Author: wsvma

14 December

Reporting period for increased CE requirements begins January 1, 2019

wsvma   |   Continuing Education

Last week, the Veterinary Board of Governors (VBOG) finalized the new continuing education requirements for veterinarians. The new rules contain a number of policy changes, most importantly increasing the number of required CE hours from 30 hours every three years to 30 hours every two years.  Even though the new regulations won’t be finalized until late January or early February, the new two-year reporting period begins on January 1, 2019. If continuing education is due on the veterinarian’s renewal date in: The...

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14 December

WSVMA launches DVM Masterclass monthly webinars and e-learning

wsvma   |   Continuing Education

Beginning the second week of January, the WSVMA will launch monthly webinars to aid members in getting their additional CE hours required by the state. WSVMA’s DVM Masterclass will offer medical, practice management, wellbeing and a range of topics geared toward all types of veterinary practice. Topics and speakers ready to share their expertise are as follows:            Jan. 15, 2019 - Dr. Gary Goldstein - Veterinary Dental Radiology: The good, the bad and the ugly  ...

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14 December

Emotional support animal’s owner forges local veterinarian’s name on airline form

wsvma   |   Professional News

With airlines tightening up regulations for emotional support animals, owners are proving willing to break the law in order to bring their pets with them. A Federal Way veterinarian was recently contacted by Spirit Airlines to verify her signature on a Veterinary Health Form. Only it wasn’t the veterinarian who had signed it. The owner of a marmoset and a poodle had forged the veterinarian’s name so her pets could accompany her on flights. Not only was the veterinarian’s name...

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14 December

Pièce de Résistance

wsvma   |   One Health

The “5 D’s” are best practices for judicious use of antibiotics that physicians and veterinarians can employ to prevent antimicrobial resistance and effectively treat their patients: Diagnosis-use laboratory testing / diagnostics as well as culture and sensitivity when forming a treatment plan. Currently, there are efforts underway to standardize antibiograms between laboratories. Drug-choose the most appropriate antibiotic based on culture and sensitivity results. Automatically prescribing a broad spectrum antibiotic may favor the growth of resistant bacteria and make...

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14 December

In Memoriam

wsvma   |   Uncategorized

Dr. Douglas Young (Iowa, ’71), passed away November 6, 2018 from complications from Lymphoma that was diagnosed in August. Following graduation, Dr. Young started veterinary practice in Dulap, Iowa treating both large and small animals. In 1984, he moved to Seattle and purchased the Rainier Beach Veterinary Hospital where he was the owner until his retirement in August. There will be a community pot luck memorial on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 at 11am at the Filipino Community Center, 5740 MLK...

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14 December

This Week’s Helpful Links

wsvma   |   Uncategorized

FDA Works to Keep Injectable Opioids Available to Treat Animals’ Surgical and Trauma Pain During Ongoing Supply Shortage  – FDA Recall issued for specific lots of 9Lives Protein Plus canned cat food –KOMO News JAVMA study asks who’s using nonprofit spay-neuter clinics – DVM360 Global veterinary organizations issue joint statement against antimicrobial resistance – Veterinary Practice News The End of a Dog’s Life – New York Times ‘Make better choices’: Endangered Hawaiian monk seals keep getting eels stuck up their noses and scientists want them...

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07 December

Outbreak of Equine Influenza in Western Washington

wsvma   |   Uncategorized

The State Veterinarian’s office has been notified of 19 cases of equine influenza virus (EIV) in western Washington during the month of November 2018. There have been at least two shows that have reported outbreaks as a result of commingling. Veterinarians report that this particular strain of virus appears to be very contagious and horses have very copious nasal discharge. We strongly recommend that veterinarians educate their clients about the importance of vaccination and biosecurity. Boosters should be administered to any horse that...

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07 December

Practice modernization: Communication using technology

wsvma   |   Practice Management

Why should we use technology to communicate? For many practices, routine communication with clients can be much more efficient with the use of technology. The days of your front office calling clients and confirming appointments for hours should be long gone. Although not every client will want email/text updates or reminders, the majority of clients will. Automated reminders free up staff time, reduce no shows and increase compliance of care. By freeing up staff time it will allow your staff the...

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07 December

WSU’s The Allen School Partnering with the Pacific Science Center on global health series

wsvma   |   One Health

The Allen School is partnering with the Pacific Science Center to feature several of our faculty members in 2019 as part of the Global Health and Development Series. The series is part of the Science in the City program, which highlights scientists working on innovative and ambitious solutions to address global health problems. All of the talks are free and held on the second Tuesday of the month from 7-9pm at the Pacific Science Center. Why People in Washington Should Care...

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07 December

This Week’s Helpful Links

wsvma   |   Uncategorized

Columbia River Natural Pet Foods raw dog food recalled – Pet Food Industry FDA Alerts Pet Owners about Potentially Toxic Levels of Vitamin D in Several Dry Pet Foods - fda.gov Lawsuit: Family dog died from pharmacy error – Seattle Times Asian Longhorned Tick Spreading Widely in U.S. - CDC Public Health Fall Newsletter (contains general information and statewide data) – Seattle-King County Public Health Help Maintain a Healthy Veterinary Hospital With This Year-End Checklist – Katz, Sapper & Miller   Posted December 7, 2018...

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