Befriending reptiles and amphibians. Veterinarians strive to improve care for distinctive pets.

JAVMA News 07.15.14

s e l i t p e r g n i d n e i r Bef s n a i b i h p m and a ans strive to improve i ts e Veterinar p e v i t c n isti c a re fo r d B y K atie B

Dr. Susan Horton was born with an affinity for reptiles and amphibians. Born in 1962 in a suburb of Chicago, she has been keeping the animals as pets since she was old enough to catch them. She started with frogs and toads. Soon she had iguanas and tortoises. She kept other exotic pets, too, and brought the sick ones along when her mother took the family cat to the veterinarian. The veterinarian would then try to guess what was wrong with them. 152

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Wanting to work with exotic pets, Dr. Horton attended veterinary college at the University of Illinois. After graduating in 1995, she joined a practice with a high caseload of exotics, mostly birds. In 2000, she established Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital in the suburb of Skokie. She used a turtle, her favorite species, as the hospital logo. She has built a caseload of about 20 percent reptiles and amphibians. “There are many more of us out there with exotic pets who are interested in taking care of them well, and now we’re all meeting each other,”

Dr. Horton said. “People are starting to trust the reptile veterinarians more and more, to see that we’re one of them.” The AVMA’s 2012 U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook estimated that 10.6 percent of households owned “specialty and exotic pets,” or pets other than dogs, cats, birds, and horses, at year-end 2011. The order of popularity for pet reptiles, by percentage of households, was turtles, lizards, snakes, and other reptiles. The total U.S. population of these pets was more than 5 million at year-end 2011. Amphibians fell under “all others” within the category of specialty and

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Dr. Susan Horton (right), owner of Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, palpates a carpet python with assistance from veterinary technician Jessica Johnson.

exotic pets. Fewer than 250,000 households owned these other pets at yearend 2011. Veterinarians who work with pet reptiles and amphibians say the species have many cool traits alongside varying degrees of difficulty in their care. The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians and the Reptile and Amphibian specialty under the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners are advancing medicine for the species. But owners of these pets still rarely seek veterinary care, say veterinarians who work with the species.

Cool traits Dr. Horton, ARAV secretary, said popular reptiles at her practice include turtles, tortoises, bearded dragons,

leopard geckos, and ball pythons and other snakes. According to the AVMA sourcebook, the U.S. population of pet turtles was 2.3 million at year-end 2011. Dr. Horton said turtles recognize people, and turtle owners are very connected to their pets. There is a lot going on in that shell, she said. She has clients who sleep with their box turtles, although she doesn’t recommend doing so. Dr. Chris Griffin, an ARAV past president, also had an affinity for reptiles from a young age. He grew up chasing reptiles on his grandfather’s farm in North Carolina. He went to veterinary college knowing he wanted a large portion of his practice to include reptiles. Now he owns Griffin Avian and Exotic Veterinary Hospital in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Vol. 245, No. 2


“Although many people may not expect reptiles or amphibians to demonstrate personalities, many of them kept as pets will do so,” Dr. Griffin said. He added, “Ownership of reptiles—and amphibians in some cases—may come with a wow factor. Having a 6-foot or larger snake is very cool for some folks.” The uniqueness of reptiles and amphibians is a big draw, said Dr. David E. Hannon, ARAV president-elect, who practices at the Avian & Exotic Animal Veterinary Service at Memphis Veterinary Specialists in Cordova, Tennessee. He said reptiles and amphibians have a wow factor because they can be beautiful, almost ornamental. People who get into reptiles and amphibians start out thinking of the animals as interesting, and then they JAVMA News: July 15, 2014

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find joy in owning certain species and form a classic human-animal bond. “I’ve got reptile owners that are more neurotic about their pets than some of the dog and cat owners that I’ve seen over the years, that bring in their Savannah monitor wearing a sweater,” Dr. Hannon said. “It’s just amazing how attached people can get to these animals.” The care of reptiles and amphibians is not too time-consuming for owners who can manage the husbandry needs, said Dr. Angela M. Lennox, owner of Avian & Exotic Animal Clinic in Indianapolis. “There is just a large group of people who are really fascinated by and love reptiles and amphibians—and some that don’t like them at all,” Dr. Lennox said. Dr. Eric Klaphake didn’t discover his love of reptiles and amphibians until veterinary college. He went on to private practice with a focus on exotic pets and currently is with the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado. He also is regent for the Reptile and Amphibian specialty under the ABVP and an ARAV past president. Dr. Klaphake said reptiles and amphibians have incredible personalities. Many reptile and amphibian owners, like dog and cat owners, view their pets as part of the family. He said the stereotype is that reptile and amphibian owners are risk takers with tattoos and piercings, but in truth, they run the gamut. Many will spend on their pets, even if they don’t look like they have any money.

Degrees of difficulty Reptiles and amphibians have a lot of health problems related to husbandry because people often do not know all that is involved in properly caring for them, said Dr. Byron de la Navarre, an ARAV past president and owner of Animal House of Chicago. And they are challenging patients because each species is unique. Dr. Horton said reptiles and amphibians have special requirements for light, temperature, and humidity as well as diet and housing. Some species do well as pets, she said, but other species require advanced knowledge to provide adequate care. Dr. Hannon said some people do all their homework before buying exotic pets, but other people have no clue what they’re getting into. He hates the impulse buy or the giving away of baby iguanas as prizes because they contribute to the idea of a disposable pet. Treating exotic pets is all about client education, Dr. Hannon continued. He went so far as to add a pet store inside a previous practice so that he could sell clients what the animals needed, with the store also becoming an adoption center for rescued animals. A few health problems in reptiles related to husbandry include malnutrition, substrate ingestion, and thermal burns. The first thing Dr. Hannon does during most appointments is to hand a care sheet to the owner. Then he goes through the animal’s history, discussing things that the owner is not doing properly.

From top to bottom: A bearded dragon with fungal dermatitis at Griffin Avian and Exotic Veterinary Hospital in Kannapolis, N.C. A western hognose snake at the hospital A corn snake that needed help to start shedding Lunchzilla, the resident Argentine horned frog at Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, was chomped on by one of his brethren when both were the size of quarters. Veterinary technician Kim Kelleher and daughter Kiley with their ball python at Chicago Exotics

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“The thing about reptiles is that reptiles do everything slow. They get sick slow, they get well slow. So there are not a whole lot of really true reptile emergencies,” he said. “And because they do everything slow, I think people are more inclined to wait before they go to the vet. They’re more inclined to talk to breeders and pet stores and try to figure out how to treat their animals.” Dr. Klaphake said veterinary practice is not routine when treating reptiles, amphibians, and other exotic pets. He might be seeing a previously unreported condition in a species or a known condition that has manifested in an unusual or new way. He might have to figure out how to assess an eye problem in a small snake or figure out the dosage of a medication on the basis of the physiology of a species. As much as Dr. Klaphake enjoys reptiles and amphibians, he believes most of the species do not make good pets. He also believes the reptile and amphibian industry has come a long way. Most pet reptiles and amphibians come from large chain pet stores that have realized which species are reasonable for starter pets and can be bred in captivity, he said. “We’re focusing in the reptile world probably down to, most of the time, five to maybe 10 species,” Dr. Klaphake said. “They are not probably quite to the stage of what one might truly classify as domesticated, but they are coming much more into that range—where we’re breeding for animals that can do well as pets.” Some reptiles live longer and get bigger than people realize, Dr. Klaphake noted. Many reptiles live well into their teens. With certain turtles and tortoises, similar to bigger pet birds, owners might have to consider putting the animals in their will. Turtles, tortoises, boas, and pythons can grow quite large. Some tortoises grow to be well over 100 pounds. Dr. Klaphake added that most reptiles do not do well in small

spaces with companions. Sometimes one does well and another doesn’t because of intraspecies stress, such as one lying atop another to get light or heat.

Association and specialty The ARAV was established in 1991 to advance reptilian and amphibian medicine, surgery, and conservation worldwide. The U.S.-based association has grown to about 975 members from nearly 40 countries. Dr. Wilbur B. Amand, ARAV executive director, said 85 percent of members work in private practice, with the remainder in academia, zoos, and aquariums. Most of the practitioners treat dogs and cats as well as exotic pets, with a few treating exotics only. The ARAV helps promote the importance of reptile and amphibian medicine, Dr. Horton said. The association disseminates information in forums such as an annual conference, its website at www.arav.org, and the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Horton said members also share information on a day-to-day basis, such as one emailing a diagram for repair of a turtle shell to another. Dr. Hannon said little information about reptile and amphibian medicine was available as recently as the late 1980s and early 1990s. Information has grown exponentially. He said the ARAV serves as a resource as new knowledge becomes available on the very different needs of each species. The Reptile and Amphibian specialty was established in 2009 under the ABVP. By early 2014, the specialty had 14 diplomates. Dr. Klaphake said about half work in private practice, and about half work at zoos or aquariums.

Veterinary care According to the AVMA’s demographics sourcebook, 7.9 percent of households that owned lizards had veterinary expenditures in 2011. For other reptiles, the percentages of Vol. 245, No. 2


Pet reptiles and Salmonella infection Pet bearded dragons and frozen feeder rodents being used to feed pet reptiles were among the sources of recent outbreaks of salmonellosis in humans in the United States. As of late May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had released three other reports of Salmonella outbreak investigations from 2014. The sources were live poultry; chicken products; and raw cashew cheese, a nondairy product made from raw cashews. While Salmonella outbreaks have many sources, the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians states that carriage of Salmonella species appears to be highly prevalent in reptiles. The ARAV advises veterinarians to consider reptiles to be nonclinical carriers. “Veterinarians treating reptiles play an important role in informing reptile-owning clients about salmonellosis and advising them on precautions for reducing the risk of acquiring Salmonella infection from reptiles,” according to an ARAV handout for veterinarians. According to the ARAV, attempting to treat reptiles with antimicrobials to eliminate Salmonella species from their intestinal tracts has not been effective. An ARAV handout for reptile owners provides a list of precautions to prevent the spread of Salmonella organisms from reptiles to humans. The ARAV handouts are available at www.arav.org/special-topics. The CDC warns reptile owners additionally to take precautions to prevent the spread of Salmonella organisms from live and frozen feeder rodents to humans. The agency offers a brochure on the subject of “Feeder Rodents, Reptiles, and Salmonella“ at www.cdc.gov/ healthypets/publications.


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households that had veterinary expenditures were, for snake owners, 5.7 percent; turtle owners, 5.0 percent; and owners of other reptiles, 2.8 percent. There are no vaccines for pet reptiles and amphibians, Dr. de la Navarre said. He recommends that reptiles and amphibians be examined by a veterinarian at least annually, but usually clients bring them in when they become sick. Owners might not bring in sick reptiles and amphibians, either. Dr. de la Navarre said owners might weigh the cost of the visit against the price of the pet, or they might not have formed an emotional bond. He continued, “So often with the exotic pets, whose instinct is to hide all signs of illness, when we are presented with the patient, their pathologic conditions are many times very advanced, making treatment more complicated and the prognosis for recovery more guarded.” At Chicago Exotics, owners of turtles and iguanas come in regularly. Dr.

Percentage of all U.S. households

1.2

Horton said it’s a tough sell convincing snake owners to come in regularly, partly because snakes look perfectly normal until they’re not. Dr. Horton said there is an overall need for veterinary care for exotic pets. “It’s a part of veterinary medicine that, I don’t want to say has been ignored, but has been diminished in importance,” Dr. Horton said. “All of the exotics deserve to have the opportunity to get excellent veterinary care, the best available, and be treated as an important part of the family, as an important individual.” Dr. Griffin said people will own reptiles or birds for years without thinking about preventive care. Sometimes he sees a chain reaction, though. He said, “Once someone brings in a pet that is not thriving and sees the positive response to improved husbandry and needed therapy, that client may bring their other exotic pets in or have their friends seek out appropriate care for their exotic pets.” Of the nearly 14,500 practices

that had registered with the AVMA’s MyVeterinarian.com practice finder as of early May, more than 3,200 offered services in the category of “snake, turtle, frog, lizard.” Dr. Klaphake said reptile and amphibian medicine can be a passion that people come into late. He never owned a pet reptile until veterinary college. For veterinarians who want to start working with reptiles and amphibians, Dr. Klaphake advises attending continuing education about the species and developing a relationship with a local pet store. “I’ve seen a lot of people who didn’t like reptiles and amphibians end up falling in love with working with them,” Dr. Klaphake said.

A gallery of additional photos is online at www.avma.org/news/ javmanews/photos.

Ownership of pet reptiles and amphibians

1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0

Turtles

Lizards

Snakes

Other reptiles

Source: U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, 2012 edition

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ael Holland

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Top left: Dr. Byron de la Navarre examines Brando, the rescued resident bearded dragon at Animal House of Chicago. Bottom left: Veterinary technicians administer fluids subcutaneously to a western painted turtle at Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital. Top right: Veterinarians at Avian & Exotic Animal Veterinary Service at Memphis Veterinary Specialists in Cordova, Tenn., insert the end of an endoscope into the mouth of a snake they suspect of having inclusion body disease. Bottom right: Surgery to remove a tumor from the liver of a snake that was a patient at Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic in Indianapolis

Study details problems at wholesaler of exotic pets A new study details problems at a former wholesaler of exotic companion animals, U.S. Global Exotics in Texas, that appear to be reflective of problems in the wholesale industry. “Morbidity and Mortality of Invertebrates, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Mammals at a Major Exotic Companion Animal Wholesaler” appeared online May 29 in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals conducted a seven-month undercover investigation of U.S. Global Exotics. Then a team of veterinarians, biologists, and others under the auspices of Texas state authorities conducted an investigation of the dealer during December 2009 and January 2010. A subsequent court hearing determined that all the animals had been treated cruelly, and the Texas Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other animal welfare organizations were awarded custody. The formal investigation found that U.S. Global Exotics

had a mortality rate of 72 percent during a six-week stock turnover period. During judicial proceedings against the dealer, the defense cited expert evidence that the wholesale industry’s mortality rate is 70 percent. U.S. Global Exotics discarded almost 3,500 deceased or moribund animals—mostly reptiles—on a weekly basis. During the 10 days after confiscation, mortality rates were 18 percent for invertebrates, 44.5 percent for amphibians, 41.6 percent for reptiles, and 5.5 percent for mammals. According to the study, “Causes of morbidity and mortality included cannibalism, crushing, dehydration, emaciation, hypothermic stress, infection, parasite infestation, starvation, overcrowding, stress/injuries, euthanasia on compassionate grounds, and undetermined causes.” The dealer supplied exotic companion animals to customers including retail chains and zoological collections in at least 22 states and 25 countries. The operation was supplied by 16 states and 22 countries.

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AVMA

The next AVMA vice president Russak and Stinson explain they’re up for the job Interviews by R. Scott Nolen

I

n addition to choosing a president-elect, the AVMA House of Delegates will elect a new vice president during its regular annual session this July in Denver. Two candidates are running for the office, a two-year position as the AVMA liaison to the Student AVMA and student chapters. It also entails a seat on the AVMA Executive Board as a voting member. Dr. Walter R. Threlfall was elected AVMA vice president in 2012, and his term is coming to an end. Looking to pick up where he leaves off are Drs. Rebecca Stinson of Reidsville, North Carolina, and Mark Russak of Berlin, Connecticut. Here, each candidate explains why he or she is best-suited for the office. Dr. Russak responds:

Why do you want to be AVMA vice president?

I have dedicated the last 11 years of my career to working with students from virtually every veterinary school in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. I have noticed there is an apparent disconnect between the students, new veterinary graduates, and the AVMA. The value proposition of joining and supporting the AVMA has not been conveyed in a way that is resonating with our young doctors. These are challenging times for our profession, especially for those just starting their careers. They need to realize that the AVMA leadership is quite aware of the issues they face and is doing what it can to facilitate the long-term changes necessary to help them succeed. That being said, it is up to the students to communicate their wants and needs to the AVMA. Meeting these challenges is a process, and change will not occur overnight. Challenges always present opportunities; I want to focus on the opportunity. This is a two-way street, and communication both ways is critical to eventual mutually beneficial solutions. I believe I can be the communication conduit that can make this a reality. What makes you the best person for the office?

My career includes the military, private companion animal practice, leadership within organized veterinary medicine, and academia, giving me a unique perspective of the diverse paths within our profession. That career diversity allows me to see our profession through its many different facets. This gives me a unique perspective of the varied career tracks within our profession, having actually lived them, and allows me to understand the unique needs of each professional niche. I have given over 70 educational 158



presentations in the last four years at veterinary schools throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. The message I have been delivering, which is all about personal and professional success, must be resonating, as I have been brought back to speak at several schools multiple times. Being retired from private practice and academia has afforded me the opportunity to have the time for the travel this office requires, and I look forward to continuing a rigorous travel schedule as the AVMA vice president. What qualifications and experiences do you bring to the position?

My professional resume includes being a veterinary technician in the U.S. Air Force for four years, and as a practitioner I founded and for almost 25 years owned and managed a top-notch American Animal Hospital Association–accredited companion animal hospital. This was followed by seven years in academia, teaching primary care, business, and communication at Mississippi State University, where I received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Additionally, I spent two years as the director of student affairs, and I was the faculty AAHA, AVMA student chapter, and Veterinary Business Management Association student adviser. I am a recent board member and past president of AAHA. My academic career has made me realize that my passion lies in helping students get the tools they need for successful veterinary careers, whatever paths they choose. In your opinion, what is the AVMA vice president’s role?

The role of the vice president is that of central communicator. Bringing an understanding of the AVMA message and activities to the students and what this means to everyone engaged in our profession is critical. Equally important is bringing the student Dr. Mark Russak

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“ The biggest challenge (facing veterinary students and graduates) is the current state of the veterinary economy. This is a complex issue involving multiple forces, which the students feel are out of their control—and for the most part, they are correct.” Dr. Mark Russak

message back to the Executive Board so they can better understand the students’ concerns, allowing the board to respond in an appropriate and timely manner.

students how to be successful through understanding the economics of veterinary medicine, gaining client trust, and enhancing client bonding and communication. As AVMA vice president, I will continue to stress those critical success skills as I educate and communicate with students. Any final thoughts?

The AVMA is fortunate to have two fine candidates vying for this office. I feel my diverse background, my dedication to working with students, plus the professional credibility and trust I have built make me the best candidate to fill this role. I am passionate and committed to student success, and my knowledge and in-depth understanding of students enable me to serve this office and the AVMA well. This is the greatest profession in the world, and I have been fortunate to be a veterinarian. My ultimate goal is to help make this profession better every day through the resources and opportunities extended to me as AVMA vice president.

Dr. Stinson responds: Why do you want to be AVMA vice president?

I would like to be AVMA vice president because this position is the first face our members put on AVMA. I would like our future members and colleagues currently in veterinary school to realize that AVMA is made up of all types of veterinarians, not only from all facets of practice but truly from all The biggest challenge is the current state of the veterifacets of medicine. I would also like the opportunity to help nary economy. This is a complex issue involving multiple forces, which the students feel are out of their control—and the next generation of veterinarians recognize the value that AVMA can bring to them in their career and personal for the most part, they are correct. Some of the current involvement. dynamics contributing to student worries are rising tuition costs, increased class sizes, additional veterinary schools, the shrinking job market, and student debt-to-salary ratios What makes you the best person for the office? that are financially unsustainable, among others. We are truly blessed to have two great people As vice president, how would you direct the running for this Association’s response to these areas? position. What sets I have always believed challenges equal opportunities. Over the last decade, consumer spending on pets has been me apart is my experience within on the rise, yet the veterinary piece of that pie continues AVMA as well as to shrink and yet our clients spend record amounts on the Student AVMA. Halloween costumes for their pets. Wellness care is being This gives me a neglected, heartworm disease is on the rise, and diabetes broad knowledge and obesity in companion animals is becoming an epiof the inner workdemic. It is estimated that up to 40 percent of our clients ings of AVMA and consult Dr. Google before bringing their sick pets to the the opportunities veterinary office. Partners for Healthy Pets is a major initiaand challenges tive within our profession like we have never seen before. We need to better educate pet owners about the real value that exist within we bring, in keeping their furry friends healthy and increas- the current leadership model when ing their time together. At the same time, if we teach practitioners how to communicate that benefit, demand for our new graduates are interested in services will rise. The next part of that equation is to teach Dr. Rebecca Stinson What do you see as the most important challenges and opportunities facing veterinary students and recent graduates today?

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AVMA becoming more involved in the organization. With this knowledge, I hope to bring relevant contributions to the AVMA Executive Board on opportunities to improve our engagement with not only students but also faculty and staff at the veterinary colleges. What qualifications and experiences do you bring to the position?

“Our profession needs to continue to expand our knowledge of good business practices to provide a viable future. The Association has a responsibility to be upfront with

I had the good fortune to serve as Student AVMA secretary my third year and Student AVMA president my fourth year of veterinary school. Since graduation, I have continued my involvement with organized veterinary medicine within my state, with the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and serving on AVMA councils, committees, and task forces. Additionally, I have worked with students through many avenues since graduating, including helping with lectures at NC State University, wet labs for AAEP student chapters, working with numerous externs, and serving as the chair of the Student Member Activities subcommittee for the AVMA Member Services Committee. Students may also value interacting with someone who is still dealing with the struggles of buying into a practice, paying off student debt, and managing work-life balance.

for veterinarians to enter, including policy, public health, industry, and research. The marketplace for practice has expanded to include a focus on rehabilitative medicine, complementary therapy, and opportunities for new ways of practicing.

In your opinion, what is the AVMA vice president’s role?

As vice president, how would you direct the Association’s response to these areas?

The role of AVMA vice president is to be the face to the students on behalf of our over 85,000 members. This calls for being in tune to the needs of the practitioner, academician, and all other segments of the profession. My experience with the Member Services Committee, Council on Veterinary Service, and as an AVMA Future Leader opened my eyes and mind to the amazing diversity of our profession and the different needs of many of those segments. As vice president, it will be my role to bring those needs back to the Executive Board and work to improve the ways in which the organization can improve our service and relevance to this broad cultural experience.

As an association, we need to continue to work to improve the economic viability of the profession by emphasizing the value of the profession to public health as well as continuing our marketing strategies to increase visits to veterinary practices. Additionally, we need to work to help students have a clear understanding of the financial realities of student debt. We need to remind students and ourselves that this is an investment in ourselves, and we need to take responsibility for that investment, including using our dollars wisely while in and out of school. Our profession needs to continue to expand our knowledge of good business practices to provide a viable future. The Association has a responsibility to be upfront with potential future colleagues about the current standing of the marketplace. Lastly, we have an obligation to continue to promote the values and core knowledge that a DVM/VMD conveys and the value that brings to careers not traditionally filled by veterinarians.

What do you see as the most important challenges and opportunities facing veterinary students and recent graduates today?

The most important challenges facing students today are not limited to the veterinary scope. Students are faced with the increasing cost of tuition, leading to increased debt load followed by the challenge of finding a job in a tough marketplace. These challenges are not at all limited to veterinarians but include nearly all of those coming into the job market currently. The good news is that there are also great opportunities. The job market does appear to be improving, albeit slowly. There are ever-changing fields

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potential future colleagues about the current standing of the marketplace.” Dr. Rebecca Stinson

Any final thoughts?

Along the way this year, I am grateful to have spoken with new people from all over this great country and even from around the globe and am truly struck by the common goals of veterinarians everywhere. I truly believe that we can only move our profession forward by working together.

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Antitrust caution clashes with workforce concerns FTC says it’s watching associations’ activities By Malinda Larkin When talk of the veterinary job market has arisen, some have said the AVMA should take action to limit the number of veterinary graduates. Or that the AVMA Council on Education should no longer accredit foreign veterinary schools as a result of perceived workforce issues associated with students graduating from these institutions who come to the U.S. to practice. But recent remarks from the Federal Trade Commission indicate those ideas may be a nonstarter. Concerns about the effects of veterinary college accreditation on the veterinary workforce here in the United States gained momentum around the time the AVMA COE accredited the National Autonomous University of Mexico School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry in Mexico City in 2011. Since then, these issues have been debated endlessly on message boards, at professional meetings, and even among members of the AVMA House of Delegates and Executive Board. Most recently, Dr. Robert R. Marshak,

dean emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, sent a letter this spring to state VMAs asking them to support him in his efforts to persuade the Department of Education’s National Advisory Committee for Institutional Quality and Integrity to recommend that the USDE withhold recognition of the COE as the accrediting body for veterinary medicine until reforms are made to its composition—not mentioning the fact that most of these reforms had already taken place (see JAVMA, Sept. 1, 2013, page 594). In the letter, Dr. Marshak wrote as one of his arguments against the COE: “This proliferation of accredited vocational and foreign schools, and the increase in student numbers to make up for severe cut backs in funding for our traditional state supported schools, are adding significantly to the number of new graduates, many marginally trained, at a time when there is already a surplus of veterinarians and the applicant pool as a whole appears to be diminishing. ... The negative financial Vol. 245, No. 2


impact of the growing workforce surplus on private veterinary practices, especially in an economy that may take decades to recover, cannot be overestimated.” (emphasis in original) A little friendly competition

According to the FTC, it’s not for the AVMA to decide how many veterinarians are in the marketplace. The FTC issued a release May 1 (available at http://goo.gl/MXrXzS) stating it continues to focus on trade associations’ compliance with antitrust laws and it is watching their activities. “It is a fundamental principle of antitrust law that competitors—whether businesses or individuals—cannot join together to limit the way that they offer products or services to potential customers, especially where there is no legitimate business purpose other than avoiding competition. Strictly speaking, competitors are expected to compete,” according to the press release. The FTC went on to relate how it obtained settlement agreements with two trade associations at the end of JAVMA News: July 15, 2014

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“Associations, unfortunately, are inherently suspect because they’re groups of competitors coming together to better their businesses. For the AVMA, it’s ‘How can we make veterinary medicine a more profitable endeavor?’ When that is part of the goal, antitrust regulators will watch to see how groups are going to do that without violating the law. There are thousands of ways to do it but equally as many traps associations can fall into that raise scrutiny.” Isham Jones, AVMA’s general counsel

2013 for unreasonable trade association rules. In one case, an association of legal support professionals not only banned comparative advertisements but also prevented members from offering discounted rates to another member’s clients or recruiting another member’s employees without giving prior notice. In the other case, an association of music teachers’ code of ethics prevented members from soliciting clients from a rival, in effect preventing them from offering services to students who were already taking lessons from another member. Each association agreed to settle the FTC charges and to change its rules. “These cases serve as a reminder that the commission, as it was a century ago, remains vigilant about trade association activity that restrains competition among the members without a legitimate business justification. If you are a member of a trade association or provide counsel to one, remember that there are no special antitrust rules for trade associations. Trade association rules, codes, or bylaws that seek to override the normal giveand-take among competing members may interfere with the competitive process and risk antitrust review. When in doubt, trade associations may apply 162



for a staff advisory opinion regarding proposed rules that potentially raise antitrust concerns,” the FTC wrote. Keeping an eye out

Isham Jones, the AVMA’s general counsel, says there are two important things to note about the FTC’s press release. First, the two associations mentioned were small players, not larger corporations such as Google or IBM that are more likely to make headlines when it comes to antitrust activities, the point being that the FTC does not focus only on big companies but also goes after small nonprofit entities. Second, Jones noted it was “somewhat odd” that the FTC would issue a press release solely to tell associations that it’s watching their activities. “It’s more common to say we just did this or will do this initiative. They did issue a press release with the settlements, but this went further. I take this as a lesson that they’re watching what associations do,” Jones said. He continued, “Associations, unfortunately, are inherently suspect because they’re groups of competitors coming together to better their businesses. For the AVMA, part of what we do is to ask, ‘How can we make veterinary medicine a more profitable endeavor?’ When that is part of the goal, antitrust regu-

lators will watch to see how groups are going to do that without violating the law. There are thousands of ways to do it but equally as many traps they can fall into that raise scrutiny.” Applies to practices as well

Individual veterinarians, too, need to watch for violating antitrust rules, which aren’t always intuitive or obvious, Jones said. “Practitioners shouldn’t be banding together with other practices to say, ‘We’re going to charge a certain amount for a spay or neuter.’ Or say they’re not going to buy (a company’s) products because they’re selling to big-box stores. That’s likely to be viewed as unlawful. Same with dividing up markets; ‘You take everything north of here, and I’ll take everything south of here,’” he said. Prior to the Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee’s meeting in May, Michael Dicks, PhD, director of the AVMA Veterinary Economics Division, advised committee members to be vigilant that their actions do not restrain competition among AVMA members or prevent new Association members from being able to compete. “Providing information about supply, demand, and prices is not a problem, but the suggestion by even

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a single member to constrain supply or set prices is likely to be viewed as attempting to use the power of the association to restrain competition. Thus, we need to be ever vigilant about our comments as VESC members both at the meeting and in public. As an example, discussing workforce issues is not a problem nor is discussing accreditation a problem. However, when the two are talked about together this is a problem,” Dr. Dicks wrote. He says that veterinarians need to keep in mind the value of the market in its ability to efficiently allocate resources. “If the resources are not being allocated correctly, it is not our job to fix the market but to remove the factors that prevent it from working efficiently,” he said. “I believe the job of AVMA is to provide the best unbiased information to all market participants so that

they can make informed resource allocation decisions. This will reduce the long periods between excessive excess capacity and insufficient capacity, in essence, improving market efficiency.” The economics division and the Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee have been working on three economic studies. They are as follows: • An elasticity study that will determine the effects of the price of veterinary services and customer disposable income on the demand for veterinary services. • An employment study that will look at how many veterinarians have been unemployed or underemployed and for how long, in addition to whether their status is temporary or permanent and why. • A capacity study that will determine the difference in characteristics

between veterinary practices operating at excess capacity and those operating at full capacity. The results will be announced during the AVMA Veterinary Workforce Summit on Oct. 28. In the meantime, the economics division along with the AVMA Membership and Field Services Division and the Early Career Development Committee is developing a budgeting tool that will help veterinary students and early-career veterinarians develop personal budgets. The goal is to help them understand the effect of various degrees of debt, debt repayment, and income on their budget. These actions likely won’t satisfy every Association member, but the AVMA recognizes members aren’t the only ones watching what it does.

Resources focus on veterinary careers in public service In May, the National Association of Federal Veterinarians and the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine’s Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine published resources in conjunction with the AVMA about veterinary careers in the federal government. “Federal Veterinarians: The World Is Our Clinic” is a brochure offering an overview of where veterinarians are currently serving across the federal government and how they can help fill the country’s increasing demand for professionals with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics backgrounds in the future. The groups also published a white paper titled “Address ing federal hiring needs with veterinary medical professionals,” which provides an in-depth look at how the federal government classifies some of its job series. Specifically, for some federal positions not classified as veterinary positions, professionals are sought with backgrounds in the basic

sciences, health, agriculture, or the environment, areas in which veterinarians are often uniquely qualified. The white paper calls on the Office of Personnel Management to expand the veterinary medical officer job series description to include the additional skill sets that veterinarians possess, allow professionals with DVM or VMD degrees the ability to qualify for a more diverse range of science and technology–based federal positions or be given preference for those science-based positions, and consider professionals with doctorates in veterinary medicine for any science-based position that requires a doctorate or other advanced science or research degree. In the months ahead, the AVMA, NAFV, and VirginiaMaryland will provide the brochure and white paper to federal human resources managers as part of a continued effort to place veterinarians in federal service.

During the AVMA Annual Convention, July 25-29 in Denver, visit www.avma.org or the Twitter feed @AVMAJournals for updates from the JAVMA News staff. Vol. 245, No. 2



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Courtesy of the WVA

AVMA

Dr. Faouzi Kechrid (left), president of the World Veterinary Association, presents the World Veterinary Day Award to Dr. Clark K. Fobian, AVMA president, to recognize the AVMA’s celebration of World Veterinary Day 2014 by launching a new online hub about animal welfare.

AVMA wins World Veterinary Day Award Organizations around the globe celebrated the date in April By Katie Burns The AVMA has received the 2014 World Veterinary Day Award for developing an online hub about animal welfare. The Association launched the hub on World Veterinary Day 2014, April 26, to provide easy access to AVMA resources on animal welfare such as policies and literature reviews. The hub also features a new discussion forum for members of the AVMA and Student AVMA as well as international veterinarians to exchange ideas on animal welfare–related issues. The World Veterinary Association and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received about 25 applications for this year’s World Veterinary Day Award for the most successful celebration of the date, which falls on the last Saturday in April each year and focused on the theme of animal welfare in 2014. Dr. Faouzi Kechrid, WVA president, presented the award to Dr. Clark K. Fobian, AVMA president, on May 25 during the opening of the 82nd OIE General Session in Paris. Dr. Kechrid, while presenting the award, said the AVMA hub is a great tool for promoting animal welfare and especially for promoting veterinarians as authorities on, and advocates for, animal welfare. 164



“We are tremendously excited and honored to be recognized by our distinguished colleagues within the WVA and the OIE for our efforts to improve veterinarians’ access to animal welfare–related information and to facilitate their conversations on these topics,” Dr. Fobian said in a later statement. Dr. Gail Golab, director of the AVMA Animal Welfare Division, said in the statement, “We are hopeful that the AVMA hub will serve as a nexus where veterinarians from around the world can not only access the information they need to ensure good welfare for the patients in their care today, but also keep abreast of emerging information and practical applications that will allow them to help develop best practices for tomorrow.” The hub is at www.avma.org/animalwelfare. Also on World Veterinary Day, the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association held a webinar on fish welfare to start six months of dialogue and webinars culminating in an international conference on fish welfare in September in Germany. The Fish Welfare Dialogue is at www.fishwelfare.org. Other organizations around the globe celebrated the

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Courtesy of the Kenya Veterinary Association

Courtesy of the Veterinary Students Association at the Patuakhali Science and Technology University

date with a variety of events. Activities included the following: • The Small Animals Veterinary Medical Association of Quebec dedicated a day of its annual meeting to animal welfare. • The Cadiz Veterinary Association in Spain organized Veterinary Week. World Veterinary Day activities in Bangladesh and Kenya • Himachal Pradesh State Veterinary Officers Association • The Himachal Pradesh State Veterinary Council in India in India held speaking and poster contests for organized a workshop and clinic. schoolchildren. • The Kenya Veterinary Association held a street procession, • The Georgian Veterinary Doctors United Association in the seminars, a field day on clinical work, and an exhibition. country of Georgia held an event on the welfare of local • The Turkish VMA put on a celebration featuring horse racbreeds of farm animals and developed a video on the weling and distribution of posters and CDs. fare of companion animals. • The Egyptian VMA collaborated with the Society for the • The Eastern Regional Station of the National Dairy Protection and Welfare of Donkeys and Mules in Egypt to Research Institute in India offered a program on the welorganize numerous activities, including a play and sports. fare of dairy cattle. • The Uganda Veterinary Association promoted animal wel• The Gujarat Veterinary Association and Anand Agricultural fare in the press. University College of Veterinary Science & Animal • The Veterinary Chamber of Serbia organized a program of Husbandry in India organized lectures, a poster contest, continuing professional development. and a contest to create slogans promoting animal welfare. • The Bangladesh Livestock Society held a variety of events • The Kurukshetra Veterinary Association in India organized throughout the month of April. a week of activities, including clinics for livestock to pro• The Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry vide deworming and vaccinations for foot-and-mouth at the Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences & disease. Technology of Kashmir in India organized a celebration. • The Veterinary Students Association at the Patuakhali • The Myanmar Veterinary Association offered a seminar on Science and Technology University in Bangladesh held a the role of veterinarians in animal welfare. rally, seminar, cultural night, free clinic, tree planting, and flying of a fanush—a paper hot air balloon.

Members appointed to compounding task force, other entities In early June, the AVMA appointed eight veterinarians to the Task Force on Veterinary Compounding Legislation and four veterinarians to other entities. The members of the task force are Drs. Lori Thompson, Kirklin, Indiana, chair; Dawn Boothe, Auburn, Alabama; Colleen Currigan, Chicago; K. Fred Gingrich II, Ashland, Ohio; Charles Lemme, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; K. Gary Magdesian, Loomis, California; Kurt Sladky, Madison, Wisconsin; and Wanda West, Princeton, New Jersey. The AVMA Executive Board made the following appointments. AVMA Group Health & Life Insurance Trust

At-large representative—Dr. Renee Schmid, Scribner, Nebraska Early Career Development Committee

Representing emerging leaders—Dr. Karen Shenoy, Osseo, Minnesota; representing recent graduates— Drs. Rita Akers, Navarre, Florida, and Robin Hansen, Pleasanton, California Vol. 245, No. 2



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Issues

PED virus reinfecting U.S. herds Virus estimated to have killed 7 million-plus pigs By Greg Cima

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“I think it’s an indication that we don’t know everything there is to know about this virus yet and, in particular, we don’t know how sow immua year. nity develops and how long-lasting it Dr. Tom Burkgren, executive direcis,” he said. tor of the American Association of PED killed an estimated 7 million Swine Veterinarians, said veterinarians pigs from the time the virus was first have seen porcine epidemic diarrhea virus outbreaks this year on farms that found in the U.S. in April 2013 to the end of April 2014, according to the also had outbreaks in summer 2013, National Pork Producers Council. It can although figures on reinfections are not available. On some farms, the coro- kill nearly all neonatal pigs in a herd, navirus has remained present since the although Dr. Burkgren said subsequent outbreaks have been connected with initial outbreaks. virus that has killed millions of neonatal pigs can cause multiple outbreaks on a farm within

350 300

lower morbidity and mortality rates than outbreaks in naive herds. He did not have data on those differences. PEDv is known to infect only pigs. Lack of immunity

Dr. Matt Ackerman, a practitioner in Greensburg, Indiana, identified a PED outbreak in a client’s 6,000-sow herd May 5, 2013, and biological samples showed the herd stopped shedding the virus in September. A second outbreak started during the last week of March 2014, even though the gilts that

PED-positive laboratory submissions This chart shows the numbers of U.S. locations that submitted biological samples positive for the PED virus.

250 200 150 100 50 Source: USDA APHIS

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were farrowing this spring had been exposed to the PED virus during the first outbreak. He had hoped that animals exposed to PED would be immune to the same strain for two or three years. The second outbreak killed 30 to 40 percent of pre-weaning pigs, down from nearly 100 percent during the initial outbreak. But the first outbreak ended after eight weeks, while the second outbreak was still ongoing at the end of May, about 12 weeks after it had started. Dr. Burkgren said Dr. Ackerman’s client reacted to the initial outbreak with appropriate actions, including efforts to immunize sows. The subsequent outbreak was concerning, he said. Dr. Ackerman knows colleagues have exposed gilts to the virus to immunize them prior to entry to the farrowing house. But he has found that the exposure does not guarantee immunity. “I want people to know—other colleagues to know—that just because a farm broke with PED last year doesn’t mean they’re going to be immune this year,” he said. Whether the virus was reintroduced or has remained in the herd since the

initial outbreak was a subject of debate among Dr. Ackerman’s colleagues, he said. Sequencing showed that the same virus strain was responsible for both outbreaks. Mandatory reporting

In June, the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service began requiring reports when pigs are presumed or confirmed to be infected with the PED virus or the swine deltacoronavirus. The latter was found in U.S. pigs early this year and since has been connected with milder clinical disease than that associated with PED virus. Veterinarians, diagnostic laboratory employees, and pig owners are among those who have to report positive laboratory tests for such “novel swine enteric coronavirus diseases.” The number of infected herds peaked in February, when 1,230 herds were confirmed to have infections. The number of confirmed infections had declined through May, when 760 herds had positive test results, according to APHIS figures. Agency data also indicate about 200 herds in 14 states were found to have

swine deltacoronavirus infections from March through May, the only months for which APHIS provided data by press time. APHIS documents also forecast a 10 percent decline in the number of hogs ready for slaughter this summer relative to summer 2013. “A year ago, we didn’t expect PEDv and these other viruses would have this great an impact to industry,” a Q-and-A document states. APHIS initially let industry lead efforts against the coronaviruses, but the unexpected impact showed a need for a larger government role, the document states. “The industry is already seeing herds previously impacted by the virus become re-infected, and routine and standard disease reporting will help determine the magnitude of the disease in the United States and document progress in managing the disease,” it states. APHIS is spending about $26 million on vaccine development, state disease response and control, herd monitoring and testing, biosecurity, diagnostic testing, and virus genomic sequencing, the agency announced in June.

FDA now able to hold suspect drugs Federal officials now can detain pharmaceuticals when inspectors suspect adulteration or misbranding. The Food and Drug Administration announced in the May 29 Federal Register that, starting June 30, the agency would have authority to conduct “administrative detention” of pharmaceuticals intended for humans or animals. The change is intended to protect the public by giving the agency time to consider what actions to take when inspections raise concerns, reducing the likelihood of illnesses or deaths among drug recipients. FDA employees conduct inspections where pharmaceuticals are made, held, moved, or imported.

The regulations announced by the agency are the product of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, which was signed into law in July 2012. The law gave the FDA authority to improve protection of the integrity of the drug supply chain, which includes drug detention. The FDA already had such authority over medical devices and tobacco products. Under the rules published in May, the FDA can detain drugs up to 20 days, unless an agency district director finds that more time is needed to seize the drugs, start injunction proceedings, or consider the need for legal action. In those cases, the detention can last 30 days. The rules allow for appeals by those with claims to the detained drugs.

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Practice Agreement will reduce access to some rodenticides By Greg Cima

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Photo by B. “Moose” Peterson/Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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n agreement between regulators and a rodenticide producer will reduce access to poisons that the regulators say are unsafe for children, pets, and wildlife. Reckitt Benckiser had been the only company to fight restrictions that took effect in 2011, and the agreement followed proceedings by the Environmental Protection Agency to force withdrawal of the products. The EPA announced May 30 that Reckitt Benckiser had agreed to stop making 12 d-Con rodenticide products by the end of 2014 and stop distributing them before April 2015. Eight of the products contain brodifacoum or difethialone, second-generation anticoagulants that the agency considers to be dangers to wild animals such as scavengers and predators. The other four, which contain the firstgeneration anticoagulant warfarin, are sold without the bait housing that the agency requires to reduce risks that children and pets will eat loose poison pellets or meal. The agency announced in May that fewer children have been poisoned by rodenticides since the new standards took effect. Catherine C. Milbourn, an agency spokeswoman, said one company’s data showed a 50 percent decline in exposures among children since 2011, and none of those ate poison that had been in a bait housing. She expects further reductions with changes to the d-Con products. Agency documents filed in mid-2008 indicate a study in New York found residues from second-generation anticoagulants in 48 percent of diurnal raptors and owls analyzed. In California, residues were found in more than 70 percent of bobcats, mountain lions, and San Joaquin kit foxes analyzed. Milbourn said the agency is confident the changes in rodenticides will reduce wildlife exposures and deaths. The EPA is also discouraging people from buying secondgeneration anticoagulants intended for agricultural use by requiring that each package contain at least 8 pounds of bait. Packages sold to pest control operators need to contain at least 16 pounds of bait. Dr. Ahna Brutlag, associate director of veterinary services for SafetyCall International and the Pet Poison Helpline, said Reckitt Benckiser is expected to replace the d-Con products with ones containing diphacinone, a first-generation anticoagulant. Those with the help line previously had concerns that the manufacturer instead would switch to bromethalin, a neurotoxic poison that has no antidote. The help line has received more calls about bromethalin since the EPA rules took effect (see page 169). State authorities in California already planned to prohibit sales of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides

The EPA cited the risks second-generation anticoagulants pose to San Joaquin kit foxes, an endangered species, and other endangered and threatened species in describing the agency’s decision to reduce public access to such rodenticides.

to the public starting July 1. Officials with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation announced May 30 that the state’s actions would be unaffected by the national agreement, which arrived three weeks after a ruling in favor of the state agency from the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego. A department document that describes the need for the change cites the prevalence of second-generation anticoagulant residues found through a state government analysis of wildlife illnesses and deaths from 1995-2011. Of animals included in the analysis, 368 of 492, or 73 percent, had such residues in samples, according to the document.

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Help line getting more calls about bromethalin By Greg Cima

As rodenticide makers have replaced percent. She expects calls about those chewed through the plastic or cardpoisons will plummet as the remaining board retail packages, while others poisons to meet environmental rules, found poison bait distributed outside products become less available. the Pet Poison Helpline has received the protective stations. One pound of The rules affecting second-genmore calls about a neurotoxic poison rodenticide can be sold, for example, eration anticoagulants are intended that has no antidote. as 16 blocks that come with a single to prevent deaths of predators and Dr. Ahna Brutlag, a veterinary toxibait station, she said. scavengers. Second-generation anticologist who is associate director of A help line study found that dogs coagulants are more toxic than firstveterinary services for SafetyCall generation anticoagulants, yet a lethal that receive early, appropriate treatInternational and the Pet Poison ment for bromethalin poisoning tend dose of the second-generation prodHelpline, said treating victims of broto recover well, she said. Even some ucts can take a week to kill a rodent, methalin poisoning is more difficult dogs that had neurologic signs when than treating those with anticoagulant which can eat more poison during they arrived at a veterinary clinic that time, agency information states. poisoning, and the help line received largely recovered, although some dogs about two-thirds more calls about bro- The poison also is more persistent in rodent carcasses than are first-genera- observed in the study took upward of methalin incidents in 2013 than 2011. six weeks to approach normal function. “We’ve seen a very sharp increase in tion anticoagulants. “It’s not a death sentence by any Most calls to the help line about the number of bromethalin cases that means,” Dr. Brutlag said. She added that we’ve been consulted about,” she said. bromethalin involve products that recovery is possible when owners can meet EPA safety standards, which While vitamin K1 is an antidote for provide needed care. first- and second-generation anticoag- were implemented at the same time The help line does not release callas the restrictions on anticoagulants ulants, pets that have eaten bromethvolume figures, but Dr. Brutlag said and require that manufacturers sell alin typically need multiple doses of activated charcoal and hospitalization, the products with bait housing for the the rodenticide-related calls have poisons to reduce the risk that children remained between 5 percent and 7 Dr. Brutlag said. percent of the help line’s total call voland pets will eat them. Since 2011, the Environmental ume over the past 10 years. But Dr. Brutlag said dogs have Protection Agency has prohibited rodenticide makers from selling second-generaPercentage of rodenticide-related calls tion anticoaguto the Pet Poison Helpline lants in products 80 marketed for use Other, including fi by the public. One 70  Secondcompany, Reckitt Unknown generation Benckiser, fought 60 anticoagulants the ban but has agreed to stop  Bromethalin Bromethalin 50 selling such prod Unknown ucts before April 40  Other, includ- Second-gen antic 2015 (see page ing zinc phos168). phide and 30 In the same first-generation time during which anticoagulants bromethalin-relat20 ed calls increased, Dr. Brutlag said 10 calls about second-generation 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 anticoagulants declined about 8 Vol. 245, No. 2



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Community Obituaries AVMA member AVMA honor roll member Nonmember Richard A. Daugherty Dr. Daugherty (Auburn ’70), 69, Louisville, Tennessee, died April 5, 2014. A mixed animal veterinarian, he owned Airport Animal Clinic in Alcoa, Tennessee, where he practiced for 40 years prior to retirement. Dr. Daugherty served on the alumni advisory council for the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. He was a past president of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, Blount County Livestock Association, Southeastern Livestock Network, Tennessee Livestock Network, Smoky Mountain Feeder Calf Association, and Blount County 4-H Club. In 2006, Dr. Daugherty received the Blount County Soil Conservation Award. He was a veteran of the Army and attained the rank of captain. Dr. Daugherty’s wife, Martha; two sons; and a grandson survive him. One son, Dr. Richard A. Daugherty (Tennessee ’97), is a veterinarian in Louisville, Tennessee. Memorials may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210, https://gifts.mdanderson.org; or Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation, 1915 White Ave., Knoxville, TN 37916, www.thompsoncancer.com

Thomas Mac Devin Dr. Devin (Texas ’89), 63, College Station, Texas, died April 7, 2014. He was senior professional services veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. since 2009, supporting the Southwestern region. Prior to that, Dr. Devin worked for Fort Dodge Animal Health. Early in his career, he was in general practice in Texas at Beaumont, Frisco, and Clarendon, focusing on cattle herd health, feedlot medicine, and equine medicine. Dr. Devin was a member of the American Association of Bovine 170



Practitioners, Academy of Veterinary Consultants, and Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. His wife, Karla, and two sons survive him. His daughter and a son predeceased him. Memorials toward the Dr. Thomas Mac Devin ’89 Endowed Memorial Scholarship (with checks made payable to the Texas A&M Foundation) may be sent to the Dean’s Office, College of Veterinary Medicine, 4461 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843.

Alfred O. Gigstad Dr. Gigstad (Kansas ’54), 85, Nebraska City, Nebraska, died Feb. 23, 2014. He owned Arbor Valley Animal Clinic, a mixed animal practice in Nebraska City, prior to retirement in 1995. A life member of the Nebraska VMA, Dr. Gigstad was a past chair of its Nutrition Committee and served on its Legislative Committee. He also served on the Nebraska Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Gigstad was a member of the American Angus, Nebraska Junior Angus, and Southeast Nebraska Junior Angus associations. He twice served as mayor of Nebraska City and was a past president of the Nebraska City Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska City Board of Education, Nebraska City Rotary International, and Nebraska City Jaycees. Dr. Gigstad was a member of the Nebraska Agriculture Council, Nebraska City City Council, Nebraska Water Congress, Nebraska Water Resources Association, and Nebraska Boundary Commission. He was named Nebraska Veterinarian of the Year in 1993, received the NVMA Distinguished Service Award in 2001, and was honored by the Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Alumni Association in 2005. Dr. Gigstad was also a past recipient of the Nebraska City Optimist Community Service Award. The Nebraska City Jaycees presented him with their Distinguished Service Award and named him Outstanding Member of the Year. The Nebraska City Rotary International honored him as Rotarian of the Year

and as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was the Nebraska City Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Member of the Year. His wife, Roberta; three sons and a daughter; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren survive him. Dr. Gigstad’s sons, Drs. Alfred O. Gigstad III (Kansas ’76) and James F. Gigstad (Kansas ’93), own Arbor Valley Animal Clinic. His grandfather and brother, the late Drs. Frank M. Linscott and Dale C. Gigstad (Kansas ’55), were also veterinarians.

Arnold E. Glarborg Dr. Glarborg (Washington ’54), 91, Tucson, Arizona, died Feb. 14, 2014. He practiced mixed animal medicine in Blackfoot, Idaho, from 1959 until retirement in 1987. Prior to that, Dr. Glarborg worked in Aberdeen, Idaho. He was a past chair of the Idaho Board of Veterinary Medicine, a past president of the Eastern Idaho VMA, and a member of the Idaho VMA. In 1987, Dr. Glarborg was named Idaho Veterinarian of the Year. He was an Army veteran of World War II. Dr. Glarborg is survived by his wife, Estelle; three sons and two daughters; 11 grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren. Memorials may be made to Luther Heights Bible Camp, P.O. Box 389, Shoshone, ID 83352; or Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

William J. Langill Dr. Langill (Guelph ’50), 87, Dorval, Quebec, died May 5, 2014. He founded Liesse Animal Clinic, a small animal practice in Dorval, in 1955. Earlier in his career, Dr. Langill practiced primarily equine medicine at the Liesse Hospital for Pets and Horses in Dorval. He was a founding member of the Quebec Academy of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Langill is survived by his companion, Lynne; two sons and two daughters; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. One son, Dr. Robert Langill (Guelph ’86), has owned Liesse Animal Clinic since 2004. Memorials may be

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made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Quebec, 550 Sherbrooke St. W., East Tower, Suite 1010, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1B9.

Jack D. Levengood Dr. Levengood (Pennsylvania ’65), 80, Coatesville, Pennsylvania, died May 1, 2014. A mixed animal practitioner, he owned Towerville Veterinary Clinic in Coatesville since 1976. Earlier in his career, Dr. Levengood practiced at Brandywine Valley Veterinary Hospital in Coatesville. He was a member of the Pennsylvania VMA. Dr. Levengood served in the Navy during the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; four children; and five grandchildren. Memorials may be made to The Race for Adam Foundation, Attn: Matt Tobias, 2020 Harold Ave., Allentown, PA 18104, www.RaceforAdam.org

Joseph E. Paddock Dr. Paddock (Cornell ’52), 86, Bath, New York, died May 2, 2014. He practiced in Bath for 42 years prior to retirement. Dr. Paddock was a past president of the Finger Lakes Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a member of the Southern Tier VMA and New York State Association of Professions, and a life member of the Steuben County Historical Society. A veteran of the Army and Army Veterinary Corps, he was also a member of the American Legion. In 2007, the Paddock Lecture Hall at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine was dedicated to Dr. Paddock and his uncle and brother, the late Drs. Arthur Paddock (Cornell ’21) and Nicholas Paddock (Cornell ’43). Dr. Paddock is survived by his wife, Mary; three daughters; two stepdaughters; three grandchildren; and four stepgrandchildren. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian ChurchBath, 6 E. Morris St., Bath, NY 14810; St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 122 Liberty St., Bath, NY 14810; Steuben County Historical Society, 1 Cohocton St., Bath,

NY 14810; or Finger Lakes Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 7315 New York 54, Bath, NY 14810.

Paul J. Small

Frank H. Platt Dr. Platt (Auburn ’55), 85, Okeechobee, Florida, died May 14, 2014. He practiced mixed animal medicine at Platt Veterinary Hospital in Okeechobee for 41 years prior to retirement in 1997. Dr. Platt volunteered at the Okeechobee Humane Society and was a member of the Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association. Active in civic life, he served on the Okeechobee County School Board and was a Boy Scout leader. Dr. Platt was a veteran of the Army. His wife, Reba; two sons and a daughter; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren survive him. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Peter M. Rounds Dr. Rounds (Colorado ’61), 85, Greer, Arizona, died Dec. 9, 2013. A mixed animal practitioner, he was a cofounder of Emergency Animal Clinic, with multiple locations in Arizona’s Valley area. Dr. Rounds served as a fire engineer for the Greer Fire District and was an Apache County sheriff’s posse deputy. He served in the Army during the Korean War. Dr. Rounds is survived by his wife, Beverly; two sons; two stepdaughters; five grandsons; and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Katherine Runde-Jarrell

Dr. Small (California-Davis ’82), 67, Orland, California, died Feb. 8, 2014. A small animal veterinarian, he practiced at Walker Street Veterinary Clinic in Orland.

Russell S. Stanger Jr. Dr. Stanger (Texas ’45), 91, Brazoria, Texas, died Feb. 27, 2014. He practiced in Brazoria for more than 64 years, initially in mixed animal practice and later focusing on large animals. Dr. Stanger was a member of the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. He served in the Army during the Korean War, attaining the rank of captain. Dr. Stanger is survived by his wife, Kathryn; a son and two daughters; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 409 Lazy Lane, Brazoria, TX 77422.

Arthur G. Steiner Jr. Dr. Steiner (Georgia ’72), 67, Warrenton, Virginia, died March 6, 2014. A bovine practitioner, he owned Fauquier Herd Health Services in Warrenton. Dr. Steiner served on the board of directors of the Fauquier County Fair. His wife, Lynn; two daughters and a son; and five grandchildren survive him.

Frank E. Woodson Dr. Woodson (Ohio ’62), 81, Springfield, West Virginia, died March 2, 2014. He worked as a researcher in what was known as the Animal and Veterinary Science Division at West Virginia University. Dr. Woodson was a veteran of the Army. His wife, Janet; three sons; and five grandchildren survive him.

Dr. Runde-Jarrell (Washington ’87), 62, Mount Hood Parkdale, Oregon, died Jan. 20, 2014. A mixed animal practitioner, she owned Upper Valley Veterinary Clinic in Mount Hood Theodore Zimmerman Parkdale since 1991. Earlier in her Dr. Zimmerman (Cornell ’43), 94, career, Dr. Runde-Jarrell worked for Stamford, Connecticut, died Dec. 2, Alpine Veterinary Group in Oregon. She 2013.

Vol. 245, No. 2


is survived by her husband, Sid; a son; and a daughter.


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Reptiles and amphibians as pets.

Reproductive endocrinology of reptiles and amphibians: gonadotropins.

Spatial Biodiversity Patterns of Madagascar's Amphibians and Reptiles.

Arginine Vasotocin, the Social Neuropeptide of Amphibians and Reptiles.

Amphibians and Reptiles of the state of Nuevo León, Mexico.

IgM the secretory immunoglobulin of reptiles and amphibians.

Review rouses staff to strive for better care.

Evidence and mapping of extinction debts for global forest-dwelling reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

Is "cooling then freezing" a humane way to kill amphibians and reptiles?

Life in a frozen state: adaptive strategies for natural freeze tolerance in amphibians and reptiles.

Assessing DNA Barcodes for Species Identification in North American Reptiles and Amphibians in Natural History Collections.

Design and rationale of the STRIVE trial to improve cardiometabolic health among children and families.

Molecular evolution of HoxA13 and the multiple origins of limbless morphologies in amphibians and reptiles.

Patterns and biases in climate change research on amphibians and reptiles: a systematic review.

Amphibians and reptiles of the state of Coahuila, Mexico, with comparison with adjoining states.

Amphibians and reptiles of the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, with comparisons with adjoining states.

Effects of atrazine in fish, amphibians, and reptiles: an analysis based on quantitative weight of evidence.

Sleep in amphibians and reptiles: a review and a preliminary analysis of evolutionary patterns.

Organochlorine insecticide residues in amphibians and reptiles from Iowa and lizards from the southwestern United States.

Cutting cervical cancer: organizations and researchers strive to improve screening, prevention.

The plasma transport proteins of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds.

Comparative Phylogeography Reveals Cryptic Diversity and Repeated Patterns of Cladogenesis for Amphibians and Reptiles in Northwestern Ecuador.

A novel copro-diagnostic molecular method for qualitative detection and identification of parasitic nematodes in amphibians and reptiles.

Use of the NatureServe Climate Change Vulnerability Index as an Assessment Tool for Reptiles and Amphibians: Lessons Learned.