Why catching CDS early in pets makes all the differenceAugust 31, 2016A 14-year-old Lhasa Apso cross showed no signs of cognitive dysfunction until stress began to creep into his home. First, his owner was hospitalized for a period, so a dog sitter showed up. Then the other dog in the household died. By that time the Lhasa Apso was becoming needier and was experiencing sensory issues and apparent deafness.
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New feline core vaccine available from BIVIAugust 18, 2016Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. has released a reduced-volume core vaccine for cats. The nonadjuvanted Ultra Hybrid FVRCP is administered in a 0.5 mL subcutaneous dose to protect against feline herpesvirus, calicivirus infection and distemper in cats at least 8 weeks old.
New Blue Buffalo foods target kidney diseaseAugust 17, 2016Pet food maker Blue Buffalo Co. has released diets formulated for dogs and cats suffering from chronic kidney disease. The veterinary-exclusive, grain-free recipes are KM Kidney + Mobility Support for cats and KS Kidney Support for dogs.
Cornell develops cornea model of infectionJuly 27, 2016Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine researchers say they have developed a model system that can be used to test drugs for treating feline herpes virus 1 (FHV-1).
Study: Cats opt for healthy food over flavorJuly 26, 2016Do cats know what’s best for them nutritionally? Apparently they do, researchers believe. Given the choice, domesticated cats instinctively seek the healthiest foods instead of consuming something that simply tastes better, according to a study published June 15 in Royal Society Open Science.
CSU studies transdermal mirtazapine in cats with kidney diseaseJuly 5, 2016A new clinical trial at Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is studying the effects of the transdermal form of mirtazapine as an appetite stimulate in cats with chronic kidney disease.
How to create a cave for your cat patientsJune 24, 2016VETgirl has released a video about how to make a cat cave for your feline patients. As explained in the video description: "... Dr. Kathy Rausch, emergency veterinary guru from Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota, shows us how to create a fear-free, low stress cat house for your feline hospitalized patients
How This Mexican Shelter Is Doing ‘What it Takes’ for PetsMay 6, 2016On the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, away from the beach sports and tourist hustle and bustle, barking dogs greet visitors to SPCA Puerto Vallarta. Dogs and cats are rescued from the streets and sometimes out of abusive conditions. Some are ill and require veterinary intervention. At SPCA Puerto Vallarta, animals with special needs may require a longer stay, but staying here isn’t so bad. They all receive the medical care they need—somehow resources are found—even if it means seeing a veterinary specialist. “We do what it takes,” says founder and President Janice Chatterton. There’s even whirlpool for rehabilitation on the premises. There’s also a veterinarian with a special interest specifically in shelter medicine, a rarity in Mexico. More than a shelter, SPCA Puerto Vallarta truly is a sanctuary. Dogs are kept in spacious indoor/outdoor runs and almost always have the company of one or more canine companions. A cadre of volunteers, ranging from residents to tourists, walks the dogs daily. Cats live in a colony and can catnap inside or outdoors in an area protected from …
Cat-Friendly Practices Happy With ResultsMay 6, 2016Becoming a cat-friendly practice pays off, literally. A survey conducted by the American Association of Feline Practitioners found that nearly 7-in-10 hospitals designated as cat-friendly practices attracted new clients because of the status. Eleven percent gained at least 26 feline patients. Launched in 2012, AAFP’s cat-friendly practice (CFP) program aims to make hospitals more accommodating to the needs of cats and improve the animals’ handling, treatment and overall health. Reducing stress levels during a veterinary visit is of utmost importance. “Our 2015 survey results have definitively concluded that the CFP designation helps practices grow their client base of feline patients as well as positively impacts client compliance with the increase in feline visits,” said Ilona Rodan, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, co-chairwoman of the CFP Committee. Just over 950 veterinary hospitals carried CFP status as of early January. An additional 635 clinics were working to meet program requirements, AAFP reported. The time, money and effort involved in becoming more amenable to cats were worthwhile, the survey found. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents stated that they were satisfied with being designated a cat-friendly practice. The top benefits, according to the survey, included: Less stress in …
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 …
