NVMA

Winter Convention

January 21-23, 2016

Kearney, NE

Mark Your Calendar!!

A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

H e n r y C e r n y , D V M

The Power of Myth in Medicine

If myths are not real why do they feature so prominently in our medical terminology? A staff with a snake wrapped around it is the very symbol in which we associate medi-cine. Of course we know this staff is the symbol of Ascle-pius, the Greek god of healing. But what do we know of

Asclepius? The very name Asklepios means “to cut open”. As it turns out he was the son of Apollo and a mortal woman named Coronis. The story is kinda sketchy but Coronis either was killed or died during labor. She was laid upon the funeral pyre to be consumed by fire. But before the fire took her flesh Apollo cut open her womb and rescued his son. Now Apollo was a busy man, after all the sun does not cross the sky all by itself so he enlisted the help of the centaur Chiron to take care of him. That was your basic day care back then. Chiron taught young Asclepius the art of medicine, but where does the snake come in? Well in turns out that Asclepius showed kindness to a snake who in return taught him secret knowledge about healing. Of Asclepius’s five daughters two are very recognizable in our modern medical vocabulary. Hygieia was the god-dess of good health and sanitation, and where we get the word hygiene. Pana-cea with was the goddess of remedy and the source for our modern medical word. We can look at anatomy and discover that the first cervical vertebrae is named Atlas. Atlas was a Titan who sided against the Olympians in a great war. After the Titans were defeated, Zeus punished Atlas and made him hold up the

heavens as our anatomical name sake holds our head.

Two years ago a new drug for pruritus in dogs was released named Apoquel. It belongs to a class of drugs called Janus Kinase Inhibitors. Where did this name Janus come from. Mythology of course. In Roman mythology, Janus was a two headed god who could see into the future and past. He resided over the

beginning and ending of conflicts.

You may wonder where I am going with this and the answer has to do with philosophy, our ideas about knowledge, truth and the nature and meaning of life. Our philosophy defines us and creates our world. How you serve your community and support your fellow veterinary professionals is a philosophy that should be fostered to grow. Like Janus, the NVMA must be able to look to the past and the future in order to offer the best service to its members in the pre-

sent.

July/September 2015

“The NVMA strives to promote animal health, public safety and the human/animal relationship by providing education for its members, enhancing public awareness of veterinary medicine and serving as an advocate in governmental matters”.

NEBRASKA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

VETERINARY VIEWS

Memorium 3

NVMA Summer Mtg Pictures

4

State Veterinarian Report 6

Classifieds 7

School of VMBS update 8

New Members 8

NVMA CSF update 9

Partners for Healthy Pets 11

Veterinary Economics 14

Inside this issue:

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Dr. Henry Cerny

President-Elect Dr. Shane Pedersen

Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Roy Gehrt

Past President Dr. Mark Hughes

CE Chairperson Dr. Brent Van Patten

District I Dr. Joey Gaines

District II Dr. Jeremiah Vondra

District III Dr. Ben Welborn

District IV Dr. Jeremy Young

District V Dr. Donovan Hauser

District VI Dr. Steve Pollmann

District VII Dr. Theresa Beguin-Strong

Directors at Large Dr. Drew Olson

Dr. Sarah Joy

Dr. Jim Kramer

Dr. Ron Green

Dr. Tammy Craig

Dr. David Hardin

Dr. Dan Ellis

EX—OFFICIO MEMBERS

Board of Vet Med Dr. Jim Unwin

State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes

Director of UNL SVMBS Dr. Don Reynolds

AVMA Delegate Dr. Keith Schumacher

Alternate Delegate Dr. David Ylander

Executive Director…………………..Dina Michel

NVMA

PO Box 637

Hastings, NE 68902

(402) 463-4704 Fax: (402) 463-4705 dina_vmet@inebraska.com

P A G E 3 J U L Y / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

MEMORIUM

Bradley J Schumacher, 63 of Crofton, NE and brother to NVMA member Dr. Keith Schumacher died as a

result of a motor vehicle accident on August 28, 2015.

Services were held September 2nd at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton. Arranged by Wintz & Ray

Funeral Home in Yankton, SD

Survivors include his wife, Rita; son, Jamie (Nina) Schumacher of Washington; three step-children: Jason

(Mindi) Magwire of Norfolk; Shaun (Crystal) Magwire of Windside, NE; and Stacy Magwire of Taneytown,

Maryland. 11 grandchildren. Nine brothers and sisters: Cindy (Jim) Hilligas of Garfield, AK; Dennis (Cindy

Schumacher of Crofton; Bill (Diane) Schumacher of Wausa, NE; Pam Sprakel of Yankton; Carmine (Robert)

Nice of Malmo, NE; Keith (Rhonda) Schumacher of Howells, NE; Luann (Duane Schumacher) of Bloomfield,

NE; John (Kristi Schumacher of Sgt Bluff, IA; and Roger (Angie Schumacher of Sarepta, LA.

Bit Reins Painter, 4, daughter of NVMA member Dr. Angie Painter and Monty of Springview passed away

on July 12th.

Visitation is today, July 16th from 5 – 8 pm at Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth, NE. Graveside service Fri-

day July 17th at 10 am at Mt Hope Cemetery in Springview.

Bit joins in heaven her sisters, Dally Lou and Derby Jean, Aunt Karma Painter, Grandpa Keith Bartos and

Grandpa Larry Painter.

She is survived by her parents Monty and Angie Painter; brother, Cinch, sister, Kit; Grandma Roberta Painter, Grandma Nancy Bartos and adopted Grandpa Randy Soleta; Great-grandmothers, Mildred Painter,

Leanore Bartos and Norma Morrill.

P A G E 4 V E T E R I N A R Y V I E W S

NVMA VALENTINE 2015

Dr. Tim Holt discussing acupuncture benefits on horses.

Team Roping prize winners.

P A G E 5 J U L Y / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

The NVMA Summer meeting was

held in Valentine, NE. There was

roping, sporting clays, golf at the

Prairie Club followed by the steak

fry sponsored by Boehringer-

Ingelheim, Norbrook, Merial and

Merck.

Dr. Tim Holt discussing acupuncture benefits on horses.

Dr. Chris Finney was the saddle winner!

Sponsored by MWI.

P A G E 6

State Veterinarian’s Report Dennis Hughes, DVM

Summary of HPAI in Nebraska (as of 8/19/2015)

Since 05/11/2015, 4 commercial flocks have been confirmed with Eurasian/North

American (EA/AM) H5N2 High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Nebraska.

Two of these flocks are commercial layer flocks with breaker operations which

ship liquid eggs to a processing plant located within the control area. Two flocks

are commercial pullet operations. All four flocks are owned by the same com-

pany and are located in Dixon County. An additional pullet operation owned by

this company was classified as a dangerous contact. On 06/03/2015 a backyard flock in the control area

tested positive at National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). On 6/04/2015 NVSL confirmed EA/

AM H5N2 HPAI. The following activities have been in progress and/or completed:

Depopulation of all commercial facilities was completed by June 23, 2015

Composting on all commercial infected facilities was completed on July 23, 2015

Cleaning has been completed on 4 of 5 commercial facilities.

Disinfection is has been completed on 3 of 5 commercial facilities.

Three facilities have had their positive status closed following cleaning and disinfection, and

negative environmental results.

The second round of backyard surveillance of 48 neighboring backyard flocks has been com-

pleted.

All control areas have been released.

Current Activities

1. Cleaning and disinfection is in progress.

2. Restocking of pullet farms should begin in September.

Movement Controls:

All positive commercial and backyard flocks remain under quarantine.

All control areas were released on 7/20/2015.

A permitting process is in place at the Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture. Restrictions on the sale

of live poultry have been put in place at swap meets, exotic sales and live bird auctions in

eastern Nebraska (East of Hwy 281).

Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) cancelled all poultry events across Nebraska

through January 1, 2016. The ban will include all events where birds are co-mingled including:

local and county fairs and festivals, the Nebraska State Fair, swap meets, exotic sales and

live bird auctions in an effort to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza

(HPAI).

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a state of emergency declaration on 05/14/2015 after federal agri-culture officials confirmed a second farm site had tested positive for the rapidly spreading avian flu virus, according to the State Veterinarian. Ricketts' move opened the door to release emergency funds and other aid to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and other state agencies that cooperated to contain the bird flu outbreak, which has now affected more than 4.9 million egg-laying hens and pullets in Ne-braska. On July 1, 2015, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts lifted the state of emergency declaration af-

ter it was determined that interagency assistance was no longer needed and to aid in the resumption of international trade.

V E T E R I N A R Y V I E W S

J U L Y / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 P A G E 7

Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in 2015 As of this day, VSV is at or very near our borders to the west and north (CO, WY, SD). Similar to what we saw with HPAI this spring in KS, MO, IA, MN, SD and WI prior to the Nebraska incident, NDA is watching and awaiting a probable incursion into our state.

CLASSIFIEDS

PRACTICE FOR SALE Well established mixed animal practice in North Platte, Nebraska since 1971. North Platte is a thriving community with excellent schools, a regional hospital and recreational activities with a western at-mosphere. The clinic is a modern facility including two exam rooms, surgery suite, indoor boarding kennels and a large animal treatment area. The large animal facility includes equine treatment and surgery areas, five indoor stalls, 5 covered outdoor stalls and an indoor cattle handling facility with a repro lab. Also included are several outdoor pens, tilt table and a crematorium. Clinic currently has two veterinarians and five full time support staff. The practice focuses on both large and small animals with 40% small animal, 40% cow/calf and 20% equine. Gross income is over $830K. Buyer may choose half or full ownership options. Owner selling due to health is-sues but willing to help with the transition of new ownership. For pictures of the practice, please see our face-book page under North Platte Veterinary Clinic. For more information please contact: Dr. Craig Dethlefs 308.532.0366 day or 308.368.7660 evenings.

VETERINARIAN WANTED to help at a new low cost Vaccination Clinic in Omaha. Clinics currently have 4 doc-tors. You are welcome to contact Dr. Gerald Dobesh at (402) 480-3393 or drdobesh@gmail.com.

WANTED Apoquel 16mg. Number of dogs critically in need. Autoship changes have reduced amount avail-able to us. Please call or email if willing to sell. 402-334-1660, mkaliffdvm@hotmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE Est. veterinary clinic in south central Nebraska. Currently serving approx. 50/50 large and small animals. Two buildings with large parking area. Existing cattle pens, hydraulic chute and walk in cooker in rear building. Lots of space in front building for developing small animal facilities as desired. Currently serv-ing cattle, sheep, goats with possible equine practice developing in the future. For more information call 402-773-5586.

VETERINARIAN WANTED as a veterinarian and officer in the U.S. Air Force, you’ll utilize disease surveillance, control and prevention skills to enhance the health of Service members and their families. You’ll have opportu-nities for specialized education in public health, epidemiology, and food technology. In addition, you’ll hone leadership skills, and have the unique experience of living abroad...all while serving your country. To learn more call 1-800-423-USAF or visit http://www.airforce.com/careers

LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN WANTED that wants to work with both large and small animals, no exot-ics. competitive salary, continuing education stipend, vacation and sick leave after a 6 month probation. The person will need to be able to work 40 to 45 hours a week, some weeks more, ability to lift 50 pounds, be profi-cient with animal care and handling, have the ability to place IV catheters, process x-rays and perform dentals, work with cattle and operate a hydraulic cattle chute. The name of our clinic is Flatwater Veterinary Services. We are located in Bridgeport, NE. We are a fast growing clinic, with one Dr., but hoping to need another soon. We just moved in to a brand new building in January 2015 and look forward to many years serving our clients! Phone: 308-262-2013, or email: flatwatervet@gmail.com

P A G E 8

School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Science

Dr. Don Reynolds

We welcomed the PPVM Class of 2019 to the School of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-

medical Sciences on Aug. 19 for Fall Orientation. The day’s events included an intro-

duction to the NVMA by President Cerny and the presentation of NVMA scholarships

to each of the students. We thank the NVMA for all the support provided to our stu-

dents.

I traveled to ISU on Aug. 21 to attend the White Coat Ceremony, always a special

event. We are pleased that 26 very qualified UNL PPVM students are part of the Class

of 2019. Of those, 24 have completed a Bachelor of Science degree, one has a mas-

ter’s degree and two will matriculate prior to receiving a bachelor’s degree. A few

other facts you may find interesting about our PPVM class:

There were 64 Nebraska applicants for the Class of 2019.

Sixteen of this year’s 26 admitted students were first-time applicants.

Following the industry trend, more females than males applied, and this year’s incoming class is com-

posed of 19 women and 7 men.

Four of the admitted students received their Bachelor of Science Degree in Veterinary Science from

the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Over the summer two of our PPVM students and one faculty member attended the weeklong Veterinary

Leadership Experience, a program offered by the Veterinary Leadership Institute. We also had two UNL stu-

dents participate in the ISU-CVM Summer Scholar Research Program, one here at UNL and the other at ISU.

The summer program culminated with the Research Day Poster Session. I attended and found the posters to

be interesting and worthwhile.

Closer to home, we are watching the open area to the northwest of the School transform as the construction

crew moves dirt in preparation for the new Veterinary Diagnostic Center. Additional good news is that the

completion date has been moved up to December 2016, with occupancy planned for Spring 2017.

V E T E R I N A R Y V I E W S

NVMA President, Dr. Henry Cerny attended

UNL Orientation and presented each

incoming VM1 with a $250 certificate.

Welcome New

Professional Members!!! (since last newsletter)

Dr. Dana Newtson—Lincoln

Dr. Steven Falcone—Syracuse

Dr. Kyle Clymer—Aurora

Dr. Zachary Adam—Hyannis

Sara Kudlacek, LVT—Valparaiso

Dr. Allison Mettler—Central City

Dr. Robin Schroeder—West Point

Dr. Chad Johannes—Ames, IA

Dr. Alissa Edoff—Alliance

The NVMA Centennial

Scholarship Foundation, Inc. By Dr. Bob Stout, NCSF Treasurer

The Pet Memorial fund continues to grow thanks to our veterinary clinics that utilize the program as a part of their Grief Support for their treasured clients at the time of the loss

of a beloved pet.

The following clinics have given contributions this year: Alliance Animal Clinic, Animal Clinic of Ogallala and Julesburg, Dr. James Langley, Dr. Melissa Drain, Dr. Melissa Girard-Lemons, Eastside Animal Center, Dr. Michael Freel, Midtown Animal Hospital, Mis-

sion Village Animal Clinic, Schuyler Veterinary Clinic, and Twin Creek Animal Hospital.

The numbers are awesome: in the past 12 years over $ 50,000 has been given (honoring thousands of pets) to provide an endowment for both pre-veterinary students and veterinary students. Scholarships to

date total $ 22,500. More than 50 students have benefited from the program.

But, it is not all about the numbers. Recently we received a thank you letter (and a generous dona-tion) from an appreciative animal lover. She and her husband had lost their golden retriever and Dr. Jerry Upp of Gering had made a contribution at the time of his death. The foundation had sent a letter of condo-

lence and told her how the money was to be used.

The owner had written a poignant letter in hopes that we would provide a copy to the scholarship recipient. Of course we will honor her request, but I thought it important that I share with all of our NVMA members some of her thoughts. The pet lover had received “Stone” as a gift from her husband while she was hospitalized with Viral Encephalitis that had left her nearly immobile. Her husband, a national guardsman

was about to be deployed. In her words. . .

“Stone came into our life in January 2009. I was in the hospital undergoing re-

hab from Viral Encephalitis; relearning how to walk, reconnecting words and speech.

One day while I was napping, my husband brought in this little fluff ball of a Golden

Retriever, placed it on my hospital bed and an instant relationship was formed. He was

going to be my rehab partner and best friend while my husband was gone. When I

napped on the floor, he curled around my head—the source of the injury to my nervous

system. When my husband napped, he slept next to him—knowing he was going to be

gone for a while. While he was gone, Stone helped me to walk. He let me lean on him,

use his collar when I got dizzy going up or down hills hiking. Stone, when Matt re-

turned from his deployment, was an amazing listener. They would play fetch any hour

of the day. Stone would fall in stride with him on runs. He was, and still is, an amaz-

ing part of our lives. At the end, Dr. Upp tried all he could. He allowed Stone to make

the journey to heaven at home with us, hoping that if Stone was home he’d recover from

surgery. Alas, he did not. Our veterinarian and his team supported us so much through

the loss—we appreciate their efforts and their love for our Stone as he was just a joy to

anyone who met him.

I have enclosed some pictures and a note to a recipient of the scholarship. I would

ask it be passed onto them if you deem it would be beneficial. Thanks you for the op-

portunity to help encourage a future veterinarian.”

Associate Member Update

Fall, 2015

CEO Reflects on PHP’s Helpful Resources

Michigan Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) CEO Karlene Be-lyea, MBA, knows when she’s stumbled upon something good. “I love how you can go to the Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP) website and get practice tools for marketing and communications. The Words That Work videos and scripts are helpful, as well as the Fe-line Friendly Practice materials,” stated Belyea.

As CEO for the past 12 years, Belyea’s number one priority for

Michigan has been helping veterinary practices succeed. She ex-

plained, “We knew veterinarians were having a hard time getting pet

owners into practices on a regular basis. The economic downturn hit

Michigan hard. Veterinarians have been looking for assistance and

PHP has extensive resources to help them.”

“For example, we talk to veterinarians about the value of forward booking and the great assistance

PHP provides in this area,” continued Belyea. She also has leading veterinarian/web-developer Dr.

Michael Warren host webinars for MVMA where he promotes PHP’s social media tools

(http://www.partnersforhealthypets.org/internet_marketing.aspx). She stated, “They are a great

turn-key package.”

Belyea added that the PHP website is “comprehensive” in terms of overall preventive pet healthcare

ideas for practices. “The challenge is that everyone is extremely busy and it’s difficult to devote the

time to things like guidelines implementation,” she explained.

What’s the solution for practices finding time to devote to preventive healthcare? Belyea concludes

that practices must make the time to commit to the cause. “In human medicine, there has been a

movement towards taking a proactive or preventive approach to health. That’s not historically how

veterinary medicine has worked. If practices are not already promoting preventative healthcare and

forward booking, now is the time for them to take advantage of PHP’s great resources and make

positive changes.”

Pet Wellness Pulse Facebook Page Update

On April 15, 2015, Partners for Healthy Pets (PHP) launched Pet Wellness Pulse, a new Facebook

page dedicated to providing daily, ready-to-use posts for practices to share with their clients. By

regularly sharing helpful, fun and informative information about “all things pet,” preventive pet

healthcare becomes top of mind for both pet owner and practice.

To date Pet Wellness Pulse has a loyal following of over 49,000 fans. The page has had an amaz-

ing start and as an associate member of PHP, we are looking to you to help us continue that suc-

cess! Continued on next page..

P A G E 1 1

J U L Y / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 P A G E 1 2

If you have not liked Pet Wellness Pulse already, LIKE US! Once you have done this, spread the word to

your membership and supporters. Pet Wellness Pulse can be an incredible resource for your members.

Please check it out and if you like what you see please suggest to your members to like the page as well.

NAVTA, VHMA and PHP Work to Create Practice Champions

National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America

(NAVTA), Veterinary Hospital Practice Managers Associa- tion

(VHMA) and PHP introduced the Preventive Pet Health- care

workbook at the American Veterinary Medical Association’s

(AVMA) conference in July.

The workbook walks the participant through the process, step

-by-step, to help increase the emphasis on preventive

healthcare in their practice. It serves as a complete road- map

for the practice team member who wants to be a champion for

preventive healthcare.

Each workbook is customized for the collaborating association’s membership and can be ordered on the as-

sociation’s website. The first 1000 members of both NAVTA and VHMA that order it will receive a comple-

mentary workbook as a member benefit while non-members can purchase them for $89 per workbook plus

shipping and handling.

HAS YOUR BUSINESS SUFFERED FROM CYBERBULLING OR

HARRASSMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

As part of the AVMA’s efforts to assist our members in responding to cyberbullying and harassment on social media, we’ve started a petition for Facebook to develop a process to support small businesses (such as veterinary clinics) when they face attacks on the Facebook platform. Please sign it and share it widely. By making this applicable to all small busi-

nesses, we increase the reach and power of the petition.

https://www.change.org/p/facebook-facebook-develop-a-process-to-assist-small-businesses-being-cyberbullied-on-your-platform?recruiter=371531344

In addition, we have reached out to Yelp and will be reaching out to Google this week to inquire about their processes for assisting businesses that are under attack.

In case you weren’t aware, the AVMA has online resources for members regarding online reputation management and cyberbullying, available here: https://www.avma.org/PracticeManagement/Administration/reputation/Pages/default.aspx.

J U L Y / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 P A G E 1 4

Page

P A G E 1 5 V E T E R I N A R Y V I E W S

P A G E 1 6 J U L Y / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

FDA Releases Proposed Rule to Collect Antimicrobial Sales and Distribution Information by Animal Species

May 19, 2015

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing revisions to its annual reporting requirements for drug

sponsors of all antimicrobials sold or distributed for use in food-producing animals in order to obtain estimates

of sales by major food-producing species (cattle, swine, chickens, and turkeys). The additional data would

improve understanding about how antimicrobials are sold or distributed for use in major food-producing spe-

cies and help the FDA further target its efforts to ensure judicious use of medically important antimicrobials.

The proposed rule also includes a provision to improve the timeliness of the report by requiring the FDA pub-

lish its annual summary report of antimicrobial sales and distribution information by December 31 of the fol-

lowing year.

Section 105 of the Animal Drug User Fee Amendments of 2008 (ADUFA 105) requires antimicrobial drug

sponsors to report to the FDA on an annual basis the amount of all antimicrobial drugs they sell or distribute

for use in food-producing animals, including those antibiotics not used in human medicine. ADUFA 105 also

requires the FDA to prepare summary reports of sales and distribution information received from drug spon-

sors each year, by antimicrobial class for classes with three or more distinct sponsors, and to provide those

summaries to the public.

Current regulatory authority limits the data collection that FDA can mandate to antimicrobial sales and distri-

bution information. While adding species-specific information will help provide a fuller picture, more detailed

information is needed about on-farm use practices to adequately understand links between usage patterns

and trends in resistance. FDA is actively engaged with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Centers for Dis-

ease Control and Prevention, and a wide array of stakeholders to fill this need.

The FDA is accepting public comments on this proposed rule beginning on May 20, 2015. To submit your

comments electronically to the docket, go towww.regulations.gov and type FDA-2012-N-0447 in the search

box. Please note that the docket will not be open to accept comments until this date. The comment period will

close 90 days after it publishes in the Federal Register. While comments are welcome at any time, you

should submit them by the closing date for the FDA to consider your comments in drafting the final rule.

To submit your comments to the docket by mail, use the following address. Be sure to include docket number

FDA-2012-N-0447 on each page of your written comments.

Breaking the Brucella cycle in livestock and human infection

Researchers at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine are developing and testing brucello-sis vaccine varieties in cattle that they hope will also benefit people who eat or drink unpasteurized dairy products. While pasteurization has all but eliminated brucellosis in people in the United States, it is not used routinely in many other countries, leading to increased incidence among those who live with and rely on live-stock for survival. The researchers are hoping that a vaccine can eliminate the disease in livestock and thereby eradicate it in people too. "If we eliminate the animal reservoir, we can help humans," says lead re-searcher Dr. David Pascual. For more information, contact Sarah Carey at 352-294-4242 or

careysk@ufl.edu.

P A G E 1 7 V E T E R I N A R Y V I E W S

FDA Releases Draft Guidance on Animal Drug Com-pounding from Bulk Drug Substances

Updated August 14, 2015

As part of its overall efforts to address compounded drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today released a draft “Guidance for Industry (GFI) #230,Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances.” Current law does not permit compounding of animal drugs from bulk drug substances, but the FDA recognizes that there are limited circumstances when an animal drug compounded from bulk drug substances may be an appropriate treatment option. FDA’s GFI #230 outlines specific conditions under which the agency generally does not intend to take action against state-licensed pharmacies, veterinarians, and facilities registered asoutsourcing facilities when drugs are compounded for animals from bulk drug substances.

The Drug Quality and Security Act, which amended the human drug compounding provisions in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cos-

metic Act (FD&C Act) and created a new section 503B of the FD&C Act for outsourcing facilities, provides certain statutory exemp-

tions for compounded human drugs, but the law does not apply to drugs compounded for animal use.

There are circumstances where there is no approved drug that can be used or modified through compounding to treat a particular

animal with a particular condition. In those limited situations, an animal drug compounded from bulk drug substances may be an ap-

propriate treatment option.

“This draft guidance, once finalized, will help to ensure that animal drugs compounded from bulk drug substances are available for

patient care without compromising the animal drug approval process or jeopardizing the safety of the food supply,” said Bernadette

Dunham, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

In addition, the FDA is developing a list of bulk drug substances that facilities registered as outsourcing facilities under section 503B

can use to compound drugs for an individual animal patient or veterinarian office use under specified conditions. In a separate Fed-

eral Register notice, the FDA is requesting public input on which bulk drug substances should be placed on this list.

The agency also withdrew Compliance Policy Guide Section 608.400 Compounding of Drugs for Use in Animals because it is no

longer consistent with the FDA’s current thinking on these issues.

The FDA welcomes comments on the draft guidance and nominations to the list of bulk drug substances that may be used by out-

sourcing facilities to compound drugs. The public comment period for both documents closes on November 16, 2015.

To electronically submit comments to the docket, visit www.regulations.gov and type the docket number in the search box.

FDA-2015-D-1176: Draft Guidance for Industry #230: Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances

FDA-2015-N-1196: Request for Nominations: List of Bulk Drug Substances That May be Used by an Outsourcing Facility to Com-

pound Drugs for Use in Animals

To submit comments to the docket by mail, use the following address. Be sure to include the appropriate docket number on each

page of your written comments.

Division of Dockets Management

HFA-305

Food and Drug Administration

5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061

Rockville, MD 20852

P A G E 1 8 J U L Y / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

THE CHALLENGE . . . Understanding Why Veterinary Visits are Decreasing

I attended the Banfield Pet Health Care Industry Summit held in Portland, OR in August, 2015. They put

together the State of Pet Health Report (click here or you can also get the report by typing the following link

into your web browser: http://www.banfield.com/Banfield/media/PDF/soph2015_compressed.pdf). They re-

viewed more than 2 million online conversations posted to blogs, forums and other social communities for

more than a year to learn what pet owners say to each other, and where veterinarians may be able to help.

The pet population is growing, and pet owners continue to invest in their pets’ overall well-being. Yet, industry

data shows that pets are spending less time at the veterinarian than they used to, and preventive care ap-

pears to be a low priority for pet owners.

PREVENTABLE DISEASES CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN DOGS & CATS To tackle this challenge, we

needed to find out what we’re missing. What is the disconnect between how veterinarians position preventive

care to pet owners and what pet owners truly believe? The report is all graphics and graphs, not a long read

at all but very interesting to review!

Webinar www.hsvma.org/webinar_sep2015

Veterinary Stressors: Keep the Compassion and Kick the Fatigue

Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:00 PM (ET)

Veterinary professionals experience death at a rate five times higher than our human physician col-

leagues. The bond between our patients and their humans can run the gamut from pathological attach-ment to disposable companions, and anywhere in between. Our workdays are hectic and the pressure

from other aspects of our lives can pile on. Often, there is an emotional toll.

Please join Dr. Elizabeth Strand, a pioneer in the field of veterinary compassion fatigue, as she guides

us toward understanding how we can “Keep the Compassion and Kick the Fatigue”.

During this webinar, Dr. Strand will help attendees understand:

• the triggers for compassion fatigue in animal related environments

• research on the effects of compassion fatigue in animal related professions

• ACEs (Adverse Childhood Events), and how they impact compassion fatigue

• The Healthy Mind Platter: A concept that looks at essential mental activities as essential nutrients

necessary for optimum mental health in daily life.

CE Credits

1.5 hours*

CE certificates will be emailed to participants within two weeks after the webinar. In order to qualify for

CE, professionals must attend the entire live presentation and complete an evaluation. Those who do

not meet these requirements may view the archived version and complete a quiz to receive CE credits.

Presenter

ELIZABETH B. STRAND, PhD, LCSW

P A G E 2 0 V E T E R I N A R Y V I E W S

P A G E 2 1 J U L Y / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5

NEBRASKA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Nebraska has many veterinarians and others in the veterinary medical field that are

extraordinary in their positive contributions to the profession. The NVMA honors

such people each year at the annual meeting and banquet at the convention in Janu-

ary.

The NVMA Awards Committee is taking nominations for the following categories:

VETERINARIAN OF THE YEAR

This award goes to a NVMA member who has contributed to the advancement of

veterinary medicine in the State of Nebraska with special accomplishments. Service to the State Association

and profession, Service to community, Service to family and other responsibilities.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award recognizes an individual, who has contributed outstanding service to the advancement of veteri-

nary medicine in all aspects of the profession. The individual need not be a veterinarian, however, veterinari-

ans are not excluded from being eligible.

COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes a representative from a company that has provided outstanding support to veterinary

medicine in Nebraska during the current year.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG VETERINARIAN OF THE YEAR

This award goes to an NVMA member that has graduated in the last seven years, who has contributed out-

standing service to the veterinary profession, service to community, church, family, state and national organi-

zations.

OUTSTANDING LICENSED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes a NVMA licensed veterinary technician member who graduated from a recognized

Veterinary Technician school and has at least 5 years work experience in the profession, or trained in the vet-

erinary practice and has at least 10 years experience as a licensed veterinary technician. Consideration should

be given to all aspects of licensed veterinary technician responsibilities as well as service to community,

church and state organizations.

Please have at least one letter of support submitted with your nomination.

Application is on the reverse side of this sheet.

Deadline is December 1st.

NEBRASKA VETERINARY

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Nomination Form Date: ___________

Name of nominee_________________________________________________________________

City____________________________________________________________________________

Nominated for: (circle one) Veterinarian of the Year

Distinguished Service

Outstanding Young Veterinarian

Commercial Representative

Outstanding LVT

Name of nominator________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________________

City___________________________________State_______________ Zip_________________

Phone___________________________Email___________________________________________

Other information needed:

a cover letter describing the reasons the nominee should be considered for the award

a list of accomplishments

letters of recommendation

any additional supporting documentation

While all of these may not be applicable or necessary, it is important to be as thorough and comprehensive as possible, as these de-scriptions provide the material in which the Awards Committee must decide the recipient.

Submit completed nomination form to NVMA, PO Box 637 Hastings, NE 68902, fax 402.463.4705.

Nomination Deadline is December 1st

NEBRASKA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PO Box 637 Hastings, NE 68902 Phone: 402-463-4704 Fax: 402-463-4705 Email: dina_vmet@inebraska.com CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Check us out at:

www.nvma.org

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