We Need YOU at Legislative Day

Each year, the IVMA sponsors IVMA Legislative Day to advocate for legislation that is important to Iowa veterinarians. This event allows IVMA members from around the state to visit the Capitol to talk directly with Iowa legislators.

We need YOU to help make a strong showing of veterinarians. During this event you will represent the veterinary profession, deepen your understanding of the policymaking process and help shape future legislation.

This year's Legislative Day will take place on Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00 am with a breakfast for legislators at the Iowa Capitol. A virtual Pre-Legislative Day Orientation for attendees will take place on Thursday, February 16 at 6:00 pm. A link to this meeting will be sent to all Legislative Day registrants.

Register for Legislative Day online at www.iowavma.org or call the IVMA office at 800-369-9564. There is no cost to attend.

Rural Iowa Veterinary Loan Repayment Program

Applications Open

The Rural Iowa Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program is a program established to address critical veterinarian shortages in rural Iowa communities. Students who are in their final year of a doctor of veterinary medicine degree, and who secure a full-time veterinarian job in rural Iowa during the 2023-24 year (generally, July 2023 – June 2024) can qualify for up to $60,000 in federal student loan repayment benefits paid out over a four-year service obligation.

The application was released on February 1, 2023. More details can be found at https://iowacollegeaid.gov/VeterinarianLoanRepaymentProgram.  

Please inform students in your doctor of veterinary medicine program who might be interested.

Veterinary Mental Health Survey

Students at North Scott High School are conducting a survey on stress factors for veterinarians for a science fair project. They would appreciate your help by completing a confidential survey.

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The survey will close on February 28.

Thank you for your help!

Take the Survey.

List of Approved New Animal Drug Applications Affected by GFI #263

Since January 2017, as a result of the successful implementation of Guidance for Industry (GFI) #213, medically important antimicrobials administered in the feed or drinking water of food-producing animals are only available for use through a licensed veterinarian. However, a limited number of other dosage forms (e.g. injectables) of approved medically important antimicrobials remain available over-the-counter (OTC). All new animal drug applications on the list have been identified as medically important antimicrobial drugs that currently remain approved as over-the-counter products.

Read more and view list of drugs.

Dogs with Bladder Cancer needed for Clinical Trail

A clinical trial to investigate if a probiotic can improve outcomes in dogs with bladder cancer is being conducted. This is a placebo-controlled study, and not all dogs will receive the probiotic, but all dogs will receive chemotherapy (vinblastine/piroxicam).

For dogs that meet eligibility criteria and enroll, costs associated with 8 weeks or up to 4 rounds of chemotherapy will be covered by the study.

For more information including edibility requirements, contact one of these institutions:

Ohio State University: go.osu.edu/DogBladderCancer, Email: CVM-ClinicalTrials@osu.edu   Phone: 614-247-8706

NCSU: https://cvm.ncsu.edu/now-enrolling-dogs-with-bladder-cancer/

Email: vmclinicalstudies@ncsu.edu  Phone: 919-515-3634

University of Missouri: https://vhc.missouri.edu/small-animal-hospital/oncology/clinical-trials/current-clinical-trials/

Email: cvmclinicaltrials@missouri.edu Phone: 573-882-7821

IDALS Only Accepting Official CVI Forms

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is aware of electronic, fillable PDF certificates of veterinary inspection (CVI) forms containing the IDALS letterhead that appear to be issued and distributed by IDALS in its official capacity.

However, the only CVI forms that IDALS issues and recognizes as an official IDALS form are those that are purchased in print directly through IDALS. IDALS does not issue nor accept electronic versions of these IDALS forms.

As a matter of clarity, as of March 1, 2023, CVI forms containing the letterhead of IDALS must have been purchased directly through IDALS to be accepted or approved as an IDALS form.

Any questions regarding this matter can be directed to IDALS at 515-281-0866 or e-mail at jeff.kaisand@iowaagriculture.gov.

Federal Grant Program Accepting Applications

The Veterinary Services Grant Program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, is now accepting applications until March 29. The program provides grants to support food animal veterinary services and relieve rural veterinarian shortage situations across the United States. Read more.

Help Spread the word - Feline Fix by Five

February is Feline Fix by Five awareness month! The IVMA has joined the AVMA and other state veterinary associations to endorse Feline Fix by Five.

We’re helping to spread the word about the best time to spay and neuter kittens – BEFORE five months of age! Kittens can be safely spayed or neutered once they are two months (or once they weigh two pounds). And considering kittens as young as four months can become pregnant – it’s never too early! Save lives. Fix by five.

Learn more at felinefixbyfive.org.