28 In This Issue - Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020
Workplace
Mental Health 28
In This Issue 10 2020 Virtual ABVMA
Registration Day 26 2020 Virtual CanWest
Veterinary Conference 32 Remembering
Animals in War
Inside this Issue VOL. 22, ISSUE 6
The ABVMA Members’ Magazine is
a bi-monthly publication of the Alberta
FEATURES Veterinary Medical Association delivered
free of charge to members of the ABVMA.
10
2020 Virtual ABVMA Registration Day
20
Government Relations Update Editor’s Notebook
26
28
AS WE COAST TOWARD THE HOLIDAY
2020 Virtual CanWest season, it should be no surprise that this year will be
Veterinary Conference
unlike any other in our past. The bustling shopping
32 malls and throngs of people partaking in seasonal
On the Cover
Remembering Animals in War Workplace Mental Health celebrations and Christmas parties will likely not occur
this year. COVID-19 has put a damper on all aspects
of our lives. I am sure that the online merchandizers
REGULAR ARTICLES will be thrilled with their continued exponential
increase in business, but the small businesses that do
Editor’s Notebook..............................................................................................3
not have that luxury will continue to suffer. Many are
President’s Report...............................................................................................4
already gone.
Registrar’s Report...............................................................................................5 Veterinary practices are also small businesses that
Council Highlights............................................................................................6-7 do not have the luxury of delivering our product via a
Keeping You Current........................................................................................8-9 courier service. Unlike many of the small businesses that
Notice of the ABVMA Annual General Meeting................................................9 have had to close their doors, perhaps forever, veterinary
Complaints Director’s Report......................................................................14-15 practices remain steady and strong for the most part.
PIPS Tip.............................................................................................................16 There seems to be an explosion of new pets to combat
Membership Matters........................................................................................18 the emptiness created by self-isolating at home. For this
CVMA Report....................................................................................................22 we should be thankful. But let’s not forget the multitude
Practice Management: CVMA Workforce Study..............................................23 of people that have not been so fortunate.
Public Recognition Corner...........................................................................24-25 Every day on the news there are layoffs and business
closings announced. Many of the people that we
Go Green..........................................................................................................24
depend upon for our livelihoods are not in a good
Welcome to the Profession...............................................................................30
place. Many good owners do not have the funds to care
Focus on Wellness: Resilience......................................................................34-35
for their animals the way they would normally. We
Dean’s Corner (UCVM & WCVM).................................................................36-37
have seen an upturn in rude and impatient owners at
Student’s Corner (WCVM & UCVM)............................................................38-39 many practices. We have even seen violence toward one
ABVTA News................................................................................................40-42 of our own. This is not acceptable at any time and the
In Memoriam.....................................................................................................43 ABVMA is working to bring this issue to the attention
ABVMA Communication to Members..............................................................43 of the public.
CE Opportunities.........................................................................................44-45 However, we must also be cognizant and mindful
Classified Ads...............................................................................................46-55 of the tremendous stress, both emotional and financial,
Advertiser’s Index.............................................................................................55 that many of our clients are under. Sometimes a smile
or a kind word is all they need to get through their
day. We are more than the caretakers of their animals.
PRODUCTION CONTACT US Remember to show the same compassion to the
Editor – Dr. Darrell Dalton Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
Design, Layout & Printing – Burke Group Bldg. 3, Elm Business Park
owners as well, and not be too quick to judge them
Communications and Professional Suite 104, 9452 – 51 Avenue, NW until you have walked a mile in their shoes.
Enhancement – Kathy Naum Edmonton, AB T6E 5A6 This year especially, be sure to give to the less
ADVERTISING Phone: 780-489-5007 fortunate. Please have a blessed and Merry Christmas!
Display Advertising – Sarah Munn Toll-Free: 1-800-404-2862
Classified Advertising – Mandi Duggan Fax: 780-484-8311
EDITORIAL POLICY Return Undeliverable
Darrell Dalton, DVM
The ABVMA Members’ Magazine Canadian Addresses to: Registrar, Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
welcomes article submissions, letters to Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
the editor and advertising requests Suite 104, 9452 – 51 Avenue, NW
on topics and products related to the Edmonton, AB T6E 5A6 Canada
veterinary profession.
Canadian Publication Mail
The editor reserves the right to reject Agreement 40014637
submissions if they do not meet the
ABVMA’s editorial criteria.
The editor also reserves the right to edit
submissions (including letters to the
editor) for clarity, length and correction
of factual inaccuracies.
WWW.ABVMA.CA 3
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED EFFECT OF
COVID-19 THAT WAS NOT PREDICTED — THE DEMAND FOR
VETERINARY SERVICES SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.
United States. Curbside drop-off/pick- Government of Alberta to perform a
up and other infection control protocols workforce study here in Alberta. This will
increased the time needed to see each be evaluating the need for veterinarians
patient and the work for all clinic staff and veterinary technologists in rural,
involved. Emergency clinics have been suburban and urban populations. This
seeing increased wait time. All of this has study is now underway, and preliminary
contributed to a trend of being chronically results are expected in December. We are
short-handed in companion animal practices. very excited to receive current data on the
We have known that rural mixed animal scope of the issue and be able to make some
clinics, particularly those in more remote projections for anticipated workforce needs
areas, have struggled with workforce in the future. It is important to have good
shortages for quite some time now. This projections for planning future numbers of
has been a hot topic of discussion with veterinarian and RVT graduates. It is also
the ABVMA, the Government of Alberta, important to define what areas of veterinary
the veterinary colleges, animal health medicine have the most significant
technology programs and production animal shortages, so that this can shape the
stakeholders. Over the past few years, there application process and intake of students
WHEN COVID-19 WAS FOUND TO has been a noted increase in workforce into educational programs.
be active in Alberta in mid-March, there shortage in companion animal clinics even in We are very excited to see class size
were a lot of unknowns as to how the urban centres, which has also contributed to increase at UCVM, and there have been
veterinary profession would be affected. the concern that veterinary professionals are increases in RVT graduates over the past
Members were very concerned that they not meeting the demand. Advertisements for few years with additional programs at
would be forced to close clinics if veterinary veterinarians and RVTs have been increasing. several colleges. The ABVMA has been
medicine was listed as a non-essential The CVMA performed a national study spearheading these discussions with
service. The ABVMA was very active in to evaluate the veterinary workforce in stakeholders, faculty and government about
consultation with the Government of Canada and found a significant and broad workforce shortages over the last several
Alberta to ensure that veterinary medicine shortage of veterinary professionals. Open years, and we expect this work will be
was declared an essential service in all its veterinary positions take on average seven ongoing. Furthermore, additional pathways
forms, from food production to companion months to fill, with Alberta being one of for certification of international graduates of
animal medicine. Ultimately, this was the provinces that had a longer than average non-accredited veterinary colleges have been
successful, and practices were able to remain time to fill. Companion animal demand approved by the NEB, and will hopefully be
open with infection prevention protocols. was found to have the highest increase accessible in Alberta soon.
Initially, there was concern for decreased in demand, with food animal demand The ABVMA understands that our
demand for those services, and ideas such remaining stable. COVID-19 is expected to members are concerned about the lack of
as shortening hours and creating separate have an effect due to economy depression qualified veterinarians and technologists.
teams that work opposing schedules to and recovery, however economic recovery This is an area of much focus and discussion.
prevent spread throughout the entire team is expected to put further pressure on the We encourage our members to continue
were suggested. veterinary workforce shortage. The study their excellent work on finding short-term
However, there was an unexpected effect also concluded there is lack of cost-effective solutions for the shortage, and ensure that
of COVID-19 that was not predicted — and simple solutions for the shortage of self-care is practiced to try to mitigate
the demand for veterinary services showed veterinary care in remote areas. burnout. The ABVMA welcomes comments
a significant increase. This appears to be The ABVMA was successful in and suggestions from members regarding
consistent with other provinces and the obtaining a grant to partner with the this important issue.
4 ABVMA MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020
REGISTRAR’S REPORT
For more on this topic, read the Practice national level. The ABVMA maintains a
Management article, summarizing the results good working relationship with the Alberta
of the CVMA’s workforce study (pg 23) and SPCA and provincial humane societies. The
learn more about ABVMA’s activities reviewed association is also prepared and willing to
in the government relations article (pg 20). engage with the Government of Alberta if
Another area of focus for the ABVMA they decide to open the Animal Protection
is to examine how the ABVMA is assessing Act. The ABVMA has maintained strong
veterinary professionals and their ongoing participation in the Companion Animal
competence throughout their career. To date, Disaster Response Steering Committee to
the association has required members to develop a plan for the province.
attend continuing education (CE) events and Antimicrobial Stewardship continues to
record the hours attended. Research shows guide activities within the association. The
that this is not an effective way of maintaining antimicrobial stewardship communications
or assessing ongoing professional competence. project is ongoing and will wrap up in spring
Through the association’s participation in the 2021. A documentary is still in production,
Darrell Dalton, DVM
Canadian Council of Veterinary Registrars and raised with care stewardship podcasts
(CCVR), this group has become partners in will run until Nov. 5, 2020. Stream these live
Registrar, Alberta Veterinary an international study to develop a framework on You Tube or Facebook or watch previous
Medical Association
of essential knowledge and skills that will sessions at your leisure. Learn more at
serve a veterinarian from graduation to raisedwithcare.ca/rwc-stewardship-sessions.
retirement. This study will inform our way The One Health Antimicrobial Stewardship
forward for evaluating competency and how Conference will take place virtually March
AS THE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE, IT we utilize CE in the future. Watch for details 10-12, 2021. Information coming this January
is time to look at some of the activities that within the next year. at: www.ohab.ca/one-health-2020.
the ABVMA has been involved in for the The ABVMA continues to offer traditional Finally, the ABVMA has been working
past 12 months — outside of the COVID-19 CE, such as the recent virtual CanWest closely with the Alberta College of Pharmacy
pandemic. First, and probably foremost, is the Veterinary Conference. Planning is ongoing (ACP) to help update their act, standards and
issue of the shortage of veterinary professionals for a 2021 virtual One Health Antimicrobial guidance documents. Pharmacists play an
within the province. The ABVMA has Stewardship Conference in March, as well as important role in many veterinary practices,
communicated with the provincial government the John Waters Zoonotic Diseases Workshop yet their legislation has no mention of animals
about this issue. In order to quantify what the in fall 2021. The association will continue or the filling of veterinary scripts. This is a gap
shortage is, Alberta Labour and Immigration to offer CE virtually until such time as it is that must be filled. It has been a very satisfying
generously provided the ABVMA a grant to deemed safe to do otherwise. and collaborative exchange of information
survey the membership and stakeholders to Animal welfare continues to be a priority working with ACP.
establish how many veterinary professionals of the ABVMA. The association continues With the year coming to a close, these
we need to meet the future needs of Alberta. to hold board positions on Alberta Farm are several of the activities and initiatives the
This project is being conducted in partnership Animal Care (AFAC) and the National ABVMA is working on for its members.
with the ABVTA and Alberta Labour and Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC). Both The association looks forward to
Immigration. Surveys are currently in progress of these appointments facilitate our input continuing work on these items, and others,
and a final report is expected in early 2021. into animal welfare on both a provincial and into the New Year.
Season’s Greetings
The ABVMA staff extends best wishes to
you all for a safe and happy holiday season.
Season’s greetings from
Dr. Darrell Dalton, Dr. Phil Buote, Dr. Jocelyn Forseille,
Kathy Naum, Lisa Barry, Monica Clair, RVT, Mandi Duggan,
Margaret Massey, RVT, Justyna Moniatowicz, Sarah Munn,
Desiree Sieben, RVT, Sandra Ward, Lee Anne Winter
WWW.ABVMA.CA 5
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
2020 ABVMA Council
Back row, left to right: Tracey Ruzicka, RVT, Karen Melnyk, RVT, Dr. Natasha Kutryk, Dr. Noel Ritson-Bennett, Dr. Gurmeet Singh Tuli, Dr. Colleen Pratt, Dr. Daren Mandrusiak, Kate Simon, RVT
Front row, left to right: Dr. Chris Berezowski, Mick Howden, Dr. Pat Burrage, Dr. Kirsten Aarbo, Dr. Lisa Lomsnes, Dr. Louis Kwantes, Dr. Jonathan Leicht, Ross Plecash
Missing from photo: Dr. Darrell Dalton, Dr. Douglas Freeman, Dr. Keith Lehman, Dr. Baljit Singh
Aug. 31 & Sept. 1, 2020 – Virtual Meeting
Mick Howden
Council met virtually for two morning Council with the provision that if health management of the veterinary practice.
sessions on the above dates. guidelines change and more normal It was agreed that the topic warrants
• Professional Standards: Several months operations are allowed to resume later in further review and is to be on the agenda
ago, Council requested that the Registrar the year, the Registrar could request that for discussion as part of the Strategic
conduct an internal review of the Council approve moving to the second, Planning session in October.
ABVMA according to the “Standards Normal Operations Budget, for the • Health Profession Act and Pharmacist
of Good Regulation” of the Professional balance of the year. and Pharmacy Technicians Profession
Standards Authority (UK). The Complaints • CVMA Membership: At the 2020 Regulation: The pharmacist profession
Director was similarly asked to undertake Annual General Meeting (AGM), a is in the process of considering changes
a review of the ABVMA complaints and resolution was passed that the ABVMA to their act including the concept of
discipline process against the Standards would become an Organizational Member prescribing and dispensing of drugs
of Good Regulation for complaints and of the CVMA, as opposed to ABVMA to animals. Council is of the opinion
discipline. At the August 31 meeting, members having individual CVMA that there should be no provision in
there was an in-depth review of the memberships. The Registrar suggested the Pharmacy and Drug Act that would
reports produced, i.e. an introspective view a formula for this new membership fee permit prescribing for animals in any
of how ABVMA may stack up compared structure that would work financially for form, but that dispensing in accordance
to the Standards. The reports were well ABVMA. Council approved that the with a licensed veterinarian’s prescription
received and discussed at length. The topic formula should be presented to CVMA is deemed appropriate. Senior ABVMA
will be discussed more thoroughly at the for consideration and acceptance. staff will endeavour to influence the
upcoming Strategic Planning session to • Resolution 19-01, Practice Ownership: pharmacists’ association to achieve
be held in October 2020. The resolution was a subject of the Council’s intent.
• Annual Budget Approval 2020-21: The post-AGM discussion on March 1, • Companion Animal Disaster Response
Registrar proactively submitted two 2020. Council continued the discussion, Operations Plan: The Government of
budgets for the upcoming fiscal year including a review of how the issue is Alberta has requested the ABVMA’s
for Council’s consideration. The first, handled in other Canadian provinces, participation in creating a disaster
COVID-19 Budget, reflects the ongoing identifying the pros and cons for plan for evacuation and reunification
impact caused by the pandemic, i.e. various alternatives. A Task Force of of companion animals, prompted by
some programs and efforts that cannot Council Members was created and will ABVMA members’ involvement in
proceed. The second version of the budget focus on the specific issue of ABVMA the Fort McMurray fires. A draft plan
represented what Council would typically registered technologists possibly owning was presented by the Deputy Registrar.
expect to achieve in a normal year. The a majority of shares (>51 per cent), and Council approved the plan subject to
COVID-19 Budget was recommended how that intersects with the concept of ongoing refinement and implementation.
by the Registrar and was approved by a veterinarian exercising control over the
6 ABVMA MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020
MICK HOWDEN ATTENDED THE UNIVERSITY OF
Saskatchewan, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce. After
moving to Calgary, he received his accounting designation and
maintains his CPA and CMA.
Mick’s career has been primarily in the consulting
engineering and construction sectors, gaining broad experience in
geographically diverse national and international operations.
During his career, he had the opportunity to be very involved
in the planning and implementation of numerous business
acquisitions & mergers, complex enterprise resource planning
system implementations and significant corporate reorganizations.
Mick has always kept very involved in corporate, community,
athletic and not-for-profit organizations, often serving as an
Executive and/or Board Member. He is currently involved in
several businesses as a consultant, supporting the community at
the committee level, provincial government council appointments
and corporate board memberships.
Mick Howden
ABVMA Public Member of Council
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WWW.ABVMA.CA 7
KEEPING YOU CURRENT
Announcements and Member Engagement
ABVMA CHRISTMAS OFFICE CLOSURE MALATEST LABOUR MARKET
The ABVMA office will be closed for the Christmas break from Dec. WORKFORCE PROJECT UPDATE
24, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021. Office hours will resume on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. The ABVMA and ABVTA are conducting a labour market study
UCVM DEAN
to address the current shortage of veterinarians and veterinary
Following an extensive national and international search, Dr. Baljit technologists in Alberta. The study is funded through a grant from the
Singh, a highly accomplished veterinary researcher, educator and Alberta Ministry of Labour and Immigration.
administrator, will join University of Saskatchewan (USask) President The survey was sent out to all ABVMA members and practice
Peter Stoicheff ’s leadership team as vice-president research, effective owners in October. Please take some time to complete the survey.
Feb. 1, 2021. Read the full article.
ABVMA Council would like to thank Dr. Singh for his service
on Council from 2016-2020.
Association Activities
The Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Assistant Registrar and Communications Manager (R/DR/AR/CM) participated in regular meetings to
discuss COVID-19 information for members and the public.
ABVMA Leadership and Council represented the association through numerous activities over the last two months:
SEPTEMBER 2020 15: R/AR/CM Labour Market Workforce 28: R National Farmed Animal Care Council
2: R/DR/AR Executive meeting with Dr. Project Advisory Team Meeting
Simon Otto - One Health Antimicrobial AR/CM One Health Workshop Series 29: P/PP/R/DR/AR/CM Virtual Registration
Stewardship Conference Planning Day
R/DR/AR Program Planning Committee 16: R/AR/CM Executive meeting with Dr. R AAVSB Annual Meeting & Conference
Meeting - One Health Antimicrobial Simon Otto - One Health Antimicrobial - Measuring Regulatory Performance
Stewardship Conference Stewardship Conference 30: R/DR/AR/CM One Health Workshop
3: R/DR/AR Government Relations CM bi-weekly call with ev+ Digital Series - Chronic Wasting Disease,
Meeting with Pam Cholak Marketing Agency session 1
R Triplicate Prescription Program 21: AR/CM Quarterly Content Meeting with R Alberta Farm Animal Care Board
Steering Committee (TPPSC) Meeting ev+ Digital Marketing Agency Meeting
8: R/DR Labour and Immigration - R/AR Registration Committee Meeting OCTOBER 2020
Streamlining Professional Legislation 22: R Veterinary Medicine Essential 1: R/DR/AR/CM Executive meeting
Engagement Session Competency Profile Project Meeting with Dr. Simon Otto - One Health
AR One Health Workshop Series R/AR American Association of Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference
Planning Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Annual R/DR/AR/CM Program Planning
9: P/PP/R/DR/AR Executive Council Meeting & Conference - Veterinary Committee Meeting - One Health
Meeting Virtual Care Panel Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference
R/DR/AR Teleconference with Alberta 23: P/PP/R/AR Executive Council Meeting R AAVSB Annual Meeting & Conference
Labour & Immigration Minister Copping R/AR/CM One Health Workshop Series - Cannabinoids in Veterinary Medicine
10: R Occupational Health and Safety Planning CM CVMA/Provincial Communications
Legislative Reform – Radiation 24: R Audit Committee Meeting Meeting
Legislation AR Companion Animal Advisory 2: DR Lecture to Second Year UCVM
11: R/DR Labour Market Workforce Project Committee Meeting Students
Advisory Team R AAVSB Annual Meeting & Conference AR Food Animal Advisory Committee
R/DR Meeting with Alberta College of - Wellness During the Pandemic Meeting
Pharmacists (ACP) Re Draft Standards of 25: AR Member Wellness Advisory CM teleconference with ABVTA
Practice Committee Meeting Executive Director
14: R/AR PIPS Committee Meeting CM teleconference with ABVTA 5: R/DR Meeting with the ACP Re Draft
Executive Director Standards of Practice for Animal Health
LEGEND
P = PRESIDENT PP = PAST PRESIDENT VP = VICE PRESIDENT R = REGISTRAR DR = DEPUTY REGISTRAR AR = ASSISTANT REGISTRAR CM = COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
8 ABVMA MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020
6: R/AR: AAVSB Annual Meeting & 15: R/DR/AR/CM Program Planning CM teleconference with ABVTA
Conference - Permissionless Innovation Committee Meeting - One Health Executive Director
- Cutting Edge Regulation for the Idaho Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference AR UCVM Stakeholder Advisory
Pharmacy Board R/DR/AR/CM Executive meeting Committee meeting
7: R/DR One Health Workshop Series - with Dr. Simon Otto - One Health 26: AR UCVM VEM323 Presentation
Chronic Wasting Disease, session 2 Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference 27: R/DR/AR/CM Advisory Team Labour
8: P/PP/R/DR/AR Executive Council R AAVSB Annual Meeting & Market Workforce Project Update
Meeting Conference – Executive Director and DR Tails of Help Board Meeting
R/CM 2021 John Waters Zoonotic Registrar Session
28-29: DR Hearing
Diseases Workshop Planning 16: P/PP/R/DR/AR/CM Council Meeting
28: R/DR/AR/CM One Health Workshop
Committee Meeting and Strategic Planning Session
Series – AMR/Stewardship session 1
R AAVSB Annual Meeting & 17: P/PP/R/DR/AR/CM Council Meeting/
AR Animal Welfare Advisory
Conference - Top Legal Cases Risk Register Development
Committee Meeting
9: CM One Health Workshop Series P/PP/R/DR/AR/CM ABVTA Annual
29: R Next Innovation Teleconference
Committee Update General Meeting
R/DR/AR/CM Program Planning
R/CM Advisory Team Labour Market 18-20: R/DR/AR/CM – CanWest
Committee Meeting - One Health
Workforce Project Update Veterinary Conference
Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference
CM teleconference with ABVTA 21-23: DR Hearing
R/DR/AR/CM Executive meeting
Executive Director 21: P/PP/R/DR/AR Executive Council with Dr. Simon Otto - One Health
13: R/DR/AR Advisory Team Labour Meeting Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference
Market Workforce Project Update R/DR/AR/CM One Health Workshop DR CVMA Working Group on
R/DR/AR/CM Government Relations Series – Microbiome Veterinary Workforce
Meeting with Pam Cholak 22: AR Human Resources Development 30: AR Equine Committee Meeting
14-15: DR Hearing Committee Advisory Committee
DR Canadian Council of Veterinary
14: R/DR/AR/CM One Health Workshop Meeting
Registrars Complaints Data Project
Series – COVID-19 23: R/DR/AR/CM Advisory Team Labour Meeting
Market Workforce Project Update
Notice of the
Bj Desjardins, PTA, CCRA
ABVMA Annual General Meeting Client Service Representative
(Southern Alberta)
& Virtual Leadership Week “Your Success is Our Business”
DIRECT: (403) 324-5926 17611 - 109A Avenue
February 22-26, 2021 (tentative) Direct Fax:
Toll Free:
(780) 329-9332
1-877-329-9332 ext. 1125
Edmonton, Alberta
T5S 2W4
Email: bjdesjardins@wddc.com
Website: www.wddc.com
Delivery Method: Virtual
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Alberta Veterinary
Medical Association will take place virtually on Sunday, Feb.
28, 2021, 9 a.m. MST. Members are encouraged to participate Tanya Kushneryk, B.Com.
Client Services Representative
in association affairs and are invited to attend the AGM. (Northern Alberta)
“Your Success is Our Business”
Other Leadership Weekend events, as well as an awards
presentation hosted in lieu of the Member Recognition DIRECT: (780) 224-2265 17611 - 109A Avenue
Direct Fax: (780) 413-2530 Edmonton, Alberta
Banquet, will be offered virtually. Toll Free: 1-877-329-9332 ext. 1127 T5S 2W4
Email: tkushneryk@wddc.com
Please watch your January/February 2021 Website: www.wddc.com
Members’ Magazine for more details.
WWW.ABVMA.CA 9
2020 VIRTUAL ABVMA REGISTRATION DAY
VETERINARIANS AND REGISTERED VETERINARY
technologists (RVTs) from across the province came together on
Sept. 29, 2020, for our very first virtual ABVMA Registration Day.
This event typically occurs twice per year to welcome new members
to the association and allow for networking with classmates and
future colleagues. This year, both events were combined to a one-
day virtual session. Registrants were warmly welcomed by the
association’s dignitaries. They were then directed to small group
discussions of case scenarios followed by the opportunity for the
ABVMA to answer questions. The discussions enabled participants
to explore the various rules and regulations of the Veterinary
Profession Act and General Regulation, Bylaws, Practice Standards
and the complaints process.
A combined 316 veterinarians and RVTs became members of the
veterinary profession in Alberta. Welcome to the profession!
Lisa Scott, DVM, Chair, ABVMA Registration Committee
VETERINARIANS
3919 Dr. Julian Arroyave 3853 Dr. Meaghan Crawford 3862 Dr. Ciara Gibney
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3941 Dr. Nurmukhammet Atabayev 3932 Dr. Sierra Crisp 3831 Dr. Ian Gibson
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3835 Dr. Navdeep Aujla 3829 Dr. Leslie Davenport 3868 Dr. Amanda Gilliland
Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3866 Dr. Jenifer Baker 2779 Dr. Holly Davies 3878 Dr. Jill Girgulis
General Practice Registered Veterinarian Time Limited Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3907 Dr. Hailey Basler 3832 Dr. Cory Davis 3858 Dr. Randi Glen
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3875 Dr. Mila Bassil 3860 Dr. Yaseshwari De Silva Senapathi 3893 Dr. Andrea Gohm
General Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3320 Dr. Carmen Bell 3917 Dr. Esther Derksen 3816 Dr. Faith Graham
Time Limited Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3574 Dr. Chavonne Bertamini 3951 Dr. Subash Dhakal 3892 Dr. Jordan Greenfield
General Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3927 Dr. Amanda Bevans 3903 Dr. Megan Dick 3902 Dr. Justin Greep
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3824 Dr. Rohini Bhardwaj 3883 Dr. Alexandra Dooley 3874 Dr. Alyson Guy
Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3837 Dr. Angelo Bianchi 3912 Dr. Erika Driedger 3834 Dr. Gillian Haanen
Temporary Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3094 Dr. Ashley Book 3855 Dr. Kyle Dubreuil 3897 Dr. Sarah Haefliger
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3891 Dr. Jenna Brandon 3905 Dr. Victoria Duggan 3955 Dr. Lauren Hammond
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3863 Dr. Kennedy Brooks 3923 Dr. Alexandre Ellis 3937 Dr. Mikaela Hannam
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3918 Dr. Alison Carter 3900 Dr. Leah Ellis 3953 Dr. Andrew Harding
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3460 Dr. Curtis Cathcart 3790 Dr. Megan Forgan 3908 Dr. Genevieve Harris
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3833 Dr. Catherine Colodey 3888 Dr. Evany Forrest 3886 Dr. Olivia Hee
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3938 Dr. Carina Cooper 3840 Dr. Patricia Garcia Rosas 3887 Dr. Stacey Henderson
General Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
10 ABVMA MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 20203906 Dr. Melissa Herman 3861 Dr. Katherine Meek 3871 Dr. Claudia Schlueter
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3922 Dr. Jennifer Hiekel 3856 Dr. Katya Melnick 3894 Dr. Olivia Schmidtz
Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3896 Dr. Brenden Hilgartner 3864 Dr. Edward Metzger 3337 Dr. Margaret Scuderi
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3947 Dr. Lisa Hill 3913 Dr. Theresa Miceli 2089 Dr. Kuldeip Sekhon
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3898 Dr. Jennifer Ho 3190 Dr. Steve Mills 3836 Dr. Sunita Seshia
General Practice Registered Veterinarian Time Limited Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3844 Dr. Alexandria Horner 3830 Dr. Mahsa Moeini 3812 Dr. Imran Shah
General Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian
3013 Dr. Sylvia Hurdle 3413 Dr. Laura Morman 3850 Dr. Athar Shahzad
Time Limited Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian
3924 Dr. Macarena Andrea Iglesias Barnetche 3936 Dr. Mykhailo Mospan 3854 Dr. Kathryn Shandruk
Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3210 Dr. Rebecca Jackson 3877 Dr. Erin Murphy 3942 Dr. Youssef Sherif
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian Temporary Registered Veterinarian
3884 Dr. Emma Jerome Smith 3285 Dr. Monica Nagy 3939 Dr. Meryam Shillingford
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3954 Dr. Ankur Jetli 1792 Dr. Paul Neider 3851 Dr. Brittany Short
Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3909 Dr. Gracyn Johnson 3857 Dr. Ibijuwon Olatayo 3842 Dr. Vijender Singh
General Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3672 Dr. Vishantha Kahakachchi Patabendi 3300 Dr. Laura Osborne 3828 Dr. Gagandeep Singla
Temporary Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian Temporary Registered Veterinarian
3859 Dr. Marcy Kanuka 2870 Dr. Stephanie Osinchuk 3873 Dr. Andrea Smith
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3839 Dr. Lukas Kawalilak 3852 Dr. Imogen Palmer 3073 Dr. Nikia Stewart
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
1805 Dr. Jodi Kendrew 3935 Dr. Amelie Pare 3940 Dr. Jazmeen Suleman
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3934 Dr. Jessica Khodadad 3904 Dr. Seanna Pashulka 3946 Dr. Katherine Sweet
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3607 Dr. Claudia Koch 3421 Dr. Gurpreet Passi 3826 Dr. Rachel Sweet
General Practice Registered Veterinarian Non-Practicing Veterinarian Member General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3916 Dr. Juraj (Jay) Korbelik 3882 Dr. Jesse Pawlak 1975 Dr. Caroline Tan
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3948 Dr. Alessa Kuczewski 3920 Dr. Jennifer Pearson 3819 Dr. Kankayaliyan Thillayampalam
Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3838 Dr. Brad Lage 3910 Dr. Rae-Leigh Pederzolli 3943 Dr. Alison Thomas-Hollands
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3945 Dr. Alexis Lara-Morales 2965 Dr. Chamath Perera 3846 Dr. Michelle Thompson
Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3865 Dr. Justin Lavallee 3901 Dr. Abigail Picyk 3827 Dr. Sarah Tijon
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3843 Dr. Monica Leslie 3890 Dr. Hannah Pope 3687 Dr. Anupreet Toor
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3930 Dr. Alice Liboiron 3822 Dr. Tara Pugh 3915 Dr. Shannon Toy
General Practice Registered Veterinarian Temporary Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3933 Dr. Adam Lichtensteiger 3895 Dr. Jillian Rankin 3849 Dr. Constance Tuck
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3926 Dr. Will Lillico 3880 Dr. Rachel Redick 3928 Dr. Zaeem Ul Islam
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian
3899 Dr. Jocelyn Marchiori 3929 Dr. Sarah Revell 3925 Dr. Andres Valenzuela Spencer
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian
3870 Dr. Marina Matthies 3845 Dr. Narinder Saini 3848 Dr. Nakiska Van Bergen
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian Supervised Limited Practice Registered Veterinarian
3879 Dr. Justine Maybee 3889 Dr. Brenna Sakatch 3885 Dr. Lauren VanKuppeveld
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
3876 Dr. Tessa Maysenholder 3847 Dr. Harkanwal Sandhu 3817 Dr. Jessica Wallis
General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian
Continued on next page
WWW.ABVMA.CA 112020 VIRTUAL REGISTRATION DAY CONTINUED 3872 Dr. Alyssa Walthers 3944 Dr. Paige Wark 3911 Dr. Emily Zhang General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian 3881 Dr. Erica Ward 3869 Dr. Morgan Wiese General Practice Registered Veterinarian General Practice Registered Veterinarian VETERINARY TECHNOLOGISTS 4093 Krista Adams 4069 Daniela Chiappetta 4170 Mackenzie Gordon General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4108 Neenu Alex 3106 Taylor Chornohos 4052 Skyler Gordon Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4086 Jessica Anderson 4145 Micaela Colangeli 4125 Hayley Graham General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4063 Krista Anderson 4119 Bailey Crane 2069 Kimberley Helmer General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4082 Lorna Anderson 4092 Sylvie Daigle 4071 Hilda Hernandez General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4100 Moira Anderson 3301 Shyloe Delorey 4077 Camila Hernandez-Solano General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 2325 Tamara Anderson 4049 Gemma Dennis 4156 Cecilia Hesje General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member 4104 Kalyn Andrich 4074 Keira Devine 4111 Shae-Lynn Hipkin Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member 4130 Michaela Arcand 4101 Ashleigh Dickson 2803 Stacey Hobman General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4098 Laura Archer 4091 Jaden Dollekamp 4099 Kellsey Hodgson General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member 4114 Quinn Assinger 269 Shelley Donnelly 4009 Amanda Howlett General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4172 Alexa Aubry 4055 Erica Doutre 4036 Riley Hoyt Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4123 Cynthia Battcock 4039 Melissa Dreger 4134 Courtney Hrynew General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 2946 Erin Bergman 4166 Jessica Dueck 4045 Rachael Huszar General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4059 Cierra Berner 4160 Taylor Elliott 4138 Korrie Iablonski General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4153 Nicole Bielecki 4085 Brittney Eyles 4158 Victoria Ivanus General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member 4140 Corissa Blake 4046 Brianna Falk 4124 Ceiba Jandl General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member 3997 Delainey Brady 4075 Alexandra Fedoruk 4065 Stacey Jespersen General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4159 Sarah Braun 3996 Meghan Fehr 4056 Jacqueline Jorsvick Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 3304 Cariann Breton 1364 Joelle Flynn 4044 Tea Juntez General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 2085 Kimberly Brochu 4147 De Vawn Fournier 4118 Tori Kadylo General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4078 Tiffany Bryce 2937 Samantha Friesen 4061 Kimberly Kelemen Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member 4144 Holly Buckman 4112 Sydney Frost 4113 Kandace Knight General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member 2283 Melanie Bull 4139 Justine Gagne 4115 Jaime Kuchuk General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4094 Jude Burke 3217 Kaylee Getz 4171 Cassandra Kuhn Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4117 Jillian Laura Callihoo 4080 Taryn Ghazarian 4149 MaCall Kuryvial General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member 4062 Victoria Case-Skubleny 4037 Ashley Gibbs 4035 Selena LaRocque-Macchiavello General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 4034 Amelia Chan 1376 Julie Gomke 4051 Heather Latimer General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist 12 ABVMA MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020
4103 Ashlyn Latreille 4128 Dustin Portelance 4165 Kelly-Ann Turner
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
2748 Malinda Lewis 4110 Alysha Poudrier 4154 Eri Uchikawa
Non-Practicing Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4120 Mandy Lin 4073 Haley Purdie 4053 Jayden Ursulak
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4028 Shelby Lomsnes 4047 Joleen Ridsdale 4087 Michael Vance
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4146 Emily MacDonnell 4018 Derek Riley 4048 Marijke Vander Kooi
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4127 Lindsay MacLeod 4025 Melissa Rodriguez 4132 Maria Eugenia Vega
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4126 Brittany MacNiven 4148 Kelsey Rogers 4167 Jayden Wagner
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member
4070 Brooklyn Matthews 4163 Aman Sachdeva 4089 Karen Walker
Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4109 Kayla McCarroll 4040 Raelene Sali 4060 Allison WankelShaw
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4141 Rachel McGilvery 4042 Shayla Satink 4081 Carissa Ward
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4090 Jennifer McMillan 4043 Mariah Schnell 4076 Hayley Warren
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4067 Crystal Meggitt 4169 Quinn Schotanus 4161 Breanne Watts
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4131 Kaycee Meggitt 1244 Cindy Scott 2976 Shelby Waugh
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4096 Alexandrea Metcalf 4058 Marcee Seamans 4137 Michele Wiebe
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4041 Lakyn Montgomery 4001 Molly Sharp 4133 Kelly Wilkinson
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4157 Nicolle Naslund 4068 Allison Shearer 4095 Brooke Williams
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4088 Stefanie Neukom 4116 Micaela Sheen 2792 Amy Willson
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4129 James Neuman 4155 Samantha Shirley 4143 Emily Woodworth
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4084 Rebecca Newman 4168 Paige Smylie
Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4106 Teagan Nott 4136 Courtney Stevens
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4173 Rebecca O’Neill 836 Trina Stockill
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4162 Ryley Patriquin 4038 Amanda Swanson
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4164 Melissa Pearse 4066 Jenna Sytsma
Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4142 Natasha Perry 4064 Lauren Taylor
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4121 Rebecca Peters 4107 Cassandra Teneycke
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4079 Jessie Phillips 4072 Darian Thiessen
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
1535 Alma Pineda Guyon 4151 Shanae Thompson
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4083 Amanda Pitt 4150 Snaa Tirmizi
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member
4122 Leah Plecash 4135 Pauline Togado
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
4152 Emily Poirier 4102 Jaelynn Tschetter
Provisional Veterinary Technologist Member General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
2505 Justine Poirier 4097 Christina Tully
General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist General Practice Registered Veterinary Technologist
WWW.ABVMA.CA 13COMPLAINTS DIRECTOR’S REPORT
COMPLAINT CASE #19-26 undertake a post-mortem. After a
number of weeks of reflection, the
A letter of complaint was received about veterinarian determined she would not
the conduct of a veterinarian regarding a cat proceed with the post-mortem.
that was presented for ovariohysterectomy, 8. The veterinarian failed to have
microchip and umbilical hernia repair. appropriate medical records, which
The veterinarian undertook an anesthesia, included documentation of surgery and
microchip and hernia repair. anesthesia monitoring. The lack of
Later that year the owner called the appropriate medical records were, in part,
veterinarian on an emergency basis that attributable to the diversion of care to
the cat had delivered four kittens and was the kittens being born at the clinic.
experiencing dystocia. AGREED FINDINGS OF
The veterinarian confirmed that the cat UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT:
was in fact the cat that was supposed to have
been spayed earlier that year. Medical Management
The cat required a Caesarian section and 1. That contrary to the request of the client,
two additional kittens were delivered. The cat the veterinarian failed to undertake a
ultimately died following the Caesarian and spay on April 1, 2019, on the cat.
ovariohysterectomy.
The complaint was investigated and the Post-mortem
report of the investigation was reviewed by 2. Subsequent to the death of the cat on
the Complaint Review Committee (CRC). Aug. 7, 2019, the veterinarian failed to
The CRC referred the case for a hearing. have a post-mortem undertaken.
The veterinarian entered into consent
Medical Records
discussions and provided an admission of
unprofessional conduct. The Consent Order 3. That the veterinarian failed to create
was accepted by the Hearing Tribunal at a and/or maintain appropriate medical
hearing held virtually on May 26, 2020. records, including, but not limited to,
surgical records and record of anesthesia
CONSENT ORDER monitoring.
AGREED STATEMENT OF FACTS: ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF
1. At all material times the veterinarian has RESPONSIBILITY:
been a registered veterinarian with the It is acknowledged by the ABVMA and the
Alberta Veterinary Medical Association veterinarian that the conduct as described
(ABVMA) since 2003. above constitutes unprofessional conduct.
2. The veterinarian is the responsible The veterinarian has accepted responsibility
veterinarian for the veterinary practice. for her conduct pursuant to s. 35.1 of the
3. The veterinarian provided veterinary Veterinary Profession Act. The sanctions set
medical services to a five-and-a-half- out below are jointly agreed to and based
month-old kitten on April 1, 2019. upon, in part, the responsibility accepted by
Specifically, the veterinarian was the veterinarian.
requested to undertake a microchip, spay
and a hernia repair. NO RIGHT TO APPEAL:
4. On Aug. 6, 2019, the cat delivered four The ABVMA and the veterinarian agree that
kittens.
there shall be no right of appeal from this
5. On the morning of Aug. 7, 2019, the Consent Order.
owner presented the cat to the
veterinarian as the cat was having ORDERS AS TO SANCTIONS:
difficulty delivering additional kittens.
The veterinarian undertook radiographs The Hearing Tribunal orders that the
and a Caesarian section to deliver two appropriate sanctions in the circumstances of
more live kittens. this matter are as follows:
6. Ultimately, on Aug. 7, 2019, the cat died. 1. A written reprimand shall be issued
7. Subsequent to the cat’s death, the against the veterinarian.
veterinarian received consent to 2. The veterinarian shall be required to
successfully complete, at her own cost,
14 ABVMA MEMBERS’ MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020within six months within the date of this 2. The permit holder operates the veterinary The Hearing Tribunal orders that the
Order the following additional practice entity. appropriate sanctions in the circumstances of
continuing education obligations, as 3. On. Jan. 6, 2018, a five-and-a-half-year- this matter are as follows:
approved by the Complaints Director: old neutered male Munsterlander was 1. A written reprimand shall be issued
a. Five hours of continuing education brought to the veterinary practice entity against the permit holder.
on medical records. for the removal of porcupine quills, 2. The permit holder will prepare and
3. The veterinarian’s practice shall be subject which were very severe. provide to the Complaints Director,
to directed practice inspections by a 4. The veterinarian undertook to provide within 90 days of the date of this Order,
practice inspector approved by the veterinary medical services, including a a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
ABVMA, one per year for the next two lengthy general anesthesia and porcupine articulating the responsibilities of the
years. The inspections may be announced quill removal for treatment of the dog on care administrator for the veterinary
or unannounced. The veterinarian shall Jan. 6 and Jan. 7, 2018. practice entity.
pay costs of these practice inspections 5. The procedure required in excess of nine 3. The permit holder shall pay costs in the
and shall provide any and all information hours of general anesthesia time. The amount of $4,000 within six months of
requested by and to the inspector. The veterinarian was not provided with the date of this Order.
results of the practice inspection shall be appropriate support and resources by the
provided to the Complaints Director and 4. If the Complaints Director deems there
practice to permit the timely completion to be a violation of this Order, the permit
Practice Inspection Practice Standards of the procedure.
(PIPS) Committee and subject to its holder, upon notice by the Complaints
6. During the time that the dog was Director and/or the Registrar, shall be
approval on a pass/fail basis. undergoing the quill removal under suspended from the practice of veterinary
4. The veterinarian shall pay costs in the anesthesia, there was limited and medicine pending a Hearing into
amount of $4,000 within six months of insufficient communication with the client. allegations of unprofessional conduct
the date of this Order. resulting from the breach of this Order.
5. If the Complaints Director deems there AGREED FINDINGS OF The Complaints Director and/or the
to be a violation of this Order, the UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT: Registrar shall maintain this discretion
veterinarian, upon notice by the until such time as all provisions of this
Complaints Director and/or the Medical and Surgical Management
Order are satisfied.
Registrar, shall be suspended from the 1. That the permit holder failed to provide 5. There shall be publication of this Order
practice of veterinary medicine pending a appropriate oversight of the veterinarian on a without-names basis (and without
hearing into allegations of unprofessional while she was undertaking the procedure identifying information).
conduct resulting from the breach of this of removing the porcupine quills from
Order. The Complaints Director and/or the dog. COMMENT
the Registrar shall maintain this
discretion until such time as all Professionalism The attending veterinarian was a fully
provisions of this Order are satisfied. registered veterinarian and as such did not
2. That the permit holder failed to undertake
6. There shall be publication of this Order require any level of supervision as required by
and/or ensure appropriate communication
on a without-names basis (and without the regulations and bylaws.
with the client during the time that the
identifying information). Notwithstanding, the members of the
dog was undergoing the surgical procedure.
Hearing Tribunal agreed that the permit
ACKNOWLEGEMENT OF holder had responsibility in this case to support
RESPONSIBILITY: the veterinarian with regards to resources and
COMPLAINT CASE #18-22 It is acknowledged by the ABVMA and the oversight to ensure that the veterinarian was
A letter of complaint was received against a permit holder that their conduct as described able to appropriately deal with the case.
permit holder operating a veterinary practice above constitutes unprofessional conduct. The permit holder acknowledged that
relating to the care provided for a dog with The permit holder has accepted responsibility though there were practice procedures in place,
porcupine quills. for their conduct pursuant to s. 35.1 of the communication failed and was a contributing
The dog presented on an emergency basis Veterinary Profession Act. The sanctions set out factor to this complaint.
and had a large number of quills. Ultimately, the below are jointly agreed to and based upon, The permit holder will develop an SOP
dog was under anesthesia for over nine hours. in part, the responsibility accepted by the for the practice that will require that the care
The attending veterinarian had graduated permit holder. administrator:
and was registered with the ABVMA for less • ensures that a veterinarian receives any
than 12 months. NO RIGHT TO APPEAL: assistance they require in a timely manner,
The ABVMA and the permit holder agree • appropriately allocates the resources of the
AGREED STATEMENT OF FACTS: that there shall be no right of appeal from practice to ensure better care of the patients,
this Consent Order. and
1. At all material the permit holder has
been a permit holder of the ABVMA • expedites client communication.
since 1981. ORDERS AS TO SANCTIONS: The permit holder has also implemented a
program for mentorship of veterinarians.
WWW.ABVMA.CA 15You can also read
