California's proposed tax on veterinary care draws fire

National Report — Veterinarians are protesting a state proposal to tax veterinary services in California. Hundreds of letters were sent to the California Veterinary Medical Association. Currently, only three other states tax veterinary services — Hawaii, New Mexico and South Dakota, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Tax breaks in the bailout bill

Talk about last-minute changes in tax laws that will affect veterinarians.

Financial crisis: little impact to practice sales, loans

The economic downturn has had little effect so far on the buying and selling of veterinary practices.

Bringing the past to life: 6 practices preserving veterinary heritage

When Sandusky, Ohio, veterinarian Dr. Michael E. Metroka commemorated his practice's 75th anniversary in February, he had reasons to believe it might be the nation's oldest that has operated continuously "within the same four walls."

An emerging occupational threat?

United Kingdom — Veterinarians' suicide rate is proportionally four times that of the general population and twice that of other health professionals, studies show.

Photo: Kristofer Dan-Bergman/Getty Images

Performing surgery on a camel — and helping one's fellow man

The sun was shining and, although January in Jordan can be surprisingly cold, the dry climate always seems to ease the winter bite. We were up bright and early as the desert sun shone brightly over the port of Aqaba, Jordan. The five us were about to have the farm call of our lives.

Weak medicine?

Washington — Dr. Michael Blackwell isn't ungrateful. But the $500,000 grants tied to the U.S. Senate's version of the Veterinary Public Health Workforce Expansion Act, passed in July, will do little to add seats to the University of Tennessee's (UT) veterinary program. Such funds fall short of expanding even one classroom, and neglect the public's need for more DVMs, the veterinary college dean explains.

Commentary: Gender gap is everyone's concern

Worcester, Mass. — In 1992, I graduated from veterinary school and began job hunting. I searched through journal ads and mailed out resumes. When I called one clinic to make sure they had received my resume, the clinic owner picked up the phone. What he said astounded me.

It's never too early to plan for ownership of a veterinary practice

When I speak to veterinary students or new graduates, the topic of an eventual practice purchase often comes up.