According to Sinisa Grozdanic, a researcher at Iowa State University, about 2,000 cases of Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS) are reported in dogs each year. But Grozdanic says some of those are probably misdiagnosed and are actually a different disease, Immune-Mediated Retinitis. There is currently no generally accepted cure for SARDS, but Grozdanic said that in some of his SARDS patients, intravenous immunoglobulin treatment restored enough vision for a dog to navigate a maze. But many veterinary ophthalmologists are not convinced that it is really a new disease. Chicago veterinary ophthalmologist Paul A. Gerding Jr., DVM, DAVCO, said he is not quite ready to accept that there is a safe and proven cure for SARDS, or that IMR is a distinct disease. “As a researcher I’m always optimistic, as a practitioner I’m always cautious,” Gerding said.

When a medical error leads to an “adverse outcome,” the veterinarian needs to take some steps right away. Obviously, the doctor should first tend to the patient’s immediate clinical care. Then, he or she should develop a clear picture of what happened, and, while recognizing his or her own emotions and needs about the incident, prepare for discussion with the client. Careful preparation begins with verifying what went wrong and what steps will be taken to prevent the error’s recurrence. More important, it involves anticipating and devising an empathetic response to the client’s emotional reaction—and apologizing forthrightly for committing the error. Veterinarians will experience greatest success with clients if they take the time to think through and plan the conversation they will have to explain and apologize for the error, according to Kathleen Bonvicini, EdD, MPH, associate director for education and research at the New Haven, Conn.-based Institute for Healthcare Communication.

The American Association of Veterinary State Boards issued an official policy change in April, stating that after Dec. 31, 2010, all candidates for the Veterinary Technician National Examination must be graduates of an accredited or approved educational program. A few states, including Washington, Georgia, Alaska, Arizona and Wisconsin, allow technician candidates to take the exam after several years of on-the-job experience, but those state boards will be required to change their policies as of the Dec. 31, 2010 deadline.

There’s no single answer to retaining good employees, especially during an economic downturn. But experts say that if you’re willing to go the extra mile to hire and keep the best people, the solutions are out there.

FDA offices in China: Contamination concerns have been a catalyst for increased supervision of pet food imported from China. Will a heightened presence by the FDA help? Read Full Article MWI Veterinary Supply takes over operations of AAHA MARKETLink A seamless transition is expected as the MWI purchase of MARKETLink is finalized later this month. Read Full Article Rethinking retention: There’s no single answer to retaining good employees, especially during an economic downturn. But experts say that if you’re willing to go the extra mile to hire and keep the best people, the solutions are out there. Read Full Article

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