IVMA
Communiqué 
"Serving veterinarians for the benefit of animal and human health"
February 6, 2018
In This Issue
Dates to Remember
February 14-15
IVMA Winter Conference

February 28
Legislative Day

March 1
IVMA/SAVMA Wellness Meeting
 
For more information on any of these events visit www.iowavma.org.

   
There is Still Time to Join us in Altoona!
   
It's not too late to register! Get a head start on  your CE for the next licensing period!

Register online at  www.iowavma.org, call the IVMA office at 800-369-9564 or send in the registration form found in the book you received in the mail.   
 
Deadline for Special Hotel Rate Extended!  
If you plan on spending the night in Altoona, Prairie Meadows Hotel still has rooms available at a reduced rate for the conference. The cutoff date for the reduced rate has been extended to February 10.

Use the link below or call 515-957-3000 and use group code 020618IAV_001 to book  your room. 
 
The IVMA is excited to announce the addition of the IVMA Winter Conference App!
Download the App on your phone and you will be able to:
  • View the session schedules
  • Create your own schedule with your preferred sessions
  • View bios of session speakers
  • Get more information about vendors and sponsors
  • Connect to other conference attendees
  • View a map of the convention space
Download the YAPP app on your smartphone.
Enter the Yapp ID Code: "IOWAVMA"
Contact the IVMA office if you need assistance- we're here to help!
New Veterinary Diagnostic Lab Priority for 2018 Legislative Session
Proposed new VDL.
A priority for the IVMA during this year's Legislative Session is funding of the new Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (VDL) at Iowa State University.  The IVMA is working with ISU to educate legislators about the need for a new VDL and the impact the VDL has on Iowa's economy.

A study conducted by Iowa State University researchers found the VDL provides an 8-to-1 return on investment for taxpayers in a normal year and a 31-to-1 return on investment in emergency years.

This study is valuable information for persuading legislators to invest in the new VDL.  The funding would come from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF) with is funded primarily through gaming revenue. Read more about the VDL study here.
 
You Can Help!
Share this study with your legislator and encourage them to support funding of the new VDL.  Join in at IVMA Legislative Day or contact your legislator through calls, emails, letters or visits. If you need help, feel free to call the IVMA office or our Legislative Council, Carney & Appleby at 515-282-6803.
Join the Cause at Legislative Day 2018 
 
   
SAVMA/IVMA Wellness Meeting March 1
 
Don't Brush it off - February is National Pet Dental Health Month
February is a great time to remind your clients the importance of proper dental health for their pets and its link to overall good pet health.
 
Here are several ideas of how to promote dental care in your clinic:
  • Run a special in your clinic for dental cleanings during February;
  • Spread the word on social media about National Pet Dental Health Month and include tips on how to brush pets' teeth;
  • Print and display the free clinic flyer about Pet Dental care found on the AVMA's website (link below);
  • Hand out the Pet Dental Care Brochure available at the AVMA website (link below).
Visit the AVMA National Pet Dental Health month website for more ideas to make sure those pets' teeth stay pearly white.  
Comments sought: Model Veterinary Practice Act
The AVMA's Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA) is under review, and AVMA members and the general public have an opportunity to comment until March 25.

This cornerstone AVMA policy is used as a primary resource during the writing and review of veterinary practice acts across the United States, and also includes the AVMA's definition of the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship. Your review and comments will help inform a policy that directly impacts the daily practice of veterinary medicine.

We encourage you to review and provide input on the draft revisions , and also to tell interested colleagues about this open commenting period.
 
  The IVMA Communiqué is published bi-monthly by the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association.
1605 N. Ankeny Blvd Suite 110
Ankeny, IA 50023
515-965-9237 or Toll Free 800-369-9564
Visit our Website at www.iowavma.org