F V M A ADVOCATE
Published by The Florida Veterinary Medical Association
ISSUE 3 │ 2016 │ www.fvma.org
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President's MESSAGE Greetings,
7207 Monetary Drive Orlando, Florida 32809 Phone – (407) 851‑3862 Toll Free – (800) 992‑3862 Fax – (407) 240‑3710 info@fvma.org | www.fvma.org
The past two months, since officially becoming the FVMA President, have been busy for the Association and me personally. With our most successful annual conference, the FVMA-supported White Coat Ceremony for the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine's class of 2018, as well as two weeks later, the commencement of our newest colleagues, UFCVM’s class of 2016 recently attended, it is time to look forward.
OFFICERS
Dr. Richard C. Sutliff President Dr. Alex M. Steverson President-Elect Dr. Donald H. Morgan Treasurer Dr. Richard M. Carpenter Past President Mr. Philip J. Hinkle Executive Director
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES Dr. Scott Richardson District 1–Big Bend Dr. Julia Conway District 2–Northeast Dr. Marc A. Presnell District 3–Central Dr. Rachel Klemawesch District 4–Tampa Bay Dr. Susan M. Carastro District 5–Treasure Coast Dr. Marta P. Lista District 6–South Florida Dr. Mary Smart District 7–Southwest Dr. James M. Brechin District 8–Northwest Dr. Kelly J. Sloan-Wade District 9–Space Coast Dr. Ernest C. Godfrey AVMA Delegate Dr. Richard B. Williams AVMA Alternate Delegate Dr. Amanda House FAEP Representative to the FVMA Executive Board Ex Officio Dr. James W. Lloyd, Dean UF College of Veterinary Medicine
There are many exciting pursuits that the FVMA is either involved in or spearheading for the benefit of our members which I would like to share. Our new certified veterinary technician and certified veterinary assistant memberships through their own focused associations are moving forward. These associations are in place to extend our services and support to your practices’ entire medical teams. Providing CE to benefit the knowledge base within our clinics and professional recognition for these team members give us a unique platform to move the quality of veterinary services in the State of Florida forward. In addition, an association for our “noncredentialed” veterinary technicians will be launched within the next months which will recognize this important segment of the veterinary care team and their long-term dedication to veterinary medicine, in addition to their on-the-job study and quality job performance in providing care to our patients. Look for additional information to give your team members about special CE opportunities, offered regionally by the FVMA for ease of access, which will be focused on practical skills and knowledge to increase the efficiency of your staff ’s daily workloads. As we focus on all our team members and leveraging their training and abilities, we will continue to elevate the patient care we provide. This fall, the Gulf-Atlantic Veterinary Conference will again be hosted at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. We have had the luxury of enjoying this amazing location since the inception of our world-class CE conference, but due to our success and growth, this venue will not be available for our 2017 conference. Originally, TGVAC was created with the goal of serving the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast regions. 2017 will be its time to set sail to a new destination; so if you have not experienced the ambiance of this historic Boca Raton landmark, don’t miss it. The equine practitioners leading the FAEP Council have again planned and are promoting an excep‑ tional scientific program for this year’s 12th Annual Promoting Excellence Symposium in October. This outstanding CE event is again being held in an impressive destination, the Intercontinental San Juan, on the shores of San Juan, Puerto Rico. With all this exciting activity promoting the elevation of our profession’s knowledge base I must now visit a few more mundane topics. All this activity requires a lot of input - for guidance and effort from our membership. In order for the FVMA to remain the nation’s top performing state association, I need your help. A call to serve for volunteers needed to keep us on target in our future efforts has either been received by you or will soon be delivered to you. If you are as excited about our profession as I am, I need you! Please respond. I am honored and humbled to serve this association. Thank you.
Richard C. Sutliff, DVM
FVMA MISSION THE MISSION OF THE FLORIDA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION IS TO ADVANCE THE VETERINARY MEDICAL PROFESSION, PROMOTE ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, AND PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH. 2 | FVMA ADVOCATE
In Remembrance
TIM CUTLER, MVB, MS, DACVIM, DACVO Dr. Timothy Joseph Cutler, age 45, of Wellington, Fla., passed away on April 28, 2016. Dr. Cutler was a small animal, large animal and exotics practitioner, specialized in ophthalmology at Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists. He was also a distinguished speaker on ophthalmology at FVMA/FAEP continuing education conferences and other forums. Dr. Cutler graduated from the University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine in 1993, and completed an internship and post-graduate training (Internal Medicine 1997 and MS Degree 1999; and Ophthalmology 2002) at the University of Florida. Dr. Cutler was a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Samantha Martin, his daughter and parents.
LAYSON "TARR" DOTY, DVM Dr. Layson “Tarr” Doty, retired member of the FVMA, passed away at the age of 89 at his residence in Lake Placid, Fla., on April 25, 2016. Dr. Doty was originally from Bourbon County, Ky., He attended the University of Kentucky and went on to graduate from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1954. He practiced in Miami where he founded Southwest Animal Hospital with a partner, then moved to Lake Placid in the 1980’s, where he lived until his passing. Before pursuing his veterinary career, Dr. Doty served with honors in the US Army during WWII. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Placid, where he served on the elder board for many years. He was preceded in death by his first wife, JoAn and daughter, Barbara. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Joyce; daughters, Virginia Parks and Pamela Kaylor; son, James T. Doty; step-children, Jeanette Thomson, Susan Meyer, and Ken Steele; 20 grandchildren; 19 great-grand-children; and 2 great-great-grandchildren Dr. Doty was buried in Millersburg, Ky.
GEORGE E. KRAFT, DVM Dr. George E. Kraft of Lakeland, Fla., passed away on March 29, 2016. He was 83 years old. Dr. Kraft is survived by his wife of 35 years Alicia Kraft; his children Chris, Cathy and Joseph (Michelle); 5 grandchildren; sisters Moveline and Octavane; as well as many family and friends.
In This Issue 3 | 5 | 6 | 8| 10 | 12 | 15 |
In Remembrance Call to Serve Member Spotlights The UFCVM Class Of 2016 Hurricane Season Begins FDA Announcement
2016 TGAVC Invitation
20 21 22 24 26 28
| Veterinarians Practice Across State Lines | NPI Numbers | Rabies Vaccination & Confidentiality | 12th Annual Promoting Excellence Symposium | Practice Pulse | Classified Advertisements
In Remembrance
(Continued)
JASON PEARSALL, DVM, MS
Dr. Jason Pearsall passed away unexpectedly at the age of 34, on March 14, 2016. From Stuart, Fla., Dr. Pearsall was a recent graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, the valedictorian of the class of 2014. Dr. Pearsall received a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in 2004 with summa cum laude honors, and achieved a master’s degree with honors in biomedical sciences from FAU in 2009. After graduating as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida, Dr. Pearsall went on to own Pearsall Veterinary Services LLC in Stuart, Fla. He has been described as having been a brilliant leader who mastered any challenge or project Dr. Pearsall is survived by his parents, James and Maryann Pearsall of North Palm Beach, Fla., and sister, Alicia Pearsall of Jacksonville. Dr. Pearsall also leaves behind his faithful companion, Ripley.
DAVID C. WALLENHURST, DVM Dr. David Wallenhurst, who worked as a full-time veterinarian for SPCA Florida for seven years, passed away May 21, 2016, at the age of 75. Dr. Wallenhurst lived in Tarpon Springs, Fla., and practiced veterinary medicine for more than 50 years. He graduated from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1965, after which he worked as a staff veterinarian at the Massapequa Hospital for Animals on Long Island, N.Y. for two years. He owned and managed Calcutta Animal Hospital in East Liverpool, Ohio from 1967 until 2002. During that time, Dr. Wallenhurst also owned and managed Sewickley Veterinary Hospital and Beaver Veterinary Clinic, both in Pennsylvania. In 2002, he relocated to Florida where he started as a veterinarian manager and surgeon at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. He became a member of the FVMA in 2003.
Veterinary e h t o t e c ren Volunteer to Make a Diffe
Community and our State.
The mission of the Florida Veterinary Medical Association is to advance the veterinary medical profession, promote animal health and well-being, and protect public health.
T
he FVMA was founded in 1928. The Association has evolved to become a strong and stable entity, with highly-respected programs, dedicated leadership, necessary resources and professional staff. The Association is supported by a firm foundation of membership engagement, and the continued involvement of its members is vital to its evolutionary process of growth and achievement. Members are therefore encouraged to consider available opportunities to volunteer to serve the needs of the veterinary profession in Florida. Volunteers are invited for the following FVMA committees. Volunteer to serve and make a difference to the veterinary community in Florida. Animal Welfare Committee – The purpose is to engage in activities approved by the FVMA Executive Board that involve or promote animal welfare and/or the human-animal bond. Continuing Education Program Committee – The purpose is to secure guest speakers and be responsible for the arrangement and timing of the professional sessions of the Association’s continuing education conferences. Disaster Preparedness Committee – The purpose is to work with other animal support groups, animal welfare organizations and governmental agencies to ensure the most efficient and effective emergency response network to preserve animal life and to provide emergency care during a disaster. Food Animal Practice Committee – The purpose is to work through the FVMA on all developments related to food animal veterinary medicine, to coordinate practitioner activity, and to advise on actions to be taken in order to safeguard the professional interest of food animal veterinarians in state. Legislative Committee – The purpose is to be responsible for studying proposed legislation emanating from any source whatsoever, and to support by whatever means advisable, the
passage of legislation favorable to the veterinary profession, the livestock industry and allied medical groups. Likewise, the committee shall exercise vigilance and attempt to suppress any legislation deemed undesirable or detrimental to the veterinary profession, the livestock industry and allied medical groups. The committee is encouraged to enlist the aid of the membership whenever deemed necessary to accomplish its responsibilities. One Health Committee – The purpose is to be responsible to apprise the membership of zoonotic and emerging disease events that may have an impact on the veterinary profession and the public it serves. The committee is also responsible for developing veterinary public health information releases and, as directed, will maintain liaison with various public health agencies and various animal industries for the purpose of obtaining current disease information. Outreach Committee – The purpose is to formulate procedures for the Peer Assistance Program that will assist chemically addicted, impaired, injured or infirmed members and to assist families of deceased members to maintain or equitably dispose of the deceased member's practice. The committee also acts as the Association's liaison to the Physicians Recovery Network. Veterinary Assistant/Technician Certification Committee – The purpose is to promulgate standards of curriculum, ethics and certification of veterinary assistants and technicians in Florida. Veterinary Technician Career Development Committee – The purpose is to work together with the accredited Veterinary Technician Program in Florida and the FVMA for the career advancement of veterinary technicians in Florida. This committee is composed of veterinarians and technicians. Young Veterinary Medical Council – The purpose is to provide encouragement, community, and services to FVMA members to aid in the transition from school to professional life in their final year of veterinary school through the first 5 years after graduation.
Volunteer and Be Involved! If you would like to volunteer to serve on one or more of the FVMA’s Standing Committees, please submit your interest by email, identifying which committee you are interested in serving on, to: info@fvma.org.
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS FVMA EXECUTIVE BOARD DISTRICT 2 REPRESENTATIVE
DR. JULIA CONWAY RECEIVES UFCVM 2016 SPECIAL SERVICE AWARD T he F V M A is pleased to inform members t hat t he FVMA Executive Board District 2 Representative, Dr. Julia Conway, is the 2016 recipient of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine’s Special Service Award. Dr. Conway joined the FVMA Executive Board in 2015, on appointment to complete the term of Dr. Richard Sutliff when he was installed as the president-elect of the Association. She began
serving a three-year term as an elected member of the executive board in April of this year. She is a graduate of UFCVM, and is a clinical assistant professor in the college’s department of infectious diseases and pathology. She is a board-certified anatomical pathologist, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering technology from Rochester Institute of Technology. Dr. Conway was presented with the Special Service Award during commencement exercises at UFCVM on May 28. Congratulations, Dr. Conway!
DR. NATALIE ISAZA
TOP FIVE FINALIST FOR AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION HERO VETERINARIAN AWARD Dr. Natalie Isaza has been shortlisted as a top five finalist in the running for the American Humane Association’s Hero Veterinarian Award. Dr. Isaza was among close to 300 nominations the association received for this year’s Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Technician awards. The 2016 awards are the American Humane Association’s third annual awards sponsored by Zoetis. A blue-ribbon judging panel of celebrities, veterinary professionals, and animal care experts considered all the nominations in choosing the finalists, and now pet owners and animal lovers alike are invited to vote for their favorites online at www.herovetawards.org, to decide the award winners. Voting continues through July 21, 2016. The American Hero Veterinarian and American Hero Veterinary Technician will be flown to Los Angeles to be honored on September 10, as part of the sixth annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards®, presented by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation. The Hero Dog Awards will air nationwide in the fall, as a two-hour special on Hallmark Channel. Dr. Natalie Isaza is the founder of the Veterinary Community Outreach Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. She works with local animal rescue groups and shelters, providing spay/neuter surgical services, heartworm 6 | FVMA ADVOCATE
treatments, general well care, and more specialized veterinary care for animals in need. In addition to her work with homeless animals, she is a co-founder of St. Francis Pet Care, a free vet clinic for low-income people in her community. Dr. Isaza received the UFCVM Alumni Achievement Award in 2015. She is a 1994 graduate of the college, and is UFCVM and the Barbara and Arnold Grevior Shelter Medicine Community Outreach Professor. She developed the Merial Shelter Medicine Clerkship, now known as the Veterinary Community Outreach Program, which is an elective rotation that gives veterinary students valuable hands-on experience with spay-neuter surgery and community veterinary medicine. The American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization, and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. It reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses.
DR. MARY GARDNER
RECEIVES ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM UFCVM
In its 2016 Distinguished Award honors, the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (UFCVM) presented its Alumni Achievement Award to Dr. Mary Gardner, a 2008 graduate of the college. Since graduating, Dr. Gardner has become a recognized small animal veterinarian, speaker, consultant, author and inventor. She co-founded Lap of Love International in 2010, which now operates in three states and employs more than 60 veterinarians. Dr. Gardner led the development of Lap of Love's proprietary practice management software, called Sunshine, which is specific to veterinary hospice and euthanasia services. In 2013, she developed The Pet Hospice Journal, an online interactive Quality of Life Assessment program, which is free to the public.
She splits her time between Florida, Oregon and California and manages the growing network of Lap of Love veterinarians. She is also responsible for all internet and social media marketing as well as developing, constructing and supporting company-wide enterprise applications. Lap of Love has twice been named to the UF “Gator 100” list of fastest-growing companies in the United States.
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Celebrates
FVMA THE UFCVM CLASS OF 2016
C
Dr. Caitlin Spindler, second from left with friends, after being presented with her FVMA Service Award for great work as FVMA Student Representative.
Dr. Caitlin Spindler (Left) & Dr. Brittany Martabano (Right), recipients of 2016 FVMA Champion of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Award.
ommencement ceremonies for the Class of 2016, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, were held Saturday, May 28, 2016. As is customary, the Association took pride in welcoming the new veterinarians to the profession as they marked their great graduation milestone, having achieved their purpose of joining the veterinary medical profession after years of hard work and dedication. The FVMA welcomed 110 new doctors of veterinary medicine into the Association and the veterinary profession at a Rehearsal Breakfast it hosted on Friday, May 27, on the UFCVM campus. Later that evening, the FVMA also joined the 2016 graduates at a Senior Banquet where it presented four outstanding graduates with scholarship awards. At the rehearsal breakfast, FVMA Executive Director Phil Hinkle congratulated the graduates and presented graduating FVMA Student Representative, Caitlin Spindler with a plaque in appreciation and recognition for her diligent service during her years as a student. On hand to witness the presentation and to offer more congratulations on the FVMA membership’s behalf, was a large delegation from the Association, including President Richard Sutliff and Past President Richard Carpenter. At the Senior Banquet later that day, Dr. Sutliff presented two FVMA Champion of Veterinary Medicine scholarship awards to graduating seniors; one to Caitlin Spindler and the other to Brittany Martabano; and presented the Charlie Bild Clinical Proficiency Award to Julie London. Past President of the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners (FAEP), Dr. Amanda House, also made a scholarship award presentation to an outstanding student who had FVMA Executive Director , Philip Hinkle, presents chosen a career path in equine healthcare. Christine Divine McCrea was the recipient of Service Award to Dr. Caitlin Spindler who was FVMA Student Representative the FAEP Award.
It was a family affair for graduate Dr. Christine Ashman and her adorable daughter.
8 | FVMA ADVOCATE
From left: Drs. Kirk Herrmann, Molly Kovacs, Janna Legg, Hagar Hauser, & Meghan Brumby
Dr. Nikki McGinn & Dr. Kaylee McMahan
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THE ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS 2016 FORECAST IS FOR LIKELIHOOD OF A “NEAR-NORMAL” SEASON The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a 45 percent likelihood that we will experience a “near-normal” Atlantic hurricane season this year. The center goes on to say however, that “forecast uncertainty in climate signals that influence the formation of Atlantic storms make predicting this season particularly difficult.” A “near-normal” season, according to NOAA, would present a 70 percent chance of 10 to 16 named storms developing, with 4 to 8 hurricanes, 1 to 4 of which could be major hurricanes (Category 3, 4, or 5; storms with 111 miles per hour or higher). NOAA says that predicting this season is more challenging than most because of the difficulty in determining if there will be reinforcing or competing climate influences on the development of tropical systems. The lead seasonal hurricane forecaster, Gerry Bell, Ph.D., explains in an NOAA press release, that there is uncertainty about whether the high-activity era of Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995 has ended. This high-activity era has been associated with an ocean temperature pattern called the warm phase of the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation or AMO, marked by warmer Atlantic Ocean temperatures and a stronger West African monsoon. However, during the last three years, weaker hurricane seasons have been accompanied by a shift toward the cool AMO phase, marked by cooler Atlantic Ocean temperatures and a weaker West African monsoon. If the shift toward cool AMO proves to be more than a shortlived phenomenon says the NOAA, it could usher in a lowactivity era for Atlantic hurricanes, and this period may already have begun. High- and low-activity eras typically last 25 to 40 years. While a near-normal season is most likely with a 45 percent chance forecasted by the Center, there is also a 30 percent chance of an above-normal season and a 25 percent chance of a below-normal season. The NOAA included Hurricane Alex, a pre-season storm that formed over the Far Eastern Atlantic in January, in its Atlantic hurricane season outlook. The Atlantic hurricane region includes the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The last serious hurricane activity for Florida occurred in 2004, when four hurricanes made landfall, namely Charley, Frances, 10 | FVMA ADVOCATE
Ivan and Jeanne; and the following year when a much weaker Katrina passed over before it went on to intensify and devastate New Orleans and Mississippi. Two other lesser storms were also experienced that year.
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE HURRICANE SEASON AND TO OPERATE FOLLOWING A STORM? a) Determine your risk. Find out what hazards may affect you where your practice. b) Develop an evacuation plan if you operate or live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone. c) Secure your insurance by making sure you are properly covered. So speak to your agent. d) Have your completed hurricane plan handy for yourself and your staff.
Disaster Plan A disaster preparedness plan is important. Veterinarians should have a written disaster preparedness plan in place for their veterinary practices. It should be readily available and executable in the event of a hurricane. The following seven basic parts are necessary in a master disaster preparedness plan for a veterinary practice/clinic: • Emergency Relocation of Animals • Medical Records Backup • Continuity of Operations • Security
• General Emergency Planning • Fire Prevention • and Insurance and Legal Issues.
Emergency Relocation of Boarded and Hospitalized Animals
This includes leashes, carriers and other species-specific supplies. Be sure to plan for appropriate, pre-arranged animal transportation, and a temporary animal holding location. Other important points include a 24-hour client contact list which should be appropriately stored to enable off-site access, and ensuring secure, weather-resistant patient identification. In conjunction with legal counsel, veterinarians should involve staff, clients and their pets in disaster planning and disaster drills, which helps to ensure community buy-in and dedication to the plan.
Medical Records Backup
Medical records should be backed up on an off-site computer. Fireproof safes do not prevent melting in the event of a fire. Keep off-site copies of important documents, an itemized inventory on- and off-site, and where possible, consider digital storage of all documentation as a backup.
Continuity of Operations
Communication is vitally important during and after a disaster. In a hurricane and the days directly following, there is the possibility of interruption in electrical power, which would cause these services to be lost for indeterminate periods. An alternate electrical power source such as a generator is important. The ideal but costly choice here is a professionallyinstalled generator capable of providing long-term power to an entire facility. However, portable generators are effective, even though a practice may need more than one generator. Staff should be trained in the maintenance and operation of generators, and plenty of fuel should be stored. Also to be included in the continuity of operations, is a list of supplies with current 24-hour contact information for suppliers who may be working throughout a disaster. Include alternate food and water sources in case of contamination; a five-to-sevenday supply of food and water for on-site staff and patients, and five to seven days of personal medications for on-site staff. Consider using an alternative practice location within the same vicinity. Check the local veterinary medical association for potential resources for an alternative site from which to operate if necessary. The main objective should be to lessen inconvenience to clients and being able to offer uninterrupted service to clients. Adopting a sister practice in another location may also be useful. Using the facilities at a sister practice for a percentage of income earned also provides another avenue through which established clients can be provided with uninterrupted service.
Security of Building and Personnel
Contact the local municipality for specific requirements. Outline preferred means of reporting emergencies, including a designated person for communicating with local emergency responders. The local fire department can provide free inspection and evacuation drills. Other security measures should include: • a water system independent from the electrical system • oxygen tanks isolated for safety • securing the practice from theft, looting and other crimes • a floor plan or diagram that clearly shows the location of all fire extinguishers, control valves, dangerous areas and unobstructed escape routes WWW.FVMA.ORG |
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• emergency lighting • information sharing; a pre-arranged meeting place for staff to keep everyone accounted for is a good idea; and an office phone-tree for 24-hour numbers is necessary. Don’t forget to encourage staff to be prepared at home so they can better help you in a disaster. First-aid training for employees in each work shift in the practice is essential.
General Emergency Planning
This plan should address appropriate responses to all foreseeable emergencies including hazardous chemical spills. Employee training is needed here because there is a need for information and the proper equipment required to respond to the disaster. Maintenance of equipment, surveillance and detection of leaks and containment of spills by trained employees are essential. Employees should wear protective clothing and practice proper disposal techniques. Florida occupational safety agencies can ensure full compliance of both federal and state regulations. Each county’s Extension Service has information on responding to chemical disasters that is provided to that group by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Fire Prevention
Identify major fire hazards in the workplace, proper handling and storage procedures, potential ignition sources such as open flames and electrical sparks and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard. Regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment is essential. Appoint employees responsible for maintaining equipment or control sources of ignition or fires.
Insurance Coverage and Legal Issues
A current and comprehensive insurance policy is necessary for the veterinary practice. Discuss the details of a disaster drill with legal counsel to make sure you are covered by insurance for any injuries that might occur during the drill. Keep receipts for all purchases, keep a videotape and photograph inventory and, in the event the practice is damaged, it is important to take measures to avoid further damage (roofs should be covered to prevent rain water damage to interior). Become familiar with tax laws and deductible disaster expenses. Make sure the business insurance coverage addresses the following elements in the policy: Business interruption (when it ends and what triggers the end); Extra Expense (payment of overtime pay and relocation expenses); Professional Extension (injury/loss/death of animals); Loss of Income; Personal Property (replacement value); Automatic Inflation; Fire Damage; Water Damage; Debris Removal/Cleanup; Comprehensive Building and Structure Replacement; Coverage of Rented and Leased Equipment; Interruption of Power, Heating/Air and Sewer; coverage of Worker’s Compensation; General and Professional Liability.
The FVMA Disaster Preparedness Committee urges members to create a disaster preparedness plan for their veterinary practices. The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) website, sponsored by the state of Florida, offers more useful information to assist in the preparation of a comprehensive plan. That website is www.Floridadisaster.org.
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FEDERAL JUDGE ENTERS ORDER OF PERMANENT INJUNCTION AGAINST
COMPOUNDING PHARMACY
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF POLO HORSES IN 2009 FDA Says the Compounder Manufactured and Distributed Drug Products in Violation of Law The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced at the end of April, that U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza had entered an order of permanent injunction against a Florida compounder, and said he manufactured and distributed drug products in violation of law. The compounder, Paul W. Franck of Ocala, Florida, owned and operated numerous compounding pharmacies in Florida over the past 20 years. One of those, Franck’s Compounding Lab, manufactured medication in 2009, that caused the deaths of 21 Polo ponies. The lab admitted it had placed 100 times the amount of selenium prescribed for the drug product that was administered to the horses, resulting in their deaths. According to the complaint filed, Franck manufactured and distributed drug products that were adulterated and misbranded in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The U.S. Department of Justice brought the action on behalf of the FDA. The order prohibits the compounder from manufacturing, holding and distributing sterile drug products until he complies with the FD&C Act and its regulations, in addition to other requirements. “Mr. Franck risked the health of the American public by compounding drugs under unacceptable conditions,” said Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. She said the action against Franck reflects the FDA’s efforts to take appropriate and aggressive enforcement action against compounders who put patients’ health at risk by not following the law. Other compounding pharmacies Franck operated over the years included Franck’s Lab Inc., doing business as Franck’s Compounding Lab, and Franck’s Lab Inc., doing business as Trinity Care Solutions. An FDA release said that the companies manufactured drugs that were considered adulterated under the FD&C Act because they contained “filthy, putrid, or decomposed substances; were prepared, packed or held under insanitary conditions; and fell below the quality and/or purity standards they purported to possess.” FDA also said Franck misbranded products as well, having false or misleading labeling, because drugs purporting to be sterile contained bacterial contamination. Trinity Care Solutions recalled all sterile drugs and ceased compounding operations in 2014, after the FDA’s inspection revealed violations that could compromise drug sterility. Violations cited included the presence of dead spiders, beetles, ants, wasps and cockroaches in the ceiling panel directly above 12 | FVMA ADVOCATE
the area where employees prepare for sterile processing; lack of sufficient physical barriers to prevent the introduction of contamination from nearby construction into the clean room; and failure to adequately clean and sanitize sterile compounding areas. In 2012, contaminated ophthalmic drugs compounded by Franck’s Compounding Lab were linked to at least 47 cases of eye infections, including at least 39 cases of temporary or permanent vision loss. That company subsequently recalled all sterile products and ceased operations. Earlier, over a weekend leading up to a championship match in 2009, 21 polo horses died. The horses belonged to a Venezuelan polo team visiting Florida for the match. Franck’s pharmacy admitted making the costly mistake which cost the horses their lives.
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TM
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: For use in dogs only. The most common adverse reaction is vomiting. Other adverse reactions reported are dry/flaky skin, diarrhea, lethargy, and anorexia. The safe use of NexGard in pregnant, breeding, or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures.
CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Description: NEXGARD™ (afoxolaner) is available in four sizes of beef-flavored, soft chewables for oral administration to dogs and puppies according to their weight. Each chewable is formulated to provide a minimum afoxolaner dosage of 1.14 mg/lb (2.5 mg/kg). Afoxolaner has the chemical composition 1-Naphthalenecarboxamide, 4-[5[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-4, 5-dihydro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-isoxazolyl]-N[2-oxo-2-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino]ethyl. Indications: NEXGARD kills adult fleas and is indicated for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations (Ctenocephalides felis), and the treatment and control of Black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), American Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), and Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) infestations in dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older, weighing 4 pounds of body weight or greater, for one month. Dosage and Administration: NEXGARD is given orally once a month, at the minimum dosage of 1.14 mg/lb (2.5 mg/kg). Dosing Schedule: Body Weight 4.0 to 10.0 lbs. 10.1 to 24.0 lbs. 24.1 to 60.0 lbs. 60.1 to 121.0 lbs. Over 121.0 lbs.
Afoxolaner Per Chewable (mg)
Precautions: The safe use of NEXGARD in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures (see Adverse Reactions). Adverse Reactions: In a well-controlled US field study, which included a total of 333 households and 615 treated dogs (415 administered afoxolaner; 200 administered active control), no serious adverse reactions were observed with NEXGARD. Over the 90-day study period, all observations of potential adverse reactions were recorded. The most frequent reactions reported at an incidence of > 1% within any of the three months of observations are presented in the following table. The most frequently reported adverse reaction was vomiting. The occurrence of vomiting was generally self-limiting and of short duration and tended to decrease with subsequent doses in both groups. Five treated dogs experienced anorexia during the study, and two of those dogs experienced anorexia with the first dose but not subsequent doses. Table 1: Dogs With Adverse Reactions. Treatment Group Afoxolaner
Chewables Administered
11.3 One 28.3 One 68 One 136 One Administer the appropriate combination of chewables
NEXGARD can be administered with or without food. Care should be taken that the dog consumes the complete dose, and treated animals should be observed for a few minutes to ensure that part of the dose is not lost or refused. If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost or if vomiting occurs within two hours of administration, redose with another full dose. If a dose is missed, administer NEXGARD and resume a monthly dosing schedule. Flea Treatment and Prevention: Treatment with NEXGARD may begin at any time of the year. In areas where fleas are common year-round, monthly treatment with NEXGARD should continue the entire year without interruption. To minimize the likelihood of flea reinfestation, it is important to treat all animals within a household with an approved flea control product. Tick Treatment and Control: Treatment with NEXGARD may begin at any time of the year (see Effectiveness). Contraindications: There are no known contraindications for the use of NEXGARD. Warnings: Not for use in humans. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. In case of accidental ingestion, contact a physician immediately.
Oral active control
N1
% (n=415)
N2
% (n=200)
Vomiting (with and without blood)
17
4.1
25
12.5
Dry/Flaky Skin
13
3.1
2
1.0
Diarrhea (with and without blood)
13
3.1
7
3.5
Lethargy
7
1.7
4
2.0
Anorexia
5
1.2
9
4.5
Number of dogs in the afoxolaner treatment group with the identified abnormality. Number of dogs in the control group with the identified abnormality. In the US field study, one dog with a history of seizures experienced a seizure on the same day after receiving the first dose and on the same day after receiving the second dose of NEXGARD. This dog experienced a third seizure one week after receiving the third dose. The dog remained enrolled and completed the study. Another dog with a history of seizures had a seizure 19 days after the third dose of NEXGARD. The dog remained enrolled and completed the study. A third dog with a history of seizures received NEXGARD and experienced no seizures throughout the study. To report suspected adverse events, for technical assistance or to obtain a copy of the MSDS, contact Merial at 1-888-637-4251 or www.merial.com/ nexgard. For additional information about adverse drug experience reporting for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or online at http://www.fda.gov/ AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth. Mode of Action: Afoxolaner is a member of the isoxazoline family, shown to bind at a binding site to inhibit insect and acarine ligand-gated chloride channels, in particular those gated by the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), thereby blocking pre- and post-synaptic transfer of chloride ions across cell membranes. Prolonged afoxolaner-induced hyperexcitation results in uncontrolled activity of the central nervous system and death of insects and acarines. The selective toxicity of afoxolaner between insects and acarines and mammals may be inferred by the differential sensitivity of the insects and acarines’ GABA receptors versus mammalian GABA receptors. 1 2
Effectiveness: In a well-controlled laboratory study, NEXGARD began to kill fleas four hours after initial administration and demonstrated >99% effectiveness at eight hours. In a separate well-controlled laboratory study, NEXGARD demonstrated 100% effectiveness against adult fleas 24 hours post-infestation for 35 days, and was ≥ 93% effective at 12 hours post-infestation through Day 21, and on Day 35. On Day 28, NEXGARD was 81.1% effective 12 hours post-infestation. Dogs in both the treated and control groups that were infested with fleas on Day -1 generated flea eggs at 12- and 24-hours post-treatment (0-11 eggs and 1-17 eggs in the NEXGARD treated dogs, and 4-90 eggs and 0-118 eggs in the control dogs, at 12- and 24hours, respectively). At subsequent evaluations post-infestation, fleas from dogs in the treated group were essentially unable to produce any eggs (0-1 eggs) while fleas from dogs in the control group continued to produce eggs (1-141 eggs). In a 90-day US field study conducted in households with existing flea infestations of varying severity, the effectiveness of NEXGARD against fleas on the Day 30, 60 and 90 visits compared with baseline was 98.0%, 99.7%, and 99.9%, respectively. Collectively, the data from the three studies (two laboratory and one field) demonstrate that NEXGARD kills fleas before they can lay eggs, thus preventing subsequent flea infestations after the start of treatment of existing flea infestations. In well-controlled laboratory studies, NEXGARD demonstrated >94% effectiveness against Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis, 48 hours post-infestation, and against Amblyomma americanum 72 hours post-infestation, for 30 days. Animal Safety: In a margin of safety study, NEXGARD was administered orally to 8- to 9-week-old Beagle puppies at 1, 3, and 5 times the maximum exposure dose (6.3 mg/kg) for three treatments every 28 days, followed by three treatments every 14 days, for a total of six treatments. Dogs in the control group were sham-dosed. There were no clinically-relevant effects related to treatment on physical examination, body weight, food consumption, clinical pathology (hematology, clinical chemistries, or coagulation tests), gross pathology, histopathology or organ weights. Vomiting occurred throughout the study, with a similar incidence in the treated and control groups, including one dog in the 5x group that vomited four hours after treatment. In a well-controlled field study, NEXGARD was used concomitantly with other medications, such as vaccines, anthelmintics, antibiotics (including topicals), steroids, NSAIDS, anesthetics, and antihistamines. No adverse reactions were observed from the concomitant use of NEXGARD with other medications. Storage Information: Store at or below 30°C (86°F) with excursions permitted up to 40°C (104°F). How Supplied: NEXGARD is available in four sizes of beef-flavored soft chewables: 11.3, 28.3, 68 or 136 mg afoxolaner. Each chewable size is available in color-coded packages of 1, 3 or 6 beef-flavored chewables. NADA 141-406, Approved by FDA Marketed by: Frontline Vet Labs™, a Division of Merial Limited. Duluth, GA 30096-4640 USA Made in Brazil. 1050-4493-02 Rev. 4/2014
™NexGard and FRONTLINE VET LABS are trademarks of Merial. ©2014 Merial. All rights reserved.
2016
TGAVC
4 ANNUAL
29
SEPTEMBER -OCTOBER
02
th
THE
Gulf-Atlantic VETERINARY CONFERENCE
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN | WWW.TGAVC.ORG
FEATURED SPEAKERS
OVER 35 NATIONALLY- AND INTERNATIONALLY-ACCLAIMED SPEAKERS DELIVERING MORE THAN 300 HOURS OF CUTTING-EDGE, INTERACTIVE CE LECTURES AND WET LABS
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS A. RICK ALLEMAN DVM, PhD, DABVP, DACVP
ANNE CHAUVET DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
TERRY M. CURTIS DVM, MS, DACVB (Clinical Behaviorist)
TIMOTHY HACKETT CHARLOTTE LACROIX SANDRA MERCHANT DVM, DACVECC DVM, JD DVM, DACVD
MEG SLEEPER VMD, DACVIM (Cardiology)
JOSEPH TABOADA DVM, DACVIM
TODD R. TAMS DVM, DACVIM
SUE ETTINGER DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
ERIC GARCIA IT & Digital Marketing Consultant
ALAN REBAR DVM, PhD, DACVP
MICHAEL SCHAER DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC, Emeritus Professor
JASON WERNLI Co-founder, allyDVM
■ DR. JASON ARBLE ■ MS. KIM BISSING ■ DR. CHERIE BUISSON ■ DR. CARMEN COLITZ ■ DR. GARY ELLISON ■ MR. ROD FINNEGAN ■ DR. RALPH HARVEY ■ DR. MATTHEW JOHNSON ■ DR. ROSANNA MARSELLA ■ MS. DANIELLE MAURAGIS ■ DR. LAURIE MCCAULEY ■ DR. THOMAS MILLER ■ MS. AMY NEWFIELD ■ DR. JOHN PHILLIPS ■ MS. DANIELLE RIBALTA ■ DR. THOMAS SCHUBERT ■ DR. LAYLA SHAIKH ■ DR. ROBERT SWINGER ■ MS. BRENDA TASSAVA ■ DR. HEATHER L. WAMSLEY ■ DR. HEIDI WARD ■ DR. ELIZABETH WATSON
Experience Th eD
F O R D E TA I L E D I N F O R M AT IO
N, PLEA SE
ifference
V I S I T : W W W. T G AV C . O R G
2016
TGAVC
CE PROGRAM
EXPERIENCE THE TGAVC DIFFERENCE
• Emergency and Critical Care • Ophthalmology • Practice Management • Cardiology • Hospice Care and Euthanasia • Rehabilitation • Gastroenterology • Dermatology • Practice Management • Compassion Fatigue • Behavior and Training • Cytology • Medicine for the Technician • Neurology • Anesthesia & Pain Management • Internal Medicine • Immune-Mediated Diseases • Laser Therapy
WET LABS & WORKSHOPS
LECTURE TOPICS
A Scientific Program to Enrich Every Member of the Small Animal Veterinary Care Team. MORE THAN 300 HOURS of Stimulating Lectures, Hands-On Wet Labs and Workshops. Full Details at www.tgavc.org
• Rehabilitation & Laser Therapy • Basic Small Animal Abdominal Ultrasound • Ophthalmic Surgery • Clinical Techniques for Emergency Medicine • Advanced Small Animal Abdominal Ultrasound • Extracapsular Suture Stabilization • Medial Patella Luxation • Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy • Hematology Workshop for Technicians: Focus on Anemia • Cytology Workshop • Culture and Sensitivity Interpretation Workshop
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TGAVC ANNUAL FISHING TOURNAMENT
Limited Availability. Reserve Your Reel Today!
TGAVC
2016
SPECIAL EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
TGAVC LUXURY DINNER CRUISE
ONLY $ 175
Sail Away with family & friends – on the Grand Floridian! Saturday, October 1 6:40 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 29 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Cost: $175 per person
ONLY $ 95
Adult: $95 per person Children 0-12 - No charge
Tournament fee includes: • Charter Boat with Captain and First Mate • Tackle and Gear • License • A half day of fun • Crew Gratuity Anglers will compete for prizes for the largest fish caught, the most fish and the most unusual fish caught!
Enjoy an evening aboard a luxury yacht – as daylight fades and the nightlights come alive, enjoy a sumptuous three-course dinner, followed by the inviting, scintillating sounds of the tropics inviting you to the dance!!! The greatest fun – Experience the Difference of TGAVC and celebrate on the calm waters of the Intercoastal Waterway! Cash Bar Included.
THE HOST HOTEL
THE BOCA RATON RESORT & CLUB, A WALDORF ASTORIA RESORT, 501 EAST CAMINO REAL, BOCA RATON, FLORIDA, 33432 • The Iconic Resort blending old world charm and • Overlooking its private half mile beach excellence with modern luxury and a wealth of amenities • Luxury marina and the Waldorf Astoria Spa
THE TGAVC ROOM BLOCK IS NOW OPEN! RESERVE YOUR ROOM EARLY! Call 1-888-557-6375 and mention the group name "Gulf-Atlantic Veterinary 2016" or group code “ATGAVC” to receive the group rate. Full Details at www.tgavc.org
BEACH CLUB
TOWER
CLOISTER RATES: Customize Your TGAVC Accomodations
* Inclusive of the $27 daily resort fee
Bungalow Room: $170 Bungalow Suite: $220 Cloister Room: $180 Tower Room: $200
BUNGALOW
Tower Junior Suite: $250 Beach Club Standard: $220 Beach Club Ocean Vista: $260 Yacht Club: $260
*RESORT FEES:
Resort Fees include wireless internet access in guest rooms and public areas, transportation to/from Beach Club, access to the Fitness Center and specialty classes, daily newspaper, local and 800 calls, bellman gratuities and in room coffee/tea.
CE APPROVAL:
• Sponsor of Continuing Education in New York State • Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine, DBPR FVMA Provider # 31 RACE (Pending Race Approval)
YACHT CLUB EARLY REGISTRATIONS OPEN JUNE 30, 2016. PRE-REGISTER BY AUGUST 29 & SAVE! www.tgavc.org
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TGAVC REGISTRATION FORM SEPT. 29 - OCT. 2, 2016 | BOCA RATON, FL
Ms. Mrs.
MAILING INFORMATION Dr. Mr. Name: Business/Clinic/School:
PAYMENT INFORMATION
Method of Payment Check/Money Order Charge My Credit Card Below $ Credit Card Number
THURSDAY WET LABS
Name as It Appears on Card
After Aug. 26th
Email:
Zip:
TGAVC
State:
Address: City:
Discover
TOTAL SOCIAL EVENT/GUEST FEE $
(Children's Registration does not include lunch)
Spouse & Guest Registration....................... $95.00 (Includes Friday/Saturday Lunch) (Spouse/Guest registration allows entrance to the exhibit hall and non-ticketed social events. Spouses who wish to attend CE sessions must pay full registration fees.)
Thurs. Fishing Tournament ...........................$175.00 Sat. Dinner Cruise .............................................. $95.00 Sat. Dinner Cruise Children (Ages 0-12).................. $0.00
American Express
Fax:
Mastercard
Phone:
Visa Expiration Date Signature
With Conf. Reg. Fees Wet Lab Only Fees
$150.00 $125.00 $795.00 $595.00 $595.00
By Aug. 26th
(Includes Friday/Saturday Lunch & Proceedings on DVD)
$125.00 $75.00 $595.00 $395.00 $395.00
FRIDAY WET LABS
Rehabilitation & Laser Therapy (Vets)................. Rehabilitation & Laser Therapy (Techs)................ Clinical Techq. for Emergency Medicine .............. Ophthalmic Surgery ............................................. Basic Small Animal Abdominal Ultrasound....
$625.00 $425.00 $425.00 $550.00 $95.00
$595.00 $595.00 $595.00
$545.00 $345.00 $345.00 $445.00 $95.00
$395.00 $395.00 $395.00
Veterinarian Recent Graduate (2015) First Year Graduate (2014) Second Year Graduate (2013) Veterinary Student
Extracapsular Suture Stabilization........................ Medial Patella Luxation............................................ Advanced Small Animal Abdominal Ultrasound
SATURDAY WET LABS / WORKSHOPS
$695.00 N/A N/A
$195.00 $195.00 $195.00 $195.00 $95.00
$495.00 $50.00 $35.00
$150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $95.00
No charge
C
FAX
TOTAL WET LAB FEE $
Culture & Sensitivity Workshop (Must Pre-Register)
SUNDAY WORKSHOP
B
PHONE
(407) 240-3710
C ONLINE
(800) 992-3862 (407) 851-3862
B
www.tgavc.org info@fvma.org
A
No charge
Femoral Head & Neck Ostectomy....................... Cytology Workshop.................................................. Hematology Workshop (Techs)...................................
Veterinary Technician Veterinary Assistant Practice Manager Administrative Staff Veterinary Technician Student
A
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation deadline for a full refund of registration fees minus a $50 administrative charge is August 29th, 2016. Cancellations should be received in writing and acknowledged by the FVMA by the above date to be eligible for a refund. Cancellations after that date and no-shows are non-refundable.
TGAVC 7207 MONETARY DRIVE ORLANDO, FL 32809
2016
DEA LETTER ACKNOWLEDGES
VETERINARIANS CAN TRAVEL ACROSS STATE LINES AND PROVIDE CARE TO A PATIENT On February 25, 2016, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), wrote to registered veterinarians to make clear the agency’s acknowledgement that registered veterinarians were able to prac‑ tice across state lines. Since the signing of the Veterinary Medi‑ cine Mobility Act by President Barack Obama on August 1, 2014, there had been a level of confusion among practitioners on the issue. The Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014 amended section 302(e) of the Controlled Substances Act, Title 21, United States Code, Section 822(e) addressing separate registration require‑ ments for veterinarians, which had become the source of the confusion. Specifically, the Act states, a “registrant who is a veterinarian shall not be required to have a separate registration in order to trans‑ port and dispense controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice at a site other than the registrant’s registered principal place of business or professional practice, so long as the site of transporting and dispensing is located in a State where the veterinarian is licensed to practice veterinary medicine and is not
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a principal place of business or professional practice.” The Act therefore, made it legal for veterinarians to carry con‑ trolled substances to patients outside their clinics in order to pro‑ vide complete medical care. The DEA’s correspondence clarifies the issue with the following: A non-office setting that the veterinarian visits to treat animals on an occasional, as-needed basis would not be a principal place of business or professional practice. Although the following is not the only example covered by 21 U.S.C. Section 822(e) (2), a prime example is that a veterinarian may dispense controlled substances while making “house calls” (e.g., at a stable) without being registered at that location. And, in such a scenario, the veterinarian does not need to be registered with the DEA in the State where the dispensing occurs, as long as the veterinarian is registered in some other State and is licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State where the dispensing occurs. The letter was sent to all DEA registrants, as well as DEA field offices and diversion investigators, following discussions between DEA officials and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The Cat Thyroid Center “Dr. Ott and his team are true professionals who always go above and beyond in the care of both the patient and the patient’s people. The Cat Thyroid Center has treated two of my family members and both of these demanding ladies had absolutely no complaints at the level of service and attention they received during their I-131 spa treatment.” -Dr. William Walsh, A Pet’s Friend Animal Hospital, Venice, FL “Over the years I have referred literally dozens of hyperthyroid cats to the Cat Thyroid Center. Every client I have sent has been very impressed and happy with the service they and their pet has received. The feedback I get is always positive, and I will continue to refer my clients to Dr. Ott for I-131 treatment.” -Dr. Andrew King, Cat Hospital of Sarasota, Sarasota, FL “The Cat Thyroid Center offers excellent medical care and makes sure the patient and client feel at home. Dr. Ott does an amazing job following up with cases both with the owners and with me. He is always available when any questions arise. His compassion and knowledge make the Cat Thyroid Center superior when it comes to treatment and as a result we highly recommend him.” -Dr. Sherri Basso, The Cat Hospital of Orlando, Orlando, FL
The Gentle Cure for Hyperthyroidism 20 | FVMA ADVOCATE
717 S. Tamiami Trail Ruskin, FL 33570 813.641.3425 www.catthyroid@cs.com
NPI NUMBERS -
Do Veterinarians Need to Have Them? Florida veterinarians from time to time encounter a problem with their pharmacists that needs clarification. When calling in a prescription, some practitioners have reported, they are asked by the pharmacist for a National Provider Identifier, or NPI number. The reality is, veterinarians are not required to have NPI numbers to be able to practice and prescribe medications.
What is an NPI Number? An NPI number is a unique ten-digit identification number issued to healthcare providers by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It is a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standard used to track health care providers’ prescriptions and to monitor Medicare and Medicaid fraud. NPI numbers were put into place in 2007, for health care providers who bill for Medicare services. Veterinarians are not covered under HIPAA. This has been clarified by the U.S. Department of Health. The Department has also clarified that pharmacies should not ask veterinarians for NPI numbers “because they do not meet the regulatory definition of ‘health care provider’ as defined at 45CFR 160.103.” Please note that veterinarians should not be barred from ordering a prescription at a pharmacy simply because they do not have an NPI number. We reproduce the Federal Guidance below, which may be accessed online at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website, and downloaded for your use.
“Veterinarian” does not mean a veterinarian is a “health care provider” and, thus, eligible for an NPI. Any entity that insists veterinarians obtain an NPI are attempting to require veterinarians to obtain NPIs fraudulently (i.e., because the NPI Application/Update Form and its Internet equivalent require that the NPI applicant indicate that he/she/it meets the regulatory definition of “health care provider” and a veterinarian does not). (FAQ8240) The CMS website also guides veterinarians who have procured an NPI number on deactivating it. If I inappropriately/erroneously obtained an NPI and later found that I am not eligible for an NPI, how can I deactivate the NPI? If an NPI were obtained and the applicant found that he/ she should not have obtained one, the NPI holder should send a request to the NPI Enumerator to have the NPI deactivated. The NPI holder can do this at any time by completing the NPI Application/Update Form (CMS-10114) for deactivation (see Section 1A3 and application instructions for details regarding the completion of the application for deactivation purposes). The application form can be downloaded at http://www.cms. gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/downloads/CMS10114. pdf, or a copy can be requested from the NPI Enumerator by calling 1-800-465-3203. (FAQ8242)
Are veterinarians eligible to obtain NPIs? Veterinarians are not eligible for NPIs because they do not meet the regulatory definition of “health care provider” as defined at 45 CFR 160.103. However, if a veterinarian fulfills the definition of “health care provider” in a profession other than furnishing veterinary services (for example, if a veterinarian is also a nurse practitioner and, as a nurse practitioner, meets the definition of “health care provider”), the veterinarian would be eligible for an NPI but would select a Nurse Practitioner code (not a Veterinarian code) from the Healthcare Provider Taxonomy Code Set when applying for an NPI. Please be advised that just because the Healthcare Provider Taxonomy Code Set has a code for WWW.FVMA.ORG |
THE FVMA |
@FLORIDAVMA |
FLORIDA-VETERINARY-MEDICAL-ASSOCIATION | 21
RABIES VACINATION REPORTING & CONFIDENTIALITY OF A VETERINARIAN’S CLIENT INFORMATION
contained on rabies certificates because County Animal Control Authorities are required to treat this information as proprietary information; as it is not subject to Florida public records inspection. The term “public record” is broadly defined to mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software, or other material, regardless of the physical form, characteristics or means if transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency.
Recently, the FVMA has fielded calls from Florida veterinarians concerned about confidentiality issues when it comes to sharing information that is contained on rabies vaccination certificates. The major concern being that county agencies requiring the submission of rabies vaccination records from veterinarians may be in violation of the state law which protects the confidentiality of patient/owner information contained in those records. The Florida Statute that applies to the issuing of rabies vaccination certificates is 823.30 F.S. The statute is explicit and leaves no question as to the veterinarian’s responsibility to issue a rabies vaccination certificate to the animal’s owner, as well as animal control. 828.30 Rabies vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets.— also spells out the form of the certificate, as well as the particular information required to be provided on such certificates. On the other hand, 823.30 F.S. goes on to “exempt” certain information provided to the animal control authority that is contained on rabies vaccination certificates from Florida’s Public Records Act (ch. 119 F. S., first enacted in 1967) and the “government-in-the-sunshine” constitutional amendment, which was enacted in 1992 [Article 1, s. 24(a) of the State Constitution]. Owners’ information, specifically their name, street address, phone number, and animal tag number, contained on rabies vaccination certificates, is considered and treated as confidential. Members of the public are denied access to this information 22 | FVMA ADVOCATE
The Florida Supreme Court has interpreted the above definition to encompass all materials made or received by an agency in connection with official business which are used to perpetuate, communicate or formalize knowledge. All such materials are open for public inspection unless they are made “exempt.” Because of this “exemption” some member veterinarians have expressed discomfort to the FVMA when they are asked to provide animal control authority with rabies vaccinations certificates. The FVMA is always swift to advise members they must comply with the requirements of the law and submit the information required by county animal control. Animal control authorities meanwhile, are required by the law to keep the owners’ personal information that are contained on the certificates confidential by virtue of the “exempt” status of this information.
RECENT FVMA ACTION
It was recently brought to the attention of the FVMA, that a local county authority on Florida’s west coast had released proprietary rabies vaccination information. To immediately address the matter, the FVMA directed its legal counsel to send letters to that local authority and the county government, to inform them of their violation of the Public Records Act, and continues to monitor that agency's compliance. The FVMA continues to be diligent in monitoring developments in the local communities that affect the practice of veterinary medicine, and encourages members to promptly notify the Association when they see violations of the laws and
rules governing the practice of veterinary medicine in our state.
BACKGROUND
The Language at Section 929.30(5) F.S., relating to rabies vaccination certificates passed the Legislature as House Bill 1139, and subsequently became Chapter 98-213, Laws of Florida on May 24, 1998. The statute was reviewed five years later and reenacted by the Legislature in 2003, with strong advocacy from the FVMA. It provides for any information contained in a rabies vaccination certificate, provided to an animal control authority that would identify the owner or a vaccinated animal, to be confidential and exempt from the Public Records. However certain exceptions to the exemption are allowed, such as information can be provided to the physician of, or any person who has been bitten scratched, or otherwise exposed to a zoonotic disease. Additional exceptions are provided for any person with an animal’s tag number. These individuals may receive vaccination certificate information with regard to that particular animal, as can federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as prosecutorial agencies, other animal control authorities, emergency and medical response, disease control, or other governmental healthy agencies. This information is provided in order to control the transmission of rabies. Additionally, anyone who makes a written request may see or copy an individual certificate, or a copy of a database if the animal owner’s name, street address, phone number, and the animal tag number are redacted.
NASPHV Rabies Vaccination Certificate is available online at www.nasphv.org.
The statue also requires the veterinarian to provide the following information on the rabies vaccination certificate: • License number of the administering veterinarian • Name, address, and phone number of the veterinarian and owner • Date of vaccination • Expiration date of the vaccination • Species, age, sex, color, breed, weight, and name of the animal vaccinated • Rabies vaccine manufacturer • Vaccine lot number and expiration date • Type and brand of vaccine used • Route of administration of the vaccine • Signature or signature stamp of the licensed veterinarian S. 828.30(3) F.S. prescribes the form of the rabies vaccination certificate. It specifies that animal control authority and the veterinarian “shall” use the rabies vaccination certificate of the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) or an equivalent form approved by the local government that contains all the information required by the NASPHV Rabies Vaccination Certificate. At the below web link, you may find and download statute 828.30 F. S. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_ String=&URL=0800-0899/0828/Sections/0828.30.html
RABIES VACCINATION CERTIFICATE
Push to Print Form
NASPHV FORM 51 (revised 2007)
Push to Reset Form
RABIES TAG # Owner's Name & Address LAST FIRST
Print Clearly M.I.
MICROCHIP # TELEPHONE #
NO.
STREET
CITY
SPECIES Dog Cat Ferret Other:
AGE
PREDOMINENT BREED PREDOMINANT COLORS/MARKINGS
SIZE Months Under 20 lbs. Years 20 - 50 lbs. SEX Male Over 50 lbs. Female (specify) Neutered Animal Control License 1 Yr 3 Yr Other DATE VACCINATED Product Name: Month / Day / Year NEXT VACCINATION DUE BY: Month / Day / Year
WWW.FVMA.ORG |
Manufacturer:
ZIP
ANIMAL NAME Veterinarian's Name: License Number:
(First 3 letters)
1 Yr USDA Licensed Vaccine 3 Yr USDA Licensed Vaccine 4 Yr USDA Licensed Vaccine Initial dose
STATE
Veterinarian's Signature
Address:
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PRACTICE GOT A QUESTION? THE FVMA CAN HELP.
One of the benefits of membership in the FVMA is our Helpline, (800) 992-3862, available to members daily, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Our Helpline also provides insight to the FVMA staff, of the challenges and concerns of our members. In this feature we will highlight topics from the questions we received in preceding weeks, in an effort to keep our members up-to-date on current concerns as well as regulatory and legislative changes.
QUESTION:
What legal options do I have to recoup costs from a nonprofit company? My present situation is that a certain non-profit is ignoring my efforts to collect thousands of dollars owed to my practice. A: A 501(c)3 company has no special protection from the collection process. You should proceed with your normal collection process to collect debt from this company. You may also consider cutting off services to this client until past due debt has been paid. This is a business decision you would need to make. If you are not working with a collection company, as an FVMA member, a benefit we provide is the service of a collection company, I.C. Systems, which offers members a discounted rate. You may find the below information useful. I.C. Systems Avoid bad debt and improve cash flow! A national leader in accounts receivable, collections and avoidance. In addition to collecting outstanding accounts, they will train your staff and put in place their administrative system to prevent future receivable problems. Call 800‐279‐3511.
QUESTION:
If a client comes in requesting a blood draw on their pet to take away to another lab, is this legal? Is it ok to send the client away with their pet’s blood? A: We are not aware of any prohibition of this. Assuming that there is no concern that the blood may contain something that would be toxic or communicable to humans, which would then place it in the category of a biohazardous substance, we see no problem.
26 | FVMA ADVOCATE
QUESTION:
If a hospital employee works at a client's house, providing pet sitting and/or nursing services, does the hospital have any liability? Technicians on my staff visit the homes of our critical cases to provide nursing care, and I would like to know if we have any exposure.
A: The simple answer is yes. The technician is acting as the agent of the hospital. This is no different than someone driving a Fed Ex truck. Fed Ex gets sued when there is an accident. The negligence of the agent is imputed to the principal (employer). This principle is known as "respondeat superior" in the law of negligence. The hospital’s insurance contract should provide coverage for this.
QUESTION:
If someone brings in a dog that is microchipped to my facility, and the dog is microchipped to a different owner, what am I legally obligated to do? Contact the registered owner of the microchip and return the dog to them? Does the dog at that point belong to the registered microchip owner or the person in possession of the dog? A: The purpose of microchipping a dog is to reunite the dog with its owner in the event the dog is lost. In the vast majority of cases, the dog will be found under circumstances that show the dog is lost or abandoned, and animal control will do the "wanding" of the dog to detect a microchip and contact the owner. A legitimate VCP relationship is established when the client brings the patient to the vet, arranges for treatment, and assumes the financial responsibility for same. When that happens, the person is now your client. You now have a duty to maintain that relationship as confidential. So, if you contact the "microchip owner" without authorization from your client, you are breaching your duty to your client to maintain confidentiality.
There are 4 possible reasons why a dog microchipped to person A is now under the control of person B. a) A could have sold the dog to B. b) A could have given the dog to B. c) A lost the dog and B found it and took it in as his/her own. d) B stole the dog from A.
This is one of those questions that we feel obliged to say that it seems to be a bad idea all around. The practice of veterinary medicine is limited to animals, not humans. Even though the staff may agree to have their blood drawn, there might still be a problem which could bring issues of liability into play.
In 3 of the 4 above scenarios, B has done nothing wrong. Dogs do not come with a certificate of title like vehicles. One can have paperwork showing purchase from a pet store or breeder, records from a previous vet, AKC registration or other documents that tend to demonstrate ownership, but the absence of such is not proof of non-ownership. Under the law, the greatest indication of ownership over personal property is possession. In the absence of any other factor that would indicate the client is not the rightful owner (i.e. fliers in the neighborhood describing the dog as lost), you have no legal obligation to contact the microchip owner.
How can I obtain my DEA Registration?
QUESTION:
Ethically speaking, you can talk to your client and tell them that the dog was “wanded” and a microchip registered to another person popped up. You then tell the client that clarification as to ownership for insurance/ risk management purposes, (as treating an animal without the consent of the owner can open you up to liability), is as simple as the client telling you that they bought or received the dog as a gift from the microchip registered owner.
A: To obtain a DEA registration, a practitioner must apply using a DEA Form-224. Applicants may submit the form by hard copy or on-line. Complete instructions accompany the form. To obtain the application, DEA may be contacted at: • • •
www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov (DEA Diversion Internet Web Site) any DEA field office DEA Headquarters’ Registration Section in Washington, D.C. at 1-800-8829539 (Registration Call Center)
The DEA Form-224 may be completed on-line or in hard copy and mailed to: Drug Enforcement Administration Registration Unit Central Station P.O. Box 28083 Washington, D.C. 20038-8083
QUESTION:
Some technicians in a practice have had rabies vaccinations in the past and the veterinarian would like to send off vaccine titers from those staff members. Can a veterinarian or another technician draw blood on another human veterinary staff member and then send the blood sample to a lab? A: Phlebotomists do not require a license. In human medicine, although there is no license requirement, there are regulations that require clinics using phlebotomists to ensure that they have been certified.
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END NOTE:
The ultimate responsibility in the practice of veterinary medicine lies with the licensed veterinarian. Professional discretion must always be exercised.
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Florida Practice Listings! North Florida– Solo Dr. small animal, 2015 gross $831k, Well established, well equipped, well staffed. Prx. & RE. owner motivated...priced to sell. West Coast– 24 hr. E-clinic & Specialty Prx. 2015 gross $2.5mm MRI, CT, Hyperbaric chamber, and more. Central Florida.– 1 Dr. Prx + RE 2015 gross $830K, digital Xray & In house lab, great staff. Great opportunity! North Central Fl.– Solo Dr. small animal, $360k gross with only 27 hour week. Great 1st practice for young Dr. or Dr. that just wants to work part time. Equine Practice-Central Fl.—Solo Dr. Equine Practice. Office, 2 trucks, well equipped, experienced staff, 2015 gross $450K. New-N.E. Florida– Solo Dr. Prx + RE, grossed $503k in 2015. Only 7 miles from the Atlantic Ocean on the outskirts of a rapidly growing beach community. 2400 sq. ft. office w/2 exam rooms and room to expand. Buyer Representation…...Valuations…...Exit Strategies
Contact Dr. Richard Alker for further practice information.
850.814.9962 or Richard@tpsgsales.com Showcase Properties of Central Florida, Broker
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS RELIEF VETERINARIANS
RSVP (RELIEF SERVICES FOR VETERINARY PRACTITIONERS) is seeking veterinarians for full time, part time and sporadic relief work in the state of Florida. Moonlighters are welcome! Choose when and where you work, for premium pay! For more information or to apply, please visit www.reliefvet.com or call 800-256-4078. (Exp. Issue 5 & 6/15, 1-4/16; 3041)
RELIEF/ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN NORTH PORT FL: Full service small animal exclusive clinic seeking part time/relief or the right associate for long term. Full in house chemistry, digital radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, dental, surgical suite, class 4 therapeutic laser, CO2 surgical laser. We have an excellent, helpful, dedicated staff, and great clientele. We are located 30 minutes from beautiful Siesta Key beach as well as Boca Grande. For more information please contact Dr. Kris Minnich at toledobladeanimalclinic@yahoo.com. (Exp. Issue 3/16; 2827)
ASSOCIATES WANTED
JOIN A THRIVING PRACTICE IN A QUAINT OCEAN-SIDE COMMUNITY ON CENTRAL FLORIDA'S EAST COAST. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who has three to five years of well-rounded clinical experience who has an interest in assuming overseeing the operation of a well respected and established dog and cat practice. There are three emergency/overnight care facilities and two specialty referral centers close by which makes this a professionally fulfilling position that allows free weekends and evenings to enjoy the beach and all the area has to offer. In addition, salary and benefits make this a wonderful opportunity for the right person to settle into
28 | FVMA ADVOCATE
and enjoy a great place to work and live. Resumes may be e-mailed to docothebay75@hotmail.com or along with additional material for consideration mailed to Robert Leonard, DVM, 372 North Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32169 (Exp. Issue 3/16; 14146) THE SHELTON VETERINARY CLINICS FAMILY IS LOOKING FOR A FULL-TIME VETERINARIAN. We are a three location practice with hospitals in Elkton, Bunnell and Interlachen with an additional five well-equipped mobile units. We are a roughly 80-20 mixed animal practice with an emphasis on small animal cases. The bulk of large animal is equine though we also see cows, sheep, goats and more. Our facility has all the bells and whistles including digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy, in-house lab, haul in working facilities and more. We are looking for a practitioner who enjoys practicing large and small animal medicine with bulk of the caseload being small animal. Our veterinarians are on a rotating on-call schedule to allow a more flexible work/life schedule. We offer a generous compensation and benefits package including PTO, CE, 401k, Medical, and more. Please email Dr. Gary Shelton at gshelton@vetcor.com (Exp. Issue 3/16; 3894) VETERINARIAN NEEDED FOR SMALL ANIMAL GROUP IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. We are well equipped with ultrasound, in house labs, surgical and therapeutic lasers, dental x-rays and a great staff to help you. New graduates considered. Compensation based on experience. Email centralfloridavets@yahoo.com (Exp. Issue 3/16; 17580) FULL-TIME VETERINARIAN WANTED : We are seeking a veterinarian to join our team. 4-day work week, great benefits and competitive salary. Our veterinary team rotates duties of morning public spay/neuter surgeries, outpatient wellness appointments, and
afternoon minor elective surgeries. We welcome new graduates as well as experienced veterinarians. Please if you are interested, go to petallianceorlando.org to complete an application or email our Clinic Director, Dr. Nanea Morris at drmorris@petallianceorlando.org (Exp. Issue 3/16; 20125) POSITION FOR 2ND VETERINARIAN: Part or full-time. We have digital xray, ultrasound, digital dental xray, in house lab, class 4 therapeutic laser, etc. Additionally, my vet nurses are fantastic! My clinic is located in a very affluent area of south Florida. Wonderful clients! Great work atmosphere. New or recent grads are welcome to apply. We are closed weekends and holidays. No on call. We are five minutes from the beautiful Jupiter beaches. Please peruse our website, www.TequestaVeterinaryClinic.com. Personality counts! Email resume to joisuttondvm@yahoo.com (Exp. Issue 3/16; 8931)
EMERGENCY VETERINARIAN WANTED FOR STATE-OF-THEART MULTI-SPECIALTY & EMERGENCY HOSPITAL located on the SW coast between Ft. Myers and Naples. Our specialties include Internal Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, and Cardiology. Our specialists and emergency clinicians meet twice daily for comprehensive patient rounds and specialists are available to ER after hours. A competitive compensation and benefits package is available for the right individual. Interested candidates please contact Dr. Wendy Arsenault at 239992-8387 or warsenault@swfvs.com. Visit us on the web at www.SWFVS.com. (Exp. Issue 3 & 4/16; 1365)
ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN OPPORTUNITY: Small animal clinic with 3 veterinarians is currently seeking another associate Veterinarian to join our expanding team! We believe that pets are part of the family and we treat each and every animal with kindness and respect from birth to their final hours. We are looking for a strong veterinarian that can work independently, practices high quality medicine and is comfortable in surgery. Our facility is very unique and comfortable. Exam rooms overlook the pool where we do physical therapy and over the canal (we are accessible by boat or by car!). We are located in sunny SW Florida. If you are the right person for the job, then please let us know…Email resume to: ewvcc@ewvcc.net (Exp. Issue 3/16; 1377) SPANISH TRAIL VETERINARY HOSPITAL IS LOOKING TO HIRE AN EXPERIENCED FULL TIME ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN. We are a well-established AAHA accredited practice located in Pensacola, Florida. We have a beautiful facility that is equipped with digital x-ray, in house IDEXX laboratory, complete anesthetic monitoring equipment, ultrasonic dental machine, and fully equipped surgical suite. We also have a state of the art luxury boarding facility attached to the hospital that is fully staffed. Spanish Trail takes pride in practicing high quality medicine and also going above and beyond to provide excellent customer service. Our staff is long standing, well trained, and participates in weekly continuing education. We are looking for a veterinarian that excels with client communication, is hard working, practices high quality medicine, and willing to go above and beyond to give their patients and clients the best care possible. Salary Information: Open Contact: liz@spanishtrailvethospital.com (Exp. Issue 3/16; 25604) SMALL ANIMAL MOBILE PRACTICE SEEKS ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN –PASCO COUNTY FL! Full time Associate Veterinarian needed at growing Mobile Veterinary Hospital group in Pasco County, Florida, with caring, well trained staff to work with and assist you. New Grads welcome. Noah’s is a 2 doctor, exclusively small animal practice. We have CX digital x-ray, DX digital dental x-ray, ultrasound, catalyst chemistry and esu. Operating 2 Dodgen mobile units and just purchased a third mobile unit from LaBoit! Work alongside an experienced CVT. Surgical skills include spaying, castration, radiology, soft tissue and dental surgery. We see 6 to 8 clients a day - many with several pets! Your hours would be 8 AM to 6 PM 4 days a week, Monday thru Friday, no weekends or after hour emergencies. Contact John Bridenstine at (813) 484-6939 or e-mail resume to john@noahsmobile.com (Exp. Issue 3/16; 33947) PT OR FT ASSOCIATE NEEDED. Experienced applicants with competent surgical and people skills and low boiling point! Base
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pay plus commission, retirement, group medical, paid vacays and holidays, many toys: digital rads, complete in-house Idexx lab, ultrasound with color doppler, K laser, photomicroscopy, new dentalaire unit, new surgical suite, tenured and very competent (delightfully twitchy) staff, no emergency duty, close enough to Tampa to enjoy the arts, Clearwater to enjoy the beach and far enough from the crazy of big city life. Great client base. Low key but high quality practice. Email resumes to hickdoc@aol.com. Westside Animal Clinic Spring HIll Florida (Exp. Issue 3/16; 28184) ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN WANTED. Great sense of humor and a passion that cannot be stopped are musts! We are expanding our clinic to include more wellness/sick animal care for our community, in addition to our HQHV Humane Alliance Model spay/neuter clinic. We have many great programs for the community that require more than one Veterinarian. Generous compensation package including 401(k), CE allowance, and vacation. Please contact Dr. Julie Hollifield at juliehdvm@gmail.com or Terri Romano at Terri@humanesocietymanatee.org. (Exp. Issue 3/16; 5647) VETERINARIAN AT PROGRESSIVE TAMPA PRACTICE WITH SIGN ON BONUS: Westchase Veterinary and Emergency Center located in sunny Tampa, FL is looking for an Associate DVM to join our progressive practice! We are a well-established, full-service, small animal veterinary hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care. Established in 2004, Westchase is home to 4 full time veterinarians, 1 board certified surgeon, and a knowledgeable staff. We are an extremely progressive clinic with eyes on growing even more so in the near future. We offer an in-house laboratory, surgical laser, ultrasound, digital whole body and dental radiology, and so much more. We also work with some exotics. Our perfect candidate will have at least a year of practice experience and will exhibit strong community leadership while providing a passionate and caring hand to our neighborhood friends. Strong surgical and dental experience is preferred. Experience with exotics is a plus. Please send resumes to jobs@vetrecruiting.com (Exp. Issue 3/16; 2833) FULL TIME ASSOCIATE OR RELIEF VETERINARIAN NEEDED at a busy Veterinary Hospital in Lakeland, Florida. We are well equipped with in house labs, ultrasound, digital x-ray, surgical and therapeutic lasers. We are fully staffed with friendly and dedicated employees. Please, communicate by asking for Rhonda, using the office phone 863-8599485. Or email irelanvet@gmail.com., or 863-398-6182 cell phone. (Exp. Issue 3/16; 28422) ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN WANTED - OCALA, FL: Town & Country Animal Hospital is a multi-doctor small animal hospital located in Ocala, Florida. We practice in a 6500 sq. ft. beautiful facility with 7 exam rooms. Our hospital is equipped with a full IDEXX in-house lab, digital radiography, digital dental radiography, endoscopy, Tonopen, Doppler blood pressure and Toshiba Doppler ultrasound. Our practice routinely work-up and treat many challenging medicine, surgery and dental cases. We have an amazing team of well trained client care specialists, technical and assistant staff as well as a full time practice manager. We strive to provide caring, competent and cutting edge care and maintain a robust well-care program. Check out our website at www.bestocalavet.com Requirements: US Residents Only. Current DVM state license. Experienced team player with high ethical values. Must be able to work in a fast paced setting while practicing quality medicine. Two or more years practicing experience preferred. Salary is based on production, with total compensation equal to 25% of production. Email: Jennifer.tcah@gmail.com (Exp. Issue 3/16; 10780) PROGRESSIVE MULTI-DOCTOR PRACTICE SEEKS A FULLTIME VETERINARIAN. Join us and love being a doctor! Enjoy unparalleled benefits and pay, work life balance, flexible schedule, strong mentorship, quality leadership, growth opportunities and all the toys to do your job well. Phenomenal environment for new grads. www.vetcaretampa.com . Send resume to andrea.johnson@legacyvet.net. (Exp. Issue 3/16; 34504)
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FLORIDA-VETERINARY-MEDICAL-ASSOCIATION | 29
EOAH IS SEEKING A VETERINARIAN FOR AN AAHA ACCREDITED PRACTICE: East Orlando Animal Hospital is seeking a self-motivated and experienced Veterinarian to add to our team! We are currently a five doctor AAHA accredited practice, focusing on internal medicine and preventative care. Our goal is always to provide the highest level of patient care by combining clinical excellence with a compassionate approach to client service. We strive to offer a fun and friendly work environment for our veterinarians and staff that stresses camaraderie and teamwork, while also encouraging individual achievement. East Orlando Animal Hospital is a family of professionals that focus on internal medicine, surgery, radiology, behavior, and exotic medicine. Our hospital utilized the services of mobile Cardiologist, Radiologist and Orthopedic surgeons in order to provide our clients the best possible care right here at our facility. We have digital radiology for both dental and general imaging. We also have a class IV cold laser and in house and send out lab services. We take great pride in what we do, and we are looking for candidates who share in our same goals. In addition to our extensive and cutting edge medical services, we offer boarding, grooming, day care and obedience training for our clients. We place a large focus on client education and expect the highest medical care from our staff. We are open seven days a week for the convenience of our clients. For our Veterinarians we offer a comprehensive benefits package including: employee pet benefits, health insurance, 401k and vacation time. While we are open seven days a week there are no on call or over night shifts. Please visit our website at www.eoah.com to see more about our facility and send your resume and curriculum vita to kdickenson@bellsouth.net (Exp. Issue 3/16; 761) ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN WANTED FOR CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY IN FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA. Associate works closely with the Director of Veterinary Services to provide high quality veterinary care for over 250 chimpanzees through a combination of a comprehensive preventative health program, daily monitoring and advanced diagnostics. This is an amazing opportunity for the right person. Requirements:
• Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from accredited University. • Minimum of 5 years experience in a veterinary clinical environment. No primate experience is necessary. We are willing to train. • Florida state veterinary license must be active before starting employment. License expense and continuing education will be paid by STC. Please send resume to jbezner@savethechimps.org (Exp. Issue 3/16; 5300) ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN WANTED: I am looking for a part time associate veterinarian. Working 2-3 days per week in Citrus County. Solo doctor practicePractices that sees small animal, exotics, avian , and Florida for Sale wildlife. Prefer 2-3 years experience with interest in surgery. Willing toNew teach avian Orange & wildlife medicine. a small,Solo tight-knit staff with Listing: Park Bedroom Have Community. doctor, small animal low turnover. Busy but Highway efficient17. practice in need of expansion. practice is located on busy $612K+gross and personal income toNo new owner is projected at $164K. (FL12G) emergencies or weekends. Gwynneth Hall, DVM, Homosassa Animal &New BirdListing: Hospital. Ph: 352-628-4200; Northwest of Tampa. Solosuncoastvet@yahoo.com doctor, small animal, AAHA accredited practice grosses excess of $857K. No emergencies are seen and minimal boarding (Exp. Issue 3/16;in19912) and grooming. The spacious, lush property. Personal income to new owner is projected to exceed $170K! (FL26P)
PRACTICE FOR SALE OR LEASE
Jacksonville. Solo doctor practice, well equipped leased facility on Monument Road.
COLLIER ESTABLISHED SOLO SMALL ANIMAL $675K+grossCOUNTY in 2014. No emergencies or grooming. (FL42J) PRACTICE: Collier County established solo small animal practice Pasco County: Rapidly growing area. $995K+ gross. No Emergencies, grooming or on busy thoroughfare. 5 minutes from beaches. 1000 sq ft leasehold. boarding. Leased facility. (FL10N) Turnkey. Updated Avimark, OSHA, website and Vet source. High net with County. minimal workfacility week! growth potential! Email: Sarasota 4000+SF on Great approximately 1 acre corner lot near up and coming new neighborhood. 2 doctor, small 821) animal practice. $1M+ gross. No veet641@aol.com (Exp. Issue 2 & 3/16; Emergencies. (FL22E)
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY: Profitable and ready for more growth. Sold!sf Charlotte County: clinic Congratulations Dr. Randy & Jodi Hesswell on the 1000 small animal North to Miami FL,Hitesman Good location, sale of Choice Veterinary Service to Dr. Phillip Shaw. (FL14P) maintained leasehold facility on busy highway with reasonable rent high net. Call at (786) 683-9027 (Exp. Issue 2 & 3/16; 28335) 1610 Frederica Road * Saint Simons Island, GA 31522 CLINIC FOR SALE-ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA (one of the Toll Free: 800.333.1984 * www.simmonsinc.com best cities in theEmail: USA). Fully equipped 2 exam rooms; prep/surgery/ southeast@simmonsinc.com with everything you need to start scheduling appointments: laser; Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker anesthesia; surgery tables; pulse oximeters; surgical packs; c-arm fluoroscopy; endoscopes; cbc-chem machines newish; stainless tables
30 | FVMA ADVOCATE
exam autoclave; microscopes; exam lights; surgery lights; ss cages; too much to list. Professional plaza in middle of everything and no other vets for miles. $95,000 727-492-1831 Dr C. (Exp. Issue 3/16; 1410) VETERINARY CLINIC FOR LEASE – POLK COUNTY, FL Ideal starter practice with little investment. Approximately 2,400 sq. ft. Presently set-up as clinic with 9 Shorline cat and 20 Shorline dog cages plus inside runs. Exam & Surgery tables, Client file cabinet, 2 car garage. High traffic area. Ten year lease available. Call (863) 6045959 and ask for Dr. David Saylor. (Exp. Issue 3/16; 3185)
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT FOR SALE IN TAMPA, FLORIDA, call before May 28/16. 3 isoflurane gas anesthesia machines, one with ventilator, shore line S.S. Cages, IV pumps, pulse oximeters, Vet Scan, Vet Scan HMll, Pelton Crane autoclave, surgical light, tables, lift table, exam tables, centrifuge, microscopes, etc.... Please call (813)843-9908 (Exp. Issue 3/16; 6575)
X-RAY EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: AFP automatic film processor, holding tanks included, modified for recirculating water, no plumbing hook-up needed, X-ray view box (single), Two 10 x 12 and two 14 x 17 cassettes; also one 10 x 12 "detail cassette", 2 boxes of film (one small, one large), Call 407-414-5508 (Exp. Issue 3/16; 3214) EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: Pulse Oximeter heart rate/oxygen with new transducer ear/tongue bc1 3303 $375 each; Autoclave 4 3/4” x 11” heat seal view pack sterilization pouch for tools case of 4 cartons each with 250 = 1000/case $85/case; Bircher electrosurgical unit on wheels bipolar/monopolar $550; Shark Bovie smoke evacuator for lasers/esu on cart 500 ea; Snyder icu 2000 mfg heat cool oxygen cages $2900 digital nice; Zeiss compound microscope $550; Three aluminum cage banks (can hold 4-3-or 2 animals) on wheels top/bottom layers $650/per bank; Quality iv poles $80 each msrp $385; Mobile anesthesia machines for farm calls or back-up uses many sevo iso ethrane halothane many types of gases never used msrp $26000 sell $1400, great farm calls and extra machine. Olympus gif pq20 submersible fiberoptic endoscope 100 cm x 1.0 cm wide, biopsy channel, has broken fibers and/or stained fibers still useful with case $490. Call Dr C: 727-492-1831. (Exp. Issue 3/16; 1410)
Florida Practices for Sale New Listing: Orange Park Bedroom Community. Solo doctor, small animal practice is located on busy Highway 17. $612K+gross and personal income to new owner is projected at $164K. (FL12G) New Listing: Northwest of Tampa. Solo doctor, small animal, AAHA accredited practice grosses in excess of $857K. No emergencies are seen and minimal boarding and grooming. The spacious, lush property. Personal income to new owner is projected to exceed $170K! (FL26P) Jacksonville. Solo doctor practice, well equipped leased facility on Monument Road. $675K+gross in 2014. No emergencies or grooming. (FL42J) Pasco County: Rapidly growing area. $995K+ gross. No Emergencies, grooming or boarding. Leased facility. (FL10N) Sarasota County. 4000+SF facility on approximately 1 acre corner lot near up and coming new neighborhood. 2 doctor, small animal practice. $1M+ gross. No Emergencies. (FL22E) Sold! Charlotte County: Congratulations to Dr. Randy Hitesman & Jodi Hess on the sale of Choice Veterinary Service to Dr. Phillip Shaw. (FL14P)
1610 Frederica Road * Saint Simons Island, GA 31522 Toll Free: 800.333.1984 * www.simmonsinc.com Email: southeast@simmonsinc.com Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
UR PR C TIC L YO L E E and keep YOUR name, S YOUR team, YOUR culture and medical direction. ’ll take care of the rest!
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Florida - Practices for Sale!
Brevard County – Vet Start-Up or other Professional! +3,500sf w/RE. 9exam rooms, 2-private offices. On main e/w highway. FL85. Brevard County - Great Location! Owner Entertaining All Offers. Profitable, +1,800sf SA w/2-exam rooms. Leasehold. FL83. Charlotte County - Huge Growth Potential! +1,300sf SA in busy shopping plaza. 2-exam rooms and well-equipped. FL80. Hillsborough County - A Start-Up Dream! +18,000sf kennel w/3+ acres. Potential to add vet services. Upscale Clientele. FL79. Indian River County - Feline! +1,765sf beautiful leasehold facility on busy highway. Well-organized, Turn-Key – Must See! FL84. Martin County - Atlantic Treasure Coast! +1,600sf AAHA SA in upscale plaza, minutes to beach. 2-exam rooms. Well-equipped. FL81. Pinellas County – Feline! +2,400sf w/RE, prime location. 2-exam rooms & rental income. Gross income +$620K w/Est. ADI+$167K.FL86. Sarasota County - Holistic & Conventional Medicine! +1,350sf leased facility w/2-exam rooms. 4-day work week! Strong Growth. FL87. Other Practices Available: Arizona, 3-California, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, 2-Michigan, 2-Missouri, 2-Montana, 3-North Carolina, Pennsylvania & Texas.
HELPING PRACTICES THRIVE
call or email Dan Gavis to learn more 617.901.0044 / dgavis@vetcor.com www.vetcor.com
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“Couldn’t have... or wouldn’t have wanted to do it without you!� ~ Dr. Susan Brosman Get a personal touch with your practice sale. Call for a complimentary consultation today and receive non-corporate service with trusted PSA advisor, Rebecca Robinson, CBI.
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