New federal animal cruelty law introducedFebruary 6, 2019Congressmen Vern Buchanan and Ted Deutch have introduced the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act to outlaw and prosecute those involved in the abuse and killing of animals. PACT builds on the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act passed in 2010 by closing loopholes and prohibiting cases of animal abuse. While the previous legislation made the creation, sale, and distribution of animal "crushing" videos illegal, these acts of cruelty against animals remain legal. "The torture of innocent animals is abhorrent and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law," Buchanan said. "Protecting animals from cruelty is a top priority for me and I look forward to working with Congressman Deutch on this important issue." The new legislation will amend the federal criminal code to prohibit intentional acts of crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling, or otherwise subjecting animals to serious bodily harm. If passed, those prosecuted and convicted will face federal felony charges, fines, and up to seven years in prison. Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF), said, "Decades ago, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recognized the seriousness of animal cruelty and its link to escalating violence toward humans. Representatives Deutch and Buchanan are tremendous …
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MightyVet to offer moral stress session at WVCFebruary 5, 2019MightyVet is offering a two-hour session at the Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) on how veterinarians can best deal with moral stress. Given the profession can be physically and emotionally demanding, the company is offering advice and tools to help alleviate stressful situations and their consequences, including burnout, compassion fatigue, ethics exhaustion, and suicide. "Moral stress is not an inevitability in veterinary medicine," says Barry Kipperman, DVM, DACVIM, MSc, one of the panelists. The discussion also will focus on how MightyVet is helping to bridge the gap in veterinary education by ensuring veterinarians are informed of, and prepared for, the challenges they will face in practice. The panelists will explore the following topics: Kipperman will focus on recent research on moral stress, including studies regarding the unique ethical dilemmas faced by veterinary professionals; Laura Strong, DVM, will look at moral stress from the perspective of a hospital owner, addressing the challenge of balancing the financial well-being of a practice with the well-being of the staff; and Carrie Jurney, DVM, DACVIM (neurology) will offer practical tips and tools to tackle the ever-present obstacles in veterinary medicine Click here to register.
Hill's recalls canned dog food due to high Vitamin D levelsFebruary 4, 2019Hill's Pet Nutrition is recalling some of its canned dog food over concerns of elevated levels of Vitamin D. The announcement comes after Hill's received a complaint about a dog exhibiting signs of excessive Vitamin D. An investigation by the company confirmed elevated levels of Vitamin D due to a supplier error. The affected canned dog foods were distributed through retail pet stores, as well as veterinary clinics and e-commerce. No dry foods, cat foods, or treats are part of the recall. Vitamin D is essential for dogs; however, it can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, excessive drooling, and weight loss when ingested in high levels. In a statement, Hill's says, "We care deeply about all pets and are committed to providing pet parents with safe and high-quality products. Hill's has identified and isolated the error and, to prevent this from happening again, we have required our supplier to implement additional quality testing prior to their release of ingredients. In addition to our existing safety processes, we are adding our own further testing of incoming ingredients." For a list of the recalled canned dog food, click here. Pet owners with dogs who have consumed …
Feline medicine scholarship now availableFebruary 4, 2019A new scholarship by Winn Feline Foundation and the AAFP, created to support future veterinarians and advance feline medicine, is now available.
New York Pet Fashion Show includes its first wheelchair pit bullFebruary 1, 2019A New York fashion event for pets will include its first-ever wheelchair pit bull. Rescue dog Effie Brown has been selected to represent all handicapped dogs at the New York Pet Fashion Show in her Walkin’ Wheels Wheelchair.
Dogs with bigger brains have higher cognitive capacitiesFebruary 1, 2019Larger-brain breeds have better short-term memory and self-control than smaller dogs, says a new study.
Couple alleges clinic killed their cat with incorrect doseJanuary 31, 2019A couple is suing a Queens-based veterinary clinic for allegedly prescribing a high dose of medication to a cat by mistake, causing it to pass away.
Foreign body ingestion in pets especially high during the Super BowlJanuary 31, 2019A pet insurance provider is encouraging veterinarians to remind owners to be mindful of what their pets are consuming during Super Bowl celebrations.
ASPCA honors a veterinarian for the first timeJanuary 29, 2019For the first time, a veterinarian has been honored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for their efforts to provide critical care for animal cruelty victims.
Bridge Club recognizes two veterinary leadersJanuary 29, 2019Michael Cavanaugh, DVM, DABVP, chief executive officer of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and Julia Stephanus, founder and president of Avviare, received a lifetime Bridge Club membership from the video-based professional community.
