Newsletter
Volume No. V
Issue No.2
Fall 2009
Executive Board
We would like to thank
you for the opportunity
to serve you and hope
with your help, the year
to come will be very
successful
for
our
organization and our
profession. Please feel
free to contact us. Your
questions,
concerns,
and
comments
are
always welcome.
2-Year Member at Large:
Karla Capper, RVT
13800 w. 135th St.
Olathe, KS 66062
(913) 381-0726 (Home)
capprtjinkk@hotmail.com
1-Year Member at Large:
Amber Nuttycomb, RVT
28251 Road T
Logan, KS 67646
(785) 689-4853 (Home)
a_houser86@hotmail.com
President:
NAVTA Liaison:
Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT
28276 Homestead Road
Wamego, KS 66547
(785) 765-3705 (Home)
kara_burns@hillspet.com
Bridget M. Keesling, BA, RVT
3287 US 59 Hwy
Perry, KS 66073
(785) 597-2383 (Home)
President-Elect:
Secretary/Treasurer:
Tamara Sheley
424 South Street
Norton, KS 67654
(785) 250-4486 (Home)
tsheley_2@yahoo.com
Cheryl Hermann, BA, RVT
22637 NW 2150 Rd.
Garnett, KS 66032
(785) 448-3709 (Home)
cahvettech@yahoo.com
bridget_keesling@hillspet.com
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Representative to the
Registration Board
Vickie Jones, RVT
2466 Road F
Americus, KS 66835
(620) 443-5548 (Home)
vlnielsenjones@hotmail.com
Chairman of the
Executive Board:
Tammy Forshee, RVT, BS
2170 N. 60th Rd.
Jamestown, KS 66948
(785) 614-4470 (Home)
tgerlits@agmarkllc.com
Colby Community
College SVTA
Representative
Melissa Vogt
1170 S. Franklin Ave. Apt. 33
Colby, KS 67701
(785) 202-0290 (Home)
melissavogt@hotmail.com
President’s Message
Hello Kansas veterinary technicians,
I hope this finds everyone enjoying a wonderful and safe summer and preparing for fall!
On behalf of the KVTA board, I would like to congratulate Ally Justine Nuss for being
chosen as the recipient of the 2009 KVTA Scholarship. Ms. Nuss, from Abilene, KS, is a
student at Colby Community College in Colby, KS.
The KVTA continues to emphasize the importance of veterinary technicians in Kansas.
After a successful meeting in Manhattan, the Board would like to implement the
suggestion of district representatives to the KVTA board. District representatives would
be in-line with our colleagues at the KVMA and would allow for technicians throughout
the state of Kansas to represent their unique part of the state.
Also, the KVTA board heard your feedback and has completed a significant upgrade to
the KVTA website! I ask that you visit the KVTA website and if you are not already,
become a member in the KVTA. Please continue to give us your feedback and let us
know what you would like to see on the website.
The NAVTA Leadership Conference will be held at the end of August in Kansas City.
This will be an exciting and informative conference which will look at marketing, board
leadership, and legal issues – to name just a few of the topics!
To improve upon your KVTA, we need your help. We need technicians to get involved
and help us represent the veterinary technician profession across the state. Board
nominations will soon be solicited. Before we can implement the district representatives,
we need technicians to serve on the board. All that is needed is for you to be a
credentialed veterinary technician who wants to make a difference in Kansas.
Working together will bring about change and accomplishments for the KVTA and will
subsequently, move our profession forward.
I want to hear from Kansas veterinary technicians, assistants, and students as to your
vision for our state association and the profession. I encourage you to reach out to us
and let us know how the KVTA can help make this happen. The only way we can fail is
to do nothing.
Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT
KVTA President
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When someone does something good,
applaud! You will make two people happy.
- Samuel Goldwyn
2009 KVTA Scholarship Winner
(Dr. Jennifer Martin (left) and Ally Justine Nuss (right)
KVTA would like to congratulate Ally Justine Nuss for being chosen as the recipient of
the 2009 KVTA Scholarship. The KVTA Executive Board chose Ms. Nuss because we
feel she will make significant contributions to the field of Veterinary Technology. To be
eligible, the applicant must be enrolled full-time in AVMA accredited Veterinary
Technology Program in Kansas, carry a 3.0 GPA, and be an active member in the
Student Veterinary Technology Association. Ms. Nuss, from Abilene, KS, is a student at
Colby Community College.
The KVTA membership year ends
October 31st. Please send in your
membership applications today!
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NAVTA News
New Veterinary Technician Specialties Recognized by NAVTA
July 15, 2009 – Alexandria, Virginia: The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in
America (NAVTA) recently announced three new specialty academies for their members.
“The NVTA Academies give veterinary technicians recognition for having advanced
education, training, and experience in an area of specialization,” stated Amy Butzier, CVT,
Chair of the NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS). In addition to
their existing specialties in dentistry, anesthesia, internal medicine, emergency and critical
care, and behavior, the NAVTA CVTS is pleased to announce the newest specialties:
Neurology sub-specialty of the Academy of Internal Medicine Veterinary Technicians
(AIMVT), joining the other sub-specialties in small animal medicine, large animal medicine,
cardiology, and oncology. For more information, visit www.aimvt.com.
Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians was organized by a highly
regarded group of professionals to establish a high quality pool of specialized technicians
within their area of expertise.
Academy of Equine Veterinary Nursing Technicians, created to meet the needs of the
equine veterinary community and to ensure the highest level of competency in its members.
The NAVTA Committee on Veterinary Technicians Specialties was formed in 1994 and is
recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The committee provides
guidelines to veterinary technician organizations to facilitate the formation of a specialty.
Academies develop advanced pathways, which a candidate must follow and complete in
order to be awarded the designation of VET (Veterinary Technician Specialist) in their
specific discipline. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America is a
nonprofit organization that represents and promotes the profession of Veterinary
Technology. NAVTA provides direction, education, support and coordination for its
members. Incorporated in 1981, NAVTA is the national organization devoted exclusively to
developing and enhancing the profession of veterinary technology. For more information
about NAVTA and the veterinary technician specialties, visit their website at www.navta.net.
Be sure to check out our
updated website: www.kvta.net
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Job Opening
Cottonwood Animal Hospital is accepting applications for a full-time registered veterinary
technician. The three doctor, mixed animal practice is located in Ottawa, KS. You can visit
their website at cottonwoodanimalhospital.org.
Please send resumes to cottonwoodah@yahoo.com or to
Janie Mages, Office Manager
Cottonwood Animal Hospital
3161 Hwy K 68
Ottawa, KS 66067
If you have any questions call Janie at (785) 242-7822.
Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new
assignment.
-Baltasar Gracian
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Use of Nutraceuticals in Cancer Therapy
Kara M. Burns, MS, MEd, LVT
Overview
Cancer - a disease which evokes a great deal of emotion. Pet owners are acutely aware
of cancer in humans, thus as healthcare team members, we need to remember to
approach pets with cancer and their owners in a positive, compassionate, and
knowledgeable fashion.
Nutraceuticals in Cancer Therapy
Studies of human patients with cancer show that patients were not only aware of
supplements that can be used, but the patients were using supplements in conjunction
with their conventional cancer treatment. Veterinary medicine has begun to look at
nutraceuticals and their role in cancer therapy. Nutraceutical use in pets allows for direct
participation of the owner in the treatment of their pet’s cancer, thus restoring some
sense of control in a disease that many feel a loss of control. Also, motivated pet
owners may display a peaked interest in nutrition and alternative medicine, especially
with the amount of attention that is given to cancer and alternative treatments in the
popular press. Technicians play a key role in the education of the pet owner, making it
important for technicians have an understanding of nutraceuticals which may be utilized
when dealing with cancer patients.
Nutraceuticals of Interest
Arginine is an essential amino acid that may have specific therapeutic value in animals
with cancer. Increased dietary arginine along with increased dietary omega-3 fatty acids
intake improves clinical signs, quality of life, and survival time in canines treated for
cancer. Arginine has also shown to improve immune function in cancer patients,
promote wound healing, and inhibit tumorigenesis.1
Glutamine, another essential amino acid, has been shown to stabilize weight loss,
improve protein metabolism, improve immune response, and improves gut barrier
function in rodent cancer models and in human clinical trials.2
Natural & synthetic Vitamin A derivatives, also known as retinoids are currently being
studied. There is a current study using isotretinoin in a small number of dogs with
cutaneous lymphoma. In cats with preneoplastic and squamous cell carcinoma lesions,
retinoids to date have not been found to be effective.3
Antioxidants are believed to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy. Antioxidants,
including vitamins C and E, carotenoids, and selenium are believed to improve immune
function, decrease toxicity to normal cells, and reverse metabolic changes. Presently
however, megadose vitamin therapy is not necessarily indicated as long as the pet is fed
a complete and balanced commercial food.3
Tea polyphenols, camellia sinensis, protect against chemically or Ultra violet radiation
induced cancers. Tea Polyphenols have also been found to increase chemotherapy
efficacy in animal cancer models.
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Omega–3 Fatty Acids have epidemiological evidence for use in patients with cancer. In
populations with high dietary Omega–3 fatty acid intake low cancer rates have been
found.
Also,
Omega–3
FA
have
shown
to
reduce the risk of colorectal, prostate, and mammary cancer. Omega–3 FA increase
immunologic response against tumor cells, increase tumor susceptibility to oxidative
stress, decrease tumor necrosis factor production, and reduce metastasis. In clinical
trials of dogs with spontaneous cancer, high levels of Omega-3 FA (specifically EPA and
DHA) and arginine in food were shown to benefit dogs with lymphoma, nasal
carcinomas, hemagiosarcomas, and osteosarcomas. In a double blind, placebo
controlled clinical trial with chemotherapy, the test food with high levels of Omega – 3 FA
and arginine was shown to reduce lactic acid consistently over a 12 week period vs.
dogs fed the control food. Omega-3 FA in conjunction with arginine were shown to
influence clinical signs, increase survival time, provide longer remission time, and
improve quality of life.4
Nutritional Profile of Food for Cancer Patients
Alterations in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism precede overt clinical disease
and cachexia in dogs with cancer. These alterations are thought to continue in animals
with clinical remission or apparent recovery from their cancer. When recommending a
food with nutraceutical supplementation for pets with cancer, we must look at the
formulation of the food on the whole for fighting cancer. Because tumors feed off of
carbohydrates, but do not readily utilize fats the food should have a low carbohydrate,
high fat, and high protein formulation. Also, the food should contain higher levels of
arginine and Omega-3 FA.
Ideal
Range
Protein
> 30% DMB
Fat
> 25% DMB
Carbohydrate Omega-3 FA
< 25% DMB
> 5% DMB
Arginine
> 2% DMB
Nutritional therapy including nutraceutical supplementation can influence remission time,
survival time, and quality of life. As healthcare team members, we must insure the client
understands the diagnosis, what this means for their pet, and accepts the
recommendation being made. Nutrition is one therapy that can be offered to clients to
involve them in the treatment process and help this special member of the family
lengthen their survival time and feel better overall.
References
1. Ogilvie, GK, Marks, SL. Cancer. In: Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL,
Roudebush P. eds. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 4th ed. 2000:887-905.
2. Yoshida S, Karibara A, et al. Glutamine supplementation in cancer patients. Nutrition
2001;17:766-8.
3. Roudebush P, Davenport DJ, et al. The use of nutraceuticals in cancer therapy. Vet
Clin Small Anim 2004;34:249-269.
4. Ogilvie, GK, Fettman, MJ, Mallinkrodt, CH, et al. Effect of fish oil, arginine, and
doxorubicin chemotherapy on remission and survival time for dogs with lymphoma.
Cancer. 2000;88:1916-28.
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KVTA Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2009
KSU CVM Veterinary Technician Conference
KVTA held an informational meeting in conjunction with the KSU CVM Veterinary
Technician Conference held on March 7, 2009. Several officers, members, and
interested technicians were in attendance.
Kara Burns, KVTA president started the meeting by introducing the 2009
Executive Board members.
Next, Kara discussed the KVTA mission statement and the benefits KVTA can
offer its members including: a quarterly newsletter, KVTA website, NAVTA and
Veterinary Technician Journal discounts, CE opportunities, and NVTW gifts.
Kara then discussed the vision for the future of KVTA. The goals for KVTA are to
increase membership, create districts within Kansas, create committees to address
different issues (such as legislation, public relations, and CE), have CE available
throughout the state, increase networking and communication with members and
technicians, create message boards on the internet, and increase newsletter distribution.
Kara then opened the floor for discussion about what people wanted to see from
KVTA in the future and their reasons for joining or not joining KVTA.
 Sponsor tours of vet tech schools and vet clinics during NVTW.
 Update the website – one technician stated that she did not join KVTA
because the website looked very out-dated.
 Update the website and use current technology to attract younger members.
 Some people didn’t join because they felt it was a waste of money, there
were no benefits.
 People feel isolated from the other members and KVTA meetings (nobody
wants to travel from eastern Kansas to Colby).
 There isn’t enough public awareness about KVTA events.
 People would like to see us become more involved with CVC.
 It was recommended that we work with the KVMA/state legislature to
increase the number of CE hours required to maintain registration. They feel
this would help increase our professional image and promote higher
standards of professionalism.
 It was recommended veterinary assistants and veterinarians be allowed to
join KVTA as associate members.
Unfortunately time ran out before we were able to hear from everyone but it was a very
valuable and open discussion that we hope will move KVTA forward.
What is defeat? Nothing but education; nothing but the first step to
something better.
-Wendell Phillips
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CCC
Veterinary Technology Program Update
Dr. Martin, Veterinary Technology Program Director, has announced they have hired a
new Clinical Pathology Instructor. Sadie Kenney, RVT graduated from the CCC
program in 2006. Welcome Ms. Kenney.
The 38th Annual Veterinary Technicians Conference will be held Friday October 2, 2009
in Colby, KS. Tentative topics will include:
 The Art of Adding Exotic Animals to Your Practice
 An Introduction to Reptile Radiology
 Equine Respiratory Disease: A Case Based Approach for the Veterinary
Technician
 The Role of Veterinary Technicians in Cardiology Specialty Practice”
Dr. Martin also encourages everyone to check out the recently updated CCC Veterinary
Technology Website. They are several new employment opportunities listed on the
website.
Congratulations to all the 2009 Veterinary Technology Graduates. KVTA
wants to wish you all the best as you begin your new career and hope you
find the profession very rewarding. We are excited to be joined by so many
new, enthusiastic technicians.
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Maple Woods Community College
Veterinary Technology Program
The fall semester at Maple woods Vet Tech kicked off on August 18th.
Current enrollment is at forty eight students.
The VTNE results are in! Maple Woods graduates performed impressively with a 94%
pass rate. Graduates are now preparing to take state exams.
New to Maple Woods! Students are now required, as part of the curriculum, to be an
animal advocate. Each dog and cat in the program is assigned to a student. During the
course of the semester the students will monitor health status and provide behavioral
training. They are required to document their interaction and involvement weekly. This
is a great way for student’s to be personally involved with the animal. It also provides
consistency for training and care for the animal. The animal advocate process was rolled
out last spring and was a great success!
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KANSAS VETERINARY TECHNICIANS ASSOCATION
Membership Application (Please Print)
(Last)
(First)
(Street)
(City)
(State)
(Street)
(City)
(State)
Member
Yes
No
(Please Circle)
Active
Associate
(Active members are registered in Kansas, Associate membership shall extend to all
veterinary technicians who are not registered in Kansas)
(Check applicable items):
registered, licensed, or certified (circle one ) in the state o
State Registration Number
a graduate of the Veterinary Technology program at
in the state of
Please send application and check or money order made out to KVTA for $25.00 to:
Cheryl Hermann, BA, RVT
KVTA Secretary/Treasurer
22637 NW 2150 Rd.
Garnett, KS 66032
Membership applications are welcome anytime during the year, but expire October 31st.
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KVTA
c/o: Cheryl Hermann, BA, RVT
KVTA Secretary/Treasurer
22637 NW 2150 Road
Garnett, KS 66032
The KVTA Newsletter is published quarterly.
Send information for publication or
information regarding job notices to the
address above.
Newsletter
For the most current information,
Please visit our website at:
www.kvta.net
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