Fall 2024 Town & Country Call Newsletter

VIRGINIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION // FALL 2024

TOWN &COUNTRY CALL

Welcome Class of 2028 - 06 H5N1 Testing in Cats - 09 Day at the Capitol - 10 Virginia Veterinary Awards - 12

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TOWN & COUNTRY CALL O F F I C I A L

P U B L I C A T I O N

VVMA STAFF

VIRGINIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Talya George

3801 Westerre Parkway, Suite D Henrico, VA 23233

Executive Director

(804) 346-2611

talya@vvma.org

Victoria Staples Associate Director

(804) 346-2655 info@vvma.org vvma.org

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Association Coordinator admin@vvma.org

The deadline for receipt of copy to be included in the next issue of Town & Country Call is:

DECEMBER 6, 2024 MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM & WORK-LIFE SERVICES The VVMA has partnered with McLaughlin Young and offers a wonderful benefit for VVMA members. The Member Assistance Program & Work-Life Services are available to VVMA members and their immediate family.

Reasons to use the MAP include: financial planning, marital difficulties, parenting, stress, depression, work-related concerns, alcohol and drug use/abuse, grief and loss, or preventative.

FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE is available 24/7/365 at 800-633-3353

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE The Lifeline is a free, confidential, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. If you or someone you know is feeling desperate, alone, or hopeless, please call:

(800) 273-8255

Nathaniel Burke, MS, DVM President Brian Neumann, DVM President-Elect Sherri Field Gard, DVM Vice President Courtney Conroy, DVM Secretary-Treasurer Lauren Maxey, DVM Immediate Past President

DIRECTORS

victoria@vvma.org

Samantha Teunis

OFFICERS

STUDENTS

(540) 231-6557 If you are concerned about yourself or any Virginia Tech student being (or becoming) suicidal, please call the Cook Counseling Center.

This number can be used during regular office hours or after-hours to speak with a counselor.

Publication of materials in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association

Rebecca Beamer, DVM Southwest VA & VASART OPEN POSITION Fredericksburg Jaclyn Clement, DVM Piedmont Caroline Eckstrom, DVM Northern VA Edward Fallin, DVM Central Bom Harris, DVM VAFAP Christopher Hussion, DVM Loudoun Joseph May, DVM Southside VMA Shelly McDaniel, DVM VAEP Stuart Morse, DVM Prince William Virginia Newman, ‘25 Student Representative Nolan Prock, DVM Coastal Allison Sparks, DVM Appalachian Jamie Stewart, DVM Blacksburg Area A’ndrea Van Schoick, DVM Shenandoah Bret VanLear, DVM Blue Ridge Courtney Wiegard, DVM Roanoke Valley C. Garrett Wood, DVM Jefferson

AVMA REPRESENTATIVES Lauren Maxey, DVM Delegate Terry Swecker, DVM Alternate-Delegate

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President’s Message

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Friends, Summer rushed by, and the crispness of Autumn is upon us. Many in our agricultural communities struggled with the second year of impactful drought and are hopeful that the cooler months will bring much needed moisture to our state. The summer swelter saw a revamp of the VVMA office space, with much needed flooring and painting updates, something our hard-working staff unquestionably deserved. In August, I was privileged to assist with distribution of stethoscopes to the incoming Class of 2028 at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM). The beaming, eager, and occasionally apprehensive faces were a nostalgic reminder of a similar time in my veterinary career journey, a time I think we all can relate to.

Huge thanks are due to CVCA Cardiac Care for Pets, along with VVMA, West Virginia VMA, and VMCVM for sponsoring the stethoscopes.

As you may remember, the 2023 Virginia General Assembly instructed the Board of Veterinary Medicine, in consultation with the State Veterinarian, to study the shortage of large animal veterinarians in the Commonwealth. Numerous committee and subcommittee meetings have been underway this summer and, as relevant stakeholders, some of our members have been active and invaluable participants. They spend mounting hours away from practice to represent our interests.

It would be easy to see how they could find this a thankless task but I, for one, would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank them for their efforts. They are not unnoticed! Unselfish souls like these are part of what makes our organization great.

Most of our members are now in the midst of a busy fall practice period and are already laying out schedules for the upcoming Holiday Season.

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President’s Message

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In September, for the second straight year, the VVMA partnered with the Coastal VMA for a day of CE in Virginia Beach, something we were proud to continue. In conjunction with the VMCVM, we always enjoy the annual Mentor Program activities, held this year on October 3rd and 4th. Prior to this, academic affairs at VMCVM has graciously asked some of our executive committee to address the students regarding the importance of organized veterinary medicine, and the value of mentorship, as lecturers in their professionalism course—both worthwhile and timely topics!

In January, we will once again meet in Richmond at Maymont on January 16, 2025 for our annual Legislative Day. The veterinary sales tax exemption will be sunsetting this year and will be up for relegislation. This, along with the numerous other bills that always seem to drop at the last minute, are certain to give us a busy 2025 and promise of little rest for our devoted lobbyist and legislative committee.

I’d encourage you to go ahead and mark your calendars for the Virginia Veterinary Conference, February 20th to 22nd, 2025 at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. The ever-popular Virginia Veterinary Awards will be presented, and the nominations form is already available on our website and included in this newsletter. It’ll be here before you know it!

Here’s to a fruitful fall,

Nathaniel Burke, MS, DVM 2024 VVMA President

Welcome Virginia-Maryland

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class of 2028

VVMA President, Dr. Nathaniel Burke (DVM ‘11) helped welcome the new class in Blacksburg in August by presenting the new students with a stethoscope, a symbol that reminds us of the origins of this great profession, as well as how far we have come. We look forward calling these wonderful individuals colleagues in just four short years!

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DVM Student Emergency Fund Thanks to generous donations from the community, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine can now offer additional financial assistance to DVM students who find themselves in immediate financial need, due to no fault of their own.

It's an unfortunate reality that students sometimes find themselves experiencing the possibility of eviction or food insecurity because of unforeseen life events, but VAMD CVM is dedicated to ensuring they do everything they can to support students during their time in vet school. Many thanks to the donors who contribute to this and make this support a reality!

Support the Emergency Fund You can make a difference in a veterinary student’s life in immediate financial need with a gift today. This program is completely donor funded, making every donation a huge difference. Each gift gets us one step closer to ensuring security for every student.

MAKE A GIFT If you would prefer to make your gift via mail, please follow the instructions below: Make check out to the “Virginia Tech Foundation” In the memo line, please write “DVM Student Emergency Fund” Mail the check to: Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Attn: Maggie Meikle 215 Duck Pond Drive, Suite 2002 Blacksburg, VA 24061

Students To apply to receive emergency funding, apply through the Dean of Student’s Office online application. Make sure to indicate that you are a veterinary medicine student.

If you have any questions or need help applying, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs.

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H5N1 Testing in Cats: Considerations for Veterinarians Since late March 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state animal health and public health officials have been investigating detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle. Domestic cats are also known to be susceptible to HPAI viruses, including the currently circulating strains of Influenza A (H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b.

Feline cases of H5N1 have been detected in the U.S. since the arrival of H5N1 in early 2022. Historically, exposure of cats to avian influenza has been through contact with wild birds and poultry. More recently, affected states have reported detections in barn cats associated with infected dairy premises with the B 3.13 genotype.

Domestic cats that have been diagnosed with H5N1 infection have predominantly exhibited respiratory and/or neurologic clinical signs, including, but not limited to: dyspnea, tachypnea, tremors, seizures, blindness, and peracute death. Risk factors for exposure to H5N1 in cats include: cats residing in or near dairy operations, owners who work on dairy operations, cats fed raw or discarded cow’s milk and cats known to hunt or consume rodents or birds.

In many instances, a cat for which H5N1 is a differential would also be one for which rabies is a differential. Veterinarians should always contact their local health departments or animal control authorities if they have questions or concerns about rabies, including inquiries about testing cats for rabies. In addition, as reports of H5N1 infections in cats indicate that clinical signs can be similar to rabies infections, it may be reasonable to consider H5N1 testing in cats with compatible clinical signs and a risk factor(s) for H5N1 exposure.

Presently, H5N1 testing in cats is available post-mortem only and involves influenza testing of brain swabs or tissue.

If a veterinarian is concerned about H5N1 in addition to rabies, this should be discussed with the Virginia Department of Health: Dr. Julia Murphy | State Public Health Veterinarian julia.murphy@vdh.virginia.gov or (804) 921-5121 Dr. Tracy Woodall | Veterinary Epidemiologist tracy.woodall@vdh.virginia.gov or (804) 664-6279 Veterinarians interested in a full necropsy or further post-mortem assessment in addition to H5N1 testing should contact the Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services at (540) 231-4924.

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Day at the Capitol All veterinarians and members are encouraged to join us for an informational session and legislative review—even if you have limited political experience/knowledge! This is a great opportunity to meet the VVMA executive committee, other members, and learn more about bills that could potentially affect the way YOU practice veterinary medicine.

Thursday, January 16, 2025 10:00am-1:00pm | Legislation review & working lunch Maymont | Garden Hall 1700 Hampton St, Richmond, VA 23220 Please remember to contact your state legislators—also known as the General Assembly. They appreciate veterinarian’s experience and knowledge on animal-health issues! If you cannot get an in-person meeting, please try to connect virtually or by phone.

To locate your legislator, please visit: Who’s My State Legislator?

Event Registration - Day at the Capitol

Support the PAC Wait.. what’s the “PAC”?

The Veterinarian’s Political Action Committee (PAC) collects contributions from members and uses the funds to support campaigns and legislators that are influential in supporting or opposing legislation affecting the practice of veterinary medicine.

VVMA has a wonderful lobbyist and legislative committee that are constantly monitoring legislation and the political climate, but we still need your help!

Please consider making a PAC contribution when renewing your 2025 VVMA membership dues! Additionally, you can contribute any time of the year by contacting the VVMA office.

If you would like to make a contribution, please contact Talya George at talya@vvma.org or Samantha Teunis at admin@vvma.org

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2025 Virginia Veterinary Awards Each year, the VVMA recognizes individuals who have contributed significantly to the profession of veterinary medicine. Selected recipients will be recognized at the Virginia Veterinary Awards Ceremony, to be held on Friday, February 21st, 2025 in Roanoke, VA during the Virginia Veterinary Conference.

Paul F. Landis Veterinarian of the Year In memory of Dr. Paul Landis (VVMA President from 1965-1966 and AVMA President from 1982-1983)

This is the highest VVMA award, recognizing a member of the association who has contributed to the advancement of veterinary medicine. Veterinarians who have exerted outstanding leadership in the building of a strong local and/or state association and who have contributed significantly to veterinary medicine in Virginia.

Distinguished Virginia Veterinarian Award Nominees should be individuals who, by their actions, bring recognition to veterinary medicine in Virginia. Also, nominees should be outstanding community leaders. For example, an individual might be considered for outstanding work with the Special Olympics or other community projects.

Veterinary Service Award This award is designed to honor an individual who has been an excellent representative of the profession through active community involvement and/or veterinary service. This includes involvement in veterinary and/or non-veterinary groups and associations.

Friend of the VVMA Award This award is given to a non-veterinarian who is being recognized for outstanding contributions to the profession of veterinary medicine in Virginia.

Recent Graduate Leadership Award Nominee must be a recent graduate and a member of the VVMA. Nominees should have made contributions to the profession through service to the association, such as service on a committee.

Veterinary Team Member of the Year This award was created to recognize and honor the outstanding contributions and dedication by a nonveterinarian staff member in the practice. The selected person goes above and beyond expectations in their role and has shown professional dedication to their work and/or has supported the practice’s mission through service contributions.

Commercial Representative Award This award is given to a representative from a company that provides outstanding service to Virginia veterinarians. Also, the representative should promote the profession through liaisons with the association, veterinarians and the profession in general.

Animal Hero Award This award is presented to an animal that has performed an individual act of service or heroism, or in performing his or her daily duties, has provided an outstanding service to humans that he would qualify as an Animal Hero.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS BEFORE DECEMBER 13, 2024!

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

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Classifieds

As a VVMA member, you can post classified ads FREE of charge!

Click the buttons below to view our current classified ad postings

Veterinarians

Licensed Veterinary Technicians

Veterinary Assistants

Staff & Administrators

Equipment for Sale

Practices for Sale/Lease

Want to advertise with us?

More information can be found at vvma.org/advertising-opportunities

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Relief Veterinarians Kim Danoff, DVM (571) 212-5024 | kimdanoff@gmail.com Serving: Northern VA, Prince William, Loudoun, Fauquier and Rappahannock counties Jaclyn Erwin, DVM (408) 691-7192 | info@qualcareveterinaryrelief.com Available in: Northern VA Karoline Falcone, DVM (847) 902-1045 | karefalc@gmail.com | falconeveterinaryrelief.com Available in: Northern VA Todd Harrell, DVM (757) 932-7900 | harrellrelief@gmail.com Serving: Williamsburg, Newport News and surrounding areas Matthew Kelcourse, DVM (941) 416-8992 | vvrs2020@yahoo.com Available in: Southeastern VA/Hampton Roads area James Meister, DVM (847) 344-0069 | prairiedvm@aol.com Available in: Shenandoah Valley and throughout VA Tosha Starke, DVM (540) 239-8714 | info@allfourpawsvetrelief.com | allfourpawsvetrelief.com Available in: Northern VA

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2025 Virginia Veterinary Conference February 20-22, 2025

Keynote Speaker

Melinda McCall DVM

Join us in Roanoke, VA and earn up to 15 CE hours!

Tracks offered:

The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

Small Animal

65+ vendors with the latest veterinary products & services

Food Animal

Technician Equine Complementary Medicine Public Practice

Registration opening in November!

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Take the time to take care of yourself.

Free, confidential help for personal, work-related, and family concerns.

Call your Member Assistance Program today to find out more.

704.529.1428 | 800.633.3353 mygroup.com

VIRGINIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION // FALL 2024

TOWN &COUNTRY CALL