The Official Site for the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association
The following resources have been made available by the AVMA in light of several critical issues that have the potential to make a significant impact on the delivery of care to patients, the structure of the veterinary profession, and veterinary medicine as a whole. These resources include:
Links:
AVMA is seeking member feedback on proposed updates to the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (PVME). Your voice matters! Submit your comments by March 4th, 2024 (you must be an AVMA member to access).
We encourage you to pay particular attention to Section A, Part 4, Emergency Care, starting on line 151. The final wording may impact your own work life because in Hawaii, a veterinarian’s license can be revoked for failing to uphold the recognized principles of veterinary medical ethics adopted by both the HVMA and AVMA (HRS 471-10 (12)). Staying informed and engaged in shaping these guiding principles is crucial for protecting your practice while ensuring the highest ethical standards for animal care in our unique island community. Take action today by reviewing the draft PVME and sharing your feedback.
The House of Delegates met on January 4-6, 2024. Several resolutions were passed, updating and revising current policies ranging from pet loss support to animal safety. You can find the details here.
AVMA has also published informative backgrounders on three hot topics in vet med: telemedicine and the VCPR, the veterinary workforce shortage, and the organization’s position on creating a mid-level practitioner position that would overlap duties of veterinarians and technicians. You can learn more on the AVMA blog.
If you would like more information or have feedback for AVMA, feel free to reach out to one of us directly.
Carolyn Naun (Hawaii Delegate)
Jenee Odani (Hawaii Alternate Delegate)
As I write this message, the new year is just beginning, and I find that it’s a time for reflection on the past and looking forward to new accomplishments in the future. The HVMA annual conference last November was a success thanks to the hard work of Dr. Yoshicedo and the conference committee. The dance party after the Saturday dinner was so much fun!
The HVMA has a busy year planned for 2024. We will be tracking animal-related bills this legislative session and will share more information in the next few weeks. We are also going to continue disaster planning with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Later this year, we will be electing new officers to the board, so if you are interested or have a great nominee in mind, please let us know!
Please renew your membership early this year and encourage your colleagues to join as well. The benefits of HVMA membership can be found here. Please share the HVMA scholarship application with any current veterinary students that you know.
In closing, I hope that 2024 sees that you and your loved ones have new happiness, new goals, and new achievements!
Jenee Odani, DVM, DACVP
HVMA President
Applications are currently being accepted for the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association 2024 Scholarship. Full-time students enrolled in any AVMA-accredited doctoral program of veterinary medicine that have graduated from a high school in Hawaii are eligible for the $1000 scholarship. Applications due by March 15, 2024. Download the application here.
Aloha fellow veterinarians!
We are coming up to one of my favorite times of the year: the annual HVMA Conference!
Apart from the great CE sessions that have been organized, the conference also represents a time where we can see old friends and meet new members of our veterinary community. If you haven’t yet registered, please do so! And if you have already registered, please encourage other veterinarians that you work with to register as well. Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary staff are all welcome!
As our organization and the profession continue to evolve, please let us know what directions you’d like to see us take, or feel free to discuss issues that are important to you with us. Your island representatives and board members are here to listen. There are many opportunities for participation on our committees if you’d like to increase your level of involvement as well.
One thing that the recent wildfire tragedies on Maui have shown us was how quickly veterinarians are willing to stand up to help animals in need and each other. So many of you have volunteered your time and donated supplies and funds to help efforts on the ground; I struggle to find the words to adequately describe the collective greatness you have shown. Going forward, however, we need evaluate what we have learned and find ways to improve our statewide emergency readiness. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months!
Hope to see you all soon!
Jenee Odani, DVM, DACVP
HVMA President
Are you looking to get more involved in influencing the future of the veterinary profession? AVMA has opportunities for you! Here are some action steps you can take right now:
As the charitable arm of the AVMA, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) provides veterinarians and veterinary students with charitable resources and programs that advance the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health. AVMF gave an initial $20,000 to Maui Humane Society and $10,000 to Greater Good to help with wildfire rescue and recovery efforts, and has raised an additional $25,000 which can be allocated as needed. If you were impacted or have incurred out-of-pocket expenses to help on Maui, it’s not too late to apply for support!
If you would like to apply for funds, please visit https://avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/disaster-relief
If you would like to contribute to this or other AVMF programs, you can make a tax deductible donation at avmf.org.
With aloha,
Carolyn Naun (she/her)
AVMA HOD Hawaii Delegate
The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association’s Annual Business Meeting (HVMA Hui) will be held on Saturday November 11, 2023 from 12-1pm at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel Prince Jonah Room. All veterinarians are welcome to attend, though only active members are permitted to vote. You do not need to be a conference attendee to come to the Hui.
The Bylaws Committee has proposed a change to Article 3, Section 3, regarding Special Meetings. This section currently reads:
“Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or by any three Members of the Board by submission of written notice to each Member of the Board at least fifteen days prior to each meeting. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a Quorum for the transaction of business.”
To allow for more timely response to emergency situations and acknowledge technological advances in modes of communication, the proposal is to change Article 3, Section 3 to read:
“Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or by any three Members of the Board by submission of uniform written notice, including electronic communication, to each Member of the Board at least 24 hours prior to each meeting. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a Quorum for the transaction of business.”
Updated Aug 17, 2023 – All information posted here is subject to change
USDA APHIS has provided the following information for transporting pets off Maui.
Maui Humane Society
Maui Humane Society is providing free health certificates and free air kennels for residents that need them to leave the island.
OGG to HNL only
Kamaka Airlines – possible discount on flights
OGG to Continental USA
– Alaska Airlines – OGG to Seattle and LAX. Assisting with Maui shelters relocating pets. They recommended shelter groups send them a request. They are considering discount requests to pet relocation groups.
– Hawaiian Airlines – OGG to SEA and LAX (non-stop flights, no kennel limitations); OGG to SFO and SAN (non-stop with max 28” height kennels)
HNL to LAX
– Pacific Air Cargo – book through IPATA Pet Transport Company
– Aloha Air Cargo – book through IPATA Pet Transport Company; accepts giant breeds, also flies to Seattle
– American Airlines Cargo (PetEmbark) – PetEmbark@aa.com; 1-800-227-4622, (only between HNL and continental US)
Local IPATA Pet Transporters
Island Pet Movers
– www.islandpetmovers.com/contact (please fill out inquiry)
– exotic pets, cats and dogs, fish on case-by-case basis
– discount Aug 15-25, OGG to HNL to LAX, $65 to HNL, $225 to LAX (100-500 size kennel); no breed restrictions to LAX
– other mainland locations $375 – $575, airport and breed restrictions apply
– utilizing Kamaka Air and Pacific Air Cargo
– crates and health certificate exams discounted 30%
Tails of Hawaii
– 808-676-9663 option 3
– tailmovers@tailsofhawaii.com
– Exotic & pocket pets, potbelly pigs, cats and dogs, birds, NO fish
– may offer discount for moves on case-by-case basis, submit request to
tailmovers@tailsofhawaii.com
– offering discount on health certificate issuance in HNL for those impacted by Maui wildfires
REMINDERS FOR VETS
Category I Accredited Veterinarians authorized through our National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) are NOT able to issue health certificates for pet birds or pet pot-bellied pigs. Those animals would need to be examined by a Category II Accredited Veterinarian. If AV’s have more questions as to which Category they are authorized, to please refer to the following website and feel free to reach out to the local NVAP Coordinator: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/nvap/ct_category1-2
For pets going to the mainland US, please issue a rabies vaccine certificate.
Further VEHCS information and guidance:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/vehcs-info
We wanted to alert our membership that canine influenza (H3N2) was detected on Oahu in four dogs from three families at two separate clinics. All affected dogs had been recently boarded at a single facility. Canine influenza virus can cause respiratory disease in dogs that can resemble kennel cough. Less commonly, more severe illness can be observed, especially in dogs that have an underlying health condition.
At this time, there does not seem to be any known spread to other dogs in the local community. Transmission of H3N2 canine influenza virus from dogs to cats has been reported in other outbreaks. To date, there is no evidence that transmission to humans can occur.
Veterinary clinics should take precautions to avoid transmission of the virus between dogs. The AVMA recommends that dogs with clinical signs suggestive of respiratory disease be separated from other dogs. This includes the waiting area, facility entrance/exit, examination/treatment area, and hospitalization ward. Personnel should wear personal protective equipment and disinfect the facility and potential fomites with an appropriate disinfectant. Many commonly used disinfectants are effective against influenza viruses. The EPA maintains a list of products that are registered for use against influenza viruses.
The best test to diagnose acute clinical infections is the PCR test on deep nasal (preferred) or pharyngeal swabs. Viral shedding peaks early in the infection, so the test is of highest value within the first 1-2 days of the onset of clinical signs. Avoid using cotton-tipped wood shaft swabs for sample collection because those materials may inhibit the PCR reaction. Please check with the laboratory ahead of time for their preferred storage tubes; in general, avoid using tubes with additives or gel media.
If you know of any confirmed cases, please contact Hawaii Department of Agriculture at hdoa.vls@hawaii.gov. HVMA leadership is monitoring the situation and can be reached at: public_relations@hawaiivetmed.org. There is also a private Facebook page for HVMA members (veterinarians only) and a specific chat thread to discuss this topic. The Center for Food Security and Public Health has an excellent review of canine influenza. The AVMA and the CDC also have good information available on their websites.
This year the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association’s 70th annual conference will be held in-person from November 9-12th, 2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel.
We are welcoming back our colleagues from Japan for the first time since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic shut down international travel. In addition to Japanese-translated sessions, we will have hands-on laboratories on orthopedic surgery, point of care ultrasound, and successful CPR techniques.
Lecture topics include ophthalmology, neurology, dentistry, emergency and critical care, swine and ruminant medicine and surgery, business, and wellbeing.
HVMA will also hold our 70th Annual Business meeting on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 12pm. This meeting is open to active HVMA members as well as any interested veterinarians in Hawaii.
Please check here for conference schedule, lab information, and accommodation information. Registration is now open; we hope you will join us this fall!
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