IN SHORT
CATNIP, SILVER VINE ACTIVATE CAT OPIOID SYSTEMS, REPEL MOSQUITOES
Catnip and silver vine send cats into bliss by activating their opioid system, according to a recent study. Rubbing their faces against the plants also may help defend them against mosquitoes.
Researchers described that pair of findings in an article published Jan. 20 in Science Advances. The researchers examined the effects of exposing domestic cats and zoo felids to the plants and two compounds within them: nepetalactone in catnip and nepetalactol in silver vine.
The studies included exposing domestic cats to chemically synthesized nepetalactol equal to the amount found in 10 silver vine leaves. The researchers found the cats had elevated plasma beta-endorphin concentrations, which activate the opioid system and, in humans, produce rewarding and euphoric effects. The researchers also found fewer Aedes albopictus mosquitoes landed on the heads of nepetalactol-treated cats versus controls.
“The rubbing and rolling response transfers nepetalactol from the plant leaves onto the cat's face and head where it acts as a mosquito repellent, finally revealing the likely biological significance of this enigmatic feline behavior, first observed more than 300 years ago,” the article states.
The researchers also found nepetalactol exposure produced similar behavioral responses in domestic cats, Amur leopards, jaguars, and Eurasian lynxes.
The article is available at jav.ma/catnip.
PHI ZETA PRESENTS 2020 RESEARCH AWARDS
Phi Zeta, the international honor society of veterinary medicine, recently presented the 2020 Research Manuscript Awards.
The award in basic sciences went to Dr. Lee-Jae “Jack” Guo, a 2006 veterinary graduate of National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan, of the Eta chapter of Phi Zeta at Texas A&M University. His winning paper was “Natural history of cardiomyopathy in adult dogs with Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy.” Dr. Guo pursued preclinical training in cardiac surgery in the field of artificial organs at Texas A&M University and completed his doctoral degree in biomedical sciences in 2019. His doctoral research focused on understanding cardiomyopathy in dogs and boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and further investigating novel treatments.
The award in clinical sciences went to Dr. Mary Thurber (Wisconsin '14) of the Lambda chapter of Phi Zeta at the University of California-Davis. Her winning paper was “Reference intervals for acute phase proteins for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) at the San Diego Zoo.” She completed a residency in zoological medicine at UC-Davis and San Diego Zoo Global. Dr. Thurber is a diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine. She was a staff veterinarian at the Oakland Zoo for a year prior to joining the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine as a clinical instructor in zoological medicine.
Dr. Lee-Jae “Jack” Guo
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
Dr. Mary Thurber
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
FOUNDATION FUNDS STUDIES ON EFFECTS OF DIET IN FELINE KIDNEY HEALTH
The EveryCat Health Foundation, formerly the Winn Feline Foundation, announced in January that it has awarded two grants as part of a special funding opportunity co-sponsored by Nestlé Purina Petcare and Mars Petcare for research into the effects that dietary phosphorus and calcium-to-phosphorus ratio have on renal health in cats.
The foundation awarded $49,950 for the study “Investigating the genetic basis of total body phosphate overload in cats with mild azotemic chronic kidney disease.” The principal investigator is Dr. Rebecca Geddes of the University of London. This study's aim is to use new genome sequencing technologies to identify genetic variants in phosphate transporters and other genes.
The foundation awarded $34,563 for the study “Impact of feline circadian rhythms on phosphorus and parathyroid hormone concentrations.” The principal investigator is Dr. Andrea Fascetti of the University of California-Davis. The purpose of this study is to determine and characterize the circadian rhythm of phosphorus concentrations in healthy cats fed a consistent, complete, and balanced diet.
SPEAKER ENCOURAGES PROFESSION TO BETTER RESEMBLE PUBLIC IT SERVES
By R. Scott Nolen
Dr. Priscilla Bowens recalls the time a wide-eyed client asked if she really was a doctor.
In the dog owner's mind, the Black woman wearing blue scrubs and a white lab coat who was explaining treatment options for the dog's urinary tract infection could not be a veterinarian because the client had not seen a Black veterinarian before.
“Not everyone knows there are veterinarians of color. Up to this day people tell me, ‘I've never met a Black veterinarian before,‘” Dr. Bowens said during her Jan. 9 presentation for the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference on the need for greater diversity in veterinary leadership and practice ownership.
Unfortunately, the client's surprise is not entirely unjustified. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2017 show that while Black people accounted for 12% of employed people in the U.S., they comprised just 2% of veterinarians. Human medicine and pharmacology are more diverse professions than veterinary medicine, Dr. Bowens said.
Dr. Bowens cited several justifications for why the veterinary profession should strive to resemble the public it serves. About 37% of Black or African American households owned a pet as of 2016, according to the 2017–18 edition of the AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook. The Census Bureau estimates the nation will be majority minority by 2045.
Additionally, diversity is good for business. “People are intentionally looking for doctors of color, especially in light of recent events, such as the killing of George Floyd and other issues of racial and social justice,” Dr. Bowens said.
She noted that the AVMA has been collecting data concerning ethnicity and race in the veterinary profession since 2006 yet has so far declined to publish it. “I encourage that information to be released on a regular basis,” Dr. Bowens said. “The membership should know what its makeup is, especially if you're going to push for change in leadership roles.”
Dr. Priscilla Bowens
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
Dr. Bowens showed two photos of AVMA meetings in which most of the people shown were older white men. “Looking at these photos, a lot of veterinarians of color—especially Black veterinarians—are questioning where is their place. Do they belong here? And the answer should be yes,” she said.
One of the barriers to diversity in leadership is a lack of mentors, according to Dr. Bowens, who believes barriers can also be pathways. “We need the people in leadership to be mentors,” she said. “We need you to step up and take people under your wings. We are out there. We're ready, willing, and able to come through the pipeline to learn about organized veterinary medicine.”
Dr. Bowens is encouraged by commitments to diversity from across the veterinary profession, such as Banfield Pet Hospital's pledge to hire more minority veterinarians and the establishment of the Commission for a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Veterinary Profession by the AVMA and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.
“We are getting there. Slowly but surely, we are getting there, but we have a lot of work to do,” she said.
Barriers to increasing practice ownership among minority veterinarians are more formidable, according to Dr. Bowens, who listed a lack of capital, few ownership pipeline opportunities, and high debt-to-income ratio as important obstacles. According to the 2020 AVMA Report on the Economic State of the Veterinary Profession, new veterinary graduates of Tuskegee University, a historically Black university, have the highest debt-to-income ratio—at 3.6:1 as of 2019—among graduates from all U.S. veterinary colleges and double the national average of 1.8:1.
Dr. Bowens called on veterinary leaders to promote practice ownership among minorities as well as create affordable ownership pathways.
LEE LOY, SULLIVAN RUNNING FOR BOARD SEAT
Two candidates are vying to represent District X—which covers California, Hawaii, and Nevada—on the AVMA Board of Directors. Voting for the race between Drs. Leianne K. Lee Loy and Richard “Dick” Sullivan is happening March 1–31.
Dr. Lee Loy (Missouri '95) of Honolulu is an associate veterinarian at Hawaii Kai Veterinary Clinic. She also does relief work for local veterinary clinics and organizations such as the Hawaiian Humane Society.
She earned a Master of Business Administration in 2003 at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture and educated in Chinese herbal medicine; food therapy; tu ina, a type of therapeutic massage originating in China; and palliative and hospice care.
Dr. Lee Loy was Hawaii's alternate delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates for six years and has served as the delegate representing Hawaii since 2015. She also is a member of the AVMA State Advocacy Committee.
Dr. Leianne K. Lee Loy
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
She has been president of the Hawaii VMA and held multiple positions with the HVMA previously. Dr. Lee Loy has been a member of the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine since 2016.
Born on the island of Oahu, Dr. Lee Loy says being a hula dancer allows her to remain in touch with her Hawaiian roots.
Dr. Sullivan (Purdue '72) served in the Peace Corps in Brazil as an extension veterinarian after graduation. He then returned to settle in Torrance, California, while his wife, Connie, finished her PhD in epidemiology at the University of California-Los Angeles. After four years as an associate at Bay Cities Pet Hospital, he became part owner of the community emergency clinic and was soon elected to its board of directors, serving for 30 years.
He has been president of the Southern California VMA and California VMA and has served on numerous committees for both. Dr. Sullivan became active in the AVMA by serving on its Judicial Council and on the State Advocacy Committee. He was a member of one of the working groups tasked with developing material for the AVMA's position on telemedicine and telehealth. He was California's alternate delegate to the AVMA HOD for eight years and then served another eight years as the delegate representing California.
Dr. Richard “Dick” Sullivan
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
Dr. Sullivan also has served on the California Veterinary Medical Board, first being elected by the board to serve on its Multidisciplinary Advisory Board and then being appointed to the CVMB by then-Gov. Jerry Brown and serving for six years. Dr. Sullivan is now back on the MAB.
Additional information, including biographical statements and statements of reasons for seeking office, is at avma.org/about/elections.
An email message is sent to all eligible voters, providing instructions and a link to a secure voting website. The email is sent from the address AVMAelection@avma.org.
MILLER ELECTED TO AVMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Sam Miller, a small animal practitioner from Texas, ran unopposed to represent District VIII on the AVMA Board of Directors and was declared elected in February.
Dr. Miller will represent AVMA members in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. He begins his six-year term this summer during AVMA Convention 2021.
A 1991 graduate of the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Miller began practicing in McAllen, Texas, and currently owns a five-doctor small animal practice in Houston. He is a past president of the Harris County VMA and Texas VMA and has served as alternate delegate for Texas in the AVMA House of Delegates. He was a member of the AVMA Opioid Working Group looking at veterinarians' role in addressing the opioid crisis.
Dr. Sam Miller
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
“Through my years as a volunteer leader, I have gained a great appreciation for those leaders that have come before us,” Dr. Miller said. “Leaders that recognized the importance of advocating on behalf of the veterinary community. Leaders that guided us through the changes and faced the challenges impacting the veterinary community. It is my desire to continue in those footsteps to ensure the continued health of our profession for not only the current generation of practitioners but also for those that have yet to join our ranks.”
PEST PROBLEMS? CALL A VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGIST
By R. Scott Nolen
Among the many disciplines that make up the area of one health is veterinary entomology, a field dealing with bloodsucking insects that feed on livestock, pets, and wildlife and are vectors for infectious and parasitic diseases.
Jerry Hogsette, PhD, is a scientist with the Center for Medical, Agriculture, and Veterinary Entomology, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. “When I tell people I'm a veterinary entomologist, they think I'm a veterinarian who cares for insects, which is obviously not the case,” Dr. Hogsette said.
Focused as he is on insects that jeopardize animal health—primarily ticks and a variety of flies—Dr. Hogsette helps livestock producers and zoos with their pest problems. That entails identifying and removing places in the environment where the bugs can breed and deploying traps and chemical repellents that don't involve pesticides.
Innovative solutions are used as well. Dr. Hogsette described one such measure targeting the horn fly, a blood feeder with a painful bite. Horn flies swarm and pester cattle, which spend a great deal of energy defending themselves. Taking advantage of the fact that adult horn flies must remain on a cow host to live, a company created a vacuum that can be placed around a lane that cows are walked through. As the cows pass through, the vacuum sucks up the horn flies.
Horn flies and stable flies together are a bane of the cattle industry and a major cause of reduced productivity. “These critters cause cattle producers lost revenue every year, and they are a perennial problem,” Dr. Hogsette said.
Another persistent pest problem is cattle fever ticks. Two species of tick carry the bovine babesiosis parasites responsible for a severe and potentially fatal disease for which no vaccine is available. Once common throughout the South and Southwest, cattle fever ticks today exist in a buffer zone in South Texas along the border with Mexico. The USDA has maintained a cattle fever tick eradication program for several decades, at great expense, to keep these ticks mostly south of the border.
The stable fly is a blood-feeding insect with a painful bite and a taste for animals as well as humans. (Photo by Stephen Ausmus)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
Dr. Hogsette said the USDA's successful campaign to eliminate the screwworm fly in North and Central America during the 1990s was made possible by the contributions of veterinary entomologists. “The screwworm lays eggs in an open wound, and the larvae feed on the flesh, essentially eating the animal to death,” he said.
For the past several years, Dr. Hogsette has worked with the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and the Brookfield Zoo near Chicago on their stable fly problems. Like the horn fly, stable flies are blood feeders and target humans and animals.
The zoos are not creating the flies. So where are they coming from? “Everything is super clean,” he explained. “We do a walk-through, and we can't find any evidence to justify the numbers of flies we're seeing on the animals or we're seeing in our traps.”
Turns out the flies are breeding in compost piles in urban areas. Stable flies thrive in course straw or grass. “People make compost piles, and that's a very good thing, but if they're not kept at the proper temperature, they can produce flies. This is a problem nationwide,” Dr. Hogsette explained.
“These are the sorts of things I deal with,” he added. “It's a fun job and keeps me busy.”
ZOO GORILLAS RECOVERING FROM COVID-19
By Kaitlyn Mattson
Several members of a troop of gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in people, in January. The gorillas represent the first known instance of transmission of the virus to great apes.
The troop was infected with a highly contagious new strain of the virus recently identified in California.
“Aside from some congestion and coughing, the gorillas are doing well,” said Lisa Peterson, executive director of the zoo, in a Jan. 11 press release. “The troop remains quarantined together and are eating and drinking. We are hopeful for a full recovery.”
The Safari Park gorilla troop likely contracted the virus from an asymptomatic staff member despite staff members following the zoo's biosecurity precautions, COVID-19 safety protocols from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and San Diego County Public Health Services guidelines, according to the zoo.
“For almost one year our team members have been working tirelessly, with the utmost determination to protect each other and the wildlife in our care from this highly contagious virus,” Peterson said in the press release. “The safety of our staff and the wildlife in our care remains our number one priority.”
The National Veterinary Services Laboratories within the U.S. Department of Agriculture had confirmed 131 cases of animals testing positive for the COVID-19 virus as of Jan. 15. Cats and dogs have seen the most confirmed infections over the past year, followed by mink, tigers, lions, snow leopards, and gorillas. Testing of 3,625 animals for SARS-CoV-2 had been reported to the USDA as of Jan. 15.
One of the older gorillas at Safari Park, Winston, a silverback, underwent a diagnostic examination because of his age and clinical signs, according to a Jan. 25 press release from the zoo. The veterinarians who performed the examination confirmed pneumonia and heart disease. Winston was treated with heart medications, antimicrobials, and monoclonal antibodies. The veterinary team believes the antibody treatment contributed to Winston's ability to overcome the virus.
A network of collaborators joined forces with San Diego Zoo Global, the conservation arm of the zoo, to provide the best care it could for the gorillas, including the University of California-San Diego, California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, CDC, Great Ape Heart Project at Zoo Atlanta in Georgia, and California Department of Health, among others.
Several members of a gorilla troop at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in people, on Jan. 11. The troop was infected with a highly contagious new strain of the virus recently identified in California. (Courtesy of San Diego Zoo Global)
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
The network was able to provide San Diego Zoo Global veterinarians with a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses, which originated from a supply strictly intended for animal use.
San Diego Zoo Global is also sharing its experience with other wildlife care professionals at over 200 zoos worldwide and is committed to sharing resources to protect great apes.
The primate habitat does allow the great apes to be a safe distance from all guests and does not pose a potential public health risk.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park was closed to the public for two months because of a statewide lockdown order but reopened to the public Jan. 30 with additional safety protocols, including a ticket reservation system required for entry.
The AVMA has a resource page on SARS-CoV-2 in animals at jav.ma/Covidanimals and a summary page on naturally acquired infections in animals at jav.ma/Covidresource.
AVMA CREATES PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TOOLS FOR MEMBERS
The AVMA has released two resources to help simplify financial and back-office operations for veterinarians: a business plan template and a profit and loss calculator.
Matthew J. Salois, the AVMA chief economist, said the AVMA knows providing economic insight and resources to members is helpful.
“We know that practical tools and resources to help practice owners and veterinarians navigate the rough waters of our economy and business environment are needed, now more than ever,” he said. “We are pleased to bring these hands- on and interactive resources to support our veterinary professionals and help drive a more prosperous and economically sustainable practice that delivers the best care to patients.”
The downloadable and customizable business plan template allows veterinarians to analyze a practice's current plan or to build a new one from scratch. It guides users on how to conduct a market and industry as well as financial analysis, create marketing and operational plans, and do a risk assessment. The resource will also help owners identify opportunities, set measurable goals, and develop a focused strategy for success.
The other tool, a profit and loss calculator, lets practice owners track revenue, expenses, and overall profitability. The calculator helps to create a profit and loss statement, also known as an income statement, that owners can use to compare their business to others of similar size.
Additionally, the calculator can be used to identify areas to change spending habits, develop new revenue opportunities, and optimize staffing.
The profit and loss calculator uses data from the American Animal Hospital Association, mostly from companion animal practices, so comparisons with other practice types may be incorrect.
The template and calculator are available at avma.org/StayCompetitive. In addition, the AVMA has several other practice management tools, including pricing strategies, a market share estimator, an industry-standard chart of accounts, and strategies for maintaining cash flow, also on the site. The tools are available only to AVMA members.
AVMF SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS TO APPLY
Several scholarship opportunities are now open from the American Veterinary Medical Foundation for students attending AVMA Council on Education–accredited veterinary colleges.
Students can submit online applications for the following scholarships from March 1 through May 15.
AVMA/AVMF Scholarship for Veterans: In honor of the 100th anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson's signing of the National Defense Act of 1916 and the creation of a Veterinary Corps within the U.S. Army, the AVMA and AVMF established a special scholarship for military veterans pursuing an education in veterinary medicine. Scholarships in the amount of $5,000 are available to veterans of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy currently in their first three years of veterinary school.
AVMF/Arizona VMA Scholarship: Five $1,000 scholarships are available to third-year veterinary students with a connection to the state of Arizona. Applicants must be a member of the Student AVMA and a student member of the AzVMA and have been born, lived, employed, or educated in the state, among other requirements.
AVMF/Winn Feline Foundation Scholarship: A $2,500 scholarship is available to a second- or third-year student in the U.S. who demonstrates an interest in feline veterinary medicine. The recipient of this award must be able to document a history of participation in activities that benefit the health and welfare of cats. A strong GPA and financial need are also considered for this scholarship.
Mildred Sylvester Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship, established by the estate of Mildred Sylvester, is available to an outstanding first-, second-, or third-year U.S. veterinary student with a connection to the state of New Jersey.
Dr. Elinor McGrath Scholarship: Juliette Fassett, founder of Dr. McGrath's, partners with the AVMF in offering a $500 scholarship to a first-, second-, or third-year student at a U.S. veterinary college. Dr. McGrath is recognized as America's first female member of the AVMA.
The application form for these scholarships will be available at scholarships.avmf.org. For more information on any of the scholarship opportunities, please contact Patti Gillespie, senior manager of programs and operations. She can be reached by email at scholarships@avma.org or by phone at 847-285-6709.
AAVSB RELEASES STANDARDS TO ASSESS INTERNATIONAL VETERINARY TECHNICIANS, NURSES
By Kaitlyn Mattson
A certificate program aimed at assessing the education equivalence of veterinary technicians and veterinary nurses trained outside the U.S. and Canada—for which there is currently no existing coordinated program—debuted late last year.
The American Association of Veterinary State Boards released new standards and policies for the PAVE for Veterinary Technicians certificate program in December. PAVE is the AAVSB's Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence for graduates of foreign veterinary colleges. The AVMA Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates also offers a certification program.
The PAVE for Veterinary Technicians certificate is not a credential to practice as a veterinary technician in the U.S. or Canada but does, in areas where it is accepted, indicate that the holder meets the educational requirements for credentialing eligibility.
Kenichiro Yagi, president of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, said there has been a need for an avenue for veterinary technicians and nurses trained abroad to enter the U.S. and Canadian workforce.
“We're happy to see AAVSB offering the PAVE program for the members of our profession,” Yagi said. “In an ever-increasingly mobile world, moving across country borders is not uncommon. Practicing in the U.S. is often seen as an attractive option for individuals with the desire to hone their skills, and we hope to see the influx add to the diversity within our field.”
The PAVE program was originally developed for veterinarians who wanted a pathway to practice in the U.S. and Canada, and the additional certificate for veterinary technicians and veterinary nurses will expand on that program.
Dr. Roger Redman, AAVSB president, said in a statement, “In the past few years, our membership has made it clear the demand to expand PAVE into the veterinary technician/nurse profession is immense.”
More information about the PAVE for Veterinary Technicians program is at jav.ma/PAVEtech.
VETERINARY TECHNICIAN COMMITTEE RELEASES ACCREDITATION DECISIONS
The AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technicians and Activities released its most recent accreditation decisions from its Nov. 6–7, 2020, meeting, including initial accreditation granted to one program.
There are currently 209 CVTEA-accredited veterinary technology programs, including 10 distance education programs. There are 168 programs assigned full accreditation, 37 with initial accreditation, and four with probationary accreditation.
The San Diego Mesa College in San Diego was approved for initial accreditation, and the State University of New York-Ulster County Community College in Stone Ridge, New York, was granted full accreditation following review of the site visit report. Accreditation was withdrawn from Baker College of Clinton Township in Michigan.
The CVTEA has 45 site visits scheduled for 2021, including six new programs. There are currently 19 programs that have indicated an interest in seeking initial accreditation, and eight new program applications have been approved for initial site visits. The CVTEA performs roughly 50 site visits each year.
Along with its accreditation decisions, the committee also updated its COVID-19 policy and proposed changes to several of its Standards of Accreditation.
The AVMA CVTEA also delayed the implementation of its Standard 11, or the requirement that a program's three-year rolling average pass percentage for individuals taking the Veterinary Technician National Exam for the first time must be 50% or higher, to Sept. 1. The committee made this decision on the basis of some graduates' inability to complete the VTNE during the pandemic.
The CVTEA's next meeting is April 22–25.
LONGTIME CANINE EPILEPSY TREATMENT GAINS CONDITIONAL APPROVAL
By Greg Cima
Potassium bromide, used for decades to treat idiopathic epilepsy in dogs, gained its first approval in the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration officials announced Jan. 14 that the agency granted conditional approval of a chewable tablet, KBroVet-CA1, for control of seizures associated with idiopathic canine epilepsy. The condition affects about 5% of dogs, the announcement states.
Conditional approval allows a company to sell a drug while collecting efficacy data, as long as the company first provides evidence the drug is safe. The company has up to five years to collect the remaining data for approval but needs to show progress each year.
A product with the “CA1” suffix is the first conditionally approved application for that drug.
In the March 15, 2012, issue of JAVMA, FDA officials published a review of scientific literature published from 1938–2011 on the safety of potassium bromide in dogs, covering 111 sources. That article states that potassium bromide has been used to treat epilepsy in people at least since 1857 and animals since 1876.
The JAVMA article states that while potassium bromide and sodium bromide salts have been compounded into drugs and sold in the U.S., they and phenobarbital products used to treat epilepsy lacked FDA-approved uses in humans or animals in the U.S.
KBroVet-CA1's manufacturer, Pegasus Laboratories Inc., used safety data collected in that review to support its drug application rather than conducting its own drug testing in dogs, according to the FDA announcement. Dr. Steven M. Solomon, director of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, said in the announcement he was encouraged that the company could use FDA data to avoid the need to perform animal testing.
Dr. Sheila Carrera-Justiz is a clinical veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, and she co-authored a 2018 review article on emergency management of dogs with suspected epileptic seizures and a 2019 article on patterns of anti-epileptic drug use among neurology and emergency medicine specialists treating dogs suspected to have epilepsy. She said potassium bromide has been among the anticonvulsant drugs used for years to treat epilepsy in dogs.
Labrador Retrievers are among dog breeds more prone to idiopathic epilepsy.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
Potassium bromide is a slow-acting substance with a long half-life, taking up to two months to start controlling epileptic seizures and three months to provide consistent control, Dr. Carrera-Justiz said. During that time, dog owners need to closely control their dogs' diets and avoid any fluctuations in salt intake.
A Labrador Retriever that drinks saltwater at the beach will lose bromide in its urine, and one that vacuums up food scraps behind small children will have an unstable salt intake.
But, when owners can control for those factors, the drug does well at controlling seizures in dogs without the risk of organ damage, Dr. Carrera-Justiz said. It's a good option for dogs with liver disease yet a poor one for dogs with kidney disease, she said.
The FDA announcement also indicates dog owners need to watch for signs of bromide intoxication. Severe intoxication can cause stumbling, stupor, hind limb weakness, behavior changes, dilated pupils, and even loss of consciousness and coma.
Other anticonvulsant drugs that have often been used include sodium bromide, phenobarbital, levetiracetam, and zonisamide, though none of these substances had approvals in the U.S. as veterinary-use anti-epileptic drugs.
FDA officials encourage veterinarians to prescribe approved drugs rather than unapproved alternatives because approved drugs meet agency standards for safety, labeling, quality, and effectiveness, according to a statement provided by agency spokesperson Siobhan DeLancey. With conditionally approved drugs, manufacturers need to meet a lower standard of evidence for effectiveness but still need to provide reasonable assurance the drug will work as intended.
“Unapproved drugs—including compounded drugs—have not been reviewed by the FDA and do not have the same assurances,” the statement says. “However, the FDA understands that this conditionally approved tablet form and dose of KBroVet-CA1 may not be appropriate for all patients and that a veterinarian may decide to use an unapproved product to control seizures in certain dogs.”
Dr. Carrera-Justiz expects the approval will have little impact on her own prescribing practices because veterinarians also have some leeway to make decisions based on the needs of each patient.
“I can say, ‘I don't want to use this drug because I need seizure control tomorrow, not in three months,‘” she said.
But she cautioned that state rules may give varying amounts of discretion for when to use the approved drug.
An article published in February 2016 in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine indicates that primidone was the only anti-epileptic drug approved for dogs in the U.S., whereas phenobarbital, imepitoin, and potassium bromide were approved in Europe. That article, a 2015 consensus statement from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, provides guidelines on managing seizures in dogs and is available at jav.ma/seizure.
FDA GIVES CONDITIONAL APPROVAL TO CANINE LYMPHOMA DRUG
By Greg Cima
An oral-administration treatment for canine lymphoma gained conditional approval Jan. 11.
The Food and Drug Administration's decision allows sales of verdinexor tablets—under the name Laverdia-CA1—while the drug's sponsor, Anivive Lifesciences Inc., collects more efficacy data. Evidence provided by the company provided reasonable assurance the drug will be effective, an agency announcement states.
In one study, Anivive Lifesciences administered Laverdia-CA1 to 58 client-owned dogs with B- or T-cell lymphoma. The summary and the FDA announcement indicates 17 of the dogs—29%—showed improvement or no further progression of their lymphoma in the eight weeks after treatment began, and three had no disease progression for 26 weeks.
The summary also indicates 19 of the dogs had at least 30% reductions in the size of target lesions and one dog's lymph nodes returned to a normal, nonpathogenic size.
Agency officials see potential that Laverdia-CA1 could be administered by pet owners at home, although any caregivers handling the drug should wear gloves rated for handling chemotherapeutics. Caregivers also should wear such gloves in the three days after administration when handling the dog's food and water bowls or cleaning up its feces, vomit, urine, or saliva.
Golden Retrievers are thought to be among dog breeds at a higher risk of lymphoma.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
The agency also warns against any handling of the drug, a patient's waste, or a patient's bodily fluids by children and by women who are pregnant or nursing or likely to become pregnant. The agency granted the conditional approval through the Minor Use/Minor Species regulatory pathway, which lets companies sell treatments for uncommon conditions while completing studies for full approval. For dogs, the minor-use rules apply to conditions affecting fewer than 70,000 patients annually.
Drug sponsors have five years to complete the remaining studies, and they must show progress each year, FDA information states. The “CA1” suffix means the product is the first conditionally approved application of a drug.
In the announcement, Dr. Steven M. Solomon, director of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, said lymphoma is a devastating cancer in dogs with few approved treatments.
Another company, VetDC Inc., received conditional approval in December 2016 for its injection-administered rabacfosadine product, Tanovea-CA1. Prior to that conditional approval, the only drugs available to treat canine lymphoma were drugs approved for use in humans, FDA information states.
When should we neuter dogs?
It depends
By R. Scott Nolen
Spaying and neutering pet dogs and cats not meant for breeding has long been the standard in veterinary medicine. Yet, recent research linking gonadectomy to higher incidences of certain diseases in neutered dogs is raising questions about a procedure once thought relatively safe.
Earlier this year, the AVMA House of Delegates devoted a portion of its Veterinary Information Forum to this issue after two studies published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science in July reported associations between neutering and higher rates of joint disorders and cancers in some mixed-breed dogs and dogs of particular breeds.
The team of veterinary researchers from the University of California-Davis also reported certain dog breeds were at greater risk of disease if spayed or neutered before 1 year of age and, especially, if spayed or neutered before 6 months of age.
“Each individual animal must be considered, and veterinarians should inform the client about all the issues and let them make an informed decision about their pet.”
Dr. Benjamin Hart, professor emeritus, University of California–Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
“We have breeders in our area giving clients conflicting advice on the timing of spay-neuter,” noted Dr. Gary Stuer, the alternate delegate for the American Holistic VMA and a clinical practitioner in Bethel, Maine.
SCIENCE SAYS?
Veterinarians and the animal shelter community have long promoted neutering pet dogs and cats not meant for breeding, most notably to prevent litters of unwanted puppies and kittens. U.S. dog owners have gotten the message, as 78% of dog-owning households had spayed or neutered their canine companions, according to the American Pet Products Association's 2019–20 National Pet Owners Survey.
Although various alternatives to gonad removal exist, such as vasectomies and hysterectomies, gonadectomy is by far the most common procedure practiced by veterinarians.
Still, the relationship between sex hormones and canine health is not well understood. There is evidence that the hormones' absence offers neutered dogs protection against certain diseases, including mammary adenocarcinoma and pyometra. But there is reason to suspect that absence may contribute to negative health outcomes as well.
Dr. Benjamin Hart led the research teams that produced the recently published studies. The first, published July 7, looked at joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence associated with spaying and neutering in 35 dog breeds. The second, published July 31, covered joint disease and cancers in mixed-breed dogs of various weights.
The findings are the product of several years spent analyzing thousands of records of canine patients treated at UC-Davis' William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. “Our studies show quite a bit of variability among breeds, sex, and age at the time of neutering; that's what really comes through,” said Dr. Hart, a professor emeritus at the UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Both reports provide guidelines for minimizing disease risks associated with spaying and neutering. For example, the recommendation for female Golden Retrievers, given the increased occurrence of cancers regardless of age at the time of spaying, is to leave females intact or spay them at 1 year of age and remain vigilant for cancers. For Boxers, given the breed's high cancer rates, the recommendation is to delay neutering until beyond 2 years of age.
“The idea is that this should be a consultation with the client,” Dr. Hart explained. “You don't just say, ‘OK, at six months or a year, bring your dog in for a spay or neuter.‘ Each individual animal must be considered, and veterinarians should inform the client about all the issues and let them make an informed decision about their pet.”
ARE YOU SURE?
As with all studies linking gonadectomy with higher disease rates, the UC-Davis studies have been criticized. During the HOD information forum, Dr. Lindy O'Neal, the Arkansas delegate to the HOD and a member of the House Advisory Committee, raised several issues concerning the study that looked at 35 dog breeds.
“While new data is valuable, limitations of the research require critical evaluation,” Dr. O'Neal said. “This includes the retrospective nature of the study, small sample sizes, contradictory findings between breeds, selection bias of records from a secondary or tertiary referral hospital, challenges with statistical analysis, and the relatively young average age of patients at their last recorded visit.”
She referenced a Veterinary Information Network paper written by veterinary oncologists who found fault with several of the study's cancer-related conclusions.
“While there is evidence that desexing variably increases the risk of certain cancers in dogs,” the paper states, “this needs to be weighed against the impact of desexing on overall survival.
“If cancer accounts for a large percentage of deaths, then desexing should result in increased all-cause mortality. However, if cancer accounts for a small proportion of ‘early’ deaths, then the impact of desexing on all-cause mortality should be largely independent of the cancer effect.”
WHAT DO I DO?
The American College of Theriogenologists and the Society for Theriogenology maintain that companion animals not intended for breeding should be spayed or neutered unless the procedure is contraindicated. Moreover, any potential consequences to the individual animal must be weighed against the necessity for population management.
The simple fact is that there is no single recommendation concerning gonadectomy that is appropriate for every dog. There are just too many variables to account for, including breed, sex, age, and body type. Whether to spay or neuter must therefore be decided on a case-by-case basis.
“AVMA promotes the professional judgement of the veterinarian in developing an informed, case-by-case assessment of each individual patient, taking into account all the potential risks and benefits of spay/neuter,” said Dr. Kendall Houlihan, an assistant director of animal welfare for the AVMA.
During the HOD reference committee discussions, Dr. Rens van Dobbenburgh, president of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, said similar talks were taking place across the Atlantic, where opinions on the timing of spay or neuter are mixed.
The good news is there is no shortage of resources to help veterinarians in that decision-making process.
“AVMA promotes the professional judgement of the veterinarian in developing an informed, case-by-case assessment of each individual patient, taking into account all the potential risks and benefits of spay/neuter.”
Dr. Kendall Houlihan, an AVMA assistant director of animal welfare
People
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ZOOLOGICAL MEDICINE
EVENT
Virtual meeting, Nov. 9, 2020
AWARDS
Dr. Murray Fowler Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Don Janssen (California-Davis '78), Escondido, California, won this award given for exceptional commitment and contributions to the ACZM while making significant lifetime contributions that have advanced the discipline of zoological medicine. A diplomate of the ACZM and a past president of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, Dr. Janssen served as director of veterinary services and was vice president for animal health at San Diego Zoo Global prior to retirement. He is known for his leadership in the field of zoo and wildlife medicine and for his contributions via clinical research, veterinary practice, teaching, mentoring, and service throughout his career.
Dr. Don Janssen
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 258, 5; 10.2460/javma.258.5.437
ACZM Student Manuscript Award
Dr. Molly Martony, Tampa, Florida, for “Clinicopathological prognostic indicators of survival and pathological findings in cold-stressed Florida manatees (Trichechus latirostris)”
President's Award
Drs. Jennifer D'Agostino, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Lisa Harrenstien, Portland, Oregon; Kathryn Gamble, Chicago; and Olivia Petritz, Raleigh, North Carolina
NEW DIPLOMATES
Kadie Anderson, Vaughn, Washington Kendra Bauer, Manvel, Texas Emilie Couture, Granby, Quebec Lara Croft, Denver Peter DiGeronimo, Philadelphia Nicola Di Girolamo, Stillwater, Oklahoma Christine Higbie, La Quinta, California Laura Kleinschmidt, Omaha, Nebraska Cedric Larouche, Scarborough, Ontario Dana Lindemann, Orlando, Florida Matt Marinkovich, Del Mar, California Molly Martony, Tampa, Florida June Olds, Urbandale, Iowa Sarah Ozawa, Davis, California Anne Rivas, Vestavia Hills, Alabama Justin Rosenberg, Wichita, Kansas Estelle Rousselet, Seigy, France Julie Sheldon, Chicago Zoltan Szabo, Hong Kong Stamatios Tahas, London Karisa Tang, Minneapolis Lori Westmoreland, Morehead City, North Carolina
Michelle Whitehead, Lebanon, Illinois
OFFICIALS
Drs. Jennifer N. Langan, Brookfield, Illinois, president; Douglas Whiteside, Calgary, Alberta, vice president; Christopher J. Bonar, Dallas, secretary; Lisa Harrenstien, Portland, Oregon, treasurer; and Kay Backues, Tulsa, Oklahoma, immediate past president
AMERICAN BOARD OF VETERINARY PRACTITIONERS
The American Board of Veterinary Practitioners welcomed 42 new diplomates following the board certification examination it held remotely on Oct. 14, 2020. They are as follows:
AVIAN PRACTICE
Sherri Cox, Guelph, Ontario
Abigail Duvall, Knoxville, Tennessee
Claudia Kabakchiev, Guelph, Ontario
Peter Sojka, Knoxville, Tennessee
Anne Staudenmaier, Walpole, Massachusetts
Shangzhe Xie, Singapore
CANINE AND FELINE PRACTICE
Jessica Alexander, Los Angeles
Asaf Alkalay, Ganei Tikva, Israel
Cooper Brookshire, Starkville, Mississippi
Shawn Bybee, Salt Lake City
Erika Cervasio, Mansfield, Massachusetts
Blair Daus, Antioch, Illinois
Jennifer Grady, Grafton, Massachusetts
Illana Halperin, Davis, California
Philip Jull, Algodones, New Mexico
Christopher Lea, Auburn, Alabama
Danyse Lewis, Calgary, Alberta
William McGee, Chico, Texas
Alison Meindl, Athens, Georgia
Brooke Robertson, Blacksburg, Virginia
Jacob Taylor, Bettendorf, Iowa
Jean Waguespack, Columbus, Georgia
DAIRY PRACTICE
Jessica McArt, Ithaca, New York
EQUINE PRACTICE
Lea Riddell, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Christine Whalin, Pawling, New York
EXOTIC COMPANION MAMMAL PRACTICE
Isabelle Desperez, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Sara Gardhouse, Guelph, Ontario Kimvi Le, Hong Kong Hilary Stern, Soquel, California Laetitia Volait-Rosset, Maisons-Alfort, France
FELINE PRACTICE
Katrina Breiteiter, Austin, Texas
Sara Doggett, Charlestown, Massachusetts
Marie-Theres Hoyer-Kammerhofer, Vienna
Nicole Martell-Moran, Houston
Melissa Mustillo, New Market, Maryland
Elaine Ng, Hong Kong
Nina Quinley, Davis, California
Lisa Restine, San Antonio
FOOD ANIMAL PRACTICE
Adam Copeland, Panhandle, Texas
Kerri Nigito, Grenada, West Indies
SHELTER MEDICINE
Emilia Gordon, Vancouver, British Columbia
Chelsea Reinhard, North Grafton, Massachusetts
Obituaries
AVMA MEMBER | AVMA HONOR ROLL MEMBER | NONMEMBER DON T. BALENTINE
Dr. Balentine
Dr. Balentine (Texas A&M '50), 93, Alvarado, Texas, died Nov. 11, 2020. He served as a federal veterinarian prior to retirement. In recent years, Dr. Balentine was a cattle rancher in Alvarado. He is survived by two daughters, a son, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
ERNEST R. BENNER
Dr. Benner (Michigan State '61), 83, Charles Town, West Virginia, died Nov. 14, 2020. Following graduation, he worked at mixed animal practices in Armada, Michigan, and West Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Benner subsequently taught equine medicine for a period of time at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1966, he moved to Charles Town, where he established a large animal practice. In 1977, Dr. Benner co-founded what is now known as Valley Equine Associates in Ranson, West Virginia. In 1986, he taught equine medicine at the University of California-Davis. During retirement, Dr. Benner ran a beef cattle operation in White Post, Virginia, with his family.
A past president of the West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association, he served on the board of directors of the West Virginia Breeders' Classic. In 2003, the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association honored Dr. Benner with a Distinguished Alumnus Award. Active in his community, he served on the planning commission and the board of zoning appeals for Jefferson County, West Virginia. Dr. Benner is survived by his wife, Barbara; two daughters and two sons; seven grandchildren; and two sisters and a brother. His nephew, Dr. Keith Berkeley (Tuskegee '84), now owns Valley Equine Associates.
Memorial contributions may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, 110 W. North St., Charles Town, WV 25414, or Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County, P.O. Box 147, Charles Town, WV 25414.
N. JOEL EDWARDS
Dr. Edwards (Cornell '64), 80, Altamount, New York, died Oct. 15, 2020. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in cardiology, he owned a specialty referral practice in Albany, New York, prior to retirement in 2010. Dr. Edwards began his career practicing mixed animal medicine, focusing on dairy cattle, in Cornwall, Vermont. He later practiced small animal medicine in Manhasset, New York, and co-owned Shaker Animal Hospital in Latham, New York, prior to establishing his referral practice. In retirement, Dr. Edwards served as a consultant for the Veterinary Information Network.
Active in organized veterinary medicine, he was a life member of the New York State Veterinary Medical Society and a distinguished life member of the Capital District Veterinary Medical Society. Dr. Edwards served on the ACVIM Examination Committee and the Capital District VMS' Continuing Education Committee and helped establish the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners and the Capital District Animal Emergency Clinic. He was also a past area director of the American Animal Hospital Association. In 1979, Dr. Edwards was named AAHA Region 1 Practitioner of the Year. In 2011, the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association honored him with the Daniel Elmer Salmon Award for Distinguished Alumni Service.
Dr. Edwards was a founding member and a volunteer with Community Caregivers Inc., a nonprofit organization helping people remain in their own homes and avoiding and delaying institutional care. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of captain. Dr. Edwards was awarded a Bronze Star for his service. His wife, Cindy; a son and two daughters; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister survive him.
Memorials may be made to Community Caregivers Inc., 2021 Western Ave., Suite 104, Albany, NY 12203; Altamont Reformed Church, 129 Lincoln Ave., Altamont, NY 12009; or The N. Joel Edwards, DVM, Cardiac Resident Fund, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, Alumni Affairs and Development, Cornell Veterinary Medicine, 930 Campus Road, Ithaca, NY 14853.
JERRY H. JOHNSON
Dr. Johnson (Georgia '63), 81, Lexington, Kentucky, died Nov. 9, 2020. A diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, he was in equine practice since 1979 in Lexington, focusing on Thoroughbreds. Dr. Johnson was known for his expertise in laser surgery of the throat in equines and for his efforts to prevent soring in Tennessee Walking Horses. Earlier in his career, he was in academia, teaching at the University of Pennsylvania, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Auburn University, and the University of Missouri.
Dr. Johnson served on the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council and on arbitration panels for Thoroughbred auction companies. He also served as an adviser to the Thoroughbred industry in Jamaica. In later years, Dr. Johnson became certified in equine acupuncture. He was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians, Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners, Kentucky VMA, and Thoroughbred Club of America.
Dr. Johnson was a veteran of the Army Reserves. His wife, Patricia; two daughters and an adopted daughter; and six grandchildren survive him. Memorials, notated to the Jerry H. Johnson, DVM, Memorial Fund, may be made to the UGA Foundation, Office of Development, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.
GEORGE A. KUKOR
Dr. Kukor (Ohio State '57), 90, Westerville, Ohio, died Oct. 25, 2020. He was the founder of Hilliard Veterinary Hospital in Hilliard, Ohio, where he practiced small animal medicine until retirement in 2006. Dr. Kukor was a past president of the Columbus Academy of Veterinary Medicine. A charter member of the Ohio VMA, he served as editor of its newsletter for several years. Dr. Kukor received a Distinguished Service Award from the Columbus Academy of Veterinary Medicine in 1977 and was honored with the Ohio VMA Leadership Award in 1978. In 1983, he was the recipient of the Ohio VMA Distinguished Service Award. In 1986, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine honored him with the Alumni Service Award. Dr. Kukor was named Ohio Veterinarian of the Year in 2011.
He was active with the Columbus Area Humane Society and Pilot Dogs. Dr. Kukor is survived by his wife, Diana; four daughters, two sons, a stepson, and a stepdaughter; 12 grandchildren and a stepgrandchild; and two great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Pilot Dogs Inc., 625 West Town St., Columbus, OH 43215, or Hilliard Humane Society, 3015 Scioto Darby Executive Court, Hilliard, OH 43026.
MARJORIE E. LOSCH
Dr. Losch (Illinois ‘61), 87, Hagerstown, Maryland, died Sept. 30, 2020. Following graduation, she co-established Baraboo Veterinary Clinic with her then husband, Dr. William R. Losch (Illinois ‘61), in Baraboo, Wisconsin. In 1978, Dr. Losch founded a second practice, Reedsburg Small Animal Clinic, in Reedsburg, Wisconsin. She also served as veterinarian for the Oschner Park Zoo in Baraboo, was a consulting veterinarian for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the International Crane Foundation, and conducted research on the role of furosemide in udder edema in dairy cattle.
In later years, Dr. Losch left clinical practice and began a career in veterinary consulting, initially working as a staff veterinarian for Edwards Agri-Sales and later as a manager at Equity Global Agri-Sales. In 1994, she was appointed to Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson's export strategy commission. Dr. Losch retired in 1999. Active in organized veterinary medicine, she served on the Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board from 1979–88, chairing the board from 1987–88. In 1983, the former Association of Women Veterinarians named Dr. Losch as Outstanding Woman Veterinarian of the Year.
She is survived by three daughters, three grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to the Circus World Museum, Wisconsin Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 260050, Madison, WI 53726, circusworldbaraboo.org, or International Crane Foundation, E11376 Shady Lane Road, P.O. Box 447, Baraboo, WI 53913, savingcranes.org.
HARRY MADISSOO
Dr. Madissoo, 96, East Syracuse, New York, died Nov. 7, 2020. A 1958 graduate of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover in Germany, he subsequently earned a degree in clinical veterinary pharmacology in Hanover before moving to the United States, where he began his career as a senior research scientist at Squibb Pharmaceuticals in New Brunswick, New Jersey. From 1965–90, Dr. Madissoo served as director of toxicology at Bristol-Myers Squibb in Syracuse, New York. He was later the company's senior research adviser for drug safety in New Brunswick, serving in that capacity until retirement.
Dr. Madissoo is survived by his wife, Aili; a son and a stepdaughter; eight grandchildren; and a sister.
JAMES H. MALLERY
Dr. Mallery (Texas A&M '71), 76, Huntsville, Texas, died July 3, 2020. Following graduation, he served two years in the Army. Dr. Mallery then established Mallery Veterinary Clinic in Huntsville, where he practiced small animal medicine for nearly 30 years prior to retirement in the early 2000s. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Huntsville and Sons of the American Revolution. Dr. Mallery's wife, Jane; a son; and a grandchild survive him. Memorials may be made to Rita B. Huff Humane Society, 530 Bearkat Blvd., Huntsville, TX 77340, rbhhumanesociety.org.
DAVID D. O'NEAL JR.
Dr. O'Neal (Auburn '72), 77, Lexington, Kentucky, died Oct. 23, 2020. Following graduation, he moved to Lexington where he worked for several equine farms, including Eaton Farms, Meadow Haven Farms, and Brookside Farms, also helping to set up a Thoroughbred farm in Jamaica. Dr. O'Neal subsequently served as a partner in an equine practice in Lexington before establishing his own practice.
He was a past president of the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners and was a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and Kentucky VMA. In 1972, while a fourth-year veterinary student at Auburn University, Dr. O'Neal received an American College of Veterinary Surgeons Foundation's Student Surgery Proficiency Award for proficiency in large animal surgery. He is survived by his wife, Sandra; a daughter and a son; and a grandchild. Memorials may be made to Mount Horeb Presbyterian Church, 2739 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511; Bluegrass Care Navigators, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington, KY 40504; or Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, c/o Diana Turner, 104 Greene Hall, Auburn, AL 36849.
RICHARD L. PALMER
Dr. Palmer (Michigan State '55), 90, Eleva, Wisconsin, died July 13, 2020. He practiced small animal medicine in Eleva prior to retirement in 2012. Earlier, Dr. Palmer practiced in Remus, Michigan. His wife, Diana; two sons and a daughter; and two grandchildren survive him.
HAROLD A. WATERS
Dr. Waters (Colorado State '52), 92, Carlsbad, New Mexico, died Dec. 2, 2020. Following graduation, he served as a captain in the Air Force in Saudi Arabia and Germany. Dr. Waters subsequently worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Oregon, New York, Missouri, and Washington, D.C. During that time, he served as veterinarian in charge for the port of New York and was chief staff veterinarian prior to retirement in 1982. Dr. Waters later served as president of Animal Health International in Annandale, Virginia, consulting on animal health.
He was a member of the National Association of Federal Veterinarians and Animal Transport Association. In 1983, Dr. Waters was named a certified member of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; two sons and a daughter; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother. Memorials may be made to Lakeview Christian Home, 1905 W. Pierce St., Carlsbad, NM 88220, or Epworth United Methodist Church, 1406 W. Blodgett St., Carlsbad, NM 88220.
BEECHER H. WATSON SR.
Dr. Watson (Pennsylvania ‘58), 90, Church Road, Virginia, died Sept. 30, 2020. He owned Amelia Bovine Clinic in Church Road. Earlier in his career, Dr. Watson practiced in Virginia at Blackstone and Petersburg. He was a past member of the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine and Virginia Department of Health Professions. A member of the Virginia VMA, Dr. Watson was named Distinguished Virginia Veterinarian in 2012. He is survived by his son, Dr. Beecher H. Watson Jr. (Pennsylvania ‘82), a small animal veterinarian in Fairfax, Virginia; two daughters; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 419 W. Washington St., Petersburg, VA 23803, or Trinity United Methodist Church, 4814 Courthouse Road, Church Road, VA 23833.
