June 17 , 2011

Volume VIII, No. 19

Remain Vigilant for Illness Linked to Chicken Jerky Treat Consumption

(Courtesy AVMA) The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association notified the AVMA on Wednesday that several veterinarians in Canada have reported dogs with Fanconi syndrome-like disease that may be associated with the consumption of chicken jerky treats manufactured in China. This mirrors the incidents reported in the United States in 2007 and investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The AVMA has not received any recent reports from U.S. veterinarians about potential toxicities from chicken jerky treats, and we cannot determine at this time whether this problem has recurred or is ongoing in the U.S., or if it is isolated to Canada.There have been no recalls of any chicken jerky treat products associated with the Canadian complaints, and we are unaware of the brand names of the products involved.

We advise U.S. veterinarians to remain vigilant and report to the FDA any cases of Fanconi syndrome-like disease that may be associated with the consumption of chicken jerky treats. Canadian veterinarians are urged to contact CVMA Member Services to report any suspected cases.

Dogs affected with this syndrome usually have a history of vomiting, lethargy and anorexia. A review by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine of the 2007 cases stated that blood chemistry in many cases revealed hypokalemia and a mild increase in liver enzymes. Blood gas analysis indicated acidosis, and urinalysis consistently showed glucosuria and granular casts. Fanconi screens on urine were positive. At the time, the ACVIM recommended treatment consisting of supportive care, electrolyte supplementation (including liberal potassium supplementation) and blood gas monitoring.

Just a Few Days Remain to Renew Your ISVMA Membership Dues

ISVMA members can now pay their dues online with a VISA or MasterCard. This added convenience is available through the ISVMA Member Center. When you click on the link, you will be asked to login to go to your account. If you have forgotten your username and/or password, click on the reminder link and the information will immediately be delivered to your email address.

Once you have logged in, you will see a link called "Member Renewal" in the floating orange box on the right hand side of your screen. Click on that link to pay your dues.

ISVMA member dues invoices will be mailed on Monday and are due on June 30, 2011. Please pay your dues before the deadline to avoid any interruption in your membership status. When you pay your dues this year, please notice that the invoice form allows you to make additional contributions to the Veterinary Medicine Political Action Committee (VMPAC) and the Illinois Veterinary Medical Foundation (IVMF). I hope that you take advantage of the opportunity to contribute whatever you can afford to these two other organizations that support the activities of ISVMA:

1. VMPAC helps improve both our visibility and the relationships local veterinarians have with their elected officials. These relationships pay off tremendously when we are lobbying for support of our legislative positions. VMPAC contributes to the campaigns of legislators who are friendly to ISVMA and our issues. Typically, we purchase fundraiser tickets and invite veterinarians from the legislator’s district to attend as representatives of ISVMA.

2. Donations to the IVMF, a 501(c)3 charity, are used to provide scholarships and to develop and support charitable programs related to the veterinary profession. 100% of every dollar contributed to IVMF is spent on the scholarships and programs established by the organization’s mission. All administration for the IVMF is donated generously by the volunteer board members and ISVMA staff.

Your support and participation are greatly appreciated. If you know a colleague or associate that is not a member of ISVMA, please encourage them to join now! Some of the benefits of membership are listed on the ISVMA website.

AVMA Seeking Member Input on Updated Euthanasia Guidelines

For the past two years, more than 70 individuals, representing the diversity of the veterinary profession, have been working on an update to the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. Part I of the revised draft is now available for review, and AVMA members are encouraged to review this draft and provide comments online. Parts II and III of the guidelines will follow over the next several weeks. Comments will be accepted through Aug. 1. Visit the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia Web page to review Part I and provide your feedback.

AVMA Releases Draft Revision of Model Practice Act

Schaumburg, IL — The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has moved closer to a final version of a document that will shape the future of veterinary medicine—the Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA).

The last significant revision of the MVPA took place in 2003. The proposed changes to the MVPA are posted on the AVMA website.

"The AVMA adopted its first Model Veterinary Practice Act in 1963, and since then it's provided important guidance on the profession and how it's regulated," says Dr. John Scamahorn, chair of the AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act Task Force. "The Model Veterinary Practice Act is used by state legislatures and state veterinary licensing and exam boards to help shape the rules and laws that govern veterinary medicine."

The AVMA solicited comments from both veterinarians and the public on the revisions to the MVPA months ago and received over 1,000 comments. After considering the comments, the task force drafted a revised MVPA which reflected these comments and additional input from the task force. As an additional step, the task force is now soliciting input from AVMA committees and councils. A final version will be submitted to the AVMA Executive Board for approval later this year.

"The AVMA collected as much input from veterinarians, other organizations and the general public as possible so that this document really reflects the profession as it is today and should be in the future," explained Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA. "We received tremendous input from many interested people and organizations, and the task force has done a thoughtful job of developing this draft."

The task force's draft changes to the MVPA include:

• revisions that recognize credentialing of veterinary technicians and technologists;
• clarification of the definitions of "direct supervision" and "indirect supervision;"
• a revision of the definition of "veterinarian-client-patient relationship" that requires a veterinarian to maintain medical records on patients and that allows the veterinarian to arrange for continuing care of the patient by another veterinarian who has access to those records;
• a new exemption that allows a veterinarian from one state to practice in another state following a declaration of emergency;
• a new exemption that allows a person working under the supervision of a veterinarian to provide certain medical care in an animal shelter;
• revisions that allow a veterinarian to disclose client and patient information to a third-party service provider, such as a company that sends vaccination reminders, as long as a confidentiality agreement is in place.

For more information, please visit www.avma.org or http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/mvpa.asp. To view the revisions to the MVPA, please visit http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/mvpa_draft_for_entities.pdf.

Are You Following ISVMA on Facebook? Get Your News Faster!

The ISVMA recently launched a new Facebook Fan Page. This new page will allow for more dynamic and interactive content for anyone that chooses to "Like" the page. Follow news about Illinois veterinary medicine, veterinary professionals in the news, USDA and other regulatory alerts, legal updates and more!

If you have a Facebook page, go to http://www.facebook.com/ISVMA and choose to "Like" the new ISVMA Fan Page!

The new ISVMA Facebook Fan Page has links to many current articles and topics of interest to veterinarians. This E-SOURCE Newsletter will be cut short to encourage ISVMA members to become a fan of the new Facebook page and get regular updates from ISVMA, AVMA and other organizations that bring you news and information you want and need!

About the Photo

The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a small passerine bird. This tyrant flycatcher breeds in eastern North America, although its normal range does not include the southeastern coastal USA.

It is migratory, wintering in the southernmost USA and Central America. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe. This is one of the first birds to return to the breeding grounds in spring and one of the last to leave in the fall. They arrive for breeding in mid-late March, but they return to winter quarters around the same time when other migrant songbirds do, in September and early October; migration times have stayed the same in the last 100 years.

This species appears remarkably big-headed, especially if it puffs up the small crest. Its plumage is gray-brown above. It has a white throat, dirty gray breast and buffish underparts which become whiter during the breeding season. Two indistinct buff bars are present on each wing. Its lack of an eye ring and wingbars, and its all dark bill distinguish it from other North American tyrant flycatchers, and it pumps its tail up and down like other phoebes when perching on a branch. The Eastern Phoebe's call is a sharp chip, and the song, from which it gets its name, is fee-bee.

The breeding habitat of the Eastern Phoebe is open woodland, farmland and suburbs, often near water. This phoebe is insectivorous, and often perches conspicuously when seeking food items. It also eats fruits and berries in cooler weather.

It often nests on human structures such as bridges and buildings. Nesting activity may start as early as the first days of April. The nest is an open cup with a mud base and lined with moss and grass, built in crevice in a rock or man-made site.

Contact Us

Please feel free to forward this issue of the E-SOURCE to veterinarians that are not receiving ISVMA’s electronic newsletter. Any ISVMA member may subscribe to the E-SOURCE for free.

If you wish to add your name to the recipient list, send an e-mail to info@isvma.org and ask to receive the E-SOURCE newsletter.

ISVMA values your membership and does not want to send you any unwanted email. If you would like to be removed from this member service, please email info@isvma.org.