State Regulatory

12 October

Veterinary Board of Governors will regulate client communications

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Veterinary Board of Governors (VBOG) is in the process of drafting new regulations that will establish what types of information veterinarians must communicate to clients when treating animal patients. The rulemaking stems from a 2017 petition by a pet owner whose dog died after being given NSAIDs and who wanted to require that veterinarians provide "Client Information Sheets" and better communicate risks to pet owners. The Board agreed to open the rule, but after further deliberation, they decided to...

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06 July

Drug take-back program signed by Governor

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

A new drug take-back program has been signed into law and is entering the rulemaking process with the Washington Department of Health. Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 1047, to be funded by the pharmaceutical industry, is intended to reduce overdoses, drug misuse, poisonings, and reduce pharmaceutical pollution by placing secure drop-off boxes in every city and town across the state for residents to dispose of old or unused drugs. ESHB 1047 is the first such law in the nation. Drugs to...

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15 June

Veterinary Board of Governors to consider rulemaking for client consultations

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Veterinary Board of Governors is considering amending existing rules and adding a new section of rule to establish what kind of consultation veterinarians should provide to clients when treating and providing drugs for animal patients. Outlining appropriate consultation by veterinarians when providing treatment and drug therapy could result in better, more informed choices in the care and treatment of animal patients. The rulemaking is based on a petition received last year from a pet owner who lost his dog after...

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25 May

Full Veterinary Care by Shelters: SB 6196 and its implications

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

In January, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington authored legislation, Senate Bill 6196, that would grant registered animal care and control agencies and humane societies in Washington the ability to provide full veterinary services to low income pet owners who fall below the 80% median income level. The intent of the legislation is to expand the law that currently limits shelter organizations to sterilization, vaccination and electronic identification. When a bill is introduced in the legislature that would affect veterinarians and veterinary...

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16 March

VBOG adopts rule allowing temporary practice permits for military spouses

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Veterinary Board of Governors (VBOG) has created a new rule, WAC 246-933-295, Temporary Practice Permit - Military Spouse Eligibility and Issuance. The adopted rule sets a process and criteria to expedite the credentialing process for an out of state applicant to receive a temporary practice permit when their spouse or domestic partner is the subject of a military transfer to Washington. The temporary practice permit will allow applicants to practice in the full scope of their profession for up...

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19 January

New Assistant State Veterinarian appointed

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

Dr. Amber Itle has been appointed to serve as assistant state veterinarian for the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). She has an extensive background in large animal medicine, veterinary regulations, and animal welfare, and has been a member of their Animal Health Program field veterinary staff for four years, stationed in Whatcom County. Dr. Itle has been responsible for overseeing Region 1 in Western Washington, covering Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, San Juan, Island, Kitsap and King counties. She will also be...

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22 December

Feedback requested on proposed new veterinary continuing education rules

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

In March 2017, the Veterinary Board of Governors began making draft revisions to the veterinary continuing education rules in WAC 246-933-401 through -480 specific to veterinarians. The board would like your feedback on the following proposed changes: Changing the hour requirement from 30 hours every 3 years to 30 hours every 2 years. Allowing veterinarians to meet their CE requirement by becoming board-certified during their continuing education period or by being enrolled in a residency program during the entire continuing...

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22 September

Report from the State Veterinarian

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

West Nile Virus Update – (from Dr. Thomas Gilliom) – The West Nile Virus (WNV) has been confirmed in nine horses by mid-September in our state.  Spokane County has recorded six cases, one in Benton County, one in Lincoln County, and one in Kittitas County. The virus infects birds which are the natural reservoir.  An interesting side note is that we found WNV this year in a pheasant and a gyrfalcon. WNV is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on infected...

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15 September

VBOG considers requiring notification of risks associated with certain drugs, including NSAIDs

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Veterinary Board of Governors (VBOG) is considering rulemaking to require veterinarians to provide counseling and/or Client Information Sheets (CIS) when dispensing or administering certain drugs, including NSAIDs. In June, VBOG received a petition from a pet owner who lost his dog due to complications from NSAIDs. The veterinarian had not provided any information to the pet owner about possible risks or side effects from their dog taking the drug. The pet owner’s petition asked VBOG to add specific language in WAC...

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10 August

WA Dept. of Ecology updates pharmaceutical waste policy

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

In anticipation of a new federal rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the state of Washington is updating their “interim enforcement policy” for managing pharmaceutical waste. This revised policy will give hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, veterinarians, dentists, and other businesses options for how they can dispose of leftover and other unused medications.  The EPA recently proposed new requirements that effectively ban the disposal of pharmaceuticals down the toilet or drain. The federal proposal has not been finalized and may still...

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