violations, including possession of cobra venom, filed suit against the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to have
the suspension overturned, claiming that it was "not supported by substantial evidence, is arbitrary and/or
an abuse of discretion."
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Vermont court rejects emotional damages for pet loss
Montpelier, Vt. -- Several states are considering laws that would allow pet owners to recover
emotional damages for the loss of companion animals, but Vermont is no longer one of them.
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Philly shelter closures caused by 'strep zoo'
Philadelphia -- An outbreak that killed six dogs, resulting in the quarantine of two Pennsylvania SPCA
shelters and a hospital, has been attributed to 'strep zoo,' a bacterial infection.
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International Aquaculture Conference coming to Norway
Schaumburg, Ill. -- As demand for seafood continues to grow, so do diseases affecting farmed
fish.
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FDA approves hyperthyroidism drug
Overland Park, Kan. -- The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved a drug to treat hyperthyroidism
in cats.
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ASPCA: Inappropriate application of spot-on flea products poses greatest risk to cats
New York -- Misuse of spot-on flea-and-tick control products poses the greatest risk to cats,
according to ASPCA?s Animal Poison Control Center.
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Derby winner's papers stolen, replaced in time for Belmont
Louisville, Ky. -- A burglar stole the registration papers for Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird
from his trainer's truck overnight Tuesday, but officials at Churchill Downs replaced them by afternoon, ensuring
that the horse can compete in Saturday's $1 million Belmont Stakes.
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FDA approves Pfizer's Palladia to treat mast-cell tumors in dogs
Rockville, Md. -- Pfizer's Palladia (Toceranib phosphate) received approval by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). The drug is the first one developed specifically for the treatment of cancer in dogs, the FDA
reported today.
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Montana OKs equine slaughter plants
Montana now allows horse-processing plants to be built within its borders, and a handful of other
states soon may do likewise.
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Unknown illness closes two Philadelphia shelters; canine influenza suspected
Philadelphia -- Isolated cases of severe canine illness resulting in six deaths closed two shelters
and a hospital run by the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA).
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Additional NAIS meetings planned
Washington -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
will host additional listening sessions regarding the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) in California,
Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina and South Dakota.
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CSU's Lappin honored for feline research
Fort Collins, Colo. -- Dr. Michael Lappin, of Colorado State's veterinary college, won the first-ever
Winn Feline Foundation's Excellence in Feline Research Award.
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MAF provides funding for 65 student studies
Denver -- Sixty-five veterinary students will be able to participate in research projects in 2009,
thanks to grants from the Morris Animal Foundation.
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Economic troubles extend to Virginia-Tech's equine center
Blacksburg, Va. -- Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center is eliminating a handful
of positions as a result of economic woes.
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Fresno health and food-safety lab to close
Davis, Calif. -- The California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, which is managed by
the University of California-Davis, will close on July 19 as a result of state funding cuts.
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First antimicrobial pesticide against anthrax gets 'green light' from EPA
Washington -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just approved the first license for an
antimicrobial pesticide product to deactivate anthrax spores on hard surfaces.
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AAFP releases new feline senior-care guidelines
New Senior Care Guidelines will be unveiled today by the American Association of Feline Practitioners
(AAFP).
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Wisconsin veterinary lab nails full accreditation from AAVLD
Madison, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory received full accreditation by the
American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.
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Income disparity apparent with feline sterilizations
A new study examines household income related to feline neutering.
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FDA to dole out $750,000 in minor-use grants
Bethesda, Md. -- FDA unveiled a grant program, totaling $750,000, to spur development of new animal
drugs intended for minor species or minor uses in major species.
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Rocky Mountain research lab nets $36.4 million
Fort Collins, Colo. -- The Rocky Mountain Regional Center of Excellence was awarded $36.4 million to
continue researching vaccines, tests and treatments for some of the world's most plaguing infectious
diseases.
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Osburn tapped for Banfield's board of directors
Portland -- Dr. Bennie Osburn, dean of UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine was named to Banfield,
The Pet Hospital's board of directors.
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Dairy producers get new tool to reduce lameness
A new software program has been developed that will help dairy farmers troubleshoot and reduce
lameness in their herds.
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Texas VMA takes stand against breeder bill
Legislation targeting breeders is becoming quite common. But state veterinary medical associations
usually don't get involved.
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Vermont to require antifreeze additive
Montpelier, Vt. -- Vermont lawmakers have approved a bill that aims to protect animals and children
from ingesting antifreeze.
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Fla. Mandatory sterilization bill cut from consideration
Tallahassee, Fla. -- A bill that started as a mandatory spay/neuter proposal and was altered into a
sterilization fundraising program has been dropped altogether by Florida lawmakers.
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Vetoquinol USA opens new headquarters in Texas
Fort Worth, Texas -- Vetoquinol USA opened a new U.S. headquarters building in Fort Worth, relocating
from Buena, N.J.
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ARS creates new way to isolate bacteria causing plague
Wyndmoor, Pa. -- Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have discovered a way to use
antibody-coated immunomagnetic beads (IMBs) to detect the bacteria that causes plague.
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State board exams: Now there's an app for that too
Raleigh, N.C. -- Getting ready for the veterinary state boards? Well, there is an app for that
too.
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Virginia Tech to offer advanced imaging to area vets
Blacksburg, Va. -- The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine is offering a new
outpatient advanced imaging service for surrounding small-animal veterinary practices starting in
June.
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Beef recalled due to possible E.coli contamination
Washington -- An investigation spurred by illness in Ohio and continued by the USDA has resulted in
the recall of nearly 96,000 pounds of beef.
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Researchers target insect vaccines to halt spread of infectious diseases
Fort Collins, Colo. -- Colorado State University nailed a $100,000 grant to develop a vaccine system
for sand flies to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like leishmaniasis.
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Wash. law gives new freedoms to technicians
Olympia, Wash. -- "Registered veterinary medication clerks" will be able to administer
controlled substances without the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian, according to a new law passed in
Washington.
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Nutro recalls dry cat food
Nutro Products Inc. is voluntarily recalling some of its dry cats foods due to incorrect levels of
zinc and potassium.
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Dr. Anna Elizabeth Worth, AAHA past president, dies
Lakewood, Colo. -- Dr. Anna Elizabeth Worth, VMD, past president of AAHA, died May 16 after a long
battle with cancer.
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Okla. reduces penalty for lay equine dentistry
A law passed last fall that made it a felony for a non-veterinarian to practice equine dentistry has
essentially been overturned.
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Stem-cell lab opens at UC Davis
Davis, Calif. -- This week the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine opened its
new stem-cell therapy laboratory.
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NCSU veterinary college dean named interim provost
Raleigh, N.C. -- Dr. Warwick Arden, dean of North Carolina State University's veterinary college, was
named interim provost of the university. A national search will soon be underway to find his permanent
successor.
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New study shows DVMs still at high risk for zoonotic infections
Iowa City, Iowa -- Veterinarians remain at a higher risk of zoonotic infections than farm workers or
other occupational groups that work with animals, according to researchers at the University of Iowa.
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Texas A&M turns up the heat on fire ants
College Station, Texas -- Researchers are experimenting with a tiny fly to take the sting out of the
power of fire ants, which can threaten young calves.
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Cat diet study leads to nervous system discovery
Madison, Wis. -- A study of the feline diet has led scientists to discover that a cat's central
nervous system has the ability to repair itself.
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New campaign sets to improve health of shelter cats
Denver -- Shelter cats suffer from a wide variety of conditions like upper respiratory disease and
ringworm. To address these problems, Morris Animal Foundation's Helping Shelters Help Cats program is funding three
new research studies.
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Clinical trials available for dogs with idiopathic seizures
Raleigh, N.C. -- A clinical trial to evaluate new medication for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs is being
conducted in several cities nationwide through the end of this year, with veterinary neurology specialists
participating.
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Veterinary and human researchers collaborate on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma study
Raleigh, N.C. -- Researchers from North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and
the University of North Carolina's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have teamed up to pinpoint the cause of
and improve treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in canines and humans.
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Australian veterinary school seeks accreditation
Brisbane, Australia -- The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science in Australia has
requested, and will be granted, an AVMA Council on Education (COE) consultative site visit.
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Racetrack veterinarian's 5-year suspension upheld
Lexington, Ky. -- The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) this week upheld the five-year
suspension of a track veterinarian accused of possessing banned medications, including cobra venom.
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CAPC: Disease risks far outweigh adverse flea product concerns
CAPC cites low safety risks for topical spot-on flea and tick products following a recent EPA
advisory.
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House weighs ban on equine double-decker transport
The House of Representatives is considering a bill to ban transporting horses in double-deck
trailers.
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