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Dear SVVMA Members,

There is a VERY important issue brewing that we need everyone's support and help with!  There is proposed legislation that would allow ANYONE to scale a pet's teeth (above the gum line) for "cosmetic" purposes.  This would be a change to the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.  CVMA is fighting this with with everything they have and the need all the support we can give them.  You have likely received and "Alert" from CVMA, but I am forwarding it to you as well.  We need everyone - that means YOU to write a letter to at least one member (or better to send it to each member) of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee as they will be having a hearing on this very soon (possibly as early as April 17th).  I, along with other veterinarians and clients will be testifying at that hearing.  This is our best opportunity to stop this dangerous change.

I have attached my letter that I sent as well as a petition you can have clients and others sign.  You can use my letter as a reference, but please do not just copy it.  You can visit the SVVMA or CVMA websites for more information, including another sample letter and the contact information for the Assembly Members on the B&P Committee.  Again, please personalize you letters.  It is okay to just state that you oppose AB 2304 and you strongly encourage them to vote NO, but any additional information would be helpful, e.g. why it is dangerous or any personal experience you have. 

I realize we are asking you to do thus on a very short timeline, but this is a critical issue that needs everyone's involvement, so PLEASE write a letter today or tomorrow.  Feel free to contact SVVMA if you have any questions.

Thank you for your help!

Ken Pawlowski

Governor - CVMA District V

Download all documents including sample letters, fact sheets, client fact sheets, committee contact information and petition sheet - click on the Members tab and Downloads.

We are currently recruiting patients for a number of clinical trials at the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and would very much appreciate your assistance in referring interested clients.  To discuss case selection, procedure risks, and exact costs on a case by case basis for any of these trials, please contact Dr. Michele Steffey, (530) 752-1393 (VMTH), or masteffey@ucdavis.edu.



Distal Radius Bone Tumors:

The objective of this study is to understand the risks of pathologic fracture in bone tumor patients.  Dogs with an aggressive bony lesion of the distal radius suspected to be a primary bone tumor are eligible to participate.  Dogs that have had a bone biopsy within 3 weeks cannot be enrolled (aspirates OK).  Dogs with an existing pathologic fracture cannot be enrolled.  Dogs will receive a free CT of the limb under general anesthesia immediately prior to the amputation procedure, and otherwise clinical care will be as normal.  After removal the limb will undergo biomechanical testing and then be submitted for histopathology as per clinical standards.  Clients receive a $1,000 financial incentive toward the costs of the amputation at the VMTH.



Nasal Carcinoma:

The objective of this study is to measure the extent and duration of response to a new minimally invasive treatment of nasal cancer (transarterial chemoembolization or TACE) that delivers chemotherapy directly to the tumor.  Radiation therapy is still considered standard of care, but dogs whose owners do not wish to pursue radiation therapy may be enrolled.  This is a one-time treatment, however clients MUST be willing to return at 1 month and 4 months after treatment for a free CT scan under a brief anesthesia (admitted and discharged the same day).  The program covers the costs of the TACE procedure (approximately a $2,500 value). Clients are financially responsible for tests necessary to obtain a diagnosis (nasal biopsy) and to determine if it is safe for this patient to receive this procedure (CT scan).  The CT scans must be done here at UC Davis in order to standardize data collection. 



Lung Tumors:

We are evaluating the imaging of thoracic lymph nodes in dogs with primary lung tumors.  To participate, dogs must have a solitary lung tumor that clients are willing to have surgically removed at UC Davis.  Dogs with preexisting severe renal disease are not eligible to enroll.  Clients will receive a free CT scan (which is generally recommended for clinical surgical planning and staging regardless of study participation - a $750 value to the client) and a partial subsidy of the surgical fees.  If the patient is eligible for a minimally invasive (thoracoscopic) tumor removal, an additional financial subsidy wil be applied toward the cost of the patient's VMTH care.



Colorectal Cancer:

We are evaluating the impact of imaging findings on surgical decision making in dogs with colonic and rectal masses.  In order to participate, dogs must have a colonoscopy procedure here at UC Davis for a suspected colorectal mass lesion or lesions in order to correlate findings.  Clients will receive a free CT scan ($750 value) and a financial subsidy toward the cost of their dog's care at the VMTH.



Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma:

We are evaluating involvement of lymph nodes that are located between the primary tumor and the medial iliac nodes.  In order to participate, dogs must have a unilateral anal sac tumor; and clients must be willing to have the mass surgically removed at UC Davis.  Dogs with severe preexisting renal disease are not eligible to enroll.  Accepted clients will receive a free CT scan ($750 value) and a partial subsidy of the surgical fees.



Cryoablation of Cancer:

This is a palliative option for inoperable deep tissue tumors (bone or soft tissue) but not superficial skin masses.  Depending upon the degree that the bone is affected, this may be an option for limb salvage for patients with bone neoplasia for whom amputation is not an option.  Partial financial subsidy of procedure available.