Reviewers must meet one of the following criteria:

• Practicing or retired DVMs
• Veterinary students who have been out of veterinary school for five years or more
• Someone who has another strong connection to the veterinary community

Please visit the AVMF website for details on the eligibility criteria and timeline. For questions contact scholarships@avma.org.

In the media: See the AVMA news post

This committee is composed of a broad representation of species and content areas across veterinary

medicine. Duties include soliciting NAVLE® item writers and participating in item and form review meetings. As new opportunities arise in veterinary assessment, the ADC will be responsible for assembling subject matter experts to meet these needs. Members of the ADC are appointed by the ICVA Board of Directors to three-year terms and may serve a maximum of three terms.

Nominations, including a completed nomination form and short resume/CV, should be submitted to jblasewitz@icva.net with ADC Nomination as the subject line by April 1, 2024.

To learn more or apply visit, https://www.icva.net/news-and-updates/call-for-nominations-adc/.

During AVMA Legislative Fly-In on February 6th, your fellow veterinary advocates will be meeting with members of Congress and their staff to educate them on issues most important to veterinary medicine.

Members of the AzVMA were present including AzVMA President, Dr. Racheal McKinney; Arizona AVMA Delegate, Dr. Michael Lent; and Aspen Settle, a fourth-year veterinary student from Tucson attending LSU.

Even if you have already participated in these campaigns previously, it’s important to act again and ask your members of Congress to support and cosponsor the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act and the Healthy Dog Importation Act.

Help attract and retain veterinarians in rural and underserved shortage areas

The AVMA is urging Congress to pass the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act. Previously named the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act, the bill would help increase access to food animal and public health veterinary services in USDA-designated rural areas by helping veterinarians with the significant obstacle of educational debt.

Act Now: https://avmacan.avma.org/campaign/48797

Strengthen dog importation standards

Call on Congress to pass the Healthy Dog Importation Act, which strengthens dog importation requirements and provides the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies with the necessary tools to monitor and safeguard the health of dogs being imported into the United States.

Take action: https://avmacan.avma.org/campaign/45389/

District IX - Dr. Michael P. Lent

Dr. Lent is a small animal practitioner at Pantano Animal Clinic in Tucson, Arizona. He and his business partner, Dr. Jack Quick, owned the clinic for 20 years, after buying it from its original owner, Dr. Chuck Helwig, former executive director of the Oklahoma VMA, past president of the Arizona VMA (1976), past chair of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board, served as Dr. Lent’s mentor for organized veterinary medicine in Arizona. In 2016, they sold the clinic to a private company, Lakefield Veterinary Group. Dr. Lent continues to work as medical director of the clinic.

A 1991 graduate of Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Lent grew up in northern New Jersey and graduated from Bowdoin College, a private liberal arts college in Maine, as a biochemistry major.

He has been involved in organized veterinary medicine for almost 32 years, starting at Purdue, where he served as president of the former Student Chapter of the AVMA (now SAVMA). He’s served as president of the Arizona and Southern Arizona VMAs and as a member of the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. More recently, he has served as Arizona’s alternate delegate and delegate to the HOD since 2019.

Dr. Lent is also a charter member of the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Southern Arizona since its inception in 1998, assisting law enforcement with investigations and educating the public about the link between animal abuse and human violence, especially domestic violence and child abuse.

He and his wife, Dr. Stacey Lent, have chickens, Pygmy goats, and three dogs on about 5 acres adjacent to Saguaro National Park East.

“I've found involvement in organized veterinary medicine has helped me grow as a person and veterinarian by serving and representing others. I've been very fortunate to make some lifelong friends and mentors, and always felt like I got back more than I gave from the experiences,” Dr. Lent said. “I’ve been challenged to see issues from many different perspectives and learned a great deal about aspects of the profession I love I otherwise would have not been exposed to. I also feel the most kinship and connection with my colleagues in the profession when I'm involved in something bigger than us as individuals.”

The deadline for applications is February 9, 2024. Recent graduates and AVMA member veterinarians are eligible to apply. Please visit AVMA’s 2023 – 2024 Fellowship Program website for more information.

Please feel free to share this information with your organization or any networks where there may be interest in applying.

Any questions can be emailed directly to fellowship@avma.org.

Meanwhile, dog owners understandably have questions, and veterinary teams need trustworthy answers. Here’s information that your veterinary team can share with clients to help address their concerns.

• Outbreaks of CIRDC occur regularly, and the recent outbreak isn’t cause for alarm. 
• Several different bacteria and viruses can contribute to CIRDC, and we don’t yet know which one(s) are causing the outbreak. While we can’t rule out the possibility that a new organism may be responsible for the outbreak, current disease patterns aren’t consistent with the emergence of a new, easily transmitted pathogen.  
• Most dogs with CIRDC will have only mild illness, recovering fully within 7 to 10 days. The classic sign is a frequent, honking cough that comes on suddenly, but some dogs may have sneezing and/or a runny nose or eyes.
• Typically, only a small percentage of dogs will develop more severe disease, depending on the infecting organism(s) and the dog’s ability to fight it.
• Signs that your dog needs immediate veterinary care include the following:

  • Lingering cough

  • Weakness

  • Loss of appetite

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Worsening of illness

  • A cough so severe that your dog vomits or has trouble breathing

• These factors increase a dog’s risk of becoming ill:

  • Short-nose breed, like French Bulldogs

  • Very young or old age

  • Compromised immune system

  • Pre-existing respiratory disease or heart disease

• The best way to protect your dog against CIRDC is to keep their vaccines current. Vaccines not only reduce the chance of your dog becoming ill. They also make your dog less likely to develop severe disease or spread infection to other dogs. 

• Optimal protection against common respiratory infections includes an annual intranasal vaccine against Bordetella, canine adenovirus type 2, and canine parainfluenza. Where canine influenza is known to be circulating, the injectable canine influenza vaccine also is recommended. Your veterinarian can help you decide which vaccines your dog needs to stay as healthy as possible.

• For further protection against CIRDC:

  • Remember that dogs can be contagious and still look perfectly healthy. To play it safe, limit your dog’s interaction with other dogs—especially large groups of dogs with unknown health or vaccination statuses—and wash your hands after handling other dogs to avoid spreading infection.

  • Keep your dog away from toys and food and water bowls used by dogs outside your household.

  • Stay informed. Follow your veterinarian or the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) on social media, and check news or internet resources to find out about places where CIRDC, or more specific respiratory infections like canine influenza, have been reported. Start with this update from AVMA News: Making sense of the mystery illness found across the U.S.

  • Delay or avoid taking your dog to places where outbreaks are occurring.

  • If your dog is sick, keep them away from other dogs. 

• In general, the risk of people getting sick from exposure to dogs with CIRDC is extremely low.

Related resources

The AVMA has online resources you can share with clients to help them understand more about both CIRDC and canine influenza, as well as a downloadable client handout on canine influenza. Find more information on these AVMA webpages:

• Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (Kennel cough)
• Canine influenza in pets
• Canine influenza: Veterinary team resources

Veterinarians also can read more about CIRDC in these peer-reviewed publications:

• Canine infectious respiratory disease: New insights into the etiology and epidemiology of associated pathogens
• Canine infectious respiratory disease

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is monitoring reports of canine respiratory illness in the state of Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, and across the country.

The AVMA has been in contact with officials in Oregon, who say they have received a little more than 200 case reports from veterinarians in that state since mid-August. Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) officials are working with state and national diagnostic laboratories to identify the causative pathogen, are asking veterinarians to report cases to the department as soon as possible, and advise dog owners to work with a veterinarian if their pet is ill.

The Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences says, “The possible virus, which is under intense observation by Colorado State University veterinarians, has been linked to cases of severe pneumonia and, tragically, resulted in some fatalities.”

Currently, the infectious agent is not known but is under investigation. ODA says cases reported to that agency appear to primarily fall within three general clinical syndromes:

• Chronic mild-moderate tracheobronchitis with a prolonged duration (6-8 weeks or longer) that is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics.
• Chronic pneumonia that is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics.
• Acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often leads to poor outcomes in as little as 24-36 hours.

Owners should monitor their dogs closely for progressive coughing that may be accompanied by signs of ocular or nasal discharges and sneezing. Please consult your veterinarian immediately if those clinical signs develop, particularly if your dog concurrently loses its appetite, has trouble breathing, is coughing continually, or is extremely lethargic.

Owners are strongly urge to keep their dog’s vaccines updated.  While the existing vaccines may not specifically target this unknown infection, maintaining overall health through routine vaccinations can help support a dog’s immune system in combating various infections. Optimal protection against common respiratory infections includes the annual intranasal vaccine for Bordetella, Adenovirus type 2, and parainfluenza vaccine, combined with the injectable influenza H3N2 vaccine. Avoid bringing a dog into the community until two weeks after the last dose of a vaccine and immunity has developed.

The risk of people getting sick from dogs with canine infectious respiratory disease is extremely low. However, because there is limited information on what agent or agents is or are causing the current outbreak, it’s a good idea to thoroughly wash your hands after handling your or other dogs.

Separately, the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) is dealing with a canine respiratory illness outbreak exacerbated by overcrowding. The organization said that four of its dogs died after being infected with Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (also known as Strep zoo), which was complicated by infection with bacterial agent in some cases.

• At this time, there are NO indications that there is a connection between the San Diego situation and the cases in Oregon, Colorado and other areas of the country.

Additional Resources: 

• AZDA - State Veterinarian's Office
• MWU - AHI Diagnostic Pathology Center
• AVMA - Oregon dealing with respiratory illness incidents in dogs
  
• Oregon VMA -  Canine infectious respiratory illness in Oregon
• Cornell University - Canine respiratory disease outbreaks

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

The cause behind a canine infectious respiratory disease that began circulating in the Portland metro and Willamette Valley areas of Oregon a few months ago remains a mystery.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has received more than 200 case reports from veterinarians since the middle of August, said Andrea Cantu-Schomus, communications director with the ODA, on November 16.

Dr. Ryan Scholz, Oregon state veterinarian, is working with reporting veterinarians and specialists at Oregon State University’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (OVDL), and the Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (USDA NVSL) to find the causative agent behind these cases.

“Based on the epidemiology of the cases reported at this point, the cases appear to share a viral etiology, but common respiratory diagnostic testing has been largely negative,” Cantu-Schomus wrote in an email. “A handful of cases do test positive for M. cynos, but that agent is not believed to be the underlying causative agent.”

The cases reported to ODA appear to primarily fall within the following clinical syndromes:

• Chronic mild to moderate inflammation of the trachea lasting six to eight weeks or longer, which is minimally or not responsive to antimicrobials.
• Chronic pneumonia that is minimally or not responsive to antimicrobials.
• Acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often leads to poor outcomes in as little as 24 to 36 hours.

The ODA spokesperson is asking veterinarians to report cases to the department as soon as they can and recommending that pet owners consult their veterinarian if they suspect their dog is ill.

“Because of the broad spectrum of potential respiratory diseases, there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation, and working with a veterinarian is the best way to ensure that owners have accurate information that is appropriate for their situation,” she said.

Dr. Kurt Williams, director of OVDL, said in a November 14 news interview that owners should ensure their dogs are fully vaccinated and to avoid contact with other dogs from outside their household until the illness is contained.

The ODA is working with pathologists and virologists at the OVDL as well as the NVSL to implement a diagnostic testing plan in these cases. Complicating matters, however, is that in most cases tested to date, it appears that the period of shedding may already be passed by the time cases are seen by the reporting veterinarians.

To address this limitation, the ODA has connected with several emergency veterinary practices to begin widespread sampling of potential respiratory cases, which will be paired with PCR testing using generic primers, virus isolation, and rapid whole genome sequencing in hopes of diagnosing an etiologic agent.

The ODA is also working with an animal rescue entity in the Salem area, which had several cases within their rescue population, to collect samples for serology. The OVDL will be testing these samples using broad serologic tests to hopefully narrow down the pool of potential etiologic agents, Cantu-Schomus said.

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

A second-year veterinary student and faculty at Colorado State University are conducting a project called "Preparing Pets and their People". They’ve created an anonymous online survey targeting individuals working in a US veterinary clinic that takes roughly 2 minutes to complete. The first of 200 respondents you will have the opportunity to win one of ten $50 Amazon gift cards. If you are currently working at a US veterinary clinic, consider taking this survey regarding disaster preparedness. For questions, contact Joedy.Quintana@colostate.edu.

• Survey Link: https://colostate.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Ns9eMJmdWhkB9k
  

University of Florida Acute Diarrhea in Canines Study

A second-year Small Animal Internal Medicine resident at the University of Florida is conducting a survey for practicing veterinarians across the US about how acute diarrhea in dogs is evaluated and the current management strategies for patients. The goal is to identify patterns in diagnostic and treatment strategies, determine differences in management strategies between disciplines, caseloads, and geographic location, and to identify the most frequently implemented therapeutic intervention. This survey is expected to take less than 10 minutes to complete. The survey will be open until 5:00 pm (ET) on August 30th. This survey is completely anonymous, so personal identities will not be available to investigators. For questions, contact alexishoelmer@ufl.edu.

• Survey Link: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0vv6GBNR9YrerCm

The Ohio State University Access to Veterinary Care Research

A research team with The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine is working on a study with grant funding from the ASPCA regarding the ethical considerations and outcomes associated with access to veterinary care (AVC) programs. They are distributing surveys to practicing veterinarians across the US to better understand their decision-making process when selecting recipients of accessible care. They believe the survey results will be invaluable to our understanding of how we deliver veterinary care to those who most need it in the US. The results will inform further efforts towards increasing access to veterinary care. Participants have a chance to win a monetary award following the completion of the survey. The survey will close on August 31st at 11:59 pm (ET).

• Survey Link: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eeOPHZLdaJa2bps
  

University of Minnesota Antibiotic Use Research

The University of Minnesota is recruiting US-based dermatology and dental referral clinics for two upcoming antibiotic use studies in dogs and cats. Study participants will be provided with all information and materials needed for data collection. Aggregated summary results will be shared with the veterinary community, and participants will have access to an online toolkit of antimicrobial stewardship resources and a free continuing education webinar. By understanding antibiotic selection and use in dogs and cats, we can better support veterinarians in their stewardship of antibiotics. To inquire or express interest in participating, please email Emma Bollig at cavsnet@umn.edu or sign-up using the links provided below.

1) US Small Animal Dermatology Referral Practices Antibiotic Use Study

• Data about the first 25 patients on the appointment schedule, beginning on August 1, 2023, will be included in this study. You will have until October 29 to enter data. Information abstracted will include patient signalment, primary problem, diagnostic tests, and any antibiotics, antifungals, and antiseptics that a patient is prescribed. No sensitive information will be collected.
• Total commitment is expected to be 1 hour to view a training webinar about data entry, 2–4 hours for data entry, 30 minutes for pre- and post-study surveys, and follow-up communication with the research team for data validation.
• Enrollment Link: https://redcap.link/derminterest

2) US Small Animal Dental Referral Practices Antibiotic Use Study

• Data about the first 10 patients undergoing a dental procedure, beginning on August 1, 2023, will be included in this study. You will have until October 29 to enter data. Information abstracted will include patient signalment, primary problem, diagnostic tests, procedures, and any antibiotics that a patient is prescribed. No sensitive information will be collected.
• Total commitment is expected to be 1 hour to view a training webinar about data entry, 1–3 hours for data entry, 30 minutes for pre- and post-study surveys, and follow-up communication with the research team for data validation.
• Enrollment Link: https://redcap.link/dentalinterest

As of June 27, 2023, practitioners—EXCLUDING VETERINARIANS—are required to check a box on their online DEA registration form affirming that they have completed the new training requirement. Because veterinarians are not required to complete this training, the DEA has advised that veterinarians should simply check any box that is associated with the training in order to proceed with their registration or renewal application.

For questions, please contact AVMA at avmagrd@avma.org.

NEW INFORMATION:

A new opioid-related training requirement for DEA-registered practitioners does not apply to veterinarians, despite appearing as a required checkbox on the DEA’s online registration application, according to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials. 

Veterinarians who are registering or renewing their DEA registration should simply check the box on the DEA application, in order to continue on in the registration process, the DEA has advised the AVMA.

The requirement—to complete a one-time, eight-hour training on treating and managing patients with opioid or other substance use disorders—took effect June 27 and applies to all DEA-registered prescribers except veterinarians. Veterinarians were specifically exempted in the federal law that created the requirement, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.

However, because veterinarians and other medical professionals use the same DEA registration form, veterinarians registering or renewing their registration must check a box on the application that affirms they’ve “read and understood” the information about the training requirement, as shown here: 

If you have questions, email the AVMA’s governmental relations team at grd@avma.org. 

NOTE:

There is still a three-hour opioid education CE requirement for state licensing. The AzVMA is opening a three-part webinar series in the fall to fulfill this requirement for 2024 Arizona veterinary license renewal for those who are DEA registrants.

Whether or not you're planning your own Independence Day celebration, it's important to take precautions to keep your pets safe both during and after Fourth of July festivities.

Preparing in Advance:

• Make sure your pets – cats and dogs alike – have identification tags with up-to-date information. If you have horses, you might consider marking a safety (breakaway) halter with your contact information and leaving it on your horse during this stressful time.
• If your pets aren’t already microchipped, talk with your veterinarian about microchipping. This simple procedure can greatly improve your chances of getting your pets back if they become lost.
  
• If your pets are microchipped, make sure your contact information in the microchip registry is up-to-date.
• Take a current photo of all of your cats, dogs and horses – just in case.
  
• If your pet has historically been anxious on this holiday, or if you have reason to expect potentially harmful reactions, consider behavioral therapy to desensitize your pet and reduce the risk of problems. Some pets may need medication. Consult your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist.
  
• Make sure the environment is safe and secure. If your neighbors set off fireworks at an unexpected time, is your yard secure enough to keep your pet contained? Are pasture fences secure enough to keep horses or other livestock confined? Evaluate your options, and choose the safest area for your animals; and make improvements if needed to make the area more secure.
  

During Celebrations:

• Leave your pets at home when you go to parties, fireworks displays, parades and other gatherings.
• Loud fireworks, unfamiliar places and crowds can all be very frightening to pets, and there's great risk of pets becoming spooked and running away.
• Consider putting your pets in a safe, escape-proof room or crate during parties and fireworks.
  
• Keep horses and livestock in safely fenced areas and as far from the excitement and noise as possible.
• If you're hosting guests, ask them to help keep an eye on your pets to make sure they don’t escape.
• Placing notes on exit doors and gates can help both you and your guests remain vigilant.
  
• Keep your pets inside if you or your neighbors are setting off fireworks.
  
• Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal and kabob skewers away from curious pets.
  
• Don't let pets get near your barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.
  
• Avoid the urge to feed your pets table scraps or other foods intended for people. Be especially careful to keep them away from common foods that are actually toxic.
  
• Remember that too much sun and heat (and humidity!) can be dangerous to pets. Keep them inside when it's extremely hot/humid; make sure they have access to shady spots and plenty of water when outdoors; don't leave them outside for extended periods in hot weather; and know the signs that a pet may be overheating.
  
• Never leave your pet in your car when it's warm outside. Vehicle interiors heat up much faster than the air around them, and even a short time in a locked car can be dangerous to pets.
  
• If you're travelling out of town for the holiday, consider leaving your pets at home with a pet sitter or boarding them in a kennel. If you need to bring them with you, be sure you know how to keep them safe.
  
• Follow safe food handling and hygiene practices to protect your family and guests.
  

After the Celebrations:

• Check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn't set off fireworks yourself, debris can make its way into your yard, where curious animals may pick it up to play with or eat.
  
• Check your pastures and remove debris to protect horses and livestock.
  
• If you hosted guests, check both your yard and home for food scraps or other debris that might be dangerous to pets, such as food skewers.

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

1. Never leave your dog in the car. Learn more about the Samaritan Hot Car Law in Arizona.
2. Make sure your dog has unlimited access to fresh water.
   
3. Make sure your dog has access to shade when outside.
   
4. Take walks during the cooler hours of the day.
   
5. When walking, try to stay off of hot surfaces (like asphalt) because it can burn your dog's paws. Get your pet booties to protect their paws. 
   
6. If you think it's hot outside, it's even hotter for your pet – make sure your pet has a means of cooling off.
   
7. Keep your dog free of external parasites (fleas, ticks) and heartworms – consult your veterinarian about the best product for your pet.
   
8. Talk to your veterinarian to see if clipping or shaving your dog's long coat is appropriate for your pet.

Hiking Trails & Pets

Did you know that Phoenix Trails are CLOSED to all dogs when temperatures reach 100° and above because of the risk of heat stroke and pavement burn?

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks Board have adopted this policy in an effort to protect your dog’s health and safety on high temperature days. Under PCC 24-54 (Failure to Comply), violators could be subject to a Class One Misdemeanor that could include a fine of up to $2,500 and six months jail time.

Sources: American Veterinary Medical Association & Arizona Humane Society

The 2023 Emerging Leader Award was presented to Dr. Melinda Patterson, of Gilbert Veterinary Hospital in Gilbert. Dr. Patterson was honored for being a shining example of the impact young veterinarians can have on the future of the profession. She has served on the Board of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, is an AzVMA Past-President, and is the Alternative Arizona Delegate to the AVMA at the national level. In addition, she has dedicated years of service to the association’s Young Leaders Advisory Council and has mentored emerging veterinarians to offer a support network as they begin their veterinary careers.

Dr. Matthew Miller, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) of Black Mountain Veterinary Cardiology in Carefree is AzVMA’s 2023 Veterinarian of the Year. Dr. Miller is renowned nationwide as an exceptional mentor and veterinarian. He is a board-certified cardiologist that not only provides high-quality services to his patients but also shares his knowledge with veterinarians who seek his counsel on the medical conditions of their patients by taking the time to teach. Dr. Miller lectures at meetings and conferences throughout the country and is an internationally recognized veterinary cardiologist. He is intimately involved in research related to cardiology in companion animals and has published papers that advance care.

AzVMA’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award was presented to Dr. Kara Thomas, of Midwestern University Companion Animal Clinic in Glendale. Dr. Thomas has assembled an impressive resume of service to organized veterinary medicine in her young career. She demonstrates exemplary leadership and volunteerism in the state of Arizona. A past president of the AzVMA Board, she is a member of seven association committees ranging from the Legislative Committee to the Technicians Task Force and many in between. In addition, Dr. Thomas has taken an active role at various legislative stakeholder meetings pertaining to veterinary bills and she has mentored numerous emerging veterinarians and veterinary support team members.

This year two veterinarians were inducted into the Arizona Veterinary Hall of Fame. 

The first honoree was Dr. Michael Lent of Pantano Animal Clinic in Tucson where he has worked for the past 27 years. His service to the veterinary community is quite robust. Dr. Lent is a past president of both the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association and the Southern Arizona Veterinary Medical Association and served five years as a Board Member on the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. In addition, he is one of the charter members of the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Southern Arizona founded in 1998. And Dr. Lent served on the board of directors of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona for three years. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the National Association for Black Veterinarians. Dr. Lent holds the title of AzVMA Past-President, serves as an active Allied Industry member, avid AzVMA event sponsor, and energetic exhibitor.

The second inductee was Dr. Ole Alcumbrac of White Mountain Animal Hospital in Lakeside. He is also the Director of Wildlife Health Services, which specializes in the immobilization and capture of native and exotic species. Dr. Alcumbrac provides clinical and consultation services for both private and public collections of wild animals and serves as a consulting veterinarian for the following departments: Arizona Game and Fish, White Mountain Apache Game and Fish, New Mexico Game and Fish, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition, he is the lead veterinarian for the Mexican Wolf Project, the Sonoran Pronghorn Project, and multiple game and nongame species studies. Dr. Alcumbrac has overseen several zoological operations, including patients from the prestigious Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, the Phoenix Zoo, and Bearizona Wildlife Park. He serves as an adjunct faculty member at Texas Tech University. Finally, in 2017 he hosted an Outdoor Television Channel original series, “Wild Ops” highlighting his wildlife work. Currently, his entire encompassing career is featured on National Geographic Wild’s, “The Wild Life of Dr. Ole” and was recently spotlighted by the American Veterinary Medical Association as a wildlife veterinarian in an online article series as a one-health advocate.

Please join us in congratulating this year’s award recipients. 

The federal research facility, which offers the highest level of biocontainment laboratories and safety protocols, is replacing the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, located off the coast of New York. Plum Island is a biosafety level-3 facility (BSL-3) where foreign animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, have been studied for more than 68 years.

The 48-acre NBAF campus includes more than 700,000 square feet of total building space. The main building, at 500,000 square feet, includes containment laboratories, animal holding facilities, office spaces, facility support areas and required safety systems. While the facility has opened, research has not yet started. NBAF is the nation’s only large animal BSL-4 facility built to safely handle pathogens that do not currently have treatments or countermeasures.

This new, innovative facility will give USDA scientists access to cutting-edge, safe and secure technology so they can continue to lead the world in animal health research, training and diagnostics to protect our food supply, agricultural economy and public health,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a USDA press release.

Both the USDA and DHS have collaborated since 2006 on the requirements for the next-generation science facility. DHS led NBAF’s design and construction, and the USDA will own and operate the facility.

With more than 400 employees, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will share NBAF’s operational responsibilities. ARS will primarily focus on research to understand high-consequence and emerging animal diseases and develop countermeasures, such as vaccines and antivirals.

APHIS will focus on prevention, surveillance, diagnosis, and response to these diseases, including the expertise to manage two national animal vaccine banks and train state and federal veterinarians to recognize livestock diseases. Specifically, this program produces foreign animal disease diagnosticians (FADDs). The training allows them to be official responders to potential foreign animal disease cases and submit appropriate samples to NBAF for confirmation.

“NBAF is a historic investment for agriculture and our Nation in ensuring the health, safety, and security of the U.S. food supply,” said USDA Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young in the release. “As the first facility of its kind in the United States, the innovative and cutting-edge solutions our scientists and partners can produce here will lead efforts to protect public health and address new and emerging diseases for many years to come.”

Manhattan, Kansas, was chosen as the NABF’s location because of the concentration of animal health companies in the area, including Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Mars Petcare, and closer in proximity to several academic institutions, including Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

“NBAF’s Midwest location offers researchers and diagnosticians closer proximity to develop key partnerships with the animal health industry and several academic institutions,” said Dr. Alfonso Clavijo, director of NBAF, in the release. “NBAF will create opportunities between scientists and animal health companies to enhance and expedite the transition of new veterinary countermeasures from research to market to protect the nation’s agriculture if needed.”

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

The new business, called Ethos Veterinary Health, will separately manage 145 specialty veterinary hospitals. Its portfolio will consist of legacy Ethos Veterinary Health, Compassion-First Pet Hospitals, Sage Veterinary Centers, and legacy NVA specialty and emergency hospitals.

The remainder of the general practice veterinary hospitals, pet resorts, and equine practices will be overseen by NVA, which is worth about $6 billion.

By forming the two businesses, Ethos and NVA can focus on their specific strategies and prepare initial public offerings of each unit in the next two to three years, according to the announcement. Ethos will focus on advancing cutting-edge medicine to extend and improve the lives of pets while NVA will continue to focus on ensuring access to care for all pet owners.

NVA was acquired in 2019 by the investment firm JAB Holding Co. (JAB), along with Compassion-First. NVA has tripled in size since then, according to a company news release. In 2021, JAB-backed NVA signed a $1.65 billion deal to acquire the parent company of Ethos in June 2022, just months after buying Sage for $1.1 billion. 

As a condition of purchasing Ethos, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ordered JAB to divest clinics in Richmond, Virginia, Denver, San Francisco, and the Washington, D.C., area. The commission also imposed prior approval and prior notice requirements on both JAB and its divesture buyers for future acquisitions of specialty and emergency veterinary clinics. 

More recently, in October 2022, the FTC finalized a consent order against JAB designed to prevent the private equity firm from further consolidating control over specialty and emergency veterinary clinics. 

According to the complaint, this deal is part of a growing trend towards consolidation in the emergency and specialty veterinary services markets across the U.S. in recent years by large chains, including JAB. 

John Volk, a senior consultant for Brakke Consulting, said, "The split of the company into general practices and specialty practices recognizes that the management demands for those categories of practices are quite different and allows them to focus resources appropriately. In the future, JAB would have the flexibility to take either public as a separate company or to take them public together under common ownership."

Brakke estimates 70% to 75% of specialty hospitals in the U.S. are already corporately owned, limiting growth by acquisition.

"This move also recognizes that practice consolidation is a mature industry, and corporate owners must rely more in the future on operational performance and less on acquiring individual practices," Volk said.

He added, "Size and scale do give large corporates the opportunity to test and innovate in ways that are more challenging for individual privately owned practices," Volk said. "Independent practices, however, can compete very effectively as respected owners of local businesses and members of the community. There is ample room for both in veterinary medicine."

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

HPS is a severe and sometimes fatal respiratory illness caused by the infection with Hantaviruses. Hantavirus spreads from rodents (primarily the deer mouse in Arizona) to people through airborne transmission from viral droplets spread through handling or stirring up materials contaminated with rodent urine, saliva, or feces. Hantavirus is not spread person-to-person.

Cases of human Hantavirus infection occur sporadically in rural areas of the western United States. Areas around the home or work where rodents may live (e.g., houses, barns, outbuildings, and sheds) are potential sites where people may be exposed to the virus.

Signs of Hantavirus infection usually occur within 1–5 weeks after exposure; however, a faster onset of symptoms can occur.

Early Symptoms: Early symptoms include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, especially in the large muscle groups—thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders. There may also be headaches, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. About half of all HPS patients experience these symptoms. Symptoms can be mild and mimic other conditions, so with a history of exposure, it is important to keep a high level of suspicion.

Late Symptoms (cardiopulmonary stage): Usually four to 10 days after the initial phase of illness, the late symptoms of HPS appear. These include coughing and shortness of breath, and pulmonary changes on chest x-ray as the lungs fill with fluid. 

Be aware that not all Hantavirus infections fit the above criteria, including the recent fatality, likely secondary to underlying medical conditions and other patient characteristics.

Keeping a high level of suspicion in the context of a high-risk exposure (i.e. a history of cleaning out a shed with noted exposure to rodent feces, for example) will help minimize missed cases of this potentially fatal infection.

Notify local public health regarding suspected Hantavirus illness or to coordinate testing at the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory.

Advise patients how to control rodent infestations and take precautions (such as airing closed buildings out, and wearing a respirator) before higher-risk activities that would put them in contact with rodents and/or rodent droppings Activities that kick up rodent-dropping-infested dust are particularly high-risk.

For more information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/technical/hps/clinical-manifestation.html

Source: Arizona Department of Health Services

While four vaccines are licensed for avian influenza—HA subtype, H5N1, H5N3, and H5N9—none are approved for the more virulent strain, H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, found in the current outbreak. This strain likely originated in wild birds, subsequently reached commercial poultry operations, then spilled over into nonhuman mammals, including mountain lions, coyotes, and bottlenose dolphins, which many have ingested infected birds. 

Researchers with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) started testing four vaccine candidates this April, beginning with single-dose trials, according to a USDA spokesperson. Initial data from the trials are expected to be available this May. Researchers expect to have two-dose vaccine challenge studies with results in June. 

Should these trials be successful—and should the USDA continue development—the next step is identifying manufacturers interested in vaccine production, the spokesperson continued. Once one or more manufacturers are identified, more than a dozen stages must be completed before vaccine delivery, starting with feasibility work by the manufacturer and culminating with product label submission and review. 

Among those manufacturers is Zoetis, which announced on April 5 its development of an avian influenza vaccine geared toward currently circulating strains. According to the company, distribution of a vaccine effective against the current HPAI strain would take roughly a year. 

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) is responsible for regulating animal biologics, including vaccines. Vaccine candidates are reviewed and approved by CVB to ensure they are safe, potent, pure, and effective, i.e., well-matched against the genetics of the current virus strain. 

While typical timeframes for development and approval of animal vaccines are two and a half to three years, the USDA spokesperson noted that manufacturers may expedite development in emergency situations, resulting in a shortened licensure timeframe.

While vaccination can substantively reduce mortality and has the support of some sectors of the poultry industry, others worry that vaccinated birds could still contract the disease and transmit it, effectively masking the spread of the virus and hindering surveillance efforts. There is also concern about the rapidity with which HPAI can mutate, which could reduce the efficacy of a vaccine.

Given the many challenges of vaccine development and approval, the USDA spokesperson said it is critical that bird owners look at what they can do immediately to protect their flocks now.

“Biosecurity is the best defense against HPAI,” the USDA spokesperson said, “and USDA strongly encourages all bird owners to review our resources, such as our factsheet on managing wildlife to prevent the introduction of avian influenza, evaluate their biosecurity plans, and develop a strategy to prevent any exposure to wild birds or their droppings.” The factsheet can be found online by visiting https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fs-manage-wildlife-prevent-ai.508.pdf.

Another major issue with vaccinating for HPAI is the potential loss of export markets, said Dr. Karen Grogan, clinical associate professor of avian medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Historically, naturally infected birds cannot be differentiated from vaccinated birds, so countries impose trade restrictions rather than risk domestic poultry flocks, Dr. Grogan explained.

“The way that you preserve trade is you have a vaccine that allows you to do what’s called the DIVA strategy, that is, differentiate infected from vaccinated animals,” she said. “One approach is creating a vaccine using a neuraminidase type that’s different from the circulating virus that you could test for serologically.”

Viral neuraminidase is a type of neuraminidase found on the surface of influenza viruses that enables the virus to be released from the host cell.

An HPAI vaccine might also be approved for special bird collections, such as those exhibited at zoos, Dr. Grogan added.

“A lot of these decisions would have to be made within USDA with input from industry and stakeholders, she said. “You would also see a lot of input from the researchers at ARS given their research about a vaccine’s efficacy in a number of potential settings.”

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

Survey Link: https://tinyurl.com/2p859ufc

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

AVMA Resources:

A series of webinars added recently to the CE library on AVMA Axon provide new tools to support your own and colleagues’ well-being. Visit AVMA Axon for these and other webinars that empower you to take ownership of your well-being and make health-centered decisions at work and home. All courses are free or discounted for AVMA members.

• Adaptability: Getting back to being human – Discover the latest human neuroscience, behavioral studies, and practical tools that can help you achieve better health, connection, and adaptability.
• Secrets to build unstoppable self confidence – Learn to identify and move past four unconscious habits that can keep us from believing in ourselves and following our dreams. 
• The art of saying "no" – Identify your personal barriers to saying "no," and learn phrases that can help you create better boundaries and a more balanced workload.
• You first: Creating success on your own terms – Embrace personal well-being and fulfillment by leaning into the areas of life that matter most. 
• Suicide prevention and mental health – Learn strategies to promote mental health, identify the warning signs of a mental health crisis, get help for someone who’s struggling, and give support after a suicide event.

Learn more about AVMA resources online. 

AzVMA Resources:

AzVMA also offers well-being focused webinars available to members. Visit azvma.org/events to learn more or register. 

• Compassion for Self - Befriend Yourself First – explore how do deepen compassion, but not for others, the focus of this talk is on ourselves. In a profession focused on compassion and empathy towards others, don’t forget to include yourself in the equation. This session offers simple ways to give the self-compassion you deserve. 
• Goodbye Anxiety, Hello Freedom: Simple Shifts for Lasting Change – Who wouldn’t want to wave goodbye to anxiety, while welcoming in freedom from it? Integrative Hypnotist, Stephanie Dalfonzo shares just how to do so. She shares easy techniques that are logical and simple to retrain your brain when feeling anxious or overwhelmed. So register, sit back, listen & enjoy a guided meditation that will bring in the calm.
• Emotional Processing & Setting Boundaries for the Veterinary Professional – We are all emotional beings, but how are we processing our feelings? Dr. Kristi Snyder reinforces the importance of well-being in the veterinary profession and provides actionable techniques to set you up for success in your wellness journey - from journaling, to focused breathing, meditation and more. Tune in to get equipped with tools!

Get more tools at azvma.org/wellbeing. 

The deadline to apply for these scholarships is May 15, 2023 and the application forms are available on the AVMF website.

For more information on any of the scholarship opportunities, contact Patti Gillespie, senior manager of programs and operations. She can be reached by email at scholarships@avma.org or by phone at 847-285-6709.