Compounded Animal Drugs Survey

Dear Colleagues,

The Food and Drug Administration is in the process of revising the rules under which compounding pharmacies operate.  Some of their suggested changes may adversely affect the ability of our members in “non-domestic animal medicine” to practice quality medicine.  The AAZV will be attending a small stakeholders meeting with the FDA in Washington on 15 or 16 July, and we want to have as much useful information as we can for the meeting.  With coaching by the AVMA’s Washington based Government Relations Division, we have developed a survey for veterinarians who practice zoo, wildlife, aquatic, avian and exotic animal medicine. 

You may view the survey by following this link:
http://www.aazv.org/surveys/?id=CompoundedAnimalDrugs

 We have three specific requests.  

1. Many of our colleagues are members of more that one association, so they might be invited to take the survey by more than one group.  We ask that people only take the survey once.
2. We must cut the survey off on 14 July so we can compile all of the data.  
3. The U.S. FDA is only concerned about practices in the United States and its territories. If you are not practicing in the United States, please refrain from taking the survey.

The survey is in the public section of the AAZV Web site, so non-members of AAZV may take the survey.

We thank you for your immediate attention to this pressing issue.  

Robert Hilsenroth, DVM
Executive Director
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
rhilsenrothaazv@aol.com
(904)225-3275 

Bill Medway Fund

The Medway Fund is part of the IAAAM 501(c)3, so all or part of your donation is tax deductible. The fund is still in need of donations to support student research. Please click on the DONATE tab under Education on the main IAAAM website to donate. 

Scientists name new species of cetacean: The Australian humpback dolphin (ScienceDaily.com)

"Scientists examining a taxonomically confused group of marine mammals have officially named a species new to science: the Australian humpback dolphin, Sousa sahulensis, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society and Clymene Enterprises."

Click here for the rest of the story...

Revised of Killer Whale Necropsy Protocol Available

Since the original killer whale necropsy and disease testing protocol was drafted 2004, considerable advances have been made in defining pathologic processes in stranded killer whales and assessing their potential impact on individual and population health.  Case definitions for forensic investigations have been refined and special studies to assess the impact of sound on ear ultrastructural anatomy have been developed.  These protocols will be invaluable with suspect blast or sonar related strandings.  The killer whale necropsy and tissue sampling protocol was updated to reflect these scientific advancements, further refine and standardize tissue sample collection and identify research personal who may assist with stranding incidents.  

The protocol is available for download at: http://www.seadocsociety.org/?s=killer+whale+necropsy

2013 IAAAM Business Meeting Minutes

Please take a moment to read over the 2013 IAAAM business meeting minutes prior to the 2014 IAAAM Business Meeting as you will be asked to approve them if correct.

Click here to access the minutes.

Student Travel Award Winners for 2014 IAAAM Conference

The IAAAM Executive Board and Student Liaison Committee would like to congratulate the following recipients of the 2014 Student Travel Award:

• Kathrine Edgar - Alaska Sealife Center
• Jason Ferrante - University of Florida
• Greg Frankfurter -  The Marine Mammal Center
• Kelsey Seitz – University of California Davis
• Jessica Weeks - University of Florida  
• Laura Thompson – University of Connecticut

Online Amphibian Medicine Tutorial Videos

John M. Sykes IV, DVM, DACZM, Senior Veterinarian for the Zoological Health Program, Wildlife Conservation Society in New York, has released a series of on-line amphibian medicine tutorials on YouTube.

Each short 10-15 min video is designed to provide basic background information in various topics of amphibian medicine. The tutorials are available in 3 languages- English, Spanish, and French. The material is generally designed for use by veterinarians, but the information will be helpful to anyone involved in ex situ amphibian conservation programs. The tutorials are designed as an introduction, rather than a complete summary of all topics regarding amphibian medicine, and additional resources are listed in each tutorial.

Tutorials can be viewed as a stand-alone course, but will also be helpful for reviewing concepts taught at various amphibian husbandry and medicine workshops given around the world by organizations such as the AZA and the Amphibian Ark.

Link to the Amphibian Tutorial You Tube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaOhxmTP7asO5zyZQwYzh-A/videos

Easy to use playlists:

English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz64nOs452I&feature=share&list=PLVDi5N401GbHJe_8gfER06P6AfM1uRWU3

Español: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBmfllzu4cw&list=PLVDi5N401GbFbEQHocZRjnhW7utsjiOEN&feature=share

Français: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPQe6Ghnp3w&feature=share&list=PLVDi5N401GbEVEEqzMqqvJiL-3Tm_fP_o

If you find errors, or have problems viewing the videos, please contact Dr. Sikes at jsykes@wcs.org

Perplexing Spike in Dolphin Deaths Hits Atlantic Coast

Since the beginning of July, more than 100 dolphins have washed up dead along the U.S. East Coast, from New York to Virginia. No one knows why, or whether the deaths are connected.

Original Story Link 

Fin Whale Stranding in Northern California

A 42-foot-long fin whale was stranded alive on a beach just north of San Francisco and died shortly there after. This stranding gave scientists a rare opportunity to perform a necropsy on a fresh fin whale carcass.

Original Story Link 

New ACVPM Diplomates

Congratulations to the following IAAAM members on passing the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine Board Exam and becoming Diplomates:

• Jennifer Boonstra
• Stephen Cassle
• Robert Kim
• Scott Willens