AAHA is the first organization to receive the Pioneer Professionals Award from VetPartners, the association of consultants who serve companion animal veterinarians.

Applications to U.S. veterinary schools are back up again, after a decrease in applications last year.

The years first case of H1N1 in a pet was confirmed recently in a 6-year-old Wisconsin cat.

Minnesota and Nebraska are both considering puppy mill bills for the latest legislative session.

It’s a time honored truth that a dog or cat who has special dietary needs might be more interested in eating the other dog’s (or cat’s) meal. For decades, pet owners have tried creative solutions to fight this dilemma. Houston veterinarian Rachel Addleman DVM, DABVP, CVA not only believes she has the solution, she has the registered patent to prove it. Her invention is a magnetic pendant which attaches to the animal’s collar. When the animal is near the food container they’re allowed to eat from, they have the access they need. However, if they move toward the bowl that isn’t theirs, their access is cut off. The key is the food will still remain available to other animals who don’t have any restriction. Dr. Addleman’s thought process was geared toward cats with particular dietary restrictions, such as her own. Describing the issue to be solved was her first step to creating a solution.

A Texas county that has been requiring rabies vaccinations annually now allows veterinarians to decide how often the shots are needed, the Temple Daily Telegram reports.

Veterinarians who are involved with the Vetsulin Critical Need Program will need to find another source of treatment for their diabetic patients. The company that manufactures the drug, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, issued notices to veterinarians and consumers this week, alerting them that the Critical Need Program (CNP), designed to provide the product to critical patients, will be ending as of Feb. 7, 2011. "Quality tests showed that the sterility of the most recent batch of Vetsulin manufactured for the CNP may be compromised by bacterial contamination," the letter says. "This batch of Vetsulin has not been released and additional batches are not being manufactured at this time. We, therefore, cannot supply the program and it must be discontinued."

The Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is preparing to launch a new, $25 million initiative to try to prevent cancer in dogs. The Canine Lifetime Health Project, as it is called, was announced at the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) in Orlando earlier this month. "The goal of this study is to identify genetic, nutritional and environmental risk factors for the cause of cancer and other diseases," said Wayne Jensen, DVM, PhD, MAFs chief science officer. "It’s a one of a kind study." The foundation decided to study canine cancer since it is the No. 1 cause of death in dogs over two years old, according to the MAF, and MAF donors have identified cancer as their top disease of concern.

The AAHA Helping Pets Fund is getting a helping hand from a TV celebrity.

An awareness of the inner workings of animal "blood sports," including dog fighting and cock fighting can help veterinarians identify the victims of these operations.