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The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA),
established in 1863, is a not-for-profit association
representing more than 76,000 veterinarians working in
private and corporate practice, government, industry,
academia, and uniformed services. Structured to work for its
members, the AVMA acts as a collective voice for its
membership and for the profession. Today, the AVMA’s
professional members use their skills to care for the health
and well being of humans, animals, and the environment.
In addition to caring for the nation's more than 70
million dogs, 80 million cats, 11 million birds, 7 million
pet horses, and millions of other companion animals,
veterinarians serve in medical research, prevention of bio-
and agro terrorism, and food safety and contribute greatly
to scientific breakthroughs throughout the world.
On June 1st, 2007, the Executive Board of the
AVMA approved a number of recommendations concerning aquatic
veterinary medicine.
The board approved a revised description of the Aquatic
Veterinary Medicine Committee specifying that one of the
committee members represent private clinical practice. The
committee recommended the change, saying that the AVMA would
best be served if one of the committee members is a private
practitioner dealing with companion aquatic animals.
At their June 2008 committee meeting, the AVMA aquatics
committee chose Dr. Jena Questen of Colorado to be that
companion aquatic animal representative. For the next three
years she will be involved in helping to structure the
legislative guidelines by which all veterinarians practice
companion fish medicine. It is a great honor to be the
voice of all fish medicine veterinarians in the United
States!
Also approved was a recommendation strengthening the
"Aquatic animal therapeutic agents" policy. The revised
policy was prompted by legislative and regulatory
changes—the Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Health Act—as
well as changes in AVMA policy concerning veterinary feed
directives involving medicated feed for aquaculture.
Colorado Koi club members will be fortunate enough to be
at the forefront of all the latest happenings regarding
aquatic medicine at the national level. Congratulations,
Dr. Questen!
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