Given the constant new research, trends, and practices in veterinary medicine related to oncology, it’s difficult for general practitioners to keep up. Now, there’s a resource to help.
Today, AAHA released its 2016 Oncology Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (“Guidelines”), a “go to” resource general practitioners can use with oncology patients.
We have reported in the past about a court case here in Georgia that has national implications because it left open the potential for awarding damages above and beyond the market value of a pet, also known as non-economic damages. On January 19, 2016 the Georgia Supreme Court heard this case. The GVMA contributed to an amicus brief produced by the AVMA that argued emotion-based awards would be detrimental to veterinary medicine and the health and welfare of Georgia's pets.
Below is more information assembled by the AVMA on non-economic damages.
The Veterinary Services Grant Program is authorized by Section 7104 of the 2014 Farm Bill and received a first-time appropriation of $2.5 million in the FY16 federal budget. NIFA anticipates releasing the first Request for Applications for this program in April 2016 and announcing the first grants awarded under this program by October.
NIFA will host three Veterinary Services Grant Program webinars to provide information to applicants and address their questions.
March 25, 2016
The legislature adjourned early Friday morning, concluding the 2016 session in their usual fashion. Bills flew back and forth throughout the evening and legislative mischief, which is common during the final days, was pervasive. House and Senate members now return home, many to kick off reelection campaigns. Over fifty incumbents have a challenger in the May 24 Primary Election and will spend the next two months fundraising and campaigning. Governor Nathan Deal, on the other hand, will spend the coming weeks reviewing and acting on legislation sent to him by the General Assembly. He has until May 3 to sign or veto legislation. Legislation not eligible for action by the Governor is lost and will have to be refiled to be considered again. All eyes are watching his decisions related to controversial religious freedom and gun bills.
Our DNA contains genes that instruct the body’s functions. Those genes are passed from generation to generation along with inherited traits and diseases, according to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Now, a new study has mapped that landscape for canine patients.
Researchers from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University (Cornell) have completed the largest genetic study of dogs to date, comprising the genetic analysis of 4,200 dogs.
The American Veterinary Medical Association does "not oppose" the consideration of euthanasia to manage some free-roaming and feral felines, according to a new policy on one of the most contentious animal welfare topics in veterinary medicine — the control and care of stray cats.
2016 Legislative Session
Legislative Days 13 – 16
With help from Darius Tahir (@DariusTahir) and Arthur Allen (@ArthurAllen202 )
Do you have 4 stars or less on Yelp? What about Google reviews? Do you even know? And is it really a problem?
ABSOLUTELY!
Google and Yelp are the primary sources that consumers are going to for reviews of businesses – and people pay attention. Because new clients are the lifeblood of all veterinary practices, low star ratings can really damage your bottom line.
Discover the secret to getting amazing reviews in this upcoming GVMA FREE webinar titled: “The Negative Reviews Playbook” from Dr. Michael Warren – a world renowned practice growth guru.
>>> CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW! <<<
[If you need help with registration please email [email protected]]
In this jam-packed FREE webinar, you will discover:
● How to repair your practice’s reputation for low-star reviews...
● How to be proactive in getting positive reviews moving forward
● Methods of coaching your staff to elicit positive reviews from your clients...
● Systems of contacting your clients after positive visits to elicit the best feedback
● The biggest opportunity your practice is missing out on for positive feedback...
● and much more…
But don’t delay – unfortunately we can only fit 99 registrations in each session. Sessions like this often go for as much as $197, but due to YOUR GVMA membership, you get this webinar absolutely FREE!
Topic:Creating an app for your practice
Price: Free for members!
Topic: Creating an app for your practice
Free for GVMA members!!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Nov. 5 awarded more than $4.5 million to 49 U.S. veterinarians to help repay a portion of their veterinary school loans in return for serving in areas lacking sufficient veterinary resources. The awards, made through the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) administered by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), will help fill shortages in 26 states.
“Rural America is challenged with recruiting veterinarians,” says John Clifford, DVM, chief veterinary officer for the USDA, in an agency release. “These professionals often face high student loan debt, leading them to work in locations with larger populations and higher pay. This program offers loan-repayment assistance to veterinarians, allowing them to fill shortages and work in rural areas, ultimately improving the well-being of livestock and providing an abundant and safe food supply for America.”
Nationwide has recently launched a pet insurance program that reimburses policyholders for 90 percent of their pets’ eligible veterinary expenses.
The Whole Pet with Wellness plan was designed to reduce pet owners’ confusion about what is covered underneath their plan, say officials from Nationwide (formerly Veterinary Pet Insurance). The plan includes coverage for these services, according to a Nationwide release:
> Diagnostic testing
> Prescriptions (including therapeutic diets and supplements, as long as they’re prescribed by the veterinarian and included in the medical record)
> Wellness care, including vaccinations and parasite control products
> Hospitalization
> Dental work
> Hereditary and congenital conditions
> Surgeries
> Behavioral exams and treatments
> Orthopedic conditions.
If your pet is displaying any of these common signs, he or she may have diabetes.
If you didn’t know your dog or cat could develop diabetes, you’re not alone. Many owners don’t realize diabetes can affect pets too, so learning that your dog or cat has the condition can leave you with many questions.
Year-to-year, 2015 is posting much better numbers for veterinarians than the previous few years. Business is up 6 percent to 8 percent across the board, industry consultants report.
“Without a doubt, the industry is seeing an upswing,” says Tom McFerson, CPA, ABV, principal of Gatto McFerson CPAs in Santa Monica, California. Gatto McFerson surveys 175 California practices each month on revenue issues and have done so since 2008. These numbers make the situation clear. From August 2014 to August 2015, practice revenues are up 8 to 10 percent.
Over the years, researchers have explored various non-surgical options to spay and neuter surgery but as yet, have not come up with a viable option. (NEWStat reported on some of these options previously.) But a new player may be emerging.
Researchers from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena have developed an intramuscular injection that results in long-term infertility in male and female mice, and which could have future implications for cats and dogs.
Aging patients can experience dementia, or cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), that includes diminished memory and learning, and changes in social interactions, sleep patterns, and house training. But often, assessing the stage of dementia in a patient is difficult. However, a new study may offer insights about its progression so veterinarians can target treatment.
Researchers from the Slovak Republic developed a rating scale for assessing the severity and progression of CDS from mild to severe. Their results were published in Applied Animal Behavior on August 31.
November marks National Pet Diabetes Month.
November is National Pet Diabetes Month, and veterinary practices are being invited to use free educational tools provided by the Diabetes Pet Care Alliance to raise awareness about the disease and educate clients.
One of the most common eye problems in dogs is cataracts, and most are inherited, according to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation.
But a simple “solution” may be the answer.
After more than two years of analysis, the Federal Trade Commission published a much-awaited report on the pet medications industry. The FTC found that veterinarians will continue to face increasing competition from non-veterinary retailers on pet medication sales.
In October 2012 the FTC brought together a number of stakeholders for a public workshop to examine consumer protection issues within the pet medications industry. That workshop, along with more than 700 written comments, informed the agency’s report released yesterday.
