Proposed race horse bill draws criticism, debateJune 18, 2019A proposed legislation that would establish a uniform national standard for drug restrictions, testing, and enforcement at horse racing venues is receiving pushback from veterinarians and national equine associations.
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Purina develops diet to reduce allergies to catsJune 17, 2019Purina researchers have established a proactive method to decrease active levels of the allergen Fel d1 in cats’ saliva through diet.
Aratana Therapeutics' Nocita 10 ml gets FDA approvalJune 13, 2019Aratana Therapeutics announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has approved an additional vial size (10 ml) of Nocita. "Since its launch in 2016, Nocita has drastically changed veterinary multimodal pain management protocols because it safely and effectively controls pain in patients for up to 72 hours following certain canine and feline surgeries," says Aratana Therapeutics chief development officer, Ernst Heinen, DVM, PhD. "Ultimately, we believe a smaller vial size may allow for expanded use and improve the level of care veterinarians provide for certain painful surgeries." Nocita, which is currently available in a 20-ml vial size, is a local postoperative analgesia for cranial cruciate ligament surgery in dogs and a peripheral nerve block following owner-elected onychectomy (declawing) in cats. The smaller vial size is expected to be made commercially available in fall 2019.
Old Mother Hubbard, Loop to create reusable pet food packagingJune 13, 2019Old Mother Hubbard is offering dog owners an additional way to reduce pet food packaging with its new partnership with Loop. The all-natural dog treats company will work with Loop to design and create reusable containers for its treats, allowing owners to get a replenished shipment without wasted packaging. "WellPet was the first U.S.-based pet food company with a recycling program for wellness pet food packaging, which is recycled into everything from lawn chairs to playground equipment," says Greg Kean, vice-president of innovation and product development at WellPet, maker of Old Mother Hubbard all-natural dog treats. "Our brand Old Mother Hubbard, which has 90 years' experience in baking authentic, small batch, all-natural dog treats from time honored recipes, will be one of the first pet food brands to collaborate with Loop. "We are doing this through a refillable treats jar so pet parents can embrace the fun of snack time and delight their pets in a more sustainable way. Our partnership with Loop reinforces the fact that our customers share our commitment to making the world around us greener." Loop provides commonly used products in customized, brand-specific packaging that is delivered in a reusable shipping tote. When the product …
Pet parents more dedicated than everJune 11, 2019A new survey is showcasing everything pet owners are willing to do for their animal companions, including foregoing work and social commitments to ensure their well-being. Conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Fuzzy Pet Health, the poll found nearly a quarter of the 2,000 participants have missed work to care for a sick pet, and withheld this information from their boss. Sixty-five percent said it was because they did not think their boss would count it as a valid reason for time off. "Time constraints are among one of the biggest hurdles for pet parents. But they don't want to cut corners when it comes to their pets' wellness," says Jess Trimble, DVM, Fuzzy Pet Health chief veterinary officer. "As a society, we've outsourced so much of the services important to making our life tick, it's time veterinary care delivered for the modern world." The survey also found: 39 percent have taken a day off to care for their pet, while a further 27 percent have worked from home to do so Three in 10 owners have canceled on their human friends to spend time with their pets 76 percent of pet owners panic when their pet swallows something …
OSU to build 35,000-sf veterinary clinicJune 11, 2019Veterinary students at the Ohio State University (OSU) are set to receive more comprehensive hands-on training, thanks to the introduction of a new 35,000-sf clinic. The Frank Stanton Veterinary Spectrum of Care (SOC) Clinic will train students to manage patients across the entire range of care, including alternative diagnostic and treatment techniques. Students will also become familiar with various clinical procedures and post-visit care protocols, as well as fine-tune their practice and business management skills. The clinic will also offer a realistic private practice environment to enhance the clinical training of students in all four years of OSU's veterinary program. "This [new facility] will extend our goal to provide students with valuable, hands-on medical and surgical experience and corresponding professional skills refinement needed to become more competent and confident veterinary practitioners upon graduation, successful entrepreneurs, and even more highly sought after by employers," says Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, dean of OSU's College of Veterinary Medicine and the Ruth Stanton chair in veterinary medicine. OSU says new veterinarians who train at the Frank Stanton Veterinary SOC clinic will have knowledge and mastery of a wider range of diagnostic, therapeutic, business, and communication skills. The two-story facility will feature exam rooms, …
UW-Stout to host conference on animal health nutraceuticalsJune 10, 2019The University of Wisconsin (UW)-Stout is hosting a world conference on the use of nutraceuticals in companion animal health care. Sponsored by Vets Plus, the International Conference on Animal Health Nutraceuticals–2019 (ICAHN 2019) takes place from July 17 to 19. "Veterinarians already use probiotics to address digestive ailments and omega-3 fatty acids to improve issues with the skin, coat, and joints," says Vets Plus founder and chief executive office, Raj Lall. "And nutraceuticals are widely used in joint health programs and to address the needs of senior pets. But the number of compounds in current use is small compared to the number we know to have therapeutic benefits. This conference is intended to increase both the profile and practitioner knowledge about this branch of veterinary science." Discussions will feature experts in academia, veterinary practitioners, and internationally published nutritional scientists. Speakers and topics include: An overview of nutraceuticals in animal health and disease (presented by Ramesh Gupta, DVM, MVSc, PhD); Therapeutic uses of cannabinoids in companion animals (presented by Gary Richter, MS, DVM, CVC, CVA); and Future direction and trends in nutraceutical research (presented by W. Thomas Shier, PhD) "Nutraceuticals are being used in virtually every veterinary practice and their …
Banfield launches phone interpretation service pilot programJune 7, 2019Banfield Pet Hospital has launched a 60-day, over-the-phone interpretation service pilot program at its California hospitals and Vancouver, Wash., call center. The service offers interpretation in 350 languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, French, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Korean, Creole, Arabic, and Russian. Banfield has partnered with Lionbridge Technologies to offer these services to its non-English speaking clients who require help understanding their pet's diagnosis and treatment needs. The California hospitals participating in the program are: Glendale, Los Angeles Midtown, La Cienega, Culver City, Oxnard, and Bakersfield. All of Banfield's clients across the U.S. and Puerto Rico will be able to phone in and use the service. Banfield says as it is dedicated to inclusion and diversity for its clients and associates and it hopes to expand the pilot to other areas of the country in 2020.
Survey finds man's best friend is more like familyJune 6, 2019They've always been your best friend, but now a new nationwide survey has found owners largely consider dogs to be part of the family. Sponsored by SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence, the survey asked 1,500 dog owners about their pet parent habits and behaviors. The survey found: 98 percent of dog owners consider their dogs to be members of the family; 50 percent of dog owners say their dog sleeps in a family member's bed, while an additional 32 percent have their dogs sleep in a family member's bedroom; and 60 percent of Northeast dog owners saying they cuddle their pet at night, compared to 49 percent of respondents from other regions. According to SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence, the survey's results indicate there are opportunities for businesses and public spaces to meet the needs of the growing population of dog owners: 48 percent rely on parks and recreation for outdoor activities with their dog; 71 percent of dog owners in the New York metropolitan area note they have access to amenities such as dog parks, outdoor areas, and dog-friendly stores and eateries; 86 percent of dog owners feel welcome at the homes of friends and family with their pets; 37 …
Banfield launches telehealth service for on-demand veterinarian supportJune 5, 2019Banfield Pet Hospital is offering its Optimum Wellness Plan clients a new way to discuss their pet's health with a veterinarian. The company has launched a telehealth service on its app called Vet Chat, which offers clients on-demand access to pet care advice and support from a veterinarian anytime and anywhere. "At Banfield, we never take for granted being entrusted with the care of a beloved pet is to be invited into the emotional center of a person's life," says company president, Brian Garish. "To us, that means not only being with you throughout your pet's life—from puppyhood through the golden years––it also means being there during those unexpected, sometimes anxiety-ridden moments between visits. "Vet Chat marks the next chapter in the future of pet care, and we're thrilled to offer a service benefitting our clients, their pets, and our veterinary teams." In a pet owner telehealth survey, Banfield found 39 percent of respondents admit they sometimes struggle to decide when to call the veterinarian and nearly four in 10 say they prefer to consult the internet first. Ninety percent of veterinarians say they worry pet owners may unknowingly put their pet at more risk by taking bad advice …
