Federal Legislation Abount Primates

Primates are not great pets, but where will these animals go? Zoos are can’t take them in. There aren’t enough sanctuaries.

clipped from blogs.usatoday.com

House tightens restrictions on chimps as pets

The House has approved a bill to ban the transport of monkeys and apes, including chimpanzees, across state lines for the purpose of selling them as pets, the Associated Press reports.

California Veterinary Leadership

The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is the largest State Veterinary Medical in the country nearing 6,000 members. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) currently has 78,000 members which includes most practicing veterinarians in the country. The CVMA Board of Governor’s and the House of Delegates are similar to the US Senate and the Assembly so when both groups met this weekend, it was like joint meeting of Congress. When these men and women take a weekend to participate in CVMA leadership, at the minimum, they are giving up free time. Many have to cough up money for a relief vet to cover their practice. They do this in order to help promote the well-being of the profession. This responsibility has changed rapidly over the last few years. Where the focus had been on such issues as Continuing Education and member benefits like insurance, today we are thrust into the political and legislative foray. Issues like mandatory spay-neuter, cosmetic ear cropping and tail docking, and farm animal housing are demanding a stand by veterinarians. No animal ever comes to a veterinarians without a human attached. Veterinarians are part of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Veterinarians are constantly working to balance the needs and wants of the humans with the animal’s welfare and economics. CVMA brings this concept to the level of community.

There have been questions by many who crave controversy and dissension about the fracture of the CVMA over California Proposition 2- Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act. When CVMA supported Prop 2, a small group of veterinarians formed the Association of California Veterinarians to oppose Prop 2. This Association has about 50 members, many of whom continue to be CVMA Members as well. Dr. Bill Grant, CVMA President, has commented that he thinks of the Association of California Veterinarians as another special focus group within the profession with a special interest in production animal medicine. There are not dissimilar from other specialty or interest groups, like a Women’s Veterinary Medical Association or Shelter Veterinarians.

Out-of-state veterinary colleagues ask me (or vigorously inform me) “Doesn’t California realize how this will affect us?” Yes. California recognizes the impact of its actions on the rest of the county. California knows that what happens in this crazy state will eventually roll out East. In fact, the wave moves east faster than ever. California still will support what California believes is best for California Veterinarians. Don’t expect California will follow in line with national level leadership or pressure from other states just because. The individuals gathered for the CVMA meeting this past weekend made an earnest effort to be respectful the broad range of interests in the profession and to build consensus. The breadth of perspectives within the group is really quite amazing. The respect for opposing opinions and the desire to meld into a consolidated voice for veterinarians in the state of California is taken seriously by all. In the end, these California veterinarians are tasked to address the issues in California, not Kansas.

Baby Rhesus Monkey Smuggling Attempt

clipped from latimesblogs.latimes.com

Monkey smuggling: Don’t try this at home

We’d be lying if we said it had never occurred to us that it’d be neat to have a baby monkey around the house.

Of course, we’d never do more than think about keeping a monkey as a pet. (First, because we know exotic pets are a big no-no, especially with so many homeless dogs and cats out there. And second, because ABC’s prime-time special “The Dark Side of the Monkey Business” really freaked us out!)

But two Washington women went to a bizarre extreme to make their pet-monkey dreams a reality — they tried to smuggle a baby rhesus macaque from Thailand into the U.S. Their method? Tranquilizing the monkey and hiding it under one woman’s loose-fitting clothing to make her appear pregnant. CNN reports:

Veterinary Services Tax?

clipped from www.ocregister.com

Veterinary services shouldn’t be taxed

Even if Schwarzenegger didn’t mean it, the comparison is reprehensible. Pets are living, breathing, sentient beings. How dare anyone say that my dogs aren’t worth any more than my refrigerator? Take my fridge; I’ll survive. Try to take my dogs and you might as well take my soul. They mean that much to me.

The fact sheet adds that veterinarians are insulted at their services being compared with appliance and furniture repair. I sincerely hope that comparison wasn’t what Schwarzenegger had in mind, but if he was equating living, breathing animals with furniture and appliances, then I’m as insulted as the veterinarians are.

Universal Concept of Animal Welfare

clipped from www.avma.org

AVMA supports—in concept—Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare

The UDAW is described by WSPA as “an agreement among people and nations to recognize that animals are sentient and can suffer, to respect their welfare needs, and to end animal cruelty—for good.

“The declaration would be structured as a set of general principles that acknowledge and emphasize the importance of animal welfare,” according to the recommendation. “The principles would encourage all nations to put in place, or where they already exist, to improve animal welfare laws and standards. The UDAW would not be a proscriptive piece of binding legislation and is therefore not concerned with attributing legal rights to animals.”

Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposal to add a sales tax on veterinary services

CVMA ACTION ALERT:
Governor Schwarzenegger recently announced his plans to add a sales tax on veterinary services as part of his budget plan to stimulate the California economy. This was part of a larger combination of program cuts and revenue increases to solve the multi-billion dollar budget shortfall. It is particularly disturbing that veterinary services were included with “appliance and furniture repair, vehicle repair and golf.” All of the other healing arts professions were excluded from the sales tax proposal.
A special session of the Legislature must be convened to approve the Governor’s plan. The proposal would need to be approved by the Legislature with a two-thirds majority of both the Assembly and the Senate.
The CVMA is strongly opposed to this proposal. Our legislative team has been working hard to get sales tax on veterinary services removed from the Governor’s proposal. We know you are concerned for the welfare of your patients, the difficult choices your clients may need to make if the cost of veterinary care increases, more animals being abandoned to shelters, increased euthanasia, and the overall strain placed on small businesses.
It is imperative that the voice of the veterinary profession is heard with respect to this important issue. We urge you to write personal letters to the Governor, your state representatives and their leadership expressing your concerns. We also encourage you to get your clients involved and ask them to write letters as well. It is easy to do. View the CVMA Fact Sheet and contact information. Visit the Legislative Action Center for contact information for your state representatives.
Your letter should be mailed directly to the Governor with copies forwarded to key members of the Legislature, including your local representatives. The letter should be on your practice letterhead, and if possible we would appreciate it if you would fax the CVMA a copy of your letter as well at (916) 646-9156.
If you have any questions, please call the CVMA office at 1(800) 655-2862.
Thank you for your assistance,
William Grant II, DVM
CVMA President

Veterinary Clinical Trails are Needed to Promote Evidence Based Medicine

clipped from veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com

Sep 1, 2008By: Dawn Merton Boothe, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP VETERINARY MEDICINE

Clinical trials constitute the cornerstone of evidence-based medicine. They are a part of a broader realm of clinical research,
which determines the safety and efficacy of diagnostic or therapeutic interventions and examines their impact on at-risk patient
populations. Most commonly, clinical trials compare therapeutic interventions between at least two sample populations. Other
examples of clinical research include observational studies (e.g. case reports; case series; and epidemiologic studies, such as adverse event reporting) and field trials (large clinical
trials).

However, clinical research struggles for acceptance in veterinary academic and private practice environments. Yet, we can
improve this vital part of veterinary medicine in several ways.

Former University Of New Mexico Veterinarian Claims Malicious Treatment

clipped from www.kvia.com

Judge dismisses suit by former UNM veterinarian

Associated Press – November 2, 2008 6:45 PM ET

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – A former University of New Mexico veterinarian who alleges he was forced to resign after reporting illegal animal research has taken his case to an appellate court in Denver.

U.S. District Judge James Parker has ruled that Daniel Theele failed to show a valid claim for retaliation for freedom of speech.

Parker also ruled UNM regents were entitled to immunity under the 11th Amendment.

Theele — who once headed UNM’s Animal Resource Facility — sued regents and two faculty members in March 2007.

He claimed malicious accusations were made against him after he reported alleged animal abuse.

Veterinary Social Network – VSN

Veterinarians have conversations that typically are unwelcome at the dinner table for most socially talented individuals. It is great for us to have a place where we can freely chat. It is a place where we can discuss the stuff that might be gross to others without worry. I tried My Space and Facebook and LinkedIn and I will keep those identities just like I will keep my non-veterinary family and friends. VSN is the place for veterinarians and veterinary students to gather in cyberspace. If you are a veterinarian, come be my friend at DVM.com!

Diane McClure DVM, PhD, DACLAM