State Regulatory

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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28 July

Paid family and medical leave: overview of the new Washington law

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The law is the result of months of negotiations between labor, employers and lawmakers, and passed with bipartisan support. Paid Family Leave is a benefit provided to employees to take time off work to care for a newborn, treatment for or recovery from a serious illness, or to care for a family member. Plan’s Benefits, Qualifying Events The Paid Family Leave law allows workers to take 12-16 weeks of leave using disability definitions under the Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA). That includes: birth...

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07 July

Veterinary Board of Governors seeking veterinarian and technician applicants

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance Division (HSQA), is accepting applications to fill two veterinary positions and one veterinary technician position on the Veterinary Board of Governors. They are looking for public-spirited people willing to study the issues and to make decisions in the public’s best interest. The Veterinary Board of Governors operates under legislative mandate to: Protect the health and safety of the public. Promote the welfare of the state by regulating the competency and quality of health care...

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26 May

Large animal Certificates of Veterinary Inspection Fee begins July 1, 2017

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

Starting on July 1, 2017 the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) will begin to collect a $7.50 processing fee for paper issued large animal Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs), as well as existing shipping and handling fees.  This fee will be assessed and collected per CVI. WSDA has developed a free alternative to the paper CVI using their new mobile CVI app called “mCVI.”  The app is available on all Apple and Android mobile devices such as phones and tablets...

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17 March

New interstate travel requirements for Coggins test

Cassie Isackson   |   State Regulatory

In response to the increased number of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) cases, the state governments of Oregon and Idaho have eliminated the exemption of Coggins testing for horses for interstate travel.  While specified by some shows, sporting events or trail ride organizations, a negative Coggins blood test was not previously required by the two states. Through 2015 and into 2016, twelve EIA positive horses in Washington and three in Oregon were detected, prompting the state agencies to annul the waiver.   Washington...

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03 March

Tethering legislation passes Senate

Cassie Isackson   |   State Regulatory

On February 28, the Senate unanimously passed Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5356 creating humane standards to address the tethering or chaining of dogs. The bill requires that dogs must be able to move comfortably, have access to water and clean, safe shelter. It prohibits tethering a dog that is ill, injured, in distress, in late stage pregnancy or under the age of six months. It also prohibits the use of choke or prong-type collars, and being in any conditions that...

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17 February

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection Requirements

wsvma   |   State Regulatory, Uncategorized

The Washington State Department of Agriculture reminds accredited veterinarians that when writing Interstate Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI), copies must be forwarded to the State or Tribal Animal Health Official within seven calendar days from the date of issuance. The information provided on an ICVI is vital to early identification and quick containment of any animal disease. The more rapidly State and Tribal animal health officials receive ICVls, the better they are able to protect the animals within the state. Timely...

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10 February

Rabies rule under consideration – please review and submit comments by Feb. 24

wsvma   |   State Regulatory, Uncategorized

The State Board of Health recently filed a Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (CR-101) to amend WAC 246-100-197, Rabies - Measures to prevent human disease. This rule making will consider incorporating the most current science related to rabies post-exposure prophylactic practice and quarantine periods for animals exposed to rabies. These changes are detailed in the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control (compendium) (PDF). The rule making will also update the compendium adoption by...

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