Study: Seniors Can Benefit from Having a DogApril 21, 2016The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults of all ages should engage in 150 or more minutes of moderate physical activity per week. Among adults 60 years of age or more, walking is the most common form of leisure-time physical activity because it is self-paced, low impact and does not require equipment. Researchers at the University of Missouri have determined that older adults who also are pet owners benefit from the bonds they form with their canine companions. Dog walking is associated with lower body mass index, fewer doctor visits, more frequent exercise and an increase in social benefits for seniors. “Our study explored the associations between dog ownership and pet bonding with walking behavior and health outcomes in older adults,” said Rebecca Johnson, a professor at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Millsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing in the Sinclair School of Nursing. “This study provides evidence for the association between dog walking and physical health using a large, nationally representative sample.” The study analyzed 2012 data from the Health and Retirement study sponsored by the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration. …
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NovaVive Goes All In on Veterinary TherapeuticsApril 21, 2016The young Canadian company NovaVive Inc. is hopeful that a biologic technology proven to stimulate an animal’s immune system may be approved at some point to treat hemangiosarcomas and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in dogs. And if one of three planned studies shows promise, mycobacterium cell wall fraction (MCWF) also might be used to improve the quality of life of dying dogs. NovaVive, established in 2014 by Bioniche Life Sciences founder Graeme McRae, sells four MCWF-based therapeutic biologics. Purchased from the French company Vétoquinol, which acquired original developer Bioniche’s veterinary division, the current lineup includes: Equimune, for the treatment of equine respiratory disease complex. Amplimune, formerly called Immunoboost, for bovine infectious disease therapy. Immunocidin, for the treatment of mixed mammary tumor and mammary adenocarcinomas in dogs and sarcoid tumors in horses. Settle, for the treatment of equine endometritis. All four immunotherapies are sold in the United States. Australian veterinarians have access to Equimune and Settle, Immunocidin is available in Canada, and Equimune is distributed in New Zealand. NovaVive has engaged two U.S. veterinary oncologists to assist with studies of how MCWF might be used in three other ways. The “ringleaders of the pack,” as McRae called them, are Philip Bergman, …
How to Recognize Animal AbuseApril 20, 2016Animal cruelty is an unfortunate, horrific reality involving innocent beings that are unable to speak up for themselves. Veterinary professionals have a moral, ethical and, in some states, legal obligation to be the voice for these victims. Animal cruelty is a catchall statement for offenses that include neglect, abuse, abandonment, animal fighting and even practicing veterinary medicine without a license. State laws vary in whether animal cruelty is deemed a misdemeanor or a felony, and they even go so far as to detail which animals are included. For example, New York laws cover “every living creature except a human being,” while in Alaska, protected animals include vertebrates but not fish. Veterinarian’s Obligation Several states have laws in place that address the issue of veterinarians reporting suspected animal cruelty and abuse. These include Arizona, which outlines a veterinarian’s duty to report suspected canine participants of dog fighting. Oregon makes it mandatory for veterinarians to report aggravated animal abuse. Additionally, Kansas requires veterinarians to report cruel or inhumane treatment, and failure to do so could result in disciplinary action. Because laws vary from state to state, it’s vital that veterinarians review local and …
Vet Explores the Funny Aspects of Cooking for Dogs in New BookApril 18, 2016Cooking for dogs is a trend that’s been around for years, but the funny side of it hasn’t ever really been talked about. That’s what a new book, “Canine Kitchen Capers: A Humorous Look At Preparing Food for Dogs (& Spouses)” is all about: how hysterical it can be. Written by Judy Morgan, DVM, a holistic veterinarian, and her husband Hue Grant, the book is full of stories of cooking misadventures, such as: Vegetarians willing to cook meat only for their dogs; The woman who spent three days canning food for her dog, forgetting her kids and feeding her husband cold cereal; and The occasional starving husband who can't stop himself from secretly scarfing the dog's homemade stew. Judy Morgan Authors Hue Grant and Judy Morgan, DVM, with two of their rescued spaniels. Morgan says the stories in the book were submitted by readers of her prior book, “What's For Dinner Dexter? Cooking for Your Dog Using Chinese Medicine Theory.” A recipe for dog food and a complementary recipe for humans accompany each story. For example, “Butternut Squash Banana Treats for Dogs” is followed by “Maple Bacon Pecan Butternut Squash …
Clients Like to Travel? Why You Should Talk to Them About Pet-Friendly DestinationsApril 18, 2016Is your veterinary practice ready to educate clients about including their pet in a family vacation? They’ll appreciate your help with tips for planning ahead to get the most from the experience. Many of your clients reduce the number of trips they take because they worry about boarding their pet too often. That’s true even when an outstanding boarding facility is available. Of course, the quality and attitude of lodging businesses vary a lot. Your practice can become a hero by guiding them through steps they can take for locating places where their pet will be treated with love and respect. Don’t miss this opportunity to make clients know, like and trust your practice even more. How to Help Your Clients Plan Ahead Preparing to take your pet on vacation is not an overwhelming task. But there are several smart planning moves that can easily be overlooked. Here are a few things you can remind clients to do. ID your dog. That means microchipping and ID tag on a collar. Health status. Carry a written record of current examination, vaccinations and parasite preventatives. A list …
Funds Raised to Help Dog Whose Legs Were Broken on PurposeApril 13, 2016A dog named Iris (nickname Dara’Lynn) came to the Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, Ariz., last November with two broken legs. After examination, veterinarians determined that her legs had been broken for some time. Iris was treated, but even after four months, her legs still aren’t healing. Iris must wear splints, which cause problems of their own, including pressure sores and rashes. Go Fund Me Iris needs orthopedic surgery, so the Pima Animal Care Center put together a Go Fund Me fundraiser to help raise funds to pay for it. The surgery will be performed by Douglas A. Rohn, DVM, Diplomate ACVS of the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson. As they write on their Go Fund Me page: “It is going to cost $3,400 by Dr Rohn who has generously offered to only charge us for one fracture. Dr Rohn is an extremely experienced boarded specialist and he is confident he can help Dara'Lynn run and play again! Please consider donating. Together we can mend the wrongs that have been committed against this innocent little sweetheart.” As of press time, the fundraiser has …
Florida Dog Impaled While Playing FetchApril 12, 2016A young dog is recovering after he was accidentally impaled on a 19-inch-long stick and swiftly treated at a BluePearl Veterinary Partners hospital in Tampa, Fla. The injury to Radar, a 1-year-old Australian cattle dog, occurred April 8 as he and his owner played a routine game of fetch in a park. The 2-inch-wide stick is believed to have stuck vertically into the ground as Radar pursued it, and then he somehow ran or fell onto it, puncturing his chest 8 inches deep. "It was terrifying," owner Maya Niewiadomska said. "It was one of the most terrifying things I have seen in my entire life." Luckily for Radar, his best friend knew what to do. Niewiadomska is studying to become a physician's assistant, so she knew not to remove the stick, which could have caused even more damage. Niewiadomska rushed Radar to the BluePearl specialty hospital. BluePearl Veterinary Partners operates 54 hospitals in 17 states. Radar was placed under anesthesia, and Nick Rappa, DVM, and Michael Reems, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, performed surgery to remove the stick and close the hole. Dr. Rappa said Radar's rib cage prevented the stick from damaging major organs. "Everything went extremely well," he said …
Pro Plan Adds Dry Urinary Food for DogsApril 11, 2016Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets now offers a kibble recipe for dogs dealing with urinary issues. UR Urinary Ox/St Canine Formula joins a canned variety that was introduced in March 2015 for the management of struvite and calcium oxalate bladder stones. The additional formula is a needed option for veterinarians and dog owners, said Jason Gagné, DVM, Dipl. ACVN, director of veterinary technical marketing at Purina Pro Plan. “While many veterinarians recommend canned diets for urolithiasis patients, some dogs prefer a dry kibble or may even refuse to eat canned food,” Dr. Gagné said. The dry UR diet is formulated to control mineral levels and create “a urinary environment that is unfavorable to the development of both sterile struvite and calcium oxalate crystals,” manufacturer Nestlé Purina PetCare Co. stated. The veterinary-exclusive formula supports the elimination of sterile struvite uroliths and reduces the risk of recurring struvite or calcium oxalate uroliths, the company added. The dry food is made from corn, brewer’s rice and chicken byproduct meal, among other ingredients. The canned recipe starts with chicken, rice and meat byproducts.
Dogs Found Shot With Arrows are Now Recovering Thanks to VetsApril 6, 2016A story that could have easily ended in tragedy for two dogs has a happy ending thanks to the efforts of a canine rescue organization and an emergency veterinary clinic. Two dogs were found injured and in pain and were taken to Tails of The Misunderstood Canine Rescue Society, in Calgary, Canada. They were then taken to the McKnight 24 Hour Veterinary Hospital in Calgary, which, to everyone's surprise, found arrows inside the dogs. "Not just any simple, little arrows — large, four-point arrows," said Kelly Cerato, president and founder of Tails of The Misunderstood Canine Rescue Society told CBC News. (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Update 2: Kitchi-The arrow was lodged in his arm and fractured his bone. My- Our decision did not come easily. We... Posted by Tails of The Misunderstood Canine Rescue Society on Saturday, April 2, 2016 “You can tell by how they were shot that these dogs were meant to suffer as much as possible,” Cerato, told the Calgury Sun. “The shafts …
Vet Assistant Saves Choking German ShepherdApril 1, 2016A veterinary assistant is being called a hero after he saved a choking German shepherd. German Shepherd Nadia was out playing fetch with her owners when she swallowed the ball. When she passed out, her owners rushed her to the Fort Smith Animal Emergency Clinic in Fort Smith, Ark. Veterinary Assistant Justin Rouse, just arriving to start his shift, met them in the parking lot. “I saw some emergency flashers on their SUV and the back hatch was opened up, so I pulled in real quick, and I saw their dog kind of, I could see that it was kind of laying there, you know, it was lifeless,” Rouse told 5News. Rouse realized that the ball was still in the dog's throat. “I could feel the ball, so I pushed behind it and pushed up, and it lodged it out,” he said to 5News. After that, he took Nadia into the clinic for oxygen. When Nadia came to, aside from an irritated throat, she was fine. Nadia's owners were shocked and "mind-blown," according to 5News. Rouse said in his eight years working at the clinic, this was the …
