DEA Registration - 8 Hour Opioid Training Requirement - Clarification

Notice from AVMA: "It was brought to our attention that a new notification (content pasted below) appearing in DEA registration applications (new or renewals) is causing veterinarians pause. 

This notification regarding training requirements that went into effect June 21, 2023 for prescribers EXCLUDING veterinarians. Veterinarians were exempted in the federal legislation that created these requirements: (B) QUALIFIED PRACTITIONER.—In this subsection, the term ‘qualified practitioner’ means a practitioner who—(i) is licensed under State law to prescribe controlled substances; and (ii) is not solely a veterinarian. DEA has clarified the statement to note that “This excludes Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and the new applications or renewal applications do not require any action.” 

Thank You Dr. Gary Block

RIVMA would like to thank Dr. Gary Block for coordinating the donation program for unused medications. 

Dr. Block was a staunch proponent for initiating the legislation that made this program possible in 2021 (House Bill 6283 and Senate Bill 489) which made it legal for animal owners to donate unused medications for use by nonprofit, state and local facilities.

Dr. Block routinely gathers and inventories the medications and supplies and makes non profit partners aware of what stock is available. We are grateful for his leadership and thankful for his contribution of time to make this possible for our nonprofit partners.

If you are a nonprofit and would like to take part in receiving donations, please reach out to RIVMA at [email protected]. If you are a hospital or clinic that would like to donate unused medications or supplies, please also reach out to RIVMA at [email protected]. 

Rhode Island Veterinary Accreditation Session

RI DEM Division of Agriculture is planning another USDA-RI Virtual Veterinary Accreditation Session for Thursday July 13, 2023 from 10:00 A.M. to Noon.

Rhode Island licensed veterinarians interested in attending should contact

Dr. Scott Marshall, Deputy Chief/ RI State Veterinarian or Dr. Peter B. Belinsky, RI Deputy State Veterinarian.

Salve Regina Seeks Veterinarian to Serve On IACUC

Salve Regina University is seeking a veterinarian to serve on its Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to help uphold the principles of responsible animal research and ensure the ethical treatment and welfare of animals involved in research studies conducted at the University. 

The primary responsibilities of this role include the following:

• Review research project proposals that involve animals to ensure compliance with ethical guidelines, regulatory requirements, and animal welfare standards.
• Provide feedback and guidance to researchers working with animals. 
• Participate in meetings regarding animal research as needed.

It should be noted that very little animal research is conducted at Salve Regina University, so the number of research projects being reviewed would not likely exceed 1-2 projects per year. Thus, serving on Salve’s IACUC will not require a significant time commitment, but it will have a meaningful impact on the animals, faculty, and students involved with the research that does take place. 

If you are interested in this service opportunity or have questions, please contact the IACUC Chair, Dr. Cody Morris, at [email protected] 

or 401.341.7285.

Important Information About Cyanobacteria

(aka Blue-Green Algae) Toxicity in Pets and Livestock

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) would like to remind veterinarians that they should be aware of the threat of cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) toxicity in pets and livestock within the state. Veterinarians who diagnose these toxicities in their patients are often the sentinels who bring awareness of the presence of these toxins to public health and environmental officials so that these officials can take appropriate actions to mitigate the risk of additional toxicity in people and in animals. 

Key points about cyanobacteria: 

• Cyanobacteria produce many toxins with the toxin microcystin being the most common in Rhode Island. 
• Microcystins generally affect the liver. Signs of microcystin toxicity include: nausea, vomiting, icterus, abdominal pain, dark colored urine, inappetance, anorexia, excess drooling, and death. 
• The signs of microcystin toxicity are non-specific and toxicity should be a differential diagnosis in any animal with consistent signs and a history of access to ponds, lakes, or other sources of fresh water. 
• Cyanobacteria can potentially live in any body of fresh water and the presence of microcystins can only be confirmed by laboratory analysis of a water sample. 
• There is no correlation between the appearance of the water (i.e. visible algal scum) and the presence of toxin since significant toxin levels can be present in water that is visibly free of algae. 
• Toxin production can occur at any time of the year as long as the right conditions exist, however, most toxin production occurs as the water temperature rises in the summer and early fall. 
• Microcystin toxicity usually is the result of ingestion by drinking contaminated water, but ingestion can occur from grooming behavior when the animal’s coat has been contaminated. 
• Skin irritation can also occur in pets and livestock that have had contact with toxins, as well as in animal owners who may have handled animals that have toxins on their coats. 
• Treatment of toxicity is supportive, there are no specific antidotes. 

For more information on this topic please go to the following URLs: 

Overview of Cyanobacteria produced by the state of Ohio

RI fact sheet

RI DEM cyanobacteria web page

Please report suspected cases of Blue-Green Algae toxicity to Scott Marshall, DVM the RI State Veterinarian at (401) 222-278 or [email protected] 

Attention RIVMA Practices! We are currently in the process of developing a new CAF website. Therefore, funding balances have not been updated for 2023 on our current site. If you need to check your balance, please email Leslie at [email protected].

Upcoming CE Programs

Connecticut VMA Annual Meeting

Hilton Mystic, CT

Point of Care Ultrasound Wet Lab, Tuesday, October 10

Equine, Small Animal & Technician Programs Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Click Here for more information and registration

Massachusetts VMA Fall CE Conference (In Person)

Saturday, October 28, 2023 – Sunday, October 29, 2023

Sea Crest Beach Hotel, Cape Cod

Click Here for more information and registration

New England Veterinary Conference

September 21-24, 2023

Portland, ME

Click here for more information and registration

The ACVO Vision for Animals Foundation (VAF) will hold their annual fundraiser in conjunction with the ACVO Conference in Boston this year.

The event takes place on Friday, September 22nd, 7 pm - 10 pm, at the House of Blues and features a performance by the Optic Nerds, a band of veterinary ophthalmologists that includes Rhode Island's own Dr. Dan Binder!

All are welcome to attend! Additional information and ticket purchase is available on the VAF website.

Members of the Optic Nerds are: Drs. Chuck Stuhr, Brad Nadelstein, Albert Mughannam, Ian Herring, Dennis Donohue and Dan Binder.

Classified Ads

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! Classified Ads are limited to 50 words or less and will run in two consecutive issues of the RIMA E-Newsletter.

RATES: $25/member, $50/non-member.