IN SHORT
AVMA hires McCullock as chief economist
The AVMA has announced that Katelyn McCullock joined the Association’s Veterinary Economics Division as director April 30.
McCullock came from the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC), where she served as a senior economist since 2018, and as center director since 2019. Prior to joining the LMIC, she worked as an economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation and as a business consultant for Farm Credit East, ACA, a financial services cooperative that provides a broad spectrum of credit and financial services for ag businesses. McCullock received a master’s in agricultural and resource economics in 2010 from Colorado State University.
Katelyn McCullock
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 7; 10.2460/javma.262.7.889
“We are thrilled to have Katelyn McCullock join the AVMA as the new chief economist and director of AVMA’s Economic Division,” said Dr. Rena Carlson, president of the AVMA. “She brings with her a profound understanding of market dynamics and the economic forces impacting the agricultural sector, and her expertise in economic modeling and forecasting will be invaluable in enhancing our support for our members and advancing the veterinary profession.”
The AVMA Veterinary Economics team comprises subject matter experts in veterinary economics and business. These individuals employ data-driven, evidence-based insights and analysis for the benefit of veterinarians, their teams, and practices, with the ultimate goal of supporting the long-term health of the veterinary profession and industry at large.
McCullock says she is excited for the opportunity to work with the veterinary community to advance the profession and provide helpful insights into the long-term viability of the veterinary space.
EDucation council schedules site visits
The AVMA Council on Education has scheduled site visits to 11 schools and colleges of veterinary medicine for the remainder of 2024.
Comprehensive site visits are planned for Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, October 6-11; the University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine, October 20-24; Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, November 3-10; the University of Prince Edward Island Atlantic Veterinary College, November 17-21; and Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, December 1-5. A comprehensive site visit is also planned for the proposed Utah State University College of Veterinary Medicine, October 27-31.
A focused site visit is planned for the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, July 28-August 1.
Consultative site visits are planned for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Veterinary Medicine, July 7-11; Arkansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, July 7-11; Rocky Vista University College of Veterinary Medicine, July 21-25; and Chamberlain University School of Veterinary Medicine, August 11-15.
The council welcomes written comments on these plans or the programs to be evaluated. Comments should be addressed to Dr. Karen Martens Brandt, Director, Education and Research Division, AVMA, 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Comments must be signed by the person submitting them to be considered.
Donate books, journals, and supplies
Veterinarians and students in foreign countries can make use of the unused textbooks, journals, instruments, equipment, and other supplies cluttering many veterinary clinics in the United States.
The AVMA maintains a list of individuals and organizations that collect contributions for various countries. The list is available at jav.ma/donate-books. Potential donors should call or email contacts on the list directly.
Individuals or organizations that collect contributions may inquire about being added to the list or updating their listing by calling 800-248-2862, ext. 6754, or emailing asuresh@avma.org.
Diligent detective work leads to discovery of HPAI in dairy cattle
A network of bovine and diagnostic veterinarians make the connection between cat and bird deaths and sick cows
By Malinda Larkin
It started with the cats, or the lack thereof.
Dr. Tim Dickerson, a large animal veterinarian in New Mexico, usually gets swarmed by barn cats when visiting one of his client’s dairy farms. But this time, they were nowhere to be found.
He mentioned this offhand when talking to a colleague, Dr. Barbara Petersen, another large animal veterinarian based in the Texas Panhandle. Around the same time, she was talking with a local veterinarian at the end of February, who asked if she had seen cows with diarrhea or pneumonia. She hadn’t. That is, not until a week later, when Dr. Petersen has an increase of sick cows in one of the herds she collaborates on with another veterinarian. Some of the cows had mastitis and their milk had the consistency of “colostrum and Elmer’s glue.”
What happened from there turned into the discovery of the first national outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle. Since June 5, H5N1 has been confirmed in dairy cattle in nine states: 24 herds in Michigan, 18 in Idaho, 16 in Texas, eight in New Mexico, five in South Dakota, four each in Kansas and Colorado, and one each in North Carolina and Ohio.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has since instituted a federal order requiring testing of lactating dairy cattle for HPAI prior to interstate movement and reporting of positive results for livestock.
In total, seven sick or dead cats have tested positive for H5N1 on dairy farms in Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio, according to state and federal officials. And infection with H5N1 has been confirmed in three dairy farm workers exposed to infected cows—two in Michigan and one in Texas. Symptoms in two workers were limited to eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis). The third worker is the first person in the current cattle outbreak known to have developed respiratory symptoms (cough without fever).
RULING OUT DIAGNOSES
Initially, Dr. Petersen chalked up the illness in cattle to recent changes in feed. The lactating cows were diverted to hospital pens and treated with fluid therapy. She sent off milk samples to Dr. Alexis Thompson, lead diagnostician at the Texas A&M University’s Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab (TVMDL)-Canyon. The bacterial culture results did not find any atypical pathogens.
A week later a third dairy herd in the area was showing similar signs—the cows were off their feed and milk production was down. The dairy owner also mentioned that half of his barn cats had died.
In late March and early April, Texas reported detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) in several cats from dairy farms experiencing HPAI infections in dairy cows, suggesting the virus spread to the cats from affected cows, raw cow milk, or wild birds associated with those farms.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 7; 10.2460/javma.262.7.889
“I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,” recalled Dr. Petersen, who had already collected dead birds for testing because HPAI had been diagnosed in some flocks in a county east of her. “I get what’s happening with the birds, but what the heck is happening with cows and cats?”
Various diagnostic laboratories, including Texas A&M and Iowa State University (ISU), had run hundreds of tests. They had considered everything from mycotoxins to infectious cattle diseases to metagenomic testing.
“I was thinking this was a feed issue initially. If this was an infectious disease, either it was going to be something completely novel or maybe a slight change in a virus that meant we could no longer detect it,” said Dr. Drew Magstadt, a pathologist at ISU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. “An interesting part of this was the low numbers. Certainly, there was an increase in sick cattle, but not all or even a majority of them were getting sick which we might expect with a novel agent.”
By mid-March, bovine veterinarians from affected sites and veterinary diagnosticians were comparing notes on conference calls. It became apparent that they were all seeing more dead wild birds on these dairies as well as neurologic disease in cats, with some going blind or ataxic. Several dairies reported cats missing.
Drs. Magstadt and Petersen, former classmates at Iowa State, were both on the calls. They talked further after one call. Dr. Petersen agreed to send him some samples from dead cats along with milk and blood from cows from affected dairies. She sent them to decrease the burden on the Texas laboratory as well as test a question she had.
“I think everyone thought I was nuts,” Dr. Petersen said. “I thought there was something, somehow. I don’t know how it was connected but I asked, ‘Can you investigate the cats for me?’”
She received a text from Dr. Magstadt the evening of March 21: “Do you have a sec? I need to talk to you about the samples you sent.”
TRUST BUT VERIFY
Dr. Magstadt didn’t think the samples would test positive for HPAI but needed to rule it out. Yet the samples tested positive for influenza A—the cats’ brains and lungs, the milk, everything.
“There was a moment of disbelief. I asked, ‘Will you please rerun those in the morning?’ because they ran them as a pool, so both he and I wanted them run individually,” Dr. Petersen said. “He said, ‘If they’re positive, I have to send them to the (National Veterinary Services Laboratory).’”
The next day, Dr. Magstadt retested the milk samples along with milk samples that had just arrived from other dairies. He also wanted to make sure the results weren’t due to a reporting error or contamination issue. The Texas laboratory confirmed the results that day on milk samples.
“Truly, this came down to observations of field vets on sites. If that link doesn’t get made—cats with neurologic signs on multiple sites at the same time—there’s really no reason to start testing for influenza, much less in milk. Disease in cats due to HPAI has been well described, but detection of the virus in milk is really the novel part of all this,” Dr. Magstadt said. “If someone was doing genetic sequencing, they would have ultimately found (HPAI) but the targeted testing was because of observations and veterinarians collaborating and corresponding.”
VIGILANCE FOR SMALL ANIMAL VETERINARIANS
The HPAI spillover from wild birds to dairy cattle is a good reminder of just how much this virus can infect multiple mammals, Dr. Petersen said.
“Maybe in the future, in cases where we don’t know initially what’s going on, maybe we test for this virus sooner than we would have otherwise,” Dr. Magstadt said.
Dr. Petersen has been advocating for measures to help improve the epidemiological understanding of the virus. With all the uncertainty and challenges in communications from federal agencies, many dairy owners have been hesitant to have their veterinarians submit samples.
Recalling how important it was to link the dead and missing cats to some of the infected dairy herds, she’s concerned that all veterinarians—not just bovine or poultry practitioners—are aware of just how infectious and mutable this particular virus is.
“For small and mixed animal vets, if presented with a neurologic cat, it might have rabies. Or if it had matted eyes, it might have herpes or calicivirus,” but it could also be HPAI, she said. “I don’t want a colleague to get exposed by accident. It wouldn’t be on my radar as a small animal practitioner, so I want them to be aware of this. Ask if the cat has farm exposure or could have.”
ANSWERING LINGERING QUESTIONS
For diagnosticians, the work now turns to validating the tools they have to understand this disease. Specifically, validating serology testing for influenza A in cattle. They’re also trying to figure out what the best samples are. Milk is the choice for lactating cows, but that’s not possible for heifers, calves, and dry cows on these sites. Researchers are trying to find out if these animals are getting infected, too, and if so, are they seroconverting? They now have reason to believe cows that are asymptomatic could still shed virus in milk.
So far, they have determined there is a heavy load of the virus in raw milk and have identified lactating cattle as a subset population that is amplifying the virus in the environment.
From genetic analysis, Dr. Magstadt agrees with findings that the initial introduction of HPAI to cows came from wild birds but now there is lateral transmission between cows. How that is happening, exactly, is still not fully known.
Dr. Magstadt’s colleague at the laboratory, Dr. Eric Burrough, is looking further at the cats. He’s found at the microscopic level that their brains and eyes have certain lesions.
“We are trying hard to answer the many questions we still have as accurately as possible, so the people making decisions on animal movement and disease mitigation can make good recommendations from an animal-testing perspective,” Dr. Magstadt said.
Dog import requirements strengthened to prevent canine rabies return
Starting August 1, dogs entering the United States must meet a series of new federal import requirements, including being at least 6 months of age and microchipped, to ensure the country remains free from canine rabies.
While the contents of the final rule are available now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) updated dog and cat importation regulations will be officially published May 13 in the Federal Register.
In a statement, the CDC said, “The regulation more closely aligns with the World Organisation for Animal Health’s standards for the international movement of dogs from countries with a high risk of dog rabies. Furthermore, it addresses recent challenges seen with international dog importations, such as fraudulent documentation and dogs housed in unsafe conditions if they didn’t meet requirements for entry to the United States.”
Concerns about possible reintroduction of the dog-maintained rabies virus variant and accompanying public health risks prompted the CDC in 2021 to temporarily suspend importations of dogs from more than 100 countries considered a high risk for rabies transmission.
That order, which was renewed several times, will expire when the new regulation becomes effective.
Prior to the CDC suspension, approximately 1 million dogs were imported into the United States annually. A certificate of rabies vaccination was required for dogs imported from one of the high-risk countries, while no such documentation was necessary for dogs originating from a low-risk or rabies-free country. The U.S. was declared free of the fatal but preventable viral disease in 2007.
Once the new CDC rule is enacted this summer, all dogs entering the country must meet the following standards:
Appear healthy upon arrival
Be at least 6 months old
Have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip implanted prior to any required rabies vaccinations
Be accompanied by a “CDC Dog Import Form” receipt
Dogs may require additional documents depending on where they have been in the last six months and whether or not they were vaccinated in the United States.
Dogs that have been in a country with a high risk of dog rabies in the six months prior to arriving in the United States and do not have valid documentation of a U.S.-issued rabies vaccination must also arrive via air at a port of entry with a CDC-registered animal care facility (ACF); have a reservation at an ACF prior to arrival; and have a valid rabies titer obtained before arrival from a CDC-approved laboratory or undergo a 28-day quarantine at an ACF upon arrival.
There are no new requirements for cat importation unless a cat is found to be ill or dead en route to, or upon arrival, at a U.S. port of entry.
The CDC encourages people traveling with their dogs to visit jav.ma/CDCdogimports to understand what rules apply to their dogs based on their travel dates, where their dog is traveling from, and where their dog was vaccinated.
The AVMA welcomed the updated regulation, as it has been working with Congress on legislation, such as the Healthy Dog Importation Act, to reduce the number of unhealthy dog imports into the U.S.
“The AVMA continues to support the CDC’s efforts to improve dog importation standards and is pleased to see the implementation of this new rule that will help protect public health and positively impact canine health and welfare,” said Dr. Rena Carlson, AVMA president.
APHIS bolsters regulations against horse soring
In an effort to end horse soring at Tennessee Walking Horse shows, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced April 29 that it is strengthening Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulations. The rule will be published in the Federal Register and will be effective February 1, 2025.
Soring is the practice of applying a substance or mechanical device to a horse’s forelegs that will create enough pain that the horse will exaggerate its gait to relieve the discomfort. The resulting high-stepping running walk, or “big lick,” is rewarded by horse show judges, although showing a sored horse is illegal.
Tennessee Walking Horses commonly suffer from the practice of soring. Other gaited breeds, such as Racking Horses, Spotted Saddle Horses, Rocky Mountain Horses, and Missouri Fox-Trotters, may also suffer from soring.
Although widely condemned as inhumane, soring nevertheless continues despite more than 50 years of enforcement at shows.
Currently, horse show managers can voluntarily hire USDA-trained lay inspectors, known as designated qualified persons (DQPs), chosen by certain horse industry organizations. APHIS also has its own veterinary medical officers (VMOs) who perform inspections at some venues, but they attend less than half of these events.
The new rule will eliminate industry self-regulation and the role of DQPs as inspectors at horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions. Only APHIS inspectors and independent non-APHIS-employed horse protection inspectors screened, trained, and authorized by APHIS will have inspection authority, starting with the 2025 show season.
Typically, an inspector will palpate the front legs of a horse to see whether the horse reacts in pain and to look for other abnormalities. Among other things, the inspector looks for compliance with the “scar rule,” which means the horse’s legs should show no evidence of scarring that is indicative of soring, such as missing hair, scars, or cuts.
However, now the “scar rule” will be removed from the regulations and replaced with a more accurate description of visible dermatological changes indicative of soring, according to APHIS.
The revised regulations include the following additional changes:
Prohibiting any device, method, practice, or substance applied to a horse that can cause or is associated with soring.
Prohibiting on Tennessee Walking or Racking Horses all action devices and nontherapeutic pads, artificial toe extensions, and wedges, as well as all substances on the extremities above the hoof, including lubricants.
Amending recordkeeping and reporting requirements for management at covered events to better enforce the HPA.
In 2017, APHIS announced and then withdrew the initial HPA final rule from public inspection. To become effective, a rule must be published in the Federal Register. But on the first day when the administration changed, the White House issued a memorandum for all unpublished rules to be withdrawn and sent back to the relevant agency for review. The soring ban was one of dozens of proposed rules that were frozen.
Following a lawsuit based on that action, the agency withdrew the 2017 rule and published a new proposed rule, receiving 8,787 comments. The new rule incorporates science-based recommendations from the 2021 National Academies of Science review of the inspection program.
AVMA’s policy “Practice of soring” endorses the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) position statement, which condemns the practice and “supports the efforts of APHIS in the application and enforcement of the HPA as outlined in the APHIS Horse Protection Operating Plan and strongly recommends imposing sufficient sanctions to prevent these practices.”
The AVMA and AAEP also have a joint statement that supports a ban on the use of action devices and performance packages in the training and showing of Tennessee Walking Horses.
Veterinary students voice concerns over duty hours
By Coco Lederhouse
Veterinary college is an intensive time, where students not only put in hours studying for examinations, but also spend a lot of time in the clinics to get as much direct hands-on experience as possible. But is, or should, there be limits?
In August 2023, a group of veterinary students and recent graduates from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) wrote a letter to their administration alleging the school routinely broke duty hour guidance from the Student AVMA (SAVMA).
According to a January 30 article in the Daily Pennsylvanian, many students were working more than 100 hours a week. They say the hours affected their own health and the level of care they could provide for patients.
A year earlier, veterinary students at Iowa State University voiced similar concerns about working conditions in an article by the student newspaper, Iowa State Daily.
Then and now
Duty hours generally refer to clinical rotations for final-year veterinary students. This time is, for some, the first long-term exposure to the clinical setting during veterinary college.
Veterinary students’ duty hours have varied by time and college; however, there has been a history of expecting students to put in long, hard hours, explained Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
Dr. Beaver continued, “In the past, a clinician usually showed compassion for an individual student who needed help, but an emphasis on personal wellbeing as applied to students as a whole is newly emerging. ‘Suck it up and do the job’ is gradually giving way to more realistic and balanced expectations.”
Remembering his experiences in veterinary school, Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe, CEO of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), said, “We worked hard, but maybe it wasn’t the healthiest thing for us or our patients. Maybe we can learn a little bit about the importance of having time to regroup and avoiding unnecessary stress and burnout.”
Setting standards for veterinary colleges
“The overall goal is to establish an environment and a culture that is conducive to learning,” Dr. Maccabe added. “If students are overworked, they get stressed out. They don’t learn and it leads to burnout.”
Veterinary schools are not required to follow SAVMA’s Duty Hours Guidelines, which suggest that students not work more than 80 hours a week, not work more than 24 consecutive hours in continuous on-site duty, and be provided with breaks when they are on call.
Similarly, the AAVMC’s Guidelines for Veterinary Intern & Resident Wellbeing, which recommend a limit on duty hours to 60 hours averaged over four weeks, are voluntary for veterinary colleges’ intern and resident programs. The AAVMC does not have guidelines for veterinary student duty hours.
For veterinary students, the heavy workload and long hours during clinical veterinary training appear to be the major stressor. However, some students seem to be affected by this pressure more than others, indicating a potential need for more targeted and intensified support.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 7; 10.2460/javma.262.7.889
Penn Vet response
Penn Vet told AVMA News in a statement that veterinary students routinely work between 40 and 80 hours, aligning with SAVMA guidelines, citing data collected from clinical rotation leaders, along with reports from student logs. However, “Penn Vet recognizes that students may exceed 80 hours, especially during clinical rotations with high caseloads or if students are called in for emergency cases,” Penn Vet Chief Communications Officer Martin Hackett wrote.
He continued, “We have intensified our efforts to identify and address when students approach these limits. And we have moved to a proactive posture of increasing time off after on-call procedures, leveling case distribution, and making sure students are indeed taking breaks. This ensures that their in-clinics time is appropriate and serves their educational needs.”
Human medicine training
“It is important to acknowledge that across all health professions there is a tension between once-acceptable clinical training demands and trainee well-being; this is far from a unique issue to veterinary medicine,” Penn Vet’s Hackett wrote in a statement to AVMA News.
In human medicine, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) standards broadly state that medical schools should monitor students’ time spent in academic activities. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) doesn’t provide guidance regarding duty hours in medical education.
In contrast, resident physician duty hours are closely regulated. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) developed a set of required duty hours regulations in 2003 for residents.
Balancing academics and health
For veterinary schools, too, finding a balance between providing excellent patient care and enough clinical experience for veterinary students while also supporting their wellness is challenging.
“We know there will be discomfort during the training process. Even within the guidelines for duty hours that Penn Vet has been working with for years, it is important to acknowledge the rigors of medical education and training to achieve optimal patient safety and outcomes. The hours spent during a veterinary student’s clinical year are demanding and can be stressful,” Hackett said.
Bovine, equine groups create veterinary technician utilization guidelines
By Coco Lederhouse
The American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants (AAEVT) and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) have developed their own guidelines for leveraging veterinary technicians. Both documents, released this spring, outline specific responsibilities and different levels of veterinary supervision for credentialed veterinary technicians (CrVTs) in their areas of practice.
“There is a lack of knowledge of what a trained, credentialed veterinary technician actually is, as well as what they are educated to do in school,” said Travis Otremba, president of AAEVT and a certified veterinary technician at Ocala Equine Hospital in Ocala, Florida. “These guidelines shed some light and educate doctors and practice owners and managers how to utilize their technicians more effectively and thus potentially increase production significantly.”
Similarly, the AABP noted that CrVTs were underutilized compared to those in companion animal practice.
“If we’re only using veterinary technicians to perform procedures, or they’re just riding along in your truck, they’re not improving your efficiency and revenue,” explained Dr. K. Fred Gingrich II, executive director of the AABP.
Cattle veterinary technicians
The association created the AABP Guidelines for Credentialed Veterinary Technicians in Bovine Practice to assist its members in effectively using CrVTs in bovine practice.
Included in the new guidelines is a task list, which lays out common tasks and procedures in bovine medicine and the supervision level involved for each procedure, whether it is veterinarian only, direct supervision by a veterinarian, or indirect supervision by a veterinarian.
“If we can utilize technicians and delegate tasks to them so that the speed of animal care is improved, then that helps everyone from the veterinarian to the technician to the animal owner,” Dr. Gingrich said.
Additionally, he said veterinary technician retention will improve if they are recognized as veterinary professionals and given tasks or procedures within their scope of practice. Fully leveraging veterinary technicians can generate more revenue per doctor, in part by freeing up the veterinarian to perform more lucrative procedures, so practices can pay veterinary technicians a higher wage.
AAEVT guidelines for equine CrVTs
Equine veterinary practice also has a need for more credentialed veterinary technicians.
According to the 2022 National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America’s (NAVTA) 2022 Demographic Survey results, only 4% of respondents were in equine practice.
The AAEVT recognizes the issue of CrVTs leaving or not entering the profession because of a lack of proper utilization, acceptable pay, recognition, standardization in state laws, and public awareness.
In March, AAEVT created The Guidelines for Utilization of EQ CrVT in collaboration with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The document was based on the 2023 American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) Technician Utilization Guidelines.
These guidelines from AAEVT offer clarity and education for veterinarians and practice owners about how to leverage veterinary technicians more effectively. It includes a list of procedures that can be performed by a CrVT that can be adjusted according to the veterinarian’s preference or with state laws.
Guiding the next generation
J. David Sessum is a licensed veterinary technician and program manager for the Veterinary Science Certificate Program (VSCP) at Texas A&M University’s Agrilife Extension in the Department of Animal Science. He served on the task force that created the AABP’s veterinary technician guidelines.
From an educator’s perspective, he says another benefit of the guidelines is that they will allow veterinary technology programs to see exactly what bovine practitioners want their CrVTs to learn. Then educators can incorporate these concepts into the curriculum.
“I think this is going to show veterinary technology programs that large animal veterinarians are interested in their students upon graduation, and if they focus their efforts on preparing students for careers in other species, such as bovine and equine, that they’ll have a better pool of graduates or employees to choose from,” Sessum said.
Artificial intelligence poised to transform veterinary care
AI experts gather at Cornell to discuss future developments relevant to the profession
By R. Scott Nolen
It’s difficult to grasp the prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) given its rapid and seamless integration into our lives. From a smartwatch tracking our sleep patterns and fitness levels to self-driving cars, AI-powered technologies promise to radically reshape our world.
Decades ago, visionaries questioned whether computers would one day have a place in human health care, helping physicians make more accurate diagnoses. Fast forward to January 2022: Johns Hopkins University announced that the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR) had successfully performed laparoscopic surgery on the soft tissue of a pig multiple times, each time outperforming a human doing the same procedure.
To get a sense of how AI is transforming the animal health space, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the first Symposium on Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine (SAVY) April 19-21 at its Ithaca, New York, campus. Several AI-based projects were shared by speakers and during poster presentations along with discussions about the current challenges and future potential of this emerging technology.
Adopting AI in and outside the clinic
Artificial intelligence is a computer simulation of human intelligence processes, such as learning, reasoning, and self-correction, to solve a problem or perform a task. Instead of a brain, computers have algorithms, a series of step-by-step instructions for “thinking” about data inputs to achieve the desired goal. Machine learning is a subsection of AI where the algorithm isn’t given a set of instructions, but rather trained on data to make decisions or predictions on its own.
Like any technology, AI is intended to improve our lives, by solving complex problems, automating tasks, and improving efficiencies and decision-making.
Veterinary medicine was slow to embrace AI, but that is changing. On the first day of the symposium, Sebastian Gabor, cofounder and CEO of Digitail, a cloud-based practice management software (PIMS) that uses AI to increase productivity, presented findings from the first industry-wide survey on AI in veterinary medicine. Digitail worked with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to survey nearly 4,000 of its members about their attitudes on AI, if they use AI in their practices, and if so, how, Gabor explained.
Of the approximate 83% of respondents who reported familiarity with AI, nearly 30% of them said they already incorporate AI into their practices, either on a daily or weekly basis. The finding surprised Gabor. He explained that it indicates veterinarians scored high on the adoption curve, meaning they are quick to seize on new technology, including seasoned practitioners.
It turns out veterinarians of all generations, including those approaching retirement, are excited to learn about AI voice-to-text tools that quickly transcribe client conversations and incorporate the information into the patient’s medical record. “This technology allows veterinarians to stop doing something they don’t enjoy, like updating medical records by hand, and spend more time with patients, which probably explains why the adoption curve for veterinarians is higher than normal,” Gabor said.
The survey revealed that the reliability and accuracy of AI systems are the most prevalent concerns, with 70.3% of respondents highlighting them. Data security and privacy worries were listed by 53.9% of participants, followed by 42.9% citing lack of training and knowledge.
Outside the clinic, veterinary researchers are working with data scientists, statisticians, machine learning engineers, and technology experts to develop AI tools for use throughout veterinary medicine. Projects already underway include detecting early signs of lameness in sheep, forecasting the spread of Lyme disease, projecting the severity of an outbreak of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRS), and developing rapid diagnosis and staging of canine myxomatous mitral valve disease.
More and more veterinarians are incorporating AI tools into their practices, mostly for diagnostic imaging of radiographs and medical record management. Roughly two dozen companies now market AI-powered software and services for veterinary practices.
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 7; 10.2460/javma.262.7.889
Pet owners are seeing a growing number of AI-powered gadgets meant to ease some of the challenges of owning an animal. For instance, two companies, Petnow and iSciLab, are developing nose print recognition technology for dogs that could eventually replace microchip identification. Smart collars track a pet’s vital signs and activity in real time, alerting the owner to possible changes in the animal’s health such as seizures.
Scaling up the power of AI
Geert De Meyer heads the data analytics area for science at Mars Petcare, whose numerous animal health holdings include Banfield Pet Hospital and BluePearl. During his keynote address at SAVY, De Meyer explained that he and his team of over two dozen researchers have developed AI-powered tools used throughout Banfield and BluePearl hospitals.
De Meyer shared examples of how Mars Petcare is using AI in its veterinary hospitals. For instance, a dental diagnostic tool quickly scans a patient’s dental radiographs for periodontal disease and related problems. This allows for medical intervention while the pet is still anesthetized, thus negating the need for a follow-up appointment and doing the procedure then.
“Obviously, the old way is very inefficient. Not a lot of fun for the owner having to go twice, pay more money, and more times for the pet be under anesthesia—just more of a hassle and also not very safe for the pet,” De Meyer observed.
Another example, RenalTech, is a proprietary technology using AI in the early detection of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD). As De Meyer explained, RenalTech was created with a dataset drawing on the medical records of hundreds of thousands of cats, analyzing blood and urine data of cats before and after a CKD diagnosis. The result is a tool that can help to predict whether a cat will develop CKD within two years.
AI’s predictive capabilities are making it possible to personalize patient treatment, improving the chances of a successful outcome. During the symposium, veterinary oncologist Dr. Joseph Impellizeri spoke on how machine learning algorithms and live cancer cell analysis are being used to predict the efficacy of anticancer drugs for lymphoma in individual dogs.
Lymphoma is among the most common types of cancer in dogs. The traditional treatment protocol for lymphoma—cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP)—uses a mix of chemotherapies. The traditional treatment method doesn’t account for the individuality of each patient, Dr. Impellizeri said, and patient response varies. ImpriMed, a California-based startup, offers personalized treatment protocol that uses AI to predict the efficacy of more than a dozen drugs commonly used to treat canine lymphoma.
“There is clearly a need for more personalized medicine and the ability to assess whether or not a lymphoma has a better chance to be responsive to a certain drug would be very helpful,” Dr. Impellizeri said.
AI on the farm
Veterinary researchers are also discovering ways of using AI to improve efficiencies on the farm.
Dr. Jasmeet Kaler, an associate professor at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in the U.K., delivered a keynote address during the symposium about how precision livestock informatics can improve animal production, health, and welfare.
Take a dairy operation as an example. Dr. Kaler explained that monitoring devices fitted to each cow and throughout the production facility provide real-time biological and behavioral data, such as feed intake, thermal imaging, and posture. Algorithms are constantly analyzing these inputs, flagging subtle deviations from baseline health and potentially the early stages of illness that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Dr. Kaler is overseeing the development of another rapid-detection tool for the farm, one that uses AI to identify early signs of lameness in sheep. “Lameness is one of the biggest health and welfare challenges around the world and in the U.K.,” she said.
As a prey species, sheep hide signs of lameness if they feel threatened by human observers, making early detection extremely difficult. Dr. Kaler and her research team are working with industry partners to rectify this problem by developing AI tools capable of identifying the early onset of lameness, including detecting behavioral indicators when the sheep is standing, lying, and walking.
The challenges for veterinary researchers wanting to collect food animal data to develop AI tools are greater than those in companion animal medicine, according to Dr. Kaler. Livestock producers are especially reluctant to open their farms to outsiders who want to record animals and employees in a production environment. Nor are producers keen on disclosing details about their business.
Predicting disease outbreaks
Population medicine is another field of veterinary medicine where AI’s analytical capabilities show promise.
Dr. Beatriz Martínez López, director of the Center for Animal Disease Modelling and Surveillance at the University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, uses algorithms, machine learning, and big data analytics to understand how foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, and other infectious diseases spread among animal populations.
“AI can significantly enhance prevention, early detection, and faster control of livestock diseases,” Dr. López said during her keynote presentation at the symposium.
She highlighted a report in Nature published in October 2023 describing a machine learning model designed by her laboratory to predict emerging infections in swine production systems throughout the production process on a daily basis. The model accounted for such variables as nearby farm density, piglet inventory, and wind speed and direction.
The model demonstrated a good ability to predict infections, Dr. López said, adding that veterinarians and producers can use these daily infection probabilities as a benchmark for preventive and control strategies on farms.
AVMA and technology
The AVMA has recently formed a Task Force on Emerging Technologies and Innovation to provide practical support and resources in this area of practice.
The task force has been charged with developing a strategy by which the AVMA can best support practitioners faced with the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies. It will also suggest a charge and composition for a future AVMA committee that will develop related policy and create resources to support veterinary practitioners in the effective and safe implementation of these technologies in veterinary practice.
Board revises AVMA policies on horse tripping, opioids, public health
The AVMA Board of Directors (BOD) updated and adopted several policies during its April 4-5 meeting at AVMA headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois.
The AVMA revised its policy “Horse tripping” to condemn—rather than oppose—the practice. Horse tripping involves roping the front or hind legs of a galloping horse while on foot or horseback—causing it to trip and fall for the purposes of entertainment or sport. Horse tripping often occurs at “charreadas,” or Mexican-style rodeos.
Additionally, the Board approved the new AVMA policy “Goat and Sheep Disbudding and Dehorning.” It reads in part:
“Disbudding of goats reduces the risk of injury to the goat, other animals, and people. Goats are best disbudded between 5 and 7 days of age. By 14 days of age, the developing horn tissue will have attached to the skull and is more difficult to remove. Therefore, disbudding should occur prior to 14 days of age to avoid having to dehorn. Dehorning of goats over 14 days of age must be performed by a licensed veterinarian and should only be performed where the health and welfare of the animals or the safety of humans are impacted by the presence of horns.”
The proposed new policy was previously discussed by the House of Delegates (HOD) during its summer 2023 meeting.
The BOD approved revisions to the AVMA policy “Veterinary Profession’s Role in Addressing the Opioid Epidemic” recommended by the AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents (COBTA).
As COBTA explained in the recommendation, the revisions are intended to directly advocate for veterinary exemptions from prescription drug monitoring programs and to provide a rationale for such exemption. Among the reasons listed, one is that veterinary channels have little to no impact on the misuse of opioids and a second is that veterinarians do not—and should not—evaluate the appropriateness of a client’s prescription history.
In a related action, the Board approved revisions to the AVMA policy “Public Health and Regulatory Veterinary Medicine Continuing Education” as recommended by the Council on Public Health.
The revisions remove language indicating veterinary medicine is the only profession at the intersection of human and animal health, because physicians working in public health have responsibilities that include attention to zoonotic disease. Another revision added sustainability to the list of topics for continuing education programs.
Finally, the AVMA Committee on Disaster and Emergency Issues recommended, and the Board approved, amending the committee’s charge to include support for academic training in veterinary disaster response and emergency issues as one of the committee’s objectives.
Zenor selected as AVMA chief membership officer
Dr. Bianca Zenor joined the AVMA on March 25 in the role of chief membership officer.
She will oversee the organization’s Membership and Field Services and Convention and Meeting Planning divisions as well as the Veterinary Career Center group.
Dr. Bianca Zenor
Citation: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 262, 7; 10.2460/javma.262.7.889
“With record membership numbers and the great successes we have been experiencing with key membership initiatives and events, now is the time to once again consolidate these areas under a chief membership officer to create even greater synergy and take how we serve our members to the next level,” said Dr. Janet Donlin, AVMA CEO, to whom Dr. Zenor will report.
Dr. Zenor comes to the AVMA from Idexx, where she was director of medical affairs from 2020-21 and then director of global medical affairs and outreach since 2021.
She earned both her master’s degree in animal science in 1997 and veterinary degree in 2001 from Purdue University. While at the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine, she was president of its student chapter of the AVMA.
Following graduation, Dr. Zenor spent seven years in small animal practice in Indiana, including working at an emergency clinic and owning a relief practice.
She started as a practice development veterinarian in 2008 for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, then became senior manager of U.S. veterinary affairs in 2014. She joined Purdue in 2017 to serve as director of its veterinary nursing program and clinical associate professor at the veterinary college for three years.
Dr. Zenor is currently the president of the American Association of Industry Veterinarians. She also serves on the advisory board of the Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition and as a mentor for Women in Leadership and Animal Health.
FDA allows compounded FIP drug in certain cases
On May 10, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a clarification regarding products compounded from the nucleoside analog GS-441524. GS-441524 is the active metabolite of remdesivir and has been used to treat feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).
The agency says it was aware of posts on social media suggesting that compounded GS-441524 would be “legally” available starting June 1 in the U.S.
“The FDA reminds compounding pharmacies, veterinarians and pet owners that animal drugs compounded from bulk drug substances are unapproved drugs and are not, in fact, legal,” the FDA announcement said.
However, in its clarification, the FDA also indicated the agency will apply regulatory discretion to compounding GS-441524 so long as compounders follow Guidance for Industry (GFI) #256, Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances.
GFI #256 describes specific conditions where the FDA doesn’t intend to take enforcement actions on products compounded for use in animals. It includes a requirement that products be compounded with patient-specific prescriptions and not for office stock, unless specifically authorized by the FDA. If veterinarians want to obtain animal drugs compounded from a bulk drug substance without a patient-specific prescription, the bulk drug substance should be nominated with a justification for its use, the agency says.
While remdesivir is FDA-approved and available for veterinary use under extralabel drug regulations that were promulgated under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA), veterinarians have had trouble accessing this medication. This has furthered interest in compounding both remdesivir and GS-441524.
Recognizing that some feline patients may be sufficiently ill that medication would need to be available before a patient-specific prescription might be able to be filled, the AVMA and the American Association of Feline Practitioners are working collaboratively to submit nominations to the FDA to allow office stock for both remdesivir and GS-441524.
APHIS finalizes rule requiring electronic ID tags for certain cattle, bison
By Coco Lederhouse
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced April 26 it will issue a final rule that mandates electronic identification (EID) tags for interstate movement of certain cattle and bison to prevent disease outbreaks.
The advance copy of the rule states that 180 days after publication, all official ear tags applied to such cattle and bison must be visually and electronically readable. The regulation enhances a previous 2013 rule that requires all sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months of age or older, dairy cattle, and rodeo and exhibition cattle to have an official form of animal identification.
The 2013 rule instituted visual ID tags for interstate movement. The new final rule switches producers to EID tags. Additionally, the new rule clarifies certain record retention and access requirements and revises some requirements applying to slaughter cattle.
While animal disease traceability does not prevent disease, efficient technology, tools, and processes such as EID tags can reduce the number of animals and response time involved in a disease investigation. For example, EID tags can be used to collect data about premise location of an animal during specific points in time, which can be traced quickly in an animal disease event, said Jamie Jonker, chief science officer at the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).
Many dairy farms have been using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for years, incorporating their use into electronic animal management systems, which record such things as animal health events, reproduction information, and milk production data, Jonker said.
While APHIS focuses on interstate movement of livestock, states and tribal nations remain responsible for the traceability of livestock within their jurisdictions. APHIS partners with state veterinary officials each year to test their traceability systems, according to the rule.
The USDA will continue to provide free tags to producers to jumpstart efforts to enable the fastest possible response to a foreign animal disease.
A new rule will be published in the Federal Register.
Assemblies
American Association of Swine Veterinarians
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) held its 55th annual meeting from February 24-27 in Nashville, Tennessee. The meeting drew more than 1,000 attendees, including veterinarians, veterinary students, and exhibitors. The theme was “Leading AASV into the Future.” On offer were 10 preconference seminars, two general sessions, three breakout sessions, a research session, three sessions from industry partners, a student seminar, and a poster session.
Dr. Joel Nerem, chief veterinary officer at Pipestone, delivered the Howard Dunne Memorial Lecture, titled “Swine Veterinarians: Who Are We and Where Are We Going?” Dr. Chris Rademacher, clinical professor and swine extension veterinarian at Iowa State University, presented the Alex Hogg Memorial Lecture, titled “Past, Present, and Future Challenges for the Swine Veterinary Profession.”
The AASV held its annual business meeting and an awards presentation, and the association’s foundation held its annual fundraising auction.
Dr. Angela Baysinger was elected president of the AASV (see obituary, May 2024 JAVMA, page 623). Dr. William Hollis, AASV immediate past president and now acting president, reported on the association’s membership and activities. Fourteen of the association’s committees met to discuss important issues in swine health, public health, pig welfare, and membership services.
The AASV officials are Drs. William Hollis, Carthage, Illinois, acting president and immediate past president; Locke Karriker, Ames, Iowa, president-elect; and Rebecca Robbins, Amarillo, Texas, vice president.
American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
The American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR), recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties as an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization, welcomed new diplomates following the board certification examination held remotely from February 23-24.
American College of Veterinary Surgeons
The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS), recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties as an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization, recently welcomed new diplomates following the board certification examination held online from February 12-13.
Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases
The Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (CRWAD) held its annual conference from January 20-23 in Chicago. The CRWAD officials are Dr. Rebecca Wilkes, Purdue University, president; Weipang Zhang, PhD, University of Illinois, vice president; Dr. Annette O’Connor, Michigan State University, immediate past president; Dr. Paul Morley, Texas A&M University, executive director; and council members—Glenn Zhang, PhD, Oklahoma State University; Dr. John Angelos, University of California-Davis; Jun Lin, PhD, University of Tennessee; and Dr. Natalia Cernicchiaro, Kansas State University.
Oregon VMA
The Oregon VMA (OVMA) held its Oregon Veterinary Conference from March 1-3 in Corvallis. There was an overview of issues being discussed on the national level and in Oregon, including telemedicine and the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and midlevel practitioners. Discussions were held and updates were provided on the OVMA’s success in stopping xylazine from being designated a scheduled drug in Oregon; a proposed rule, still under consideration by the Oregon Board of Pharmacy, that would restrict veterinarians from dispensing compounded medication from office stock to no more than a five-day supply for initial course of treatment; the challenges to include veterinarians in Oregon’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program; the OVMA’s support of House Bill 4043-B, which increases penalties for individuals who are convicted for the most serious crimes against animals in the state; and the association’s success in stopping legislation from moving forward that would have required equine veterinarians from reporting to the Oregon Racing Commission any known abuse, injury, or inadequate health of a horse associated with horse racing in the state. The OVMA officials are Dr. Charles Hurty, Siletz, president; Dr. Lynn Healy, Hillsboro, president-elect; Dr. Jill Parker, Philomath, immediate past president; and Glenn Kolb, Salem, executive director.
Virginia VMA
The Virginia VMA (VVMA) held its Virginia Veterinary Conference from February 22-24 in Roanoke. The VVMA officials are Drs. Nathaniel Burke, Luray, president; Brian Neumann, Alexandria, president-elect; Sherri Field Gard, Suffolk, vice president; Courtney Conroy, Amissville, secretary-treasurer; and Lauren Maxey, Alexandria, immediate past president.
Visit avma.org/news/community to read the full reports, including awards and the names of new diplomates.
In Memory
James C. Boswell
Dr. Boswell (Texas A&M ’59), 89, Beaumont, Texas, died September 28, 2023. He owned Boswell Animal Clinic, a small animal practice in Beaumont for 40 years prior to retirement. Dr. Boswell was a member of the Texas VMA. A veteran of the Air Force, he attained the rank of captain. Dr. Boswell’s wife, Charloise; two daughters and a son; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister survive him.
Tommy L. Bullard
Dr. Bullard (Texas A&M ’64), 83, Weatherford, Texas, died January 22, 2024. Following graduation, he joined the large animal clinic at Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Bullard became known for his expertise in orthopedic and reproductive medicine, focusing on horses. He subsequently worked several years at racetracks in New Mexico. Dr. Bullard later established Bullard Veterinary Clinic in Weatherford and Bullard Farms near Weatherford, standing several stallions. Following retirement from private practice, he bred, raised, and raced Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.
Dr. Bullard is survived by his wife, Dr. Johanna Bullard (Texas A&M ’74), also a veterinarian; a daughter and three sons; and 10 grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Tommy L. Bullard ’64 DVM Endowed Scholarship, Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840; Lope TX (a retired racehorse charity), 901 Darden Hill Road, Driftwood, TX 78619, lopetx.org; or Multiple Myeloma Foundation, P.O. Box 414238, Boston, MA 02241, themmrf.org.
Cordell W.J. Chang
Dr. Chang (Washington State ’79), 78, Mililani, Hawaii, died January 19, 2024. He practiced small animal medicine with the Naito Animal Clinic group. Dr. Chang also raised canaries. He served as Hawaii’s delegate to the AVMA House of Delegates for several years and was active with the Honolulu Veterinary Society. Dr. Chang’s wife, Debra, and a brother survive him.
James F. Cone Jr.
Dr. Cone (Cornell ’65), 88, Napanoch, New York, died November 13, 2023. A small animal veterinarian, he was the founder of Napanoch Animal Hospital. Active in his community, Dr. Cone served on the board of directors of the Ellenville Regional Hospital and Ellenville Central School District. He was a veteran of the Army. Dr. Cone’s wife, Sally; a daughter and a son; and three grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to the Ellenville Regional Hospital, 10 Healthy Way, Ellenville, NY 12428; Ellenville First Aid and Rescue Squad, 1 Webster St., Ellenville, NY 12428; or Ellenville Public Library, 40 Center St., Ellenville, NY 12428.
Barbara Jeffords Crews
Dr. Crews (Texas A&M ’78), 69, El Paso, Texas, died December 12, 2023. She co-owned Crossroads Animal Hospital in El Paso. Dr. Crews is survived by her husband, William, and a sister. Memorials may be made to Bridge Center, Unit 159, Box 3080, El Paso, TX 79923.
Bruce C. Hansen
Dr. Hansen (Illinois ’62), 86, Vincentown, New Jersey, died February 8, 2024. Following graduation, he served in the Army for a few years. Dr. Hansen subsequently joined a mixed animal practice in Wrightstown, New Jersey, eventually taking over the practice and focusing on equine medicine. He was a founding member of the New Jersey Trail Riders Association. Dr. Hansen is survived by his wife, Mae; a daughter; and a grandchild. Memorials may be made to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, 42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514.
Ronald C. Jensen
Dr. Jensen (Iowa State ’62), 85, Davis, California, died February 12, 2024. An equine veterinarian, he was a commission veterinarian for the Illinois Racing Board for more than 30 years, subsequently serving 10 years as equine medical director with the California Horse Racing Board via the University of California-Davis (UC-Davis). Dr. Jensen later worked for a decade with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety & Integrity Alliance’s accreditation inspection team.
Active with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), he served on the AAEP board of directors and several of its committees; was an adviser for the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium and the Association of Racing Commissioners International; and was a founding member and past president of the International Group of Specialists Racing Veterinarians.
Dr. Jensen is survived by his wife, Cheryl; two daughters; and a grandchild. Memorials may be made to the School of Veterinary Medicine DVM Scholarship Fund, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, or Kiwanis Club of Davis Foundation, P.O. Box 2122, Davis, CA 95617.
Noel D.M. Lehner
Dr. Lehner (Illinois ’61), 86, Salem, South Carolina, died November 19, 2023. Following graduation, he served in the Army Veterinary Corps, attaining the rank of captain. Dr. Lehner subsequently earned his master’s in laboratory animal medicine at Wake Forest University, where he became a member of the faculty and headed the animal resources program. He later served as director of the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources at Emory University. Known for his expertise in primate medicine, Dr. Lehner initiated the use of humane facilities and protocols for nonhuman primates and co-edited the book “Planning and Designing Research Animal Facilities.” He was a diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and served on the board of trustees of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Dr. Lehner’s wife, Betty, and a son and a daughter survive him. Memorials may be made to the Thornwell Home for Children, 302 S. Broad St., Clinton, SC 29325.
Dennis J. Macchia
Dr. Macchia (Illinois ’77), 73, Woodridge, Illinois, died September 16, 2023. A small animal veterinarian, he owned Woodridge Animal Hospital until 2011. Dr. Macchia is survived by his wife, Judy; a daughter; and a grandchild.
Nicholas P. Macri
Dr. Macri (Cornell ’90), 59, Albuquerque, New Mexico, died October 18, 2023. He worked for LabCorp in New Jersey for almost 20 years. Earlier in his career, Dr. Macri worked for what was known as Huntingdon Life Sciences in New Jersey. His wife, Elizabeth; a son and a daughter; his mother; and four sisters and a brother survive him.
Raymond M. Rosebrough
Dr. Rosebrough (Missouri ’60), 87, Sumner, Texas, died February 26, 2024. Following graduation, he joined the Air Force Veterinary Corps, serving as division veterinarian in Korea. Dr. Rosebrough subsequently practiced in St. Louis; Leipsic, Ohio; and San Angelo, Texas. He later earned a master’s in divinity and served as a pastor in Texas. Dr. Rosebrough is survived by his wife, Twila; a son; and a sister. Memorials may be made to Gideons International, The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090.
Paul G. Schneible
Dr. Schneible (Cornell ’69), 79, Perry, New York, died November 27, 2023. He was a founding partner at Perry Veterinary Clinic, where he practiced for more than 40 years. Dr. Schneible later worked for VIP Petcare. He served on the New York State Board of Regents for several terms. Dr. Schneible is survived by his wife, Theresa; two daughters; and a brother. One daughter, Dr. Susan M. Schneible (Ross ’04), is also a veterinarian. Memorials may be made to the Perry Education Foundation, 33 Watkins Ave., Perry, NY 14530.
Norman K. Smith
Dr. Smith (California-Davis ’87), 66, Yucca Valley, California, died February 21, 2024. He was the founder of Companion Animal Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Yucca Valley. Dr. Smith is survived by his wife, Shara; two sons; a grandchild; and a sister.
Scott P. Tripp
Dr. Tripp (Colorado State ’82), 70, Logan, Utah, died January 3, 2024. He worked for Amelicor in Utah, providing consultation and technical services to dairies nationwide. Prior to that, Dr. Tripp practiced at Bridgerland-Cache Animal Hospital in Logan and co-owned Valley Veterinary Services in Richmond, Utah. He is survived by his wife, Judy Smith; two daughters and two sons; eight grandchildren; and three siblings.
James L. Turbok
Dr. Turbok (Michigan State ’57), 90, Deckerville, Michigan, died March 21, 2024. Following graduation, he moved to Deckerville, where he co-founded what was known as Deckerville Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Turbok was active with the 4-H Club and served on the Deckerville Community Hospital board of directors. His son, daughter, seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and a sister survive him. Memorials may be made to Deckerville Community Hospital, 3559 Pine St., Deckerville, MI 48427, or Downing Cemetery Association, 3099 Rangeline Road, Deckerville, MI 48427.
Richard L. Wampler
Dr. Wampler (Kansas State ’55), 92, Lincoln, Nebraska, died January 23, 2024. Following graduation, he served in the Army Veterinary Corps. Dr. Wampler subsequently joined Grand Island Veterinary Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska, where he worked for 42 years, retiring in 2000. He later served 10 years as a relief veterinarian in Lincoln. Dr. Wampler was a life member of the Nebraska VMA. His wife, Jean; a daughter, two stepdaughters, and a stepson; four grandchildren and two stepgrandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister survive him. Memorials, toward the accessible walkway project, may be made to First Plymouth Church, 2000 D St., Lincoln, NE 68502.
