FDA seeks input on Web ads about drugs, medical products

Washington -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is asking health-care providers, veterinarians included, to voice their opinions on the regulation of medical products and prescription-drug promotions on the Internet and social networking sites.

FDA opens Reportable Food Registry electronic portal

Washington -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration opened the new Reportable Food Registry (RFR), an electronic portal that food-industry officials are now required to use to alert the FDA when they have reason to believe their products might sicken or kill humans or animals.

Understand the anatomy of state board investigations

Dissecting a state-board investigation can go a long way to easing fear and stress.

New Pa. law allows only DVMs to perform cosmetic surgeries, other procedures

Harrisburg, Pa. -- Gov. Edward Rendell yesterday signed into law a measure permitting only veterinarians to perform ear cropping and tail docking of dogs at least 5 days old, plus devocalization procedures, cesarean deliveries and declawing of cats at least 5 days old.

The new anti-cruelty law is an amendment to HB 2525, enacted last October, that established space and facility requirements for cages, exercise and mandatory semi-annual veterinary examinations for dogs housed in commercial breeding kennels. It also outlawed the euthanization of dogs by anyone other than a veterinarian.

The law and the new amendment were sponsored by State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone in response to a publicized case of two brothers who killed 80 dogs at their breeding facility instead of making improvements ordered by a state health inspector.

Indiana aims to clarify rules on exotics

Indiana's regulations on the sale and possession of reptiles, amphibians and fish are under review.

Study cites flaws in decision to move Plum Island lab to Kansas

Washington -- A new government study says the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) didn't adequately assess the biosecurity and economic risks of moving the Plum Island, N.Y., animal-disease research lab to a Kansas State University site in Manhattan, Kan.

FDA closes Teva Animal Health plant

The USDA has filed an injunction against Teva Animal Health Inc. leaders.

House bill would ban some antibiotics for food animals

A new federal bill seeks to ban some uses of antibiotics for food-animals because they are considered too important for human health.

California Senate clears bill aimed at increasing number of DVMs

Sacramento — Legislators moved forward on a bill that would loosen its licensing practices to increase the number of veterinarians in the state.