AVMA gives sports medicine, exotic mammal specialties full recognitionMay 11, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reported that it has granted full recognition to the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) and the Exotic Companion Mammal specialties under the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (AVBP). The AVMA board of directors approved the recognition of each on recommendations from the AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties. The ACVSMR and the Exotic Companion Mammal specialty had been granted provisional recognition by the AVMA in 2010 and 2008, respectively. "Veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation meets the unique needs of athletic and working animals to optimize performance, to treat injuries and diseases, and to provide rehabilitation for all patients after injury or illness, with neurological, cardiovascular, or respiratory impairments or with chronic musculoskeletal disease and pain," said Andris J. Kaneps, DVM, Ph.D., DACVS, DACVSMR, ACVSMR representative to the American Board of Veterinary Specialties. "The need for a veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation specialty has arisen as a result of the explosive growth of animal participation in sports and service activities, recognition of the benefits derived by all animals from rehabilitation, and the intimate relationships between the fields of veterinary sports medicine and …
SPONSORED CONTENTUncompromising renal + sensitivities care.Managing pain from canine OA doesn’t have to be complicated. Discover an approach that doesn’t just treat pain, but addresses inflammation, too. + Learn More
Celebrity pig Esther helps campaign for large animal CT scannerApril 17, 2018Canadian social media starlet Esther the Wonder Pig has ignited a campaign to raise money for a large animal CT scanner for the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). The first of its kind Canada, the Pegaso CT scanner will provide diagnostic imaging for pigs, standing horses, and other large animals. Last fall, Esther, the 650-pound pig from Campbellville, Ontario, Canada, started experiencing health complications that caused her to seizure and hyperventilate. Veterinarians at OVC recommended a CT scan to better diagnose her condition, but told owners Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter a scanner able to accommodate an animal of her size was not available in Canada. Further, transporting Esther to the U.S. would involve a three-week quarantine upon her return. Fortunately, the pig recovered on her own and was able to forgo the scan, but Jenkins and Walter decided to ignite a fundraiser to save other large animal owners future distress. "We wanted to give large animals the same opportunities that we give to our typical companion animals," said Jenkins. "As soon as we realized there was nothing there for Esther, we started working to get a large-scale scanner in place. …
Salmonella outbreak linked to pet guinea pigsMarch 26, 2018 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported nine cases of Salmonella infection connected to pet guinea pigs across eight states. The illnesses, which resulted in one hospitalization, ranged from July 2015 to Dec. 2017. "This outbreak is a reminder that pet rodents such as guinea pigs, regardless of where they are purchased or adopted, can carry Salmonella bacteria even when they look healthy and clean," states the advisory. States cited in the advisory include Colorado, with two reported cases, as well as Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Virginia, and Vermont, with one case each. The outbreak strain of the bacteria was identified in a sample collected from the guinea pig belonging to the patient in Vermont. Illness resulting from exposure to Salmonella usually lasts four to seven days. Those affected usually recover without treatment, but extreme cases of diarrhea and vomiting can lead to hospitalization. Infection is considered most dangerous for children younger than 5, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. The CDC recommends veterinarians remind clients with pet rodents to enforce good hygiene practices, especially in regard to young children. To read the full report, click
Getting a leg upJanuary 3, 2018While prosthetics have been used in veterinary medicine for more than a decade, the application of these devices in this sector is still relatively new compared to human medicine.
When disaster strikes Florida, UFVETS works to aid its animalsSeptember 12, 2017By Donald Vaughan Cookie was following her owner across their yard in Gilchrist County, Fla., outside Gainesville, when the ground suddenly opened up, plunging the 10-year-old pug to the bottom of a 30-foot sinkhole. Among the agencies called in to rescue Cookie was the University of Florida Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service (UFVETS), which provides veterinary emergency response throughout the state. Once the sinkhole had been shored up to prevent a cave-in, VETS team member Jennifer Groover, DVM, was lowered down via an A-frame. "The hole was so narrow that I couldn't bend over," Dr. Groover said, "but Cookie was so happy to have a way out that she climbed up my leg and into my arms, and then they lifted us out. Thankfully, she was unharmed by the fall." Technical rescues like this are all in a day's work for the agency, said John Haven, CPA, UFVETS team leader and the UF College of Veterinary Medicine executive director. The program also provides emergency services during natural disasters such as hurricanes (they're very busy now!), tornadoes, and wildfires, as well as for large-scale animal hoarding cases. Born from adversity UFVETS was established in 2004, which saw Florida threatened …
Morris Animal Foundation funds 11 wildlife research studiesJuly 11, 2017Morris Animal Foundation hopes to advance the health of certain wildlife species through its funding of 11 studies aimed at tuberculosis, lead exposure, vaccine strategies, assessing chronic stress and more.
Zoo elephant undergoes successful cancer procedureJuly 6, 2017Joe Impellizeri, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), MRCVS, of Veterinary Oncology Services of Middletown, N.Y., Lisa DiBernardi, DVM, ACVIM, ACVR, of Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, and the El Paso Zoo animal care team successfully performed electrochemotherapy on Juno, one of the zoo’s Asian elephants.
Vets, doctor, treat gorilla at Brookfield ZooJuly 3, 2017As animals live longer thanks to veterinary medicine, they’re experiencing the same issues many people face, from arthritis to dental issues. That’s what happening with Ramar, a 49-year-old western lowland gorilla at Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, Ill.
Researchers race to head off snake fungal diseaseMay 8, 2017Bats killed by the millions because of white-nose syndrome, amphibians decimated worldwide because of chytrid fungus, honeybees declining across the U.S. and now snakes are the latest animal group besieged by a mysterious pathogen.
A day in the life of an exotic vet practiceApril 25, 2017Seeing a wide variety of avian, reptile and small mammal exotic pets every day is exciting and stimulating. Ever wonder what a day in the life looks like for me and my staff? Our first case might be a rabbit with an abscess on its mandible, an iguana with front and rear leg tremors or a macaw with a metal clasp that penetrated the underside of its tongue and encircled its mandibular beak.
