November 12 IVMA Communique

IVMA

Communiqué

"Serving veterinarians for the benefit of animal and human health."

November 12, 2019

www.iowavma.org

Still time to complete IVMA Healthcare Plan Questionnaire

The IVMA is excited to announce a new benefit for its members - the IVMA Health and Wellness plan. The plan is part of the First Health Network and administered through Kaw Valley Insurance.

Some of the plan highlights include:

Better options for small business and sole proprietors
PPO plans with nationwide coverage
Pre-exposure prophylaxis Injections and rabies titer testing covered at 100%
No pre-existing conditions

Questionnaire deadline extended through today! In order to provide a quote, IVMA members and any staff members who are interested in the plan to are asked to complete the Individual Medical Questionnaire by TODAY, November 12.

The IVMA will have the quote for premiums by December 2. You will be able to find the quote on the IVMA website or you may call the IVMA office.

Open Enrollment Period - IVMA members will be able to enroll in the IVMA Health and Wellness Plan during the Open Enrollment Period of December 2-December 16.

Effective Date - The IVMA Health and Wellness Plan becomes effective on January 1, 2020.

More information about the IVMA Health and Wellness Plan can be found on the IVMA website or contact Kaw Valley Insurance Inc.at 785.584.6043 or email Derek Dick at Derek@kawvalleyins.com

Bovine Preconditioning Research Funds Available

The IVMA announces the availability of grant(s) supporting clinical research in beef cattle. Proposals should be aimed at providing practical solutions veterinarians can utilize in beef production environments. Funding for this support is provided by the IVMA Bovine Committee from proceeds of the Iowa Green/Gold Tag Preconditioning Program. The IVMA is encouraging proposals from private practitioners and collaborative research projects between University faculty and private practitioners.

The application guidelines for the Bovine Preconditioning Research Fund Grant can be found at www.iowavma.org .

Proposals must be received by IVMA office by close of business December 2, 2019 .

Questions may be addressed to Dr. Randy Wheeler at ivma@iowavma.org or 800-369-9564.

Join the Fun! IVMA Tailgate November 16

Join the IVMA on Saturday, November 16 for a tailgate before the Iowa State vs. Texas football game.

Plan on joining other IVMA Cyclone fans for pregame food and beverages. All IVMA members, their guests and ISU veterinary students are invited!

Make plans to attend now!

ISU vs. Texas Tailgate

Saturday, November 16

11:30 am -2:30 pm (kickoff at 2:30)

Food will arrive at 11:30 am - come get it while it's hot!

Tent #14 - North of Jack Trice Stadium in Tent Row (Cardinal and Gold striped tents down center of parking lot)

Tickets for the ISU vs. Texas football game are available by calling the ticket office at 515-294-1816 or visit www.cyclones.com .

Thank you to our tailgate sponsors - Aurora Pharmaceutical and Merck Animal Health!

Go Cyclones!

Veterinarians Must Report Suspicious Orders of Controlled Substances

The DEA recently announced the launch of the Suspicious Orders Report System (SORS) Online, a new centralized database [https://deadiversion.usdoj.gov/sors/index.html] , where DEA registrants, including veterinarians, must report suspicious orders of controlled substances. The DEA has sent communication about the program to all practitioner registrants. The good news is that the impact upon veterinary practices should be negligible and compliance should be relatively straightforward. As this is a new program is it very likely that DEA guidance will change over time and we will keep you informed as we learn new information.

Reporting of suspicious orders by practitioner registrants and creation of the database by DEA was required when Congress passed the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act) last year.

Read more information from the AVMA on the SUPPORT Act here.

Nominations for Iowa Animal Hall of Fame Sought

The deadline for the 2020 Iowa Animal Hall of Fame Awards is January 15, 2020. The winning nominating veterinarians will be honored at the IVMA Winter Conference in February.

The Iowa Animal Hall of Fame is sponsored by the IVMA and Merck Animal Health.

Now is the time to start thinking about nominations!

If you have a special client with an outstanding pet, we would love to hear about them!

Iowa Animal Hall of Fame nomination forms can be found on the IVMA website at www.iowavma.org , click on “About Us” then “Awards” or you can call the IVMA office at 800-369-9564 to have one sent to you. Only IVMA members may nominate.

The deadline for nominations is January 15.

Free RACE Approved Webinar - Pet Poison - Rodenticides

The Pet Poison Helpline and Nationwide Insurance invite you to a free, RACE-Approved webinar:

Overview of Rodenticide Classes and Therapy Needs

Tuesday, November 19 12-1 pm Central

Presented by Renee Schmid, DVM,DABT

Senior Consulting Veterinarian, Clinical Toxicology, Pet Poison Helpline

This lecture will provide an overview of the main classes of rodenticides including anticoagulants, bromethalin, cholecalciferol, phosphides and strychnine. In each class, the mechanism of action, toxic dose, expected clinical signs and therapy needs will be discussed. We will also review how the specific rodenticides are packaged and supplied to consumers.

Click here for more information and to register.

Senate Approves Animal Cruelty Bill

The Senate gave unanimous approval to the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, a bill also approved unanimously by the House. Unless it is not signed by the president, the act will make deliberate cruelty to animals a federal felony punishable by fines and up to seven years in prison.