Veterinarians lead council for animal protectionNovember 20, 2019Ten veterinarians from across the U.S. have joined forces as the leaders of national advocacy campaigns for animal health, safety, and wellness.
SPONSORED CONTENTThe clear reco for hidden stressOur therapeutic nutrition targets underlying stress in cats with GI or urinary issues — helping provide relief to pets and their humans. + Learn More
2019 They Ate What?! X-ray Contest winnersSeptember 30, 2019 You can't help but marvel and shake your head a little when checking out the X-rays we get every year as part of our They Ate What?! Contest. You've got to wonder what an animal is thinking when they swallow an object whole, especially the long pointy ones (think fishing poles and forks). This year's entries didn't fail to deliver in the wild and wacky department, which made choosing a winner especially challenging for our panel of experts. Check out the X-ray that nabbed the highest scores in relevancy, appeal, originality, description, and appearance, along with the runners-up and honorable mentions. This year, the winner receives a $500 VISA gift card from contest prize sponsor, Trupanion. Contest judges Marty Becker, DVM, writes VPN's "In the Middle" column John Lewis, VMD, FAVD, DAVDC, writes VPN's "Dental Pearls" column Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMA, writes VPN's "Evidence-Based Medicine" column Alice Villalobos, DVM, FNAP, is a member of VPN's editorial advisory board Phil Zeltzman, DVM, DACVS, CVJ, Fear Free Certified, writes VPN's "Surgical Insights" and "Practice Management" columns Patty Khuly, VMD, MBA, writes VPN's "Off Leash" Check out the winner >
Arbutus Medical donates orthopedic tools to charitable groupsSeptember 6, 2019Arbutus Medical has awarded free orthopedic power tool systems to two charitable organizations through its Vets for Safe Surgery charitable partner program.
Fungus likely linked to freshwater turtle shell diseaseJuly 17, 2019Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a new fungus that could be linked to ulcerative shell disease in freshwater turtles.
Cone-beam computed tomography in dentistry and oral surgeryMay 24, 2019Computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized our ability to detect subtle hard and soft tissue abnormalities of the maxillofacial region. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is creating much buzz amongst veterinary dentists when it comes to dental/maxillofacial diagnostic tools. What is the difference between CBCT and conventional CT? Rather than a collection of thin, closely spaced slices obtained with a fan-shaped beam of conventional CT, CBCT has both an X-ray generator and detector that rotates around the patient, capturing data with a cone-shaped beam. Both modalities can be used to create very helpful 3-D reconstructions of the areas of interest, although CBCT provides increased detail of dentoalveolar structures. One veterinary study compared CBCT's diagnostic image quality with that of 64-multidetector row CT sagittal slices. Four blinded evaluators compared CBCT and 64-multidetector row CT images. Trabecular bone, enamel, dentin, pulp cavity, periodontal ligament space, lamina dura and "overall impression" were scored. Images captured with CBCT were found to be significantly superior in image quality when compared to images acquired with 64-multidetector CT in all categories.1 Inka, the jaguar My first experience with CBCT was with a patient from the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Pa. Inka is a five-year-old jaguar that fractured …
Duck receives custom-made wheelchair to help it walkFebruary 20, 2019Walkin’ Pets has created it’s first-ever Duck Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair, a custom-built cart to help Merlin the duck get the exercise he needs.
Managing pain in zoological companion animalsJanuary 2, 2019Zoological companion animals (ZCAs) are presenting to veterinary practices more and more frequently, and many will need some kind of pain management as part of their treatment plan. It can be challenging to know what type of medication to use and at what dose—whether it be in the clinic or at home for longer-term care—and there is a lot of information available that isn’t the easiest to interpret. This article reviews some common types and dosages of pain medications used to provide analgesia to birds, reptiles, and exotic companion mammals.
New Jersey veterinarian recertified as ABVP diplomateDecember 24, 2018A New Jersey veterinarian has successfully maintained his diplomate certification in bird care. Kenneth D. Dazen, DVM, is remaining a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) specializing in avian practice.
Veterinarian guilty of illegally declawing lions at zooOctober 25, 2018A lawsuit by PETA against Rick L. Pelphrey, DVM, has been settled after the veterinarian admitted to declawing lions and tigers illegally without pain medication at Wildlife in Need zoo in Charlestown, Ind.
Morris Animal Foundation funds 13 wildlife studies with $850KSeptember 25, 2018Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) will extend $850,000 to fund 13 wildlife research studies. Through the new grants, the foundation is supporting scientists from Tufts University, Cornell University, and the Smithsonian Institution. The foundation's Wildlife Animal Scientific Advisory Board reviewed all submitted grant applications and selected, based on scientific merit and impact, the studies with the greatest potential to save lives, preserve health, and advance veterinary care. Wildlife studies funded for 2018 include: Understanding the Impact of Lead Poisoning in Bald Eagles Researchers will analyze multiple data sources to learn if lead continues to impact the long-term health and recovery of bald eagles. This new information will be used to help inform policy and public communication about lead exposure in bald eagles and other wildlife. Tackling Another Contagious Cancer in Tasmanian Devils Researchers will investigate a second, recently discovered, contagious cancer in Tasmanian devils, devil facial tumor 2 (DFT2). Understanding how the disease is evolving and spreading will provide important clues on how to manage this disease and other contagious cancers affecting both Tasmanian devils and dogs. Saving Endangered Frogs from Deadly Fungal Disease Researchers will look at ways to boost the immunity of …
