Portland Veterinary Medical Association

2011 PVMA Holiday Pet Food & Supplies Drive

2011-11-16T17:46:50Z

For the 5th year in a row, the PVMA will be facilitating a Pet Food and Supplies Drive. Each year, the drive grows larger and larger thanks to the participating hospitals and their generous clients. We hope to gather a significant amount of food and supplies for animals and families in need, in our community. Donations will be distributed to several local non-profit organizations, many of them in dire need after food banks and resources have been stretched to accommodate a growing number of families in need of assistance.

Recipients of the donations will be:

Portland Animal Welfare Team-

What they do: Provide veterinary care—including vaccinations and spaying/neutering— as well as food and supplies, to the pets of homeless and those in extreme poverty. PAW Team’s services reduce the spread of disease and help our less fortunate citizens gain access to or stay in housing with their animal companions.

How you can help: Donate human or animal medications in original packaging, flea products for cats and dogs, leashes, pet food, blankets, dog sweaters or food and water bowls. Ask your vet to donate services or supplies. Volunteer. For more information, please visit their website at www.pawteam.org.

Coffee Creek Puppy Program-

A small group of carefully selected female inmates at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF), located in Wilsonville, are raising puppies for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). CCI is a national non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.

The inmates raise the puppies for the first year to year and a half of the dog’s life. The inmate handler is responsible for the care and well-being of the dog 24 hours a day. They socialize the dog and teach manners in every day living at their place of work, during meals, while participating in recreational activities, and in their cell. The handlers also teach each dog approximately 30 commands in preparation for advanced training at the headquarters for CCI in Santa Rosa, CA. If the dog successfully completes the program, he will go on to assist a person who is disabled by opening doors, turning on lights, picking up dropped objects, and other tasks of daily living. For more information about CCI, visit their website at www.cci.org.

Items needed:

· Unopened dry, canned or pouch food– Any good quality brand (MUST BE IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING)

· Over the counter products: dental/oral care, flea preventatives, shampoo and supplements

· New or gently used collars, leashes, harnesses

· New dog and cat toys

· New or gently used warm pet clothing– sweatshirts, raingear, etc.

· General pet care supplies

· Medications: expired or unexpired, sealed or unsealed

We are not able to take pet carriers, crates or dog houses/igloos

We will be collecting donations from November 15th through January 5th.

Participating Veterinary Hospitals:

DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital

Fremont Veterinary Clinic

Guid Dogs for the Blind

Hart Rd Animal Hospital

Powell Blvd Veterinary Clinic

Rose City Veterinary Hospital

Mt Tabor Veterinary Care

Penisula Dog and Cat Clinic

Town and Country Animal Hospital

Holistic Pet Clinic

Paws and Claws Pet Medical Center

Parkway Veterinary Hospital

Portland Veterinary Oncology Center

Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Tualatin

Hollywood Pet Hospital

St. Johns Veterinary Clinic

Moreland Veterinary Hospital

Have a wonderful holiday season!

If you have any questions, please contact the PVMA office at 503-228-7387 or visit www.portlandvma.org

Join us on Facebook!

2010-10-05T13:41:46Z

Oregonian: Vet from Beaverton writes the book on using scopes instead of surgery for dogs

2010-09-28T12:18:01Z

Pet Talk: Vet from Beaverton writes the book on using scopes instead of surgery for dogs

Published: Tuesday, September 28, 2010, 4:10 AM Updated: Tue

Jacques Von Lunen, Special to The Oregonian

A large dog is under the surgical drape. Monitors on one wall of the small surgery suite beep and blink. Tubes and wires connect the animal to the machines.

Two young veterinarians hover over the dog. Each holds a pistol-grip instrument from which a thin shaft extends into the dog. Both are looking at a screen offering a bizarre view.

The image on the screen -- in color and clear as day -- shows the dog's insides.

The man standing behind the two vets extends a bloody, gloved hand and jokes: "I'd shake your hand, but they'd probably kick me out of here."

It's highly unlikely that Tim McCarthy would get kicked out of this veterinary clinic in Lake Oswego for any but the most egregious of offenses. The Beaverton veterinarian is here to train the clinic's practitioners in a field about which he literally wrote the book: small-animal endoscopy. His research and teaching earned him a national veterinary award last month.

The procedure the two vets under McCarthy's tutelage are performing is a minimally invasive ovariectomy -- a fancy way to spay a dog. The vets, though, are not using high-tech equipment for a standard procedure to be fancy.

Traditional spay surgery requires a fairly large incision, through which the uterus and ovaries are lifted out of the abdominal cavity, severed and removed. In the process, some tissue is torn away from the abdominal wall.

"You see that long tube that looks like a worm with its end cut off?" McCarthy says, pointing at the screen above. "That's the uterus with the ovary cut off."

The screen shows organs, fat tissue and, yes, a worm-looking thing with a very clean cut at the end. This innovative way of doing surgery, with a good, clean visual and minimal tissue damage, has been McCarthy's life's work.

The silver-haired man with a constant twinkle in his eye grew up near Roseburg. After a youth spent riding in a truck with a local veterinarian, he attended Oregon State University, followed by veterinary school and post-graduate studies at Colorado State in the mid-1970s.

In Colorado, he became acquainted with researchers working on open-heart surgery on humans and "got really excited about cardiovascular surgery," he says. With his doctorate secured, McCarthy moved to Southern California and started practicing veterinary surgery.

"All small-animal surgeons did back then was fracture repairs," he says. "Dogs weren't on leashes as much and got hit by cars all the time."

He moved back to Oregon in the early 1980s, went to work at a clinic in Raleigh Hills for a little while and finally opened up his own place.

View full sizeBenjamin Brink/The OregonianBeaverton veterinarian Tim McCarthy received a national honor for his work on using scopes instead of surgery on dogs.

Around that time, a colleague called him and asked whether he wanted to buy a used endoscope another clinic was giving up. McCarthy figured he better research the market before making the purchase, and found a human clinic that was selling a used gastroscope, the thing doctors stick down your throat when they need to look inside your stomach.

The main difference between the two endoscopes (a term that describes all instruments used to view internal parts of the body): the gastroscope was flexible.

"That's where all of this started from," McCarthy says.

Small incisions

Soon, McCarthy used endoscopes for just about everything. He performed liver and kidney biopsies with the scope, and looked inside joints through small incisions, rather than "cutting animals open," he says.

He bought other, smaller instruments and put them in places not thought to be suitable for endoscopy. He'd been taught in vet school that cystoscopy (looking inside the bladder through the urethra) was impossible in small animals.

But one day, while examining a dog, he happened to get a look at its urethra and thought, "I can get a scope in there," he says. "In my practice, it just exploded from there. We never opened up an animal to look into its bladder anymore."

Over the years, McCarthy became known to Karl Storz, the company from which he bought his scopes, and its sales representative asked him if he would teach vets how to use the products. Out of the marketing ploy grew a passion for teaching and an opportunity for travel.

Meeting vets worldwide

McCarthy is not a natural traveler. "If I can't get there on my horse, I don't want to go," he says with a laugh. But he's since traveled the world and made fast friends with vets in places such as Japan, Spain and Italy.

McCarthy had published small journals before and had been working on a textbook with a colleague. He finished the work by himself and in 2005 published "Veterinary Endoscopy for the Small Animal Practitioner," which remains the definitive work on the subject, he says.

About four years ago, McCarthy experimented with using a diode laser in conjunction with his scopes. His first big success in this area was in fixing a fairly common bladder problem.

In some dogs the ureter, a tube that transports urine from the kidney to the bladder, is malformed. In those cases it does not extend into the inside of the bladder, but ends in its wall. This means that urine runs down the inside of the bladder wall and out the urethra, basically leaking uncontrollably.

The traditional surgery to repair this lasts four to five hours and has a success rate of about 50 percent, McCarthy says. His method, using a diode laser and a scope, took five minutes, with a much higher success rate. McCarthy wrote up a description of his method and handed it out to colleagues at a veterinary conference. They laughed at him because they couldn't believe his simple procedure could replace the complicated process they'd been taught.

But one colleague didn't chuckle a bit.

Clarence Rawlings, a now-former professor at the University of Georgia, struck up a long and fruitful relationship with the Oregon man and further developed some of his ideas. Along the way, McCarthy sold his practice and focused all his energy on consulting and teaching.

This year, Rawlings showed McCarthy just how much he values his research. The gravel-voiced Oregonian with a penchant for bass fishing chokes up talking about it.

Rawlings nominated the Beaverton vet for the Practitioner Research Award of the American Veterinary Medical Association, which recognizes achievements in medical research by a practicing veterinarian. McCarthy was presented with the award last month. But the 65-year-old is not resting on his laurels. He's recently worked on using the diode laser to evaporate nasal tumors in dogs, a palliative treatment he says is as effective as radiation, without its side effects.

He's involved in research to harvest stem cells from fat tissue using a scope. And he's scheduled to teach in a place he definitely cannot reach on horseback.

"I'm really looking forward to Russia," he says.

-- Jacques Von Lunen

Veterinary Survey: Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) or Infectious Tracheobronchitis (ITB)

2010-08-31T13:41:19Z

Dear Veterinarian,

In the last 6 months, a number of veterinary offices have contacted us with concerns about the rising number of cases clinically diagnosed with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) or Infectious Tracheobronchitis (ITB). In response, we have constructed an online survey to be completed by members of the veterinary community in order to gain a more thorough understanding of this potential concern in Oregon. Please take the time to respond to our survey. Upon completion of the survey we will pass along the gathered findings to you. The survey will take less than 5 minutes and your response is highly valued.

To complete the survey, go to

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LMJNCKW

Your participation is voluntary. By completing the survey you are consenting to participate. All answers are strictly confidential and will only be used for the purpose of this study; your name will not be linked with your responses. Names and identifiers will not be entered into computer records and will not be included in any published materials related to this study Thank you for your participation.

Vet helps people who want their pets to pass away at home

2010-06-09T16:51:22Z

Pet Talk: Vet helps people who want their pets to pass away at home

By Jacques Von Lunen, Special to The Oregonian

June 08, 2010

Last month, Meaghan Van Koll had to watch helplessly as her Rottweiler, Buddy, convulsed in seizures. The 10-year-old dog had been ill; this downturn meant it was time for him to go.

But VanKoll couldn't move the large dog to take him on his final trip to the vet. ("He was a big boy," she'd later say about him, fondly.)

And so she spent hours on the phone, trying to find someone who would come to her home. Hours she really wanted to spend being with her companion one last time.

Finally, someone pointed her to Lori Gibson.

Gibson provides a necessary and grim service to pet owners in the greater Portland area: on-call euthanasia, performed in the pet's home.

The small woman with the open, calm demeanor of a yoga instructor hasn't always exclusively dealt with the end of pets' lives. In 1999, right out of vet school, she worked in a West Linn veterinary clinic. The work in the busy clinic was stressful.

Then she took a job in research, working on human clinical trials for cutting-edge defibrillators and pacemakers. The work was interesting and rewarding: many people would benefit from the devices. But it was also hands-off; she never saw the patients she helped.

And she was away from animals.

In March 2009, Gibson returned to veterinary medicine, filling a need she'd seen in her time at the clinic. Operating a one-woman business under the name Compassionate Care, she offers one service only: in-home pet euthanasia.

The response from pet owners has been overwhelming.

Many scenarios lead her clients to call her (or, more often, be referred to her by their veterinarian). Some have very large dogs they cannot move. Others have maybe waited a little too long to make this tough decision, and now the animal is too sick to be moved. Some want their privacy, rather than pass through a clinic's waiting room on their way in or out.

And very few pets go to a veterinary office willingly, and many pet owners feel they don't want their pet's last moment to be in a place it so disliked.

This last one is at least part of the reason Gibson was called to a Northeast Portland home last Wednesday. She rings the doorbell, carrying a small case. A woman with red-rimmed eyes opens.

The woman's 16-year-old cat has hardly eaten a thing in two weeks. The animal is now slowly losing control over its bodily functions. It's time, the woman finally decided.

Gibson suggests they get the necessary paperwork out of the way first. She talks to the woman about the cat's symptoms in professional, but soft tones. Gibson asks if the woman needs some more time.

Then she draws up a mix of four different sedatives, one that will make the cat sleep and feel no pain. Tears roll down the woman's face in a slow, steady stream.

The cat sits on top of her perch. Gibson asks the woman again if she's ready, then administers the sedative in one swift, almost imperceptible motion. The cat reacts to the prick of the needle and moves to another room.

Gibson tells the woman that the sedative will take effect in less than a minute and that she can get as much time as she wants with her sleeping animal before Gibson will give her the other injection.

After a moment, the woman comes back into the living room, cradling her sleeping cat. Her right hand softly strokes the cat's back, a motion that will not cease until she places the animal in Gibson's car almost an hour later.

The woman settles down in a comfortable chair by the window. Gibson sits on the floor in front of her and begins explaining the next steps: the tourniquet to get blood pressure in a vein, the injection, and that some animals show involuntary muscle movements after the heart stops beating. But despite Gibson's soothing demeanor, the woman isn't listening; she's sobbing now.

Gibson lays a hand on the woman's knee, gives her a light, assuring rub and says she'll give her some time. After she steps outside, Gibson's face betrays the emotional toll her job takes. She takes a deep breath and briefly talks about the incessant rain, a tangible reality that has nothing to do with the act waiting to be performed inside.

She goes back to check with the woman, who says she's ready. Gibson lays out stethoscope and tourniquet. She shaves a small spot on the cat's leg, leaves a little bushel of hair on the coffee table at the woman's request, and gives the cat a shot of sodium pentobarbital.

She gently sets down the syringe, waits a few moments, checks the cat's chest with her stethoscope and quietly, but firmly says: "Her heart has stopped beating."

The woman sinks into herself a little. The cat looks exactly the same as it has since being sedated: asleep with its eyes open.

After a few minutes of silence and another light touch of Gibson's hand, the woman carries her cat out to Gibson's car. Gibson tucks the cat into a fuzzy pet bed and covers it with a blanket.

Until now, the interactions between Gibson and the woman have been kind, albeit with an ever-so-slight detachment, like any doctor-client exchange. But when the cat is tucked under the blanket, the woman turns to Gibson and hugs her tightly.

The woman disappears into the house and Gibson stands in the driveway, silently.

A day before, talking about her work over coffee, Gibson's eyes welled up when she talked about her own cat's slow death when she was in vet school.

"I've been there," she'd said. "I know what it's like to not want to let go."

-- Jacques Von Lunen

Public Health for Veterinarians

2010-01-25T14:17:28Z

http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/vethomepage.shtml

PVMA Pet Food and Supplies Drive

2010-01-20T17:47:57Z

Portland Veterinary Medical Association's

2010 Pet Food & Supplies Drive

Resurrected in 2007, the PVMA Pet Food and Supplies Drive has become a successful and very rewarding program that we would like to continue for years to come. Although the timing is a bit different this year, the need is year around. We hope to gather a significant amount of food and supplies for animals and families in need, in our community. We have chosen several local non-profit organizations to be the recipients of the collected donations, many of them in dire need after food banks and resources have been stretched to accommodate large scale rescue efforts and a growing number of families in need of assistance.

Recipients of the donations will be: the Portland Animal Welfare Team, The Feral Cat Coalition, The Cat Adoption Team
and several other area shelters and animal welfare agencies.

Items needed:

Unopened dry, canned or pouch food– Any good quality brand
Towels/blankets (no dog or cat beds please!)
Over the counter products: dental/oral care, shampoo and supplements, Flea control
New or gently used collars, leashes, harnesses
New dog and cat toys
New or gently used warm pet clothing– sweatshirts, raingear, etc.
General pet care supplies
Medications, expired or unexpired, sealed or unsealed
We are not able to take pet carriers, crates or dog houses/igloos

If you have any questions, please contact the PVMA office at 503-228-7387

Donations may be dropped of at one of these participating veterinary hospitals:

Cat Care Professionals

Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital

Fremont Veterinary Clinic

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Hart Road Animal Hospital

Pacific Avenue Veterinary Clinic

Powell Blvd Veterinary Clinic

Sorrento Animal Hospital

Two Rivers Veterinary Clinic

Oregon Hay Bank

2010-01-04T15:39:47Z

http://www.oregonhorsewelfarecouncil.com/haybank.htm

Oregon Hay Bank

We need your help!!
Please help feed the horses!!
Contact: Linda Davis ~ 541-482-5550
linda.oregonhaybank@charter.net

Donations may be made by check made payable to Oregon Hay Bank and
mailed to: 4733 Highway 66, Ashland, OR 97520

The mission of the Oregon Horse Welfare Council’s Hay Bank is to provide established horse rescue organizations, sanctuaries, law enforcement agencies, and horse owners, facing financial hardship, with temporary hay and feed assistance; and further, to assist such entities and individuals in planning for the future.

Our resources are limited and we review applications on a first-come, first-served basis.

In order to help as many people and horses as we can, we have developed the following process to ensure a positive outcome for all involved. This form will help guide you through the requirements necessary to be accepted into this program. Please read it carefully, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact the representative in your area.

THE PROCESS & PROTOCOL

* First, we will give you educational materials developed by the Oregon Horse Welfare Council in conjunction with veterinarians and equine scientists with the best possible information available to date on all aspects of equine care.
* Second, we will provide you with information on programs that will reimburse a portion of our costs and ask you to consider gelding your stallions and stud colts, 12 months or over. We can help locate a veterinarian willing to perform the procedure at a discount and with a small deposit from you.
* Third, a representative of the Hay Bank or an animal care professional will visit your property to assess the needs of all equines there. A follow up visit may be necessary.
* Fourth, eligibility for Hay Bank assistance will be evaluated on a case-by-case analysis of need, including, but not restricted to the items below.
o The number of horses you own
o Whether you are engaged in the breeding and/or regular sale of equines
o The equine facilities on your property
o Whether you have a regular relationship with equine professional(s)
* Fifth, we will work with you to develop a plan to avoid future need.
* Sixth, we ask that you not sell, give, or transfer any hay you receive from us. If you have hay left that you do not intend to use, please notify us at once and give us the opportunity to retrieve it.

Horse ownership is a privilege we do not take lightly. Our goal is to give you the tools necessary to be a successful owner, with horses that will thrive in your care.

The “Hay Bank” is funded entirely by tax-deductible donations and contributions.
Here are several suggestions about how you can help!

____ Include the “Hay Bank” on your club’s membership renewal forms.
____ Include a $5 mandatory donation on show entry forms.
____ Organize and hold a fundraising event for the “Hay Bank.”
____ Pledge a yearly donation of hay or other feeds.
____ Make a cash donation in any amount.
____ Think of creative new ways to help fund the “Hay Bank.”

National Veterinary Technician's Week

2009-09-21T14:22:34Z

October 11-17, 2009

Linking the Veterinary Healthcare Team

www.navta.net/index.php?pr=NVTW

Media Kit

2009 Diabetes Forum: Putting together the pieces for effective diabetes management

2009-09-17T16:42:01Z

The Portland Veterinary Medical Association,
along with Abbott, Intervet/Schering-Plough, Purina and Webster, present.

When: Sunday, October 4th,10:30am-3pm

Where: The Oregon Zoo Banquet Center

Event Schedule:

10:00-10:30am- Registration, continental breakfast buffet

Dr. Rob Armstrong, Intervet/Schering-Plough; Topic title: Insulin's Role in Diabetes Management

Dr. Michael Costello, Abbott; Topic title: Improving Diabetes Management with Home Glucose Monitoring

12:30-1:30pm- Lunch, buffet lunch will be provided

Dr. Emily Cross, Purina; Topic title: The Nutritional Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Case share and questions: Dr. Joshua Elliott, Columbia River Veterinary Specialists

CE credits will be available for this event

Please RSVP by Friday, September 25th: 503-228-7387 or pvma@portlandvma.org

Veterinarians and lead technicians are invited to attend

This is complimentary event thanks to Abbott, Intervet/Schering-Plough, Purina & Webster!

Printable Flier

Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland Adoption Event

2009-09-04T14:53:11Z

Pets of Dreams Multi-Shelter Adopt-a-Thon

Animal Shelters Unite For Portland’s Largest Adoption Event

September 11 - 13, 2009 at locations across the city(August 20, 2009) - Find the pet of your dreams this weekend as five Portland-area animal shelters unite to find homes for over 300 dogs and cats. It’ll be tail-wags and purrs across the city since all shelters are reducing their adoption fees this weekend only: 50% off cat/kitten adoption fees and $50 off dog adoption fees. While the adoption fees are reduced, the love you’ll receive isn’t.

Please visit asapmetro.org for more information!

What:

Pets of Dreams Multi-Shelter Adopt-a-Thon
With a goal of placing over 300 pets in new home in one weekend!

When: Friday, September 11, through Sunday, September 13, 10 am – 5 pm each day

Where:

Cat Adoption Team catadoptionteam.org
14175 SW Galbreath Dr., Sherwood OR

Humane Society for Southwest Washington www.southwesthumane.org
1100 NE 192nd Avenue, Vancouver, WA

Multnomah County Animal Services www.co.multnomah.or.us/dbcs/pets
1700 W Columbia River Hwy, Troutdale, OR

Oregon Humane Society www.oregonhumane.org
1067 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland, OR

Washington County Animal Services/Bonnie L. Hays Animal Shelter www.co.washington.or.us/pets
1901 SE 24th Ave, Hillsboro, OR

Barking Lot Location:

Clackamas PetSmart parking lot (9450 SE 82nd Ave Portland, OR) where 50 dogs and cats from several shelters will be all in one place

Savings:

Clackamas PetSmart “Barking Lot”: adopt a dog or adult cat for $25 or kitten for $50.
At each participating shelter, dogs are reduced by $50 and receive 50% off cat/kitten.

Online microchip search tool

2009-08-19T15:01:05Z

Please follow the link for an article about the new AAHA search tool for microchips.

http://www.oregonlive.com/pets/index.ssf/2009/08/online_tool_will_help_sort_chi.html

PCC Veterinary Technician Board Exam Review Course

2009-08-17T14:12:31Z

PCC OFFERS VETERINARY TECHNICIAN NATIONAL BOARD EXAM REVIEW CLASS

PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S Veterinary Technology program will offer VT 150 Veterinary Technician National Examination Prep Course both as an on-campus classroom course and as an online distance learning course for Fall Term 2009. Intended for veterinary assistants currently working in the field, both offerings are designed to help students prepare to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE). Veterinary Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology, Medical and Surgical Nursing, Parasitology, Radiography and Anesthesiology are among the topics covered by this course.

Access to a modern computer system with internet access is needed for the Distance Learning Course. Students outside the Portland Metro area are welcome to participate. Except for the recommended textbook, all study materials, quizzes, discussions and assignments are available within the course online.

For students who do best with a classroom environment, VT150 will be offered on Monday and Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 to 9:20 pm, on the Rock Creek Campus. Both sections run September 21 through December 13.

Veterinary assistants trained on-the-job may become Certified Veterinary Technicians in Oregon by fulfilling the requirements specified by the state Veterinary Practice Act and passing the VTNE. To take the VTNE, the applicant must also apply directly to the American Association of Veterinary State Boards http://www.aavsb.org/VTNE/ and to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board (OVMEB) http://www.oregon.gov/OVMEB/applications.shtml. The deadline for application to the OVMEB is October 30, 2009. The VTNE is being given next on Jan 15, 2010.

To get prepared to take the VTNE, take VT150! Registration is open now. To register for the class, go to http://www.pcc.edu/admissions/ or call 503-977-8888. For more information call 503-614-7257.

PCC’s Veterinary Technology program at Rock Creek campus is the only program of its kind in the state of Oregon, and only one of four in the Pacific Northwest. Our program is fully accredited with the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Located at beautiful Rock Creek Campus, PCC’s Veterinary Technology program is a two year course of study that offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology. For more information about PCC’s Veterinary Technology Program, go to http://www.pcc.edu/programs/vet-tech/ .

PVMA office closed in June

2009-03-30T22:35:58Z

The PVMA office will be closed from June 5th-July 5th.

During this time, please refer to the website for information regarding membership, classified ads and to find a vet. There are links to various organizations that may also be of assistance.

All mail, emails and phone messages will be followed up when the office reopens on July 6th. If assistance is needed immediately, please contact a PVMA board member.

Thank you very much for your patience during this time!

- Cristina

Website update

2009-03-06T19:30:25Z

2 1/2 years after launching the PVMA website, we have given it a bit of a facelift!

The searchable member database is now available and will be expanding to include additional search options in the months to come. This will allow the general public to conveniently find veterinary services and veterinarians.

The calendar has also been updated as well. If you have event dates you would like included, you are welcome to email them to pvma@portlandvma.org

Thank you for you patience while the website was being worked on and continues to be improved upon.

PVMA Holiday Drive

2008-12-16T15:07:26Z

Unopened dry, canned or pouch food– Any good quality brand

Holiday Pet Food & Supplies Drive

Resurrected in 2007, the PVMA Holiday Drive was such a great success we have decided to undertake this endeavor again this year, on a larger scale. With over 20 local veterinary hospitals participating, we hope to gather a significant amount of food and supplies for animals and families in our community. We have chosen two local non-profit organizations to help us with this project, the Oregon Food Bank and JOIN, both of which have the ability to distribute the food and supplies to those in dire need.

The Oregon Food Bank is the hub of a hunger-relief network covering the entire state. We collect and distribute food to 20 regional food banks. OFB-Metro Services distributes food to 225 nonprofit agencies in three counties, Clackamas, Multnomah and Clark County with a distribution center located in Washington County as well.

JOIN exists to support the efforts of homeless individuals and families make successful and sustainable transitions off the street. JOIN was founded in 1992 to bridge the gap between homeless and housed members of our community.

Items needed:

· New or gently used collars, leashes, harnesses
· New dog and cat toys
· New or gently used warm pet clothing– sweatshirts, raingear, etc.
· Bedding/blankets
· Over the counter products such as dental/oral care and supplements
· Grooming aids– brushes, shampoos, nail clippers
· General pet care supplies

Donations may be dropped off at these participating veterinary hospitals:

Allergy and Dermatology Veterinary Referral Center
Animal Wellness Center of Portland
Broadway Veterinary Clinic
Cascade Veterinary Referral Center
Cat Care Professionals
Cedar Mill Veterinary Hospital
Cornelius Veterinary Clinic
Cornell Center Animal Hospital
Dogwood Pet Hospital
Fremont Veterinary Clinic
Gladstone Veterinary Clinic
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Hart Road Animal Hospital
Moreland Veterinary Hospital
Mt Tabor Veterinary Care
Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital
NW Neighborhood Veterinary Hospital
VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists
Pacific Avenue Veterinary Clinic
Parkway Veterinary Hospital
Powell Blvd Veterinary Clinic
Rose City Veterinary Hospital
Sorrento Animal Hospital
Sunnyside Veterinary Hospital
The Cat Doctor
The Cat Hospital of Portland
VCA SE Portland Animal Hospital

Thank you for your interest.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

If you have any questions, please contact the PVMA office at 503-228-7387 or visit www.portlandvma.org for more information.

PVMA becomes one of the founding organizations of ASAP

2008-03-06T15:43:07Z

February 2008-

The Portland Veterinary Medical Association is pleased to announce their participation in the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland: an alliance of agencies, shelters and veterinary associations that have come together in an effort to end the euthanasia of healthy, social, and treatable cats and dogs in Portland-area shelters.

Please see the press packet for additional information. A website will be established in the months to come.

PVMA Holiday Pet Food & Supplies Drive 2007!

2007-10-16T19:29:21Z

After evaluating the community service and events aspect of our organization, we have decided to resurrect the Holiday Pet Food Drive, a project that I have only heard good things about and was very successful in year's past.

The Executive Board has chosen two local non-profit organizations to team with in order to ensure that the donations go to those in need, Animal Aid and the Portland Animal Welfare Team (PAW Team).

We currently have 9 veterinary hospitals that have offered to act as donation drop-off sites. If you are interested in your hospital collecting donations as well or have donations that need to be picked up, please calll the PVMA office: 503-228-7387

Animal Care Clinic– Wilsonville

Cat Care Professionals– Lake Oswego

Dogwood Pet Hospital– Gresham

Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital– Beaverton

Northwest Neighborhood Veterinary Hospital– NW Portland

Pacific Avenue Veterinary Clinic– Forest Grove

Rose City Veterinary Hospital– SE Portland

Sorrento Animal Hospital– Tigard

Willamette Valley Animal Hospital– Keizer

Thank You and Happy Holidays!

Update on Multnomah County Licensing Ordinance

2007-06-29T11:40:35Z

On May 31 the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance that requires all veterinary practices in the county to provide rabies information to Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS). The effective start date is August 1, 2007.

At the reading the commissioners cited the county’s budget concerns as the reason for their unanimously adopting the new law. While there has been a greater demand for countywide services, financial resources have declined. To help offset this imbalance the commissioners have looked to fees as one alternative to delivering a reasonable level of service. In considering the county’s animal services program, the commissioners reduced its allocation to MCAS through the General Fund by $250,000. The expectation is that the animal control agency will make up the difference – and possibly more – through increased pet licensure. (As one of its strategies, MCAS will cross-check the rabies information against registered licenses to increase pet license compliance. A similar law was enacted in Lane County about two years ago, and the licensing of pets has increased.)

A number of veterinary representatives spoke against the ordinance at the final reading last month. I presented testimony in opposition to the proposal on behalf of OVMA members in Multnomah County. Dr. Sheri Morris, president of the PVMA, also conveyed why veterinarians in general did not support the idea and expressed concerns about possible ramifications of the ordinance. Dr. Matt Dahlquist and Dr. Chris Holenstein, both of whom practice in the county, also testified against the proposal. Each of us encouraged efforts to cooperatively work with veterinarians on a voluntary basis to help increase license compliance. Even the director of MCAS – Mike Oswald – supported this approach, but the commissioners remained steadfast with the mandate.

With the ordinance ready to take effect a little more than a month from now, Oswald has formed a working group to help him prepare informational material for veterinarians about the law. You should expect to receive this material in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, here is some general information about the ordinance that may answer some of your questions:

• The ordinance requires veterinarians in Multnomah County to provide either a copy of the rabies vaccine certificate or written documentation with the same information on the rabies certificate to MCAS within 60 days of vaccination. (As an alternative, you may issue a pet license in accordance with the rules, and submit proof of licensure to MCAS within 60 days.)

• Why do you need to send the rabies information within 60 days, instead of quarterly? For those pets that are not licensed, MCAS will send the owners an invoice that is generated from the rabies certificate. If there is no response, then a reminder notice will be sent within 60 to 90 days; MCAS doesn’t want to wait too long to receive the certificate information from practices.

• You will be able to send a copy of the rabies certificate (or pertinent information) through the U.S. mail, by fax, or by e-mail. MCAS may also arrange to pick up the information monthly from veterinary practices.

• MCAS is looking to develop a poster that notifies your clients about the new law. If your practice sells cat and dog licenses to your clients, MCAS will reimburse you $2 for each new license sold and $1 for each renewal.

• While the ordinance pertains only to practices in Multnomah County, you will be obligated to remit the rabies information for all cats and dogs of clients who live outside of the county.

• Although you are required to transmit the rabies information to MCAS, you have no legal obligation to require clients to vaccinate their pets against rabies. If a client chooses not to have his or her pet vaccinated and the animal bites someone, the owner would be held liable and the animal would require rabies quarantine.

• What if you don’t provide MCAS with the rabies information? Non-compliance is considered a Class C Misdemeanor, and you could be subject to a fine. The penalty for the first offense is $50, $100 for the second offense, and $150 for the third offense.

• MCAS is designating 3.5 FTE for administration of the program. This includes delivering rabies tags and pet licenses to all practices in the county, as well as picking up the information and monies once a month, if a practice chooses to sell licenses. Although the county agency currently does not have a license compliance officer, it is projected that revenue from the sales of new licenses will help to fund one by January. This person will follow up with a house visit, if the second notice goes unanswered.

• MCAS is also adding back telephone lines in order to answer your calls about licensing program seven days a week. Plus, all clinics and their addresses will be added to MCAS’ interactive Web site.

We have received calls from several veterinarians who wanted to know if the ordinance breaches the doctor-client privilege. The answer is no. First, the Oregon Veterinary Practice Act does not contain any language on confidential privilege (most veterinary practices acts across the country don’t provide this either.) Second, the Oregon Constitution allows those counties that adopt a “home rule charter” to supersede state law when the issue is of concern to the county. Multnomah County has a longstanding home rule charter and the Board of Commissioners has the authority to adopt such ordinances.

To learn more about the new ordinance and how best to assimilate the program in your practice, please look for the information provided by MCAS. If I can help to answer any of your questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Glenn M. Kolb Executive Director

P.S. I would like to thank Dr. Morris for her assistance in compiling this information.

Multnomah County Licensing Ordinance

2007-06-14T12:12:09Z

May 24, 2007

Dear Veterinarian and Valued Partner,
As you may know, Multnomah County continues to struggle with declining resources and growing demands for service. In my FY2008 Executive Budget I have taken difficult, but necessary, steps to balance the budget and to focus the county’s scare resources on its core mission. As we face these difficult financial times, many critical county services are at risk. I am writing to you to ask for your help and join with us to ensure that Multnomah County can continue to deliver the important animal-related services to the people and the pets in the community by Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS).

Our Animal Services program has a long history of providing excellent, high quality services to the community. MCAS is the sole public agency responsible for protecting people and pets in Multnomah County—including the cities of Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview Wood Village, and all unincorporated areas. Last year we received and cared for over 10,000 stray, lost, sick, injured, abused and unwanted animals at our shelter in Troutdale. MCAS recently received accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association for achieving high standards of animal health care. Our Field Services program made 950 emergency animal rescues, a 24 hour a day emergency response and veterinary care service for injured and sick animals; investigated 735 dog bite cases, investigated 1,314 animal abuse and neglect cases—that lead to 114 enforcement actions, including 10 criminal prosecutions; responded on 1,929 calls of loose, aggressive dogs menacing people and other pets; and, assisted citizens on over 6,000 calls to help resolve neighborhood animal problems. These critical services provided by Multnomah County contribute to Portland-Multnomah County as a community that is compassionate and caring about animals. The County remains committed to this responsibility to protect the people and pets in our community.

The funding for these services comes from a combination of County General Fund (primarily property taxes) and revenue from fees. Pet licensing makes up the bulk of the fee revenue. One-third of all pet licenses sold in Multnomah County are sold by our license vendors, which are made up primarily of practicing veterinarians in the community. Based on a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are an estimated 172,335 dogs and 298,295 cats owned in Multnomah County —
60% of all households share their homes with a dog or cat. We estimate that approximately 35% of the dogs of licensable age are currently licensed, and approximately 15% of cats are licensed. These licensing numbers have remained fairly unchanged over the past four to five years, while the human population, and companion animal population continues to grow. As the demands for General Fund dollars increase, we need to rely more on fees to sustain these services. And, when this trend is coupled with the financial condition we face as a county government, we need to make a bold change.

The Board of County Commissioners and I have developed a plan to meet our financial challenges and preserve animal services. The plan is to implement a strategy to increase pet license compliance. We have set a goal to increase license compliance by 20% this coming year.

I am asking for your help to work with us to create a more sustainable funding method for MCAS. Today, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the first reading of an ordinance that will require veterinarians to transmit rabies vaccination certificate information for dogs and cats to Animal Services. Animal Services staff will then contact the pet owner to assist them with licensing their dog or cat. The specific ordinance language proposed by the Board is:

“A veterinarian performing a rabies vaccination of a dog or cat must transmit a copy of the vaccination certificate or written documentation that includes the information contained on the certificate to the Director (Animal Services) within 60 days. In the alternative, a veterinarian may issue a pet license in accordance with the rules adopted by the Director, and submit proof of licensure to the Director within 60 days.”

Part of this plan to increase licensing is to better market the values and benefits of licensing:

Public Health Benefit – Pet licensing provides record of dogs and cats inoculated against rabies, an important public health precaution guarding against this fatal disease.

Reuniting Lost Pets with their Owners – Licensing serves as an identification system for dogs and cats. As you may know, a person that a finds a lost dog or cat wearing a pet license can look up the license number online 24 hours a day at www.MultCoPets.org, and obtain the owners name and phone number. Every day licensed pets are reunited with their owners without using the County shelter.

Companion Animal Benefit - Licensed animals informs the public that the dog or cat is vaccinated against rabies. Injured or sick licensed pets rescued by Animal services often receive extra care from veterinarians. The law requires that the shelter hold licensed pets longer, and is required to notify the owner that the pet is at the shelter.

Community Benefit – Pet licensing provides dedicated revenue to fund continued animal services to the community, and to provide humane care for animals in need.

Veterinary Client Benefit – Veterinarians can assist their clients with excellent health care for their pets, as well as offering rabies vaccinations and hassle-free licensing at their clinic.

The second reading of the proposed ordinance is scheduled for Thursday, May 31, 2007 during the Board meeting, which begins at 9:30 a.m., and will be held in the Boardroom, first floor of the Multnomah Building, 501 SE. Hawthorne Street., Portland.

The veterinary community has been a great partner with the County in serving the pets and pet owners in the community. I believe we share the same interests in the welfare of pets and responsible pet ownership. I welcome your comments at the Board meeting, or in writing. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Mike Oswald, Animal Services Director at 503-988-6233.

As we start this program July 1, 2007, I am confident that with your help, we will be able to create a more sustainable funding method to preserve these important animal-related services for our community.

Sincerely,

Ted Wheeler

Multnomah County Chair

PVMA Website Launch!

2006-09-12T13:05:55Z

After much anticipation, the new PVMA website is now live! The website includes information about the PVMA and it's Executive Board, membership information, a photo gallery, and a calendar of continuing education opportuinties and special events. The website will also feature the latest news and announcements.

Please explore the website, and let us know what you think. Any and all feedback is welcome and greatly appreciated!

Thank you to Hybridsites for your generosity and your committment to this project!