New Veterinary Specialties Up for Review—Public Input Open Until August 12
The American Board of Veterinary Acupuncture (ABVA) and the American Embryo Transfer Association (AETA) have asked to be recognized veterinary specialty organizations (RVSOs). The organizing committees of the proposed specialties submitted letters of intent to the ABVS in November 2024, which were accepted by the ABVS at its meeting in March.
AVMA’s Council on Education Cites Federal Pressure in Controversial Decision to Eliminate Diversity Reporting Requirements
In a move that has sent ripples through the veterinary education community, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Council on Education (COE) announced on March 19, 2025, that veterinary colleges will no longer be required to report on or comply with accreditation standards related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As women now comprise over 60% of veterinarians, and more than 85% of veterinary students, the Council on Education's rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements raises questions about the profession's commitment to inclusivit
AVMA Advocates for Key Legislation to Support Veterinarians and Animal Welfare
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is leading bipartisan efforts to address critical challenges facing the veterinary profession, with three major pieces of legislation currently under consideration in Congress.
Avian Influenza in Indoor Cats: A New Concern for Veterinary Medicine
A recent CDC report has confirmed that two indoor pet cats in Michigan developed severe neurological signs and died from highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). These cases are the first known instances of strictly indoor cats becoming infected without direct exposure to affected poultry or dairy farms, raising concerns about alternative transmission routes.
Legislation Reintroduced to Address Illicit Xylazine While Maintaining Veterinary Access
The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act aims to classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance, granting the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) greater authority to regulate its distribution and curb its illicit use. The bill is designed to maintain veterinarians’ legal access while providing oversight of the legitimate supply chain. Both the DEA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have expressed support for the legislation.
Silent Spread—Three Bovine Veterinarians Unknowingly Infected with H5N1
In the shadow of a growing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak among U.S. dairy cattle, a startling discovery has emerged: three bovine veterinarians were unknowingly infected with the virus. This revelation, uncovered through a recent serosurvey, underscores the silent spread of the disease and highlights the urgent need for systematic surveillance to protect those on the frontlines of animal care.