State Regulatory

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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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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