IN SHORT
GLOBAL GROUP TO LEAD ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE ADVOCACY
An international group of governmental, academic, and corporate leaders plans to encourage national and regional governments to set rules on how antimicrobial drugs are used.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and World Health Organization created the One Health Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, which is intended to increase attention to the risk of antimicrobial resistance and provide unified action toward preserving the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs. An announcement from the WHO states that antimicrobial resistance is one of the world's greatest health challenges, and it is increasing mainly through misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and agriculture.
Two prime ministers lead the group: Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh and Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados. The rest of the group comprises 19 regular members, three alternate members, and three representatives for the FAO, OIE, and WHO tripartite.
AVMA OFFERS RESOURCES FOR PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH 2021
The AVMA has developed a variety of resources for National Pet Dental Health Month in February that also are available year-round to promote dental health in cats and dogs.
Resources for pet owners are at avma.org/petdental. The materials consist of an overview of pet dental health, including information about the use of anesthesia during veterinary dentistry, videos on periodontal disease and toothbrushing, and a quiz on pet dental health.
Also at avma.org/petdental is a link to a veterinary toolkit on pet dental health, available only to AVMA members. The toolkit starts with clinic materials such as a flyer, handout, and brochure. Publicity and marketing resources are under the headings of stress-free ways to celebrate National Pet Dental Health Month as well as promotion and marketing ideas, publicity tools, and talking points for media interviews.
The veterinary toolkit also offers posts and images to share on social media, plus content from Partners for Healthy Pets for Facebook, Twitter, and websites.
ZOETIS PUBLISHES SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Zoetis recently released its 2019 Environmental, Social, and Governance Review, which provides information on energy, waste, and workforce metrics. The company says it's the first in the animal health industry to provide a stand-alone disclosure of key performance indicators based on work by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board and Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, which offer widely used global sustainability frameworks.
“As a company focused on the health of animals, sustainability has always been integral to our work; however, this year we formalized our strategy and elevated sustainability to one of our top priorities,” said Kristin Peck, CEO of Zoetis, in a press release.
Among the disclosures, the company says to create an inclusive, safe, and engaged workplace, it aspires by 2025 to increase representation of women at the director level and above from 32% to 40%. In the area of environmental sustainability, Zoetis has increased its recycling rate of hazardous waste by 35% and solid waste by 14% since 2017. And concerning veterinary and community support, the company donated over $500,000 worth in products to help local veterinarians care for animals affected by natural disasters in 2019, including floods and hurricanes.
The full report is available at jav.ma/Zoetisreview.
Federal complex to expand animal disease studies, diagnostics
National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility completion expected in 2022
Interview by Greg Cima
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Homeland Security are nearing completion of the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility near Manhattan, Kansas. (Photos courtesy of USDA)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
A laboratory complex under construction near Manhattan, Kansas, will help federal animal health officials study more diseases and expand existing programs.
Dr. Kenneth R. Burton, coordinator of the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility, said COVID-19 delayed some progress on opening the $1.25 billion facility, but it still should be completed within the next two years.
The Department of Agriculture and Department of Homeland Security started construction of the facility in 2015. It replaces the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, in Suffolk County, New York, which became the nation's primary laboratory for foreign animal diseases in 1954.
Dr. Kenneth R. Burton, coordinator of the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Burton talked with JAVMA News about progress on the facility and how he expects it will benefit animal health. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q. CAN YOU GIVE AN APPROXIMATE TIMELINE FOR OPENING THE NBAF?
A. Originally, our timeline was set for substantial completion on Dec. 10, 2020. And substantial completion is basically the time when construction was completed and the facility would be turned over to USDA, by DHS, for ownership and operations. Several months ago, the DHS Science and Technology Directorate notified us that they were predicting a 2 1/2-month delay in substantial completion because of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this point, we're working with DHS to mitigate challenges associated with that potential delay. Things are moving forward on schedule for USDA as far as operational stand-up, but we're working with DHS to identify exactly when substantial completion will occur and how soon we can begin phasing the USDA workforce into NBAF. I don't have a solid date for you right now, but, again, we're still working with that 2 1/2-month predicted delay, so it should be sometime in fiscal year 2021. [After the interview, the USDA announced plans for substantial completion of construction by October 2021.]
We're scheduled to reach full operational capability by the end of 2022. What that means is that we have all of the certifications in place so we can work with pathogens that are going to be researched in NBAF. And then our end goal is that we'd like to have all of the programs transferred off of Plum Island by the end of 2023.
Q. CAN YOU GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF HOW THE NBAF WILL BE AN IMPROVEMENT OVER PLUM ISLAND?
A. One of the things that we always try to emphasize is the fact that Plum Island itself has such a rich tradition of excellent science, research, training, and diagnostics over its 65-year history that to replace Plum Island is probably a misnomer. We're looking to expand on programs and the rich tradition of science that researchers at Plum Island have established.
Because of its size and the new technology—and the expansion beyond Plum Island's programs—the NBAF is going to really increase the capabilities for the United States on researching transboundary animal livestock diseases, training, and diagnostics.
Q. COULD YOU PROVIDE SOME SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF DISEASES THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO STUDY OR DISEASES YOU'LL BE ABLE TO STUDY MORE EFFECTIVELY AT NBAF?
A. Currently at Plum Island, the USDA scientific teams focus on foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, and African swine fever. When we move those programs to NBAF in Manhattan, they'll be able to expand the biosafety level 3 agriculture research to also include Japanese encephalitis and Rift Valley fever at the BSL-3 ag level.
Plum Island currently does not have the capability to do livestock research at the highest level of containment—or biosafety level 4. As a matter of fact, there's only four other facilities in the world that are capable of doing that type of research, and NBAF will be the fifth. We'll be able to do work on diseases like Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever. We'll be able to do work on Nipah virus. Many of those diseases are zoonotic diseases that have the potential to affect humans. And so that opens up a whole new level of research.
The other part of it is training and diagnostics. Currently, there's the foreign animal disease diagnostician course at Plum Island that trains state and federal veterinarians to be able to identify many of these transboundary animal diseases in the field. A lot of transboundary animal diseases look very similar to domestic diseases that we see in livestock, and the only way you can differentiate many of those is through a diagnostic platform. So we'll be able to train more veterinarians at NBAF so we've got more veterinarians who are able to recognize some of these diseases.
And diagnostic capabilities are going to be expanded. Currently, we have the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Plum Island, which is a reference laboratory for the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, and our National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which is a network of about 60 diagnostic laboratories across the nation that focus on animal health diagnostics. So we'll be a real integral part of all of those missions and expand a lot of the work that's being done there.
The other thing I might mention: We'll have what's called a biologics development module. It's a unique opportunity to take the science that occurs in the laboratories at NBAF and bring it out of the laboratories to the private sector—to the pharmaceutical industry, to the animal health industry. And it will have proof-of-concept, small-scale production facility capability. They'll be able to take the science, look at what it takes to produce some of these vaccines and diagnostic platforms, and do some small-scale ‘lessons learned’ or identify some of the challenges that they might encounter.
Finally, the North American Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank and the newly funded National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank oversight will also be managed from NBAF as critical assets to our mission.
Q. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE PLUM ISLAND FACILITY?
A. The facility is actually currently owned and operated by the Department of Homeland Security, so they will be responsible for decommissioning the facility. And I don't have the specifics of what goes on after that. But my understanding is that the facility, the island, and everything—once it's decommissioned—will be put up for sale.
Safety advancements in equine sports
Veterinarians discuss welfare of equine athletes in various disciplines
By Kaitlyn Mattson
Widespread attention on safety concerns in horse racing has been at the forefront in the equine industry; however, several other equine sports have their own unique concerns related to welfare and safety.
The American Association of Equine Practitioners’ 2020 Virtual Convention & Trade Show, held Dec. 1-18, focused on advancements and welfare concerns during several sessions about safety-related measures made more recently in three-day eventing, jump racing, and rodeo.
THREE-DAY EVENTING
Described as an equestrian triathlon, three-day eventing has three phases: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. The sport is also found at the Olympics, where it is called modern eventing with a shortened but more technical cross-country section.
Dr. Erin Contino, assistant professor of equine sports medicine and rehabilitation at the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, is an active event rider. She said during the session “Safety Efforts in Three-Day Eventing” that one of the major welfare concerns within the sport are fatal horse falls.
“We have occasional horrific falls that can result in rider and horse fatalities,” she said. “No one wants to see this type of thing, but it is important to note that, like many other sports, there is inherent risk.”
In the past six years, reports of horse fatalities in the U.S. during competitions indicate there is about one horse fatality per every 10,000 starts in three-day eventing. Deaths are often attributed to cardiovascular problems or rotational falls.
Rotational falls—when horses somersault—are a potential concern and typically happen when a horse hits a fence between its knees and chest. A rider is 10 times as likely to be injured or killed because of a rotational fall. There is also an increased risk of horse injury and death associated with rotational falls, according to data from the Federation Equestre Internationale.
More information about the research done by FEI is at jav.ma/Eventingsafety.
Current research is focused on several areas, including course modification, better course design, added decoration to help with judging depth, more easily broken devices, cooling, air quality, rider education, empowerment of ground juries to protect horse welfare, and increased veterinary preventive care.
“To the best of our ability, changes are being made based on science and research,” Dr. Contino said. “It is impressive considering the small size of the U.S. Eventing Association, 1,200 members, and the amount of investment in research that they're making to advance this sport. These changes and efforts are not just for public perception but the general welfare of the horse.”
JUMP RACING AND RODEO
Dr. R. Reynolds Cowles, founder and past president of Blue Ridge Equine Clinic in Virginia, spoke during “Safety Efforts in Jump-Racing.”
The sport is a distance horse race that includes required jumping and obstacles. One of the welfare concerns in jump racing is related to fence designs. The hybrid fence is portable, metal, and made with a plastic brush that covers a dense foam roll. The other materials typically used include timber and stone, which are also not forgiving.
“Twenty years ago, there were no safety protocols for jump racing. A group of concerned veterinarians and horsemen began to formulate standards in Virginia after a number of injuries and fatalities,” Dr. Cowles said.
Safety protocols within the sport now include an effort to standardize emergency care, an emphasis on adequate veterinary coverage such as available emergency transport, rider education, pre-race examinations with standardized procedures, course improvement, easy-fix fences, and enforcement of safety standards.
“Change can be difficult,” said Dr. Douglas G. Corey, a veterinarian with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, during the session “Safety in Rodeo.”
Dr. Corey has taken a lead role in crafting many animal welfare guidelines for the PRCA and serves on the PRCA Animal Welfare Committee.
The PRCA has 70 rules related to the protection of livestock, including that a veterinarian must be present at all rodeo competitions, horse flank straps must be fleece or neoprene lined, use of electric prods is limited, all spurs must be dulled, and judges must inspect each animal before competition.
“Injuries are rare in professional rodeo,” Dr. Corey said.
The past five years had an annual average of 355,666 exposures, anytime an animal enters the arena, and of those, there were 364 injuries to animals per year on average, or about one injury per every 1,000 exposures, according to statistics from Dr. Corey.
The panelists for the “Safety Issues and Efforts in Equine Sport Panel” at the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ 2020 Virtual Convention & Trade Show, were (from top left) Drs. Ryan S. Carpenter, Tim Grande, R. Reynolds Cowles, Erin Contino, Richard D. Mitchell, and Douglas G. Corey. They discussed the advancements made in ensuring welfare for equine athletes.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
RACING UPDATE
A cluster of horse racing deaths occurred in 2019, which led to several new safety recommendations and the creation of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition. In addition, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HR 1754) was signed into law as part of an omnibus bill to provide government funding and pandemic aid (see page 237).
Dr. Ryan S. Carpenter, surgeon and equine medical director at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, said during the “Safety Issues and Efforts in Equine Sport Panel” that there is a cultural shift happening.
“The media is very critical of us, and every horse that is euthanized has a significant impact on our industry,” he said.
Dr. Carpenter suggests that the equine industry speak out about the good things happening within sporting events, particularly on social media.
“The good stories are worth telling,” he said. “We fail in this in horse racing.”
CLARIFICATION
The article “Women practice owners projected to overtake men within a decade” in the Dec. 15, 2020, issue of JAVMA, stated “Approximately 77% of U.S. veterinary practices were corporate owned in 2019.” The figure is based on how a practice is recorded on the Internal Revenue Service tax form.
Frederic Ouedraogo, PhD, an assistant director in the AVMA Veterinary Economics Division, explained this categorization is different from what most people think of when referring to corporate veterinary practices. In fact, the term “corporations” in the veterinary profession traditionally refers to large groups such as consolidators and national group practices, including Banfield, VCA, VetCor, National Veterinary Associates, Southern Veterinary Partners, and Pathway Vet Alliance. These large groups currently represent less than 25% of all practices in the U.S.
The largest proportion of veterinary practices in the U.S. are S corporations, according to the Census Bureau. These corporations can have up to 100 shareholders, with each shareholder paying taxes only on profits received.
AVMA INFLUENCES FINAL RULE ON TRAVELING WITH SERVICE ANIMALS
By Kaitlyn Mattson
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced in December its final rule that amends regulations under the Air Carrier Access Act on traveling by air with service animals.
The final rule defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability. The regulation no longer considers an emotional support animal to be a service animal.
A number of airlines have already started to ban ESAs, including Alaskan Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines, which will now only allow trained service dogs in the cabin, outside of kennels. Pet owners who want to travel with other animals will need to pay a fee, and the animal will have to travel in the cargo hold or fit in a kennel under the owner's seat in the cabin.
U.S. airlines were previously required to accommodate emotional support animals but, under the new regulations, will no longer be required to do so. In its comments to the DOT, the AVMA indicated that, because ESAs do not share the same training and deliberate acclimation to various environments and situations as service dogs do, they may present a risk to other passengers, other animals, and even themselves in airline cabins, according to an AVMA press release. Therefore, the AVMA expressed its agreement with the DOT proposal.
Further, airlines must now require people with disabilities traveling with a service animal to complete and submit a form attesting to the animal's training and good behavior and certifying the animal's good health. The final rule offers a standard Air Transportation Form, developed by the DOT, and no longer requires veterinarians to complete and sign the form. The rule includes a requirement that service dogs traveling in the cabin have a current vaccination against rabies.
The final rule also includes the following provisions:
Requires airlines to treat psychiatric service animals the same as other service animals.
Allows airlines to limit the number of service animals traveling with a single passenger with a disability to two service animals.
Allows airlines to require service animals be harnessed, leashed, or tethered at all times in the airport and on the aircraft.
Allows airlines to refuse transportation to service animals that exhibit aggressive behavior and that pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
Prohibits airlines from refusing to transport a service animal solely on the basis of its breed.
The AVMA was heavily involved in the development of the rule. In 2018, the AVMA held a roundtable with airlines, DOT officials, and other stakeholders. The AVMA also submitted several comments based on feedback from members to the DOT, including concerns about the forms airlines require as documentation for emotional support animals, which varied and required a veterinarian to anticipate an animal's behavior. The new rule no longer requires a veterinarian to complete and sign the form.
“We applaud the DOT for taking action,” said Dr. Douglas Kratt, president of the AVMA, in a press release. “Veterinarians have been struggling for years with requests from pet owners and requirements from airlines, and the new rule with its standardized documentation and clear guidance will help eliminate confusion.”
The final rule can be found at jav.ma/DOTrule.
Agile responses to member needs a priority for AVMA Board chair
Teller talks about navigating as a leader during a tumultuous year
Interview by Malinda Larkin
Dr. Lori Teller, 2020-21 AVMA Board of Directors chair (Photo by R. Scott Nolen)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Lori Teller, elected to a one-year term as chair of the AVMA Board of Directors last July, has long been a staunch advocate for the profession.
She is a 1990 graduate of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences as well as a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in canine and feline practice.
She worked at Meyerland Animal Clinic in Houston for many years, starting at the age of 12 and continuing after graduation from veterinary school. In 2018, she joined the TAMU veterinary faculty as a clinical associate professor of telehealth.
Dr. Teller has held several leadership positions in organized veterinary medicine at both the national and state levels. She was a founding board member of the Women's Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative, which is dedicated to helping develop female leaders in veterinary medicine.
In 2015, Dr. Teller was elected District VIII representative on the AVMA Board, representing AVMA members living in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Last year, she was the Board's vice chair, and she is currently a candidate for 2021-22 AVMA president-elect.
Recently, Dr. Teller spoke with JAVMA News about her priorities and hopes for the rest of her term as well as the AVMA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice movement this past year. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q. WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR PRIORITIES AS BOARD CHAIR?
A. My priorities as Board chair have been facilitating and ensuring the success of AVMA's strategic plan.
Some of the things we are heavily engaged in right now are the veterinary workforce, particularly as it pertains to veterinary technicians and the role credentialed vet techs play in practice. We're looking at how veterinary technicians can be better utilized to fully make use of their skill sets so they can make our lives as veterinarians easier and can have higher job satisfaction, along with how can we enhance the role of veterinary technicians, both to our members and to the public.
Another priority is our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and we're working at two levels. We've kicked off the joint commission with the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. Having actionable items that come out of that will make a sustainable difference across the profession. And then there's those efforts within the AVMA itself. How can we eliminate barriers or create a better pipeline for members to actively engage with the AVMA? How do we recruit a more diverse population into veterinary medicine and, ultimately, have them become members of AVMA and actively engaged in committees, councils, and leadership positions?
Of course, another big issue is nondues revenue. We certainly have the utmost respect and concern for the money that our members entrust to us with their dues. We want the AVMA to be of value to them, and we would like to supplement what we do by increasing nondues revenue so we can continue to bring value to what we offer while being respectful of the financial impact on our members.
Technology will play an increasing role in the profession. I'm excited the AVMA is releasing its overarching telemedicine guidelines. We've also been working with the American Animal Hospital Association to create telemedicine guidelines for companion animal practice (see page 234).
Beyond telemedicine, we're looking to artificial intelligence and the role machine learning can play in the profession.
But our biggest priority right now is continuing to navigate COVID and then the post-pandemic world. What does that look like as an Association and for our members? How can we get more resources and information to them? They've been working their tails off for a while now with curbside service, access-to-care issues, and just keeping a small business afloat.
Q. WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM MEMBERS?
A. The big thing from people at the practice level is they can't even come up for air. Clinics are running with reduced staff because people are out sick or taking care of family, or people are working in shifts. Emergency and general practices are being overloaded. As the AVMA, what can we do to provide resources to help members get through each day?
Sometimes a general practice has to refer to the emergency room because they don't have the resources or time to see an urgent case, and ERs are overloaded, and it can be a several-hour wait. We can do more public education about how hard veterinarians are working to see patients and accommodate clients. We can highlight the role veterinarians play in public health. If nothing else, COVID has driven this home. We have veterinarians tracking zoonotic diseases and monitoring the impact COVID has on animal and human populations. We have resources we can provide in that realm as well.
We will continue to advocate for the profession on the Hill. We want legislators to continue to recognize we are an essential business and the role we play in this pandemic. Food production and safety continue to be paramount. Companion animals have been tremendous at reducing stress and loneliness for people when they can't get out as much as they used to.
What resources can the AVMA provide on the wellness front in the pandemic and post-pandemic world just to give our members a breather? What more can we develop?
Q. WHAT DO YOU STILL HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH AS BOARD CHAIR?
A. I would like to see the diversity, equity, and inclusion commission fully operational and coming up with initial plans for how to move these efforts forward in the profession.
I would like to see us to meet in person as an AVMA board as well as our committees and councils. That personal engagement is so important to making the AVMA a stronger organization, and I hear this from members all the time—especially our engaged members who serve on entities—how much they miss interpersonal interaction.
I would love to see us pull off an in-person convention by the end of my term. It would be a giant, happy celebration done safely. I look forward to it, and I know everyone on the Board looks forward to that as well.
I would like to see us have a better grasp on how to use veterinary technicians to practice more efficiently, whatever that looks like, with clients in hospitals or curbside or implementing telemedicine in practice.
Q. THE BOARD HAS TAKEN A NUMBER OF STEPS TO ENCOURAGE INCREASING VETERINARY TECHNICIAN UTILIZATION. WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT PROGRESS MADE SO FAR?
A. Veterinary technicians are a huge part of my day every day in private practice or academia. They've saved me so many times. They will find lesions on pets I may have missed or say, ‘Dr. Teller, did you see this?’ or ‘A client told me this but didn't mention it to you.’ They do an excellent job with that. Their skill sets are amazing. It's so much easier for them to give an IV while I do something else and see more patients.
They are super observant, too. They see patients for a greater period of time than I do and may notice something sooner, so I can intervene earlier.
They are some of our biggest practice advocates when it comes to communicating with clients, whether on nutrition or disease prevention or puppy and kitten training. They play such a huge role in bonding clients to the practice. They make themselves available to answer questions, so I can diagnose and prescribe and treat and all the things that go with being a veterinarian. Some veterinarians have a hard time ceding control, but if you can appropriately delegate your plan to a tech, you can actually get a lot more done.
Q. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE AVMA'S BIGGEST STRENGTHS? WEAKNESSES?
A. I think our biggest strength is our membership. It's the people in the profession who provide feedback and input and engage with everything we are doing. We can assimilate that feedback to really be the singular voice of the profession. The people who believe in us are our biggest strength. We can only be as strong as the people who support us.
Our biggest weakness is—something we have recognized the need for improvement and are making great strides in—our responsiveness to issues that impact the profession. I think the AVMA did a tremendous job with its rapid response to the COVID pandemic and the impact it had on the profession. Everybody—from the staff to the volunteer leadership to stakeholders—got on board and up and running, addressing all aspects of the pandemic. It shows how rapidly responsive we can be to members’ needs and how we can provide timely and factual information.
Another area is the DEI commission we are taking part in. It became apparent this summer this is an important issue to many AVMA members, and we had the commission up and running in less than six months. I think the AVMA already has some great resources on the website, and (there will be) more action related to DEI initiatives, and (we'll see) what develops from the commission.
Finally, we have also become more responsive around policy creation. I'll mention the DOT's (Department of Transportation's) decision on emotional support animals and rules about flying with them (see page 230). It has been a long-standing problem for veterinarians, and the AVMA convened a group of experts, the airlines, and various trade associations and really worked with them to have sound policies around service and emotional support animals. We can't control how fast the government moves, but we moved very rapidly. The AVMA is working to be more agile and provide valuable resources to support our members.
Q. YOU RECENTLY HAD A LITERATURE REVIEW ON TELEMEDICINE PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL VETERINARY EVIDENCE. WHAT ARE SOME UNDERUTILIZED ASPECTS OF TELEMEDICINE, IN YOUR OPINION?
A. I think telemedicine has tremendous possibilities in the profession. We are currently piloting an access-to-care program at Texas A&M for people of limited financial means to get care for their animals. These are pet owners who are patients of the TAMU Telehealth Behavioral Counseling center. They are part of the program because they don't have human health care funds or resources, so they receive mental health care through the center. Some identified as being pet owners who can't afford or access veterinary care, which is why we chose this group. They do not have regular vets, and they were already familiar with telemedicine. We did a wellness clinic for this group in a rural part of Texas and vaccinated, tested for parasites and heartworms, and treated minor wounds and ear infections. We are doing follow ups via telemedicine. We're just now in our first round of follow-ups; the feedback has been very good. We can further explain things to clients and mail medications to them, if indicated. It will be interesting to see how both the owner's mental well-being and animal health are affected by having this access to care. It's a one-year grant. The majority of results will be in by the end of the spring semester.
Q. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES?
A. The great thing about the AVMA's legislative priorities is they are generally not politically divisive. Animal welfare, small-business issues, student debt relief, and all of our legislative priorities are about putting our members’ needs and animal health care at the forefront, which is something all political parties can get behind. We don't know how the new administration will prioritize those. They have claimed they want to resolve the student debt problem. It would be great if we could finally pass the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Enhancement Act. I hope to see movement in that so veterinarians working in the public sector will get the same tax breaks other health professionals get. It also would be super nice if we could finally get the Fairness to Pet Owners Act taken off the table and (legislators) recognize there is no need for it because veterinarians do provide prescriptions when they're requested. There is no need for this to be mandated.
Q. YOU'VE LONG BEEN A PROPONENT OF COMMUNICATING THE IMPORTANCE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND ANIMAL HEALTH THROUGH MEDIA OUTLETS. HOW DO YOU HOPE TO CONTINUE THAT OR ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO?
A. Public education is a huge part of what the AVMA can continue to promote. We need to continue to amplify our voice. I would love to see us identify more members who can speak on a variety of important issues. Lots of news outlets like to hear from someone local. It would be great if we had members throughout the country to tap into to speak on certain topics. I strongly think that there needs to more networking between veterinarians and local news outlets. We can provide training to our members to develop skills for speaking with the media. Clients like to see their veterinarian in the newspaper providing factual information about veterinary care. I would love to see us be able to branch out and provide that opportunity not only to the AVMA president and members of the Board but also to other people we know who can be influential in the public's eye and tell our story.
TELEHEALTH GUIDELINES GIVE VETERINARIANS A PLACE TO START
A practical guide that supports the use of telehealth across the entire profession is now available from the AVMA. The thoughtful integration of telehealth into veterinary practice supports better patient care, enhances veterinarians’ relationships with their clients, improves staff utilization, and helps to create additional income.
“AVMA Guidelines for the Use of Telehealth in Veterinary Practice,” the content of which was supported by the Council on Veterinary Service, is a step-by-step reference that shares potential service offerings within the telehealth space; what needs to be considered when choosing technology; legal considerations, including those around establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship; monetization strategies; and tips for staff and client engagement.
According to the guide, “Implementation of telehealth within a practice should stay focused on three goals: 1) Improve the level of care for the patient, 2) Increase access of underserved populations to veterinary medical care, and 3) improve utilization of all members of the veterinary healthcare team.”
The guide also introduces the concept of connected care, which is “the integration of digital technologies to enhance and support the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and facilitate proactive and ongoing care through improved communication, diagnosis, and monitoring.” It is an approach to veterinary practice that is patient and client centered and that actively engages the entire veterinary health care team.
Other information in the new guidance includes definitions for terms related to telehealth, such as telemedicine, teleadvice, teleconsulting, telemonitoring, teletriage, and telesupervision; a sample practice workflow demonstrating how connected care can be practically integrated into veterinary practice; and workspace needs for the successful delivery of telemedicine services.
The AVMA guide can be downloaded at avma.org/telehealth and is polybagged with this issue of JAVMA.
In addition, the AVMA has simultaneously collaborated with the American Animal Hospital Association to develop a guide specific to small animal practice, titled “2021 AAHA/AVMA Telehealth Guidelines for Small-Animal Practice.”
The AAHA/AVMA guidance will be available at aaha.org/telehealth starting in late January.
COVID-19 adds challenges to veterinary technology education
Educators, students pivot to mostly virtual classrooms
By Kaitlyn Mattson
Education programs in veterinary technology across the U.S. are all very different, said Kathy Koar, director of veterinary nursing at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. So adapting to a pandemic requires a different game plan for each program.
COVID-19–related social distancing and safety measures have forced veterinary technology programs to reevaluate the way students are educated. There are already over 10 distance learning programs accredited by the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities, but most programs are in person and have had to adapt their curricula quickly to a virtual learning format.
For example, Harcum College, a two-year private college associated with the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, had to make changes to its clinical rotations because of its partnership with Penn Vet.
“We are their veterinary nurse arm,” Koar said. “The university doesn't have a vet tech program, they have us. So our students—every one of them—spend two semesters at Penn Vet doing clinical rotations. When COVID happened, the university sent students home. That piece was a sit and wait.”
Koar said clinical rotations are currently functioning normally now, but all lectures are virtual. Laboratories are live and in person with personal protective equipment, reduced class sizes, and social distancing.
“It has been an adjustment for the kids,” Koar said. “We were 100% live coming into this. There was a tremendous learning curve for myself and the faculty.”
Koar said Harcum College, specifically the information technology department and curriculum committees, were vital in helping the veterinary nursing faculty and staff navigate the transition to online training. She said the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators also offered a huge amount of support.
Todd Von Deak, executive director of AVTE, said educators have risen to the challenge of teaching during a pandemic.
“The pandemic and where folks have had to go virtual takes so many educators away from what they're passionate about: face-to-face interactions,” he said. “For everybody, it has been a lift to repurpose and retool.”
Kathy Koar, director of veterinary nursing at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, is constantly asking her students for feedback about virtual learning. (Photos courtesy of Kathy Koar)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
The AVTE has been hosting programs and webinars where educators can ask questions, discuss best practices, and share what has been working for them.
Dr. Erin Kelly Snyder, coordinator of the veterinary technology program at Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio, said that when she stepped into the role in January, she couldn't have imagined the pandemic or the challenges it would bring.
“Being a linear program posed some challenges,” Dr. Snyder said. “We are a very hands-on program, we are not rolling (admissions), and we don't offer (all) classes every semester.”
Dr. Snyder said the pandemic has revealed some weak points within the program, and students have struggled.
“Some have rolled with the punches, but it is discouraging, and we have to figure out how to motivate our students. It was a challenge to keep them focused on the goals,” Dr. Snyder said. “This year has been crushing for all of us.”
But Dr. Snyder is working to keep students engaged, especially students who have to miss in-person laboratories because of a potential exposure to COVID-19 and the necessary quarantine.
“If they've been exposed, if they are sick, they're out for 10 days. They can't be penalized. So, I teach clinical pathology, and I've been having the students log in and hear the lab lecture, and then I use a camera, and I go through the lab with that student,” she said. “We are providing alternative methods of teaching—extra time to create materials and do makeup labs for people—and it gets tiring. But I am not going to leave the students hanging in the wind. I want them to have the experience.”
Dr. Snyder said the program is focusing on its current cohort, and because of some canceled classes during the summer, the class due to graduate in May will likely not meet their graduation requirements until this fall.
Koar said everything will work out.
“That's how teachers are,” she said. “Teachers spend their entire lives pivoting. Some things work, and some don't. You keep modifying. One thing helpful to me is to constantly ask students for their feedback. ‘How can we better support you? What can we be doing better?'”
Kathy Koar, director of veterinary nursing at Harcum College, said adapting to a pandemic requires adjustments from the students and faculty.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Koar thinks the faculty, staff, and students will be more resilient after having faced these challenges.
“There are always flowers in the weeds, and I think we are better for it,” she said. “I am interested to see how we feel about it down the line when it is history and not today's trauma.
COVID relief package fixes tax on Paycheck Protection Program
Omnibus federal spending bill also creates independent horse racing authority
President Donald Trump narrowly avoided a partial government shutdown by signing a massive government funding and coronavirus relief package on Dec. 27, 2020. The package includes many of the AVMA's top legislative priorities.
The omnibus spending legislation contains appropriations for the 2021 federal fiscal year totaling $1.4 trillion, along with $900 billion in COVID-19 pandemic aid.
The relief package contains a fix for the Internal Revenue Service tax treatment of expenses paid with Paycheck Protection Program loans and streamlines PPP loan forgiveness for loans of up to $150,000. It appropriates up to $20 million for animal health infrastructure's role in the COVID-19 response and contains AVMA-led language that will provide Congress with information detailing existing collaborative efforts between the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other agencies to prevent and respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks in animals and humans.
The year-end appropriations bill included the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which will create uniform performance and safety standards for Thoroughbred horse racing.
COVID RELIEF
This is the fourth coronavirus relief bill that Congress has passed since the pandemic began in early 2020. When legislators created the PPP, they intended for there to be no tax consequences for loan recipients. However, the IRS soon issued a revenue ruling indicating that ordinary business expenses otherwise deductible, such as the payroll costs and other expenses covered by forgiven loans, could not be deducted if paid with loans that are forgiven even though the loans themselves are tax-free income.
The tax fix reverses the IRS ruling that denied the deductions and means that veterinary practices will not have to pay up to 40%, depending on location, of the amount of a PPP loan in taxes.
The provision that simplifies loan forgiveness will establish a one-page, easy-to-complete form to apply for forgiveness of loans up to $150,000. Most veterinary practices will qualify for this simplified process because over 80% of the PPP loans obtained by veterinary practices meet this threshold.
“The AVMA's tireless advocacy efforts have paid off for the veterinary profession,” said Dr. Kent McClure, AVMA's chief government relations officer. “For the almost 60% of U.S. veterinary practices that took PPP loans, the tax fix will keep significant funds within the practices, and the simplified loan forgiveness application will make their lives easier.”
He continued: “The AVMA-led coordinated effort to obtain language in the funding legislation will provide Congress with important information detailing existing collaborative efforts between FDA, USDA, and other agencies to prevent and respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks in animals and humans. This directive advances AVMA's objectives and bolsters support for one-health legislation as we enter a new session of Congress.”
Also contained in the COVID relief package are the following provisions:
$300 billion in additional funding for the PPP.
Allowing a second round of forgivable loans for small businesses that experienced a 25% decline in quarterly revenue between 2019 and 2020.
Inclusion in the PPP of 501(c) (6) trade organizations that have 300 employees or fewer, subject to federal, state, and local lobbying restrictions.
At least $20 million for animal health infrastructure to improve and maintain animal disease prevention and response capacity, which may have been diminished by efforts to support the COVID-19 response.
Other notable provisions in the package include an additional $300 per week of federal unemployment insurance until March 14; a second relief check of $600 for qualifying adults, $1,200 for couples filing jointly, and $600 for dependents; rental assistance; funding to address COVID-related impacts on farmers, ranchers, and rural communities; and funding for education and vaccine testing. At press time in early January, Congress was debating increasing the relief checks from $600 to $2,000.
Additionally, the Employee Retention Tax Credit is extended until June 30, 2021. The legislation also increased the retention tax credit from 50% to 70% of qualified wages and increased the limit per employee from $10,000 per year to $10,000 for each quarter. Paycheck Protection Program borrowers may also still qualify for the tax credit with respect to wages that are not paid with forgiven PPP proceeds.
HORSE RACING AUTHORITY
The government funding package that Congress passed on Dec. 22 contained the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which establishes an independent regulatory authority, similar to regulatory authorities for other professional sports, to set medication use and safety protocols for Thoroughbred horse racing. An effort to pass such legislation has been ongoing for five years.
The AVMA and American Association of Equine Practitioners support the creation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, which will form an anti-doping and medication control committee along with a racetrack safety committee.
The House of Representatives passed the HISA in September 2020, led by Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr and New York Rep. Paul Tonko. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Dianne Feinstein of California were the original co-sponsors in the Senate. “With today's passage of HISA in Congress we are in the final stretch of achieving the most transformational and consequential reform of the Thoroughbred horseracing industry since enactment of the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978,” Barr said in a statement.
The AVMA has worked with the AAEP on different versions of the legislation since it was originally introduced in 2013. The two associations supported the underlying goals of the HISA while advocating for the inclusion of safety standards as well as uniform medication and anti-doping provisions, which are accounted for in the legislation that was just enacted. However, concerns remain over the lack of veterinary expertise on the authority board and advisory committees and the prohibition of race-day furosemide. Although the AVMA and AAEP have policies supporting the use of furosemide on race day, since the beginning of 2019, the racing industry has begun restricting the medication's usage on race day, independent of legislation.
APHIS funds animal disease programs
More than $14 million awarded to research projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Dec. 1 announced the awarding of $14.4 million to fund 76 projects being undertaken by states, universities, and other organizations to bolster programs protecting animal health.
The 2018 farm bill appropriated millions of dollars for programs to help prevent animal pests and diseases from entering the United States and reduce the spread and impact of potential disease incursions.
It is the second year APHIS has provided funding from the $867 billion farm bill. In 2019, the agency awarded $10.2 million that funded 44 projects.
The latest round of funding supports projects focused on increasing practical livestock biosecurity measures or advancing rapid depopulation and disposal methods to be used during high-consequence animal disease outbreaks.
It also supports projects enhancing early detection of high-consequence animal diseases and improving emergency response capabilities at National Animal Health Laboratory Network veterinary diagnostic laboratories.
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
APHIS awarded $9.3 million through the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program.
The 46 NADPRP-funded projects address critical livestock biosecurity and large-scale depopulation and carcass disposal concerns in all major livestock industries across all regions of the United States. These projects will be led by animal health authorities in 16 states, at 14 land-grant universities, and with two organizations.
For instance, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians received $86,752 to systematically gather information from the swine industry's recent experience with depopulation resulting from COVID-19 market disruptions and compile it into useful new resources for swine veterinarians and farmers to improve capabilities and capacities for responding to future emergency events.
The AASV project will deliver specific recommendations on methods for practical on-farm depopulation, decision-making tools, equipment lists, record-keeping forms, and training and debriefing tools to help veterinarians and farmers manage depopulation events.
Another program, run by the University of California-Davis, was awarded $397,409 to address known disease risk factors and prevention gaps in veterinary services provided to small-scale farms and high-risk alternative agriculture systems, including those in urban areas, in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington state, by improving access to and delivery of biosecurity information.
The project includes analyzing key prevention gaps, developing educational tools, and building capacity through train-the-trainer tools and resources on biosecurity.
DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES
APHIS awarded $5.1 million through the National Animal Health Laboratory Network to 30 projects led by network laboratories in 21 states.
The projects will help NAHLN enhance early detection of high-consequence animal diseases and improve emergency response capabilities at NAHLN veterinary diagnostic laboratories.
Several projects include improving diagnostic testing for high-concern diseases, including African swine fever, classical swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and avian influenza.
The University of Missouri's Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, for instance, received $116,323 for a project to validate an ASR1 peptoids–based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of low levels of the prions that cause chronic wasting disease in samples from live and dead animals.
The intent is to provide a new diagnostic method that uses saliva samples and has an improved sensitivity over the current ELISA for detecting CWD. This method could also be used with environmental samples, which could be useful for regulatory officials when screening cervid farms.
Full lists of awarded NADPRP and NAHLN projects are available at jav.ma/Nadpr and jav.ma/nahln.
MILITARY TO TRACK COMBAT INJURIES IN WORKING DOGS
A military spending bill passed by Congress at the start of the new year includes provisions that will improve the health and welfare of military working dogs and promote responsible dog ownership in military communities.
President Donald Trump had initially vetoed the $741 billion National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 23, 2020, after lawmakers declined to add a provision repealing an internet liability law as requested by the president. Both the House and Senate subsequently overrode the veto, on Dec. 28 and Jan. 1, respectively.
Military working dogs are highly trained canine soldiers that serve in combat operations around the world. Language in the defense authorization act is a key step in creating an MWD Trauma Registry to track the leading causes of morbidity and mortality of military working dogs in combat.
The AVMA says the registry will lead to better medical outcomes for dogs injured in the line of duty. “AVMA will continue to advocate for military working dogs by urging Congress to ensure that the DOD (Department of Defense) develops and implements the trauma registry and provides additional trauma training to Army (Veterinary) Corps veterinarians so they may develop the most effective treatments for military working dogs’ combat injuries,” the Association said in a statement.
The act also directs the Defense Department to adopt a uniform policy on pets in military communities, to be developed in consultation with the veterinary profession. The AVMA anticipates that its policies on dangerous animals, animal control, and other topics will be used to support the DOD's work.
“This is an additional opportunity for the AVMA to ensure the Defense Department adopts strong policy promoting responsible pet ownership and enhancing animal and public safety on military bases,” the AVMA said.
Creating brighter futures for cats with chronic kidney disease
Diagnostics and treatments have improved, artificial intelligence offers predictive diagnostic tool
By Katie Burns
Cats with chronic kidney disease can now live longer, better lives than ever before.
“It's been a very exciting time over the last decade or so in that we've really enhanced our abilities to diagnose and detect chronic kidney disease,” said Dr. Shelly L. Vaden, a professor of internal medicine at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “We've also made many improvements in medical management.”
Dr. Vaden was speaking during the New Therapeutic Approaches to Chronic Care Symposium at the AVMA Virtual Convention 2020 this past August. Another convention presentation focused on RenalTech, a new tool from Antech Diagnostics that uses artificial intelligence to predict which cats will develop chronic kidney disease in the next two years.
During an October 2020 webinar from Morris Animal Foundation, Dr. Jessica Quimby, an associate professor of small animal internal medicine at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, spoke about trying to develop a deeper understanding of CKD in cats while still improving on practical aspects of treatment.
A MOSAIC OF TREATMENT
Dr. Vaden said about 2%-20% of all cats and 30% of cats over the age of 10 have chronic kidney disease. The recent advances in diagnostics and medical management mean veterinarians can now be treating some cats for extended periods.
“When we look at that and we're talking about treating some of these cats for three years or more, we really need to be very thoughtful in what we do and use an evidence-based approach to our treatment and diagnostics,” she said.
Chronic kidney disease is usually diagnosed via imaging or by finding persistent azotemia or an increase in serum symmetric dimethylarginine concentration. The next step is staging according to the system from the International Renal Interest Society.
The IRIS stages, from 1-4, are based on serum creatinine and SDMA concentrations, the latter added recently. The staging system also offers substaging on the basis of severity of proteinuria and hypertension.
“The staging becomes important because it's a way to communicate where we are diagnostically, where we are therapeutically, where the animal is in regards to expected progression and symptomatology,” Dr. Vaden said.
For a cat in stage 1 or early stage 2, it is important to identify and treat any underlying primary renal disease, if the veterinarian is able to identify a disease that is treatable. For a cat in late stage 2 or stage 3, Dr. Vaden starts evaluating and managing factors inherently associated with progression. For a cat in stage 4, Dr. Vaden characterizes and treats the many complications of chronic kidney disease.
“When I look at the management of chronic kidney disease, I look at it as a mosaic,” Dr. Vaden said. “Rather than one-size-fits-all, I try to identify which problems are present and then address those. And some of these problems are interrelated. So again, trying to look at those as a mosaic and trying to see what we need to address, what we can address to make an animal feel better.”
Dr. Vaden offered recommendations for controlling aspects of nutrition, proteinuria, hypertension, anemia, metabolic acidosis, renal secondary mineral disorders, hypokalemia, and gastrointestinal signs (see sidebar, page 244).
RISK FACTORS, PREDICTIVE DIAGNOSTICS
A Feb. 1, 2014, JAVMA scientific article examined “Risk factors associated with the development of chronic kidney disease in cats evaluated at primary care veterinary hospitals.” The retrospective case-control study looked at feline patients examined at Banfield Pet Hospitals in 2010.
According to the abstract: “Risk factors for CKD in cats included thin body condition, prior periodontal disease or cystitis, anesthesia or documented dehydration in the preceding year, being a neutered male (vs spayed female), and living anywhere in the United States other than the northeast. The probability of CKD decreased with increasing body weight in nondehydrated cats, domestic shorthair breed, and prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and increased when vomiting, polyuria or polydipsia, appetite or energy loss, or halitosis was present at the time of diagnosis or control group inclusion but not when those signs were reported 6 to 12 months earlier. Median weight loss during the preceding 6 to 12 months was 10.8% and 2.1% in cats with and without CKD, respectively.”
Dr. Jennifer Ogeer, Antech vice president of medical affairs and commercial marketing, spoke at the AVMA Virtual Convention 2020 on “Taking the Surprise out of Chronic Kidney Disease With Artificial Intelligence.”
In October 2019, Antech announced RenalTech, a predictive diagnostic tool for chronic kidney disease in cats based on machine learning, which is a type of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms to identify patterns in data. Antech and Banfield are owned by Mars PetCare, and RenalTech was developed on the basis of data from feline patients examined over a period of 20 years at Banfield Pet Hospitals.
Details about a version of the model using four measurements—creatinine concentration, blood urea nitrogen concentration, urine specific gravity, and age—were published in the November/December 2019 issue of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. The model was able to predict CKD in cats two years before clinical diagnosis. Dr. Ogeer said comorbidities identified as significantly associated with an increased likelihood of CKD versus no CKD were hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hepatopathy, and being underweight.
RenalTech uses additional parameters—white blood cell count, urine protein concentration, and urine pH. Dr. Ogeer said the tool predicts whether a cat will develop CKD in the next two years with more than 95% accuracy. After the tool made about 300,000 predictions for cats in the United States and Canada, Antech found the median age was 15 years for cats predicted to develop CKD within two years, while the median age was 9 years for cats predicted not to develop CKD within two years.
To make a prediction for an individual cat, RenalTech requires measurements from two visits within 24 months and more than 60 days apart. All the parameters are available from a complete blood cell count, chemistry profile, and complete urinalysis.
“RenalTech provides actionable information that enables veterinarians to formulate targeted, personalized care plans for their feline patients,” Dr. Ogeer said.
RenalTech, a new predictive diagnostic tool from Antech Diagnostics based on artificial intelligence, predicted that Billy (above), a neutered 12-year-old male cat, would develop chronic kidney disease in the next two years, and predicted that Amber (above left), a spayed 7-year-old female cat, would not. (Photos courtesy of Antech Diagnostics)
Sophie (left) lived to be 19 before dying of chronic kidney disease. She belonged to Dr. Jessica Quimby, an associate professor of small animal internal medicine at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, who studies CKD in cats. (Courtesy of Dr. Quimby)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
STUDYING DISEASE, SUPPORTING CATS
The October 2020 webinar from Morris Animal Foundation was an overview of what pet owners need to know about chronic kidney disease in cats. Dr. Quimby provided commentary on future directions.
“Even though it's a very common disease, there is actually a lot about the pathophysiology, or the disease process, that we don't really understand for cats,” she said.
Researchers are trying to learn more about the disease process in cats, including why it starts in the first place. Dr. Quimby has been looking at the aging kidney and how it starts to malfunction.
THE MOSAIC OF TREATMENT FOR CKD IN CATS
Dr. Shelly L. Vaden, a professor of internal medicine at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, offered the following recommendations for controlling various aspects of chronic kidney disease in cats, during a session at the AVMA Virtual Convention 2020.
Nutrition: A renal diet is a cornerstone of managing CKD and can improve quality of life and prolong patient survival. Enhance the ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids; restrict protein, phosphorus, and sodium contents; and increase potassium, vitamin, and fiber contents and caloric density.
Proteinuria: Persistent proteinuria is associated with a greater frequency of morbidity and mortality associated with CKD. Manage with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers.
Hypertension: Control of blood pressure is essential for CKD management, in that hypertension can cause a more rapid decline in renal function. Because amlodipine can activate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, an ACEi or ARB needs to be given concurrently to block this activation. Telmisartan, an ARB, lowers blood pressure and can be used as a single agent to control hypertension in cats with CKD.
Anemia: Moderate to severe nonregenerative anemia in cats with CKD may lead to weakness, lethargy, anorexia, and cold intolerance. Eliminate ongoing blood loss, and reduce concurrent infections. When packed cell volume is less than 25%, consider iron supplementation with or without an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent.
Metabolic acidosis: Cats with CKD and metabolic acidosis will not feel well and may be anorexic. Renal diets help address acidosis. However, alkalinizing agents—sodium bicarbonate or potassium citrate—may be needed.
Renal secondary mineral disorders: Alterations in vitamin, mineral, and hormonal balances are associated with reduced survival time. Diet alone may control phosphate concentrations. Persistent hyperphosphatemia requires intestinal phosphate binders.
Hypokalemia: Low potassium causes vasoconstriction, disrupts cell functions, impairs protein synthesis, inhibits anti-diuretic hormone, and can dramatically worsen renal function. Use potassium gluconate for hypokalemia in isolation, and use potassium citrate for hypokalemia combined with metabolic acidosis.
Gastrointestinal signs: Cats with CKD have been shown to have gastric mineralization and gastric gland hypertrophy. Renal diets will help alleviate gastrointestinal signs in some cats, while others will need anti-nausea agents.
Another thing that Dr. Quimby focuses on is nutrition: picking the best nutrition for cats with CKD and making sure the cats are actually eating the food. She and her colleagues are studying aspects of diet and of the microbiome of the intestine.
On the clinical side, Dr. Quimby emphasized the importance of getting cats with CKD to feel better. She said, “If we can't fix the kidney disease, we want to be able to support them as much as possible.”
Dr. Quimby said appetite stimulants have been one of the most influential developments in the treatment of CKD in cats. When she worked in a feline-only practice for a couple of years, the practice started using mirtazapine as an appetite stimulant for cats with CKD. Dr. Quimby went on to lead research on how to use mirtazapine better, discovering information that supported the development of transdermal administration.
Veterinarians also are more free or encouraged now to give anti-nausea medications. Dr. Quimby said some practitioners don't think anti-nausea medications are necessary in kidney disease, but she noted that toxins are building up in the blood and must make cats feel very ill.
A big hurdle is just getting the cat to the veterinarian. Many people have been concentrating recently on creating feline-friendly practices, implementing stress-free handling, and thinking about things from the cat's perspective.
Giving gabapentin to cats to relieve the stress of veterinary visits has become popular, for example. Cats with CKD do need a reduced dose, which Dr. Quimby and colleagues are currently studying. Dr. Quimby said gabapentin was very helpful in the last years of the life of her own cat that had CKD.
People
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF EQUINE PRACTITIONERS
EVENT
66th Annual Convention, Dec. 1-18, 2020, held virtually
PROGRAM
The 2020 AAEP Virtual Convention & Trade Show brought together more than 2,500 veterinary professionals, students, and educators. Attendees had over 100 hours of continuing education options to choose from that included topics such as sports medicine, hoof lameness, and equine anesthesia. The convention included live events, networking opportunities, social events, and panel discussions. The on-demand continuing education sessions are available to view until June. The Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture was delivered by Dr. John A.E. Hubbell, chief of anesthesiology at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, and professor emeritus of veterinary clinical sciences at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Hubbell spoke about the challenges and clinical progress in safely anesthetizing horses.
AWARDS
My Vet Rocks Award
Dr. Alfredo Sanchez-Londono, a 1997 veterinary graduate of La Salle University in Bogotá, Colombia, is an associate clinical professor in equine field service at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Sanchez-Londono was honored for his clinical proficiency, communication skills, and commitment to owner and student education. The My Vet Rocks Award, sponsored by American Regent Animal Health, celebrates the relationship between the veterinarian, owner, and horse. Horse owners were encouraged to nominate AAEP member veterinarians.
Dr. Alfredo Sanchez-Londono
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Distinguished Educator-Mentor Award
Dr. Stephen O'Grady, a 1987 veterinary graduate of the University of Pretoria in South Africa, is owner of Virginia Therapeutic Farriery in Keswick, Virginia. He was recognized for raising the standard of hoof care through instruction in basic and therapeutic farriery to veterinarians and students. Dr. O'Grady was a professional farrier for 10 years before becoming a veterinarian. In 2002, he developed a model for delivering farriery training to students throughout North America and the Caribbean, and that model is still in use today.
Dr. Stephen O'Grady
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Research Award
Dr. Katrin Hinrichs (California-Davis ‘78), chair of the Department of Clinical Studies and a professor of equine medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, was honored for her research in the field of equine assisted reproductive techniques. She has advanced the understanding of equine oocyte development, fertilization, and early embryonic development.
Dr. Katrin Hinrichs
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Sage Kester Beyond the Call Award
Dr. Scott Palmer (Pennsylvania ‘76), an AAEP past president, received the award for his service to the AAEP and his impact on equine welfare. Dr. Palmer served on the Racing, Educational Programs, and Nominating committees. Dr. Palmer worked for 38 years in clinical practice as the staff surgeon and hospital director of the New Jersey Equine Clinic in central New Jersey. He was appointed equine medical director for the New York State Gaming Commission in 2014.
Dr. Scott Palmer
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Distinguished Service Awards
Dr. Mary Scollay (Illinois ‘84), executive director and chief operating officer of the Lexington, Kentucky–based Racing Medication and Testing Consortium, was recognized for her longtime advocacy of racehorse welfare and the integrity of racing. She is currently serving a fourth term on the AAEP Racing Committee; she also serves on the association's Professional Conduct & Ethics Committee. Dr. Scollay spent 11 years as the first equine medical director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and 13 years as senior association veterinarian at Calder Race Course and Gulfstream Park in Florida. While in Florida, she conceptualized and developed the forerunner to The Jockey Club's Equine Injury Database, to which she serves as a veterinary consultant.
Dr. Mary Scollay
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Keith Kleine, staff liaison for the AAEP's public policy efforts, was honored for his tireless advocacy for equine veterinary practice and the welfare of horses since joining the AAEP staff in 2005. Further, he spearheaded assembly of the coalition and funding that enabled launch of the Equine Disease Communication Center in 2016. Prior to joining the AAEP, Kleine held a variety of executive communication roles with equine industry organizations, including the American Quarter Horse Association, Retama Park, and Churchill Downs.
Keith Kleine
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Distinguished Life Member
Dr. Susan L. White (California-Davis ‘73), a professor emeritus at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, was honored for her four decades of volunteer leadership with the AAEP.
Dr. White served on the association's board of directors from 2003-05. Since 1982, she has chaired the Educational Programs, Membership, and Pediatrics committees, and she served on the Equine Welfare, Nominating, and Scholarship committees, among others. She currently serves on The Foundation for the Horse advisory council.
As a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Task Force, Dr. White co-authored a 2008 white paper, “Putting the Horse First: Veterinary Recommendations for Ending the Soring of Tennessee Walking Horses.”
She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
The Lavin Cup
The New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, a Lexington, Kentucky–based charity, received the Lavin Cup, the AAEP's equine welfare award, this year. The largest racehorse adoption charity in the U.S. was founded in 1992 and has led to the placement of over 7,000 horses, with nearly 500 retirees served each year. The program has facilities in five states and serves over 50 racetracks in need of equine aftercare options. Despite COVID-19, pandemic-related shutdowns, and social distancing guidelines, the charity found homes for a record number of horses using social media.
The New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
President's Award
Dr. Sherry Johnson (Iowa State ‘12), senior partner of Equine Sports Medicine, a mobile practice focused on Western performance horses near Dallas, was recognized for spearheading the AAEP's first-ever online continuing education event as program chair of the Virtual CE Summer Series. Dr. Johnson serves on the AAEP Educational Programs and Performance Horse committees. She is a partner and co-founder of Equine Core, a company that offers rehabilitation services. Dr. Johnson is also a doctoral candidate at Colorado State University. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Dr. Sherry Johnson
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Past Presidents’ Research Fellow
Dr. Rosemary Bayless (Kansas State ‘14), a doctoral candidate at North Carolina State University, was awarded a $5,000 grant. Dr. Bayless was selected for her work on innovative therapeutic strategies to reduce inflammation in horses by modulating neutrophil function. Her research findings suggest a therapeutic potential of withaferin A for numerous disease processes in horses characterized by neutrophilic inflammation. Dr. Bayless completed an internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and a residency in equine internal medicine at Colorado State University. She is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in large animal internal medicine.
Equus Foundation Research Fellow
Dr. Rebecca Legere (Kansas State ‘15), a doctoral student at Texas A&M University, received a $5,000 grant for her research into aerosolized messenger RNA vaccination to protect foals from Rhodococcus equi infection. Dr. Legere developed primary cultures of equine bronchial epithelial cells, transfected those cells with mRNA in vitro, and recently transfected the upper and lower respiratory tract of foals in vivo with aerosolized naked mRNA. Administration of mRNA without a transfection agent greatly reduces the cost and complexity of delivering mRNA to the upper and lower respiratory tract for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. Dr. Legere is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine with a specialty in large animal internal medicine.
BUSINESS
At its most recent meeting, the AAEP board of directors received updates on strategic plan initiatives, including progress on retention efforts within the profession and integration of digital education, which was accelerated because of COVID-19. Other business included a status update from The Foundation for the Horse, the association's charitable arm, which reported successful development efforts, despite the pandemic, and significant mission impact, especially in the areas of disaster relief, at-risk horses, and scholarships.
Despite the inability to meet in person in 2020, the AAEP's committees and councils quickly adapted to the virtual meeting room and made considerable progress. The Infectious Disease, Racing, and Performance Horse committees introduced numerous new guidelines as resources for both the membership and the equine industry. Meanwhile, the Welfare & Public Policy Advisory Council revised guidelines relative to euthanasia and worked closely with the AVMA Government Relations Division on federal legislation, primarily related to equine welfare.
The AAEP has formed a task force on diversity, equity, and inclusion to address those issues within the association and the equine veterinary profession, which will be led by chair Dr. Jean-Yin Tan.
The Foundation for the Horse awarded three veterinary students with the 2020 Coyote Rock Ranch Veterinary Scholarships of $75,000 each. The Foundation for the Horse and Zoetis awarded five graduating veterinary students with $4,000 each for their academic excellence, leadership, and long-term goals in equine practice.
OFFICIALS
Drs. Scott Hay, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, president; Emma Read, Columbus, Ohio, president-elect; Rob Franklin, Fredericksburg, Texas, vice president; Amy Grice, Virginia City, Montana, treasurer; David Frisbie, Fort Collins, Colorado, immediate past president
Dr. Scott Hay
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Emma Read
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Rob Franklin
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Amy Grice
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. David Frisbie
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF VETERINARY ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA
EVENT
Virtual business meeting, Sept. 26, 2020
AWARDS
Career Achievement Award
Dr. Peter Pascoe, Davis, California. A 1975 veterinary graduate of the University of Liverpool in England, Dr. Pascoe is a professor emeritus of surgical and radiological sciences at the University of California-Davis. He helped launch the journal Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and served as its editor until 2013, remaining on the editorial board. Dr. Pascoe is a diplomate of the ACVAA and the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.
Dr. Peter Pascoe
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
President's Award
Drs. John Ludders (Washington State ‘77), Spokane, Washington, and Pauline Wong (California-Davis ‘75), San Diego, were recognized for their work in
creating and maintaining the ACVAA Listservs. A diplomate of the ACVAA, Dr. Ludders is a professor emeritus in the section of anesthesiology at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Wong served as a lecturer and was a consulting anesthesiologist at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine prior to retirement. She is a diplomate of the ACVAA.
Dr. John Ludders
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Pauline Wong
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
NEW DIPLOMATES
Lisa Ann Bourazak, Highland Park, Illinois
Angie Lagos Carvajal, Calgary, Alberta
Urshulaa Dholakia, New Hyde Park, New York
Ben Gingold, New York City
Alison Jaeger, Davis, California
Emma Kate Johnson, Roseville Chase, Australia
Geneviève Caterina Luca, San Jose, California
Matthew Milloway, Chicago
Melissa Murdock, Philadelphia
Tania Perez Jimenez, Pullman, Washington
Frédérik Rousseau-Blass, Sainte-Hyacinthe, Quebec
Danielle Eliese Strahl-Heldreth, Champaign, Illinois
Christopher Thibault, Lansing, Michigan
Eduardo Uquillas, Elderslie, Australia
Kelley Varner, Columbia, Missouri
BUSINESS
The association discussed problems caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the postponement of the 2020 certifying examination, which was subsequently held remotely in October, and the effect on residency programs and resident training.
OFFICIALS
Drs. Colin Dunlop, Gladesville, Australia, president; Kurt Grimm, Conifer, Colorado, president-elect; Lynne Kushner, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, executive secretary; Berit Fischer, Lebanon, New Jersey, chair of the board of directors; and Christine Egger, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, immediate past president
JOINT PATHOLOGY MEETING
EVENT
American College of Veterinary Pathologists, American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology, and International Society for Animal Clinical Pathology, joint annual virtual meetings, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2020
AWARDS
Harold W. Casey Memorial Scholarship Award
Dr. Candice Chu, College Station, Texas. Dr. Chu is a 2013 veterinary graduate of National Taiwan University in Taipei City. She is a clinical pathology resident at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
ACVP Honorary Membership
Dr. Ian Barker, Guelph, Ontario
Dr. Ian Barker
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
ACVP Distinguished Membership
Drs. Corrie Brown, Athens, Georgia; Frederick “Ted” Leighton, Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia; Robert Maronpot, Raleigh, North Carolina; and Donald Meuten, Cripple Creek, Virginia
Dr. Corrie Brown
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Donald Meuten
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
ASVCP Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Mary Christopher (Iowa State ‘80), Davis, California. Dr. Christopher is a professor of clinical pathology at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She also serves as vice chair of the veterinary school's Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology. Dr. Christopher is a diplomate of the ACVP and president of the ISACP.
Dr. Mary Christopher
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
ASVCP Educator Award
Dr. Shannon Jones Hostetter (Iowa State ‘00), Athens, Georgia. Dr. Jones Hostetter is an associate professor of pathology at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Shannon Jones Hostetter
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
BUSINESS
The ACVP held discussions on the progress of strategic plans and overviewed the Training Program Accreditation Task Force.
OFFICIALS
ACVP: Drs. Mark Ackermann, Corvallis, Oregon, president; Kelli Boyd, Nashville, Tennessee, president-elect; Amy Durham, Philadelphia, chief operations officer; Kevin Esch, Kalamazoo, Michigan, treasurer; Susan Tornquist, Corvallis, Oregon, immediate past president; and directors—Drs. Jerry Ritchey, Stillwater, Oklahoma; Anne Provencher, Sherbrooke, Quebec; Lauri Diehl, Foster City, California; and Nicola Parry, North Grafton, Massachusetts. ASVCP: Drs. Darren Wood, Guelph, Ontario, president; Austin K. Viall, Ames, Iowa, president-elect; Melinda Camus, Athens, Georgia, secretary; Katie Boes, Blacksburg, Virginia, secretary-elect; Sarah Barrett, Blacksburg, Virginia, treasurer; Amy Warren, Calgary, Alberta, immediate past president; and board members—Drs. Erica Behling-Kelly, Ithaca, New York; Laura Cregar, Mattawan, Michigan; and Lisa Kelly, Athens, Georgia. ISACP: Drs. Mary Christopher, Davis, California, president; Gabriele Rossi, Perth, Australia, vice president; Carolina Rios, Santiago, Chile, secretary; Michael Fry, Knoxville, Tennessee, treasurer; and John Harvey, Gainesville, Florida, executive director
Dr. Mark Ackermann
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Kelli Boyd
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Darren Wood
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Austin K. Viall
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Obituaries
DR. LEONARD F. SEDA, 1999-2000 AVMA PRESIDENT, DIES AT 88
Dr. Leonard F. Seda
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 3; 10.2460/javma.258.3.225
Dr. Leonard F. Seda, a mixed animal practitioner from Iowa whose governance reforms as AVMA president made the Association more representative of its members, died Dec. 12, 2020. He was 88.
Dr. Seda was born on the family farm south of Traer, Iowa, on Aug. 17, 1932, to Ludwig and Mildred Roubinek Seda.
A year after graduating from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1956, Dr. Seda joined the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps, where he was responsible for military food inspections.
He retired from the Army as a first lieutenant in 1959 and joined a mixed animal practice with Drs. G.W. Rieke and L.C. Wilgenbusch in Victor, Iowa. In 1979, the partnership—Victor Veterinary Associates—built a new veterinary clinic that continues to serve the community.
Dr. Seda's leadership in organized veterinary medicine included serving as president of the Eastern Iowa and Iowa VMAs in 1973 and 1981, respectively. He was elected to the AVMA Board of Directors in 1990 and was Board chair from 1995-96.
Three years later, in 1999, Dr. Seda, held the office of AVMA president.
During his term, he oversaw the release of the economic Megastudy and the formation of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues. He successfully proposed the inclusion of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges in the AVMA House of Delegates and strengthened relationships with foreign veterinary organizations.
As immediate past president of the AVMA, Dr. Seda saw his plan for restructuring the Board of Directors districts to better reflect the distribution of the veterinary population. His proposal divided District III to create a new district, and reorganized districts VI, VII, and IX into two districts of six states each.
Dr. Seda is survived by his wife, Collette; two sons and a daughter; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a brother.
Memorial contributions may be designated to the Leonard and Collette Seda HLV Scholarship Fund at the Hartwick Ladora Victor Community School District or to Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
AVMA MEMBER | AVMA HONOR ROLL MEMBER | NONMEMBER
RICHARD G. AINLEY
Dr. Ainley (Pennsylvania ‘48), 98, Santa Maria, California, died Oct. 21, 2020. Primarily a small animal veterinarian, he owned The Pet Hospital in Santa Maria for 32 years prior to retirement. Dr. Ainley previously worked in Bakersfield, California; Corvallis, Oregon; and Fresno, California. He was a past president of the Midcoast VMA and a member of the California VMA. Dr. Ainley served in the Army during World War II. His two daughters, a son, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a brother survive him. Memorials may be made to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173.
JOSEPH D. BERGEVIN
Dr. Bergevin (Washington State ‘60), 84, Shoreline, Washington, died Oct. 12, 2020. He owned Woodinville Equine Hospital in Woodinville, Washington, prior to retirement in 2015. Dr. Bergevin was known for his expertise in equine arthroscopic knee and ankle surgery and equine colic surgery.
Following graduation, Dr. Bergevin worked in California at Salinas and Madera. In 1963, he established an equine practice in Kirkland, Washington. From 1972-73, he served as a visiting assistant professor at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Bergevin then returned to his equine practice, co-founding Woodinville Equine Hospital in 1975. He also owned a hunter-jumper training stable in Bellevue, Washington, for more than 20 years and competed in rodeos and team roping events throughout his career.
A member of the Washington State VMA, Dr. Bergevin served on its Program Committee for several years. In 2002, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine honored him with an Excellence in Practice Award.
Dr. Bergevin is survived by six sons, 17 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and a sister and a brother. A grandson, Dr. Joseph D. Bergevin (Washington State ‘15), practices in Ellensburg, Washington. Memorials, notated to the Dr. Joseph Bergevin Memorial Scholarship in Equine Medicine, may be sent to Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 641927, Pullman, WA 99164, go.vetmed.wsu.edu/bergevinscholarship.
DAYLE D. COLBERG
Dr. Colberg (Iowa State ‘63), 89, Inwood, Iowa, died Oct. 28, 2020. During his career, he practiced large animal medicine in South Dakota at Woonsocket and Platte and worked as a meat inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Yankton, South Dakota. Dr. Colberg was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He is survived by his sister. A nephew-in-law, Dr. Gene Boysen (Kansas State ‘89), is a veterinarian in Minnesota.
WAYNE L. FAWVER
Dr. Fawver (Iowa State ‘65), 79, Hollister, Missouri, died Oct. 17, 2020. A small animal veterinarian, he began his career working in Moline, Illinois. Dr. Fawver subsequently served in the Army Veterinary Corps, attaining the rank of captain. He went on to own a practice in Sterling, Illinois, later practicing in Branson, Missouri, until retirement. Dr. Fawver's wife, Marvel; a son and a daughter; and a brother survive him. Memorials may be made to Dog Is My CoPilot, an organization that transports at-risk animals from overcrowded shelters to adoption centers in other geographic regions, and sent to P.O. Box 3399, Jackson, WY 83001.
FREDDIE R. MERRITT
Dr. Merritt (Auburn ‘68), 77, Eustis, Florida, died Sept. 21, 2020. Following graduation, he served two years in the Air Force. Dr. Merritt subsequently moved to Miami and began a career in small animal medicine. In 1980, Dr. Merritt established Merritt Animal Clinic in Eustis, where he practiced for 25 years prior to retirement. In retirement, he worked part time at the practice owned by his son Dr. Gregory Merritt (Florida ‘10) in Mount Dora, Florida. Dr. Merritt's wife, Kitty; two sons; three grandchildren; and three brothers survive him. Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 98018, Washington, DC 20090, donate.lls.org/lls/donate.
SOLOMON MICHAEL
Dr. Michael, 81, Greensboro, Maryland, died Sept. 21, 2020. A 1964 graduate of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Madras Veterinary College in Chennai, India, he was in rural practice in India prior to moving to the United States in 1968. Dr. Michael then attended the University of Wyoming and the University of New Hampshire, where he studied animal nutrition, before joining Huffard Animal Hospital in Pasadena, Maryland. He subsequently owned a house call practice before establishing Stoney Run Veterinary Hospital in 1988 in Hanover, Maryland, where he practiced small animal medicine until retirement in 2005.
Dr. Michael is survived by his wife, Teresa; a son; a grandchild; and a sister and a brother. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org.
EDWIN T. PRESLEY
Dr. Presley (Cornell ‘55), 91, St. George, Utah, died Oct. 24, 2020. Following graduation, he owned a mixed animal practice in Fulton, New York, for 25 years. Dr. Presley later practiced small animal medicine in Ormond Beach, Florida, until retirement in 1998. His daughter, two sons, four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 920 W. Tonaquint Drive, St. George, UT 84770.
LEWIS J. RUNNELS
Dr. Runnels (Kansas State ‘46), 95, West Lafayette, Indiana, died Nov. 8, 2020. Following graduation, he practiced in Garrett, Indiana. From 1953-55, Dr. Runnels served as a captain in the Army Veterinary Corps. He subsequently moved to Darlington, Indiana, and became a partner in a predominantly farm animal practice. In 1969, Dr. Runnels joined the veterinary faculty of Purdue University, where he eventually served as a professor of large animal medicine and surgery and as a professor of diagnostic medicine at Purdue's Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. He retired as a professor emeritus in 1990.
Dr. Runnels served on the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee from 1981-89 and was a past chair of the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. He was a member of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, and Indiana VMA. Dr. Runnels was also a member of the Rotary Club of Lafayette. Known for his expertise in swine herd health, Dr. Runnels was awarded the American Association of Swine Veterinarians’ Howard Dunne Memorial Award in 1984.
In 1975 and 1987, the state's swine specific pathogen–free association honored him with the Producer Service Award.
Dr. Runnels is survived by two sons and a granddaughter. One son, Dr. Paul L. Runnels (Purdue ‘78), formerly worked for Zoetis in swine vaccine development. Memorials may be made to the Federated Church of West Lafayette Foundation, 2400 Sycamore Lane, West Lafayette, IN 47906; Lewis Runnels Endowment for Swine Production Medicine, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Development Office, 625 Harrison St., West Lafayette, IN 47907; or Westminster Village Foundation, 2741 N. Salisbury, West Lafayette, IN 47906.
DAVID B. SEQUIST
Dr. Sequist (Cornell ‘67), 79, Stowe, Vermont, died Sept. 17, 2020. A mixed animal veterinarian, he was the founder of Sequist Animal Hospital in Morrisville, Vermont, later establishing Sequist Large Animal Veterinary Service in Morrisville. Dr. Sequist retired after more than 50 years in practice. His wife, Jane; two sons and a daughter; four grandchildren; and three brothers survive him. Memorials may be made to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, vet.cornell.edu/giving.
DANIEL L. SIMPSON
Dr. Simpson (Texas A&M ‘83), 61, The Woodlands, Texas, died Oct. 22, 2020. A small animal veterinarian, he was the former owner of FM 1960 Animal Hospital in Houston. Earlier in his career, Dr. Simpson practiced in the Pasadena and Magnolia areas of Texas. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Kathleen Martin Simpson (Texas A&M ‘93), owner of Lone Star Animal Hospital in Magnolia; three sons; his mother; and two brothers. Memorials may be made to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, 8535 Highway 242, Conroe, TX 77385, or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.
LARRY A. SUBER
Dr. Suber (Georgia ‘71), 72, Columbia, South Carolina, died May 3, 2020. Following graduation and after completing an internship at what is now known as Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, he took over Capital Animal Hospital in Columbia from his father, Dr. Pat Suber. Dr. Larry Suber served the greater Columbia area for more than 40 years prior to retirement. From 1995-2001, he was a member of the South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Dr. Suber is survived by his wife, Virginia; two sons and two stepdaughters; and six grandchildren. One son, Dr. Jonathan T. Suber (Tuskegee ‘99), practices at Capital Animal Hospital. Memorials toward an intern fund may be made to Angell Animal Medical Center, c/o the Development Office, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 01230.
GLENN D. WINDOM
Dr. Windom (Iowa State ‘66), 88, Bethany, Missouri, died Aug. 12, 2020. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Missouri's Harrison County for more than 50 years. Dr. Windom was a lifetime member of the Missouri VMA and was a past recipient of the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Food Animal Veterinarian Award. He was active with the 4-H Club and the National FFA Organization. Dr. Windom's wife, Joan; three daughters; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two sisters survive him. Memorials to the South Harrison High School Football Program or Northwest Missouri State Fair Junior Livestock Show may be sent c/o Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424.
