Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians

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Event: Sixth annual conference, Oct 5-9, Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Fredric Frye, Davis, Calif, presented the keynote talk, "Reptile Medicine for the New Millennium." Other notable reptile veterinarians in attendance were Dr. Elliott Jacobson, Gainesville, Fla; Dr. Douglas Mader, Big Pine Key, Fla; Dr. Martin Lawton, Romford, Essex, UK; and Dr. Stephen Divers, Romford, Essex, UK. Wet labs/workshops were presented at the conclusion of 45 scientific papers. The Columbus Zoo hosted conferees to an afternoon at the zoo and a behind-the-scenes tour.

Officers: Dr. Stephen Divers, Romford, Essex, UK, president; Dr. Mark Mitchell, Baton Rouge, La, president-elect and program chairperson; Dr. Charles Innis, Westboro, Mass, secretary/treasurer; Dr. Scott Stahl, Fairfax, Va, immediate past president; and Dr. Jay Johnson, Tempe, Ariz, and Dr. Rob Nathan, Northfield, Ohio, new members-at-large
Business: Client education brochures about reducing the risk of Salmonella transmission from reptiles to humans will be printed for distribution to veterinarians. The brochures will be based on the ARAV-sponsored guidelines developed by Dr. Teresa Bradley, ARAV Development Committee chairperson, and Dr. Fred Angulo, CDC, and published July 1, 1998 in JAVMA.

The ARAV bulletin was elevated to journal status and named the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery.

The association will develop guidelines for veterinarians and hospitals that treat reptiles and publish them in its journal. The Conservation and Research Committee committed to funding two research projects in reptilian medicine over the coming year.

In Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri a pilot program of the proposed National Reptile Health Program will be instituted to inform schoolchildren about reptile care, conservation, and sanitation issues.

The ARAV will continue to pursue efforts to establish board certification for reptile and amphibian practitioners through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.

Individuals wishing to present papers at the 2000 annual conference should contact Dr. Mark Mitchell, ARAV President-Elect and Program Chairman, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803; fax, (504) 346-5726; e-mail, mitchellatvetmed [dot] lsu [dot] edu (mitchell[at]vetmed[dot]lsu[dot]edu). The conference will be held Oct 18-22 in conjunction with the Wild West Veterinary Conference in Reno, Nevada.