AEMV News - Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians

AEMV News

AEMV Dues Payments for 2013/2014 Membership Now Open

Our membership remains our primary focus and to that end we will incur a dues increase this year in order to hire a new Executive Director and cover ever rising operational expenses. Payments must be received by July 31, 2013 in order to remain an active member. Please click here to view membership rates and to log into the Members Section of the website.

AEMV is Accepting Applications for the Position of Executive Director

This person will be responsible for the effective operation of the Association, the execution of the Association's strategic goals and objectives, and, most importantly, guiding the Association as directed by its mission statement. The Executive Director will oversee all Association activities and is ultimately responsible for the financial management of the Association. Since the duties compel the Executive Director to be well known by membership and the veterinary community in general, it is expected and required that the Executive Director is to be an advocate and spokesperson for the profession.

A complete job description may be obtained by clicking here (document in PDF format).

Please contact Dr. Dan Johnson, Chairman of the Executive Director Search Committee at drdan@avianandexotic.com for more information.

AEMV's 2013 Annual Conference - September 2013

Our Annual Conference will be held in conjunction with the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from September 14-19, 2013 at the Sheraton City Center.

AEMV 2013 Conference Topics:

AEMV 2013 Conference Workshops (details to be determined):

Zoo Day will be on Tuesday starting at lunch, then ending with dinner and a live auction. Continental breakfast and coffee breaks are included with registration and breaks will allow time to visit exhibits. Registration will open in June.

AEMV Science Grant Review Committee Announces its 2013/2014 Annual Call for Proposals from Veterinarians

The purpose of the AEMV Research Fund is to promote research that specifically leads to the improvement in clinical care of exotic companion mammals. This includes ferrets, rabbits, rodents guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, and other less traditional pet species such as hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and prairie dogs, pertaining to captive health, diet, and husbandry in privately owned situations. Click here for more information.

The due date for receipt of proposals is Wednesday, May 1, 2013. The winning proposal will be notified July 1, 2013.

AEMV 2013 Strategic Planning Summit

On March 22, 2013, the AEMV Board of Directors held its first strategic planning summit. At the annual conference in October 2012, we recognized the association had grown (and continues to grow) at a faster pace than ever imagined for such a young group. With the help of Dr. Karl Wise (Associate Executive Vice President of the AVMA) we accomplished not only a vision for AEMV but strategic plan for the next three years. For over 14 hours we worked to create a living document that will provide the leadership and membership a blueprint to carryout the AEMV vision and mission. Click here for more details.

Oxbow 2013 Exotic Mammal Health Award - Call for Nominations by June 1, 2013 - View/Download PDF Poster

Oxbow, in conjunction with AEMV, is proud to present the Oxbow Exotic Mammal Health Award, an annual award to recognize excellence and innovation in the field of exotic mammal health. Nominations may be based on a sustained effort or an extraordinary single achievement in any or all of the following areas of exotic mammal care:

Please note: nominations are judged based on merit, qualifications and contributions, not necessarily on the number of nominations received.

Recipients must be available and willing to attend a presentation ceremony at the annual conference and participate in other recognition activities.

Submit a CV and letter of recommendation describing the individual's contributions to the field of exotic mammal health by June 1, 2013.


AWARD BENEFITS

Submit nominations to:

Oxbow Animal Health
Attn: EMH Award
29012 Mill Road Murdock, NE 68407

or by email to: emhaward@oxbowanimalhealth.com

Letter from New AEMV President Chris Griffin and List of Future AEMV Tasks

Dr. Chris Griffin, DVM, DABVP - Avian is our new AEMV President and will hold this position until 2014. Please take a moment to read his December 2012 President's Letter. Dr. Griffin has also specified these tasks for AEMV to take on in the coming months:

  1. Maximize the value of membership of AEMV.
  2. Expand the membership.
  3. Continue to develop our brand.
  4. Continue the evolution of our conference and the propagation of positive relationships with like-minded organizations.
  5. Continue to improve and strengthen our relationships with non-veterinary animal health and husbandry companies by increasing our membership's involvement in those companies.
  6. Increase internet based, social networking opportunities.
  7. Continue grants for Exotic Companion Mammal medical research.
  8. Continue our (members') involvement in the ABVP specialty-ECM.
  9. Continue with the updating and upkeep of the administrative side of AEMV, including review and update of Bylaws, etc.
  10. Fill the positions of Treasurer and Executive Director as soon as possible. (Click here to read Executive Director Melissa Kling's letter.)

Seeking Nominations for 2013 AEMV Treasurer

Dr. Dan Johnson, Dipl-ABVP (Exotic Companion Mammal) is currently serving as AEMV Treasurer, but has recently been elected President-Elect. As a result, we are now actively seeking nominations for AEMV Treasurer for 2013.

If you would like to nominate a current AEMV member to be our 2013 Treasurer, please email Dr. Melissa Kling by December 17, 2012 at info@aemv.org. Depending upon the number of nominations we receive, we'll hold an online election for the position. Thank you for your nominations!

AEMV 2012 Conference Digital Proceedings Available to AEMV Members

AEMV 2012 Conference Proceedings are now available in the Members section of this website. AEMV members, please log-in to the Members Section and then select AEMV Events > Proceedings to view/download the proceedings.

ZuPreem FruitBlend With Natural Fruit Flavors Recall Information for AEMV (October 10, 2012)

ZuPreem has initiated a voluntary recall of two lots of ZuPreem FruitBlend With Natural Fruit Flavors bird food because they may contain elevated levels of calcium. The recall is limited to ZuPreem Medium/Large and Large FruitBlend With Natural Fruit Flavors maintenance formula bird foods with 11/30/13 or 11/13 expiration date codes. For more information, please visit the ZuPreem website or click here to read the ZuPreem veterinary letter (PDF format).

Supreme PetFoods Establishes Veterinary Residency at University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Supreme PetFoods is pleased to announce the establishment of a veterinary residency within the Zoological Medicine service at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Laila Maftoum Proença is the first resident in the program, which focuses on zoological companion animals (exotic pets). She will spend three years working under the guidance of Drs. Stephen Divers and Joerg Mayer, both of whom are boarded zoological medicine and faculty members at the university. For more info see: http://supremepetfoodsus.com/sponsoring-resident-in-zoological-medicine/.

Reduced AEMV Membership Rate for Residents of Qualifying Countries

It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce a new innovative step being implemented by the AEMV. For a long period we discussed how to provide a system which can encourage more international colleagues to join our organization and thereby take a more active role in the organization and provide an avenue to disseminate the ever-growing scientific information about small mammal medicine in all corners of the world.

Unfortunately, we are not able to grant online only access to members overseas and charge a reduced fee. While this would have been an easy way to avoid shipping the journal to remote areas and save on our main expenses, we think we came up with a plan to make it easier for some of our international colleagues to join our organization for a reduced fee and still get 100% of the benefits including receiving a print copy of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine mailed the traditional way. Click here for details about this new membership policy.

Financial Support Now Available for Education Conferences Outside the United States

The AEMV is proud to announce financial support for certain exotic companion mammal continuing education meetings taking place in countries outside of the United Sates.

Applications for the year 2013 are being taken now with the chosen recipient being announced at the 2012 AEMV Annual Conference to be held in conjunction with the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians and the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, October 21 through 26, 2012 in Oakland, California. Submissions and further questions can be addressed to info@aemv.org.

Foreign meeting support proposal

The Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV) will make available funding for support and sponsorship of continuing education opportunities in countries outside of the United States. The goal is to offer aid based on the financial need of the host country and association. The stipend for this sponsorship will not exceed a maximum of $2,000 U.S. dollars and will be renewed annually. Applications are open all year with the recipient for the following year being announced at the AEMV Annual Conference.

To be eligible for AEMV financial support of an association's continuing education meeting the following criteria should be met and questions answered.

Congratulations to these Newly Certified AVBP Diplomates in the Exotic Companion Mammal (ECM) specialty:

Please join the AEMV in congratulating our new 2012 Diplomates ABVP- Exotic Companinon Mammal:

Teresa Bradley-Bays, Belton, Missouri
Thomas Donnelly, Ossining, New York
Michael Dutton, Weare, New Hampshire
Peter Fisher, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Angela Lennox, Indianapolis, Indiana
Lauren Powers, Charlotte, North Carolina

Congratulations to the following 8 veterinarians who became new ACZM Diplomates in September 2012:

Dr. Eric T. Anderson, Crossville, Tennessee
Dr. Carol M. Bradford, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dr. Catherine A. Hadfield, Baltimore, Maryland
Dr. Natalie H. Hall, Yulee, Florida
Dr. Stephanie McCain, Birmingham, Alabama
Dr. Timothy Portas, Maleny, Queensland, Australia
Dr. Elizabeth M. Stringer, Denver, Colorado
Dr. Sandra Wenger, Zurich, Switzerland

AEMV Membership Plaque Available for Purchase

Proudly display your membership in AEMV by ordering an AEMV Membership Plaque. The plaques come in a dark cherry finish and display your current year membership in AEMV.

Login to the Members Section of the website for more information and to make a secure online payment.

In Memorium Cards Available

AEMV has achieved yet another goal and are proud to announce the availability of our "In Memoriam" cards. Dr. Vittorio Capello provided his expert graphic artistry in designing the overall look of the cards and they are now ready for purchase. We have them available in packs of 10 cards with envelopes for $50.00. All proceeds go directly into the AEMV Research Fund.

To purchase these cards online, please log in to the Members Section and access the In Memorium card page. We are very proud of these cards and thank everyone involved in this important project.

Card Message:

As veterinarians. we know it is never easy to say farewell to a cherished companion.
A donation has been made to the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians by _____________ in memory of ______________.
This donation will contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of Exotic Mammal Medicine and Surgery
While we share your grief, please know your pet's legacy will live on.

New Logo for AEMV - Downloads of the Logo Now Available!

Dr. Vittorio Capello has worked very hard to design and produce our new logo. Therefore, we asked him to create a set of instructions so that the logo will be used in the correct way for business cards, stationery, websites, etc.

Please login to the Members Section of the website to access the logo download.