Royal Canin releases Pill Assist to help administer medication to dogs October 2, 2018Royal Canin has launched veterinary-exclusive Pill Assist soft chews to simplify administering medication to dogs. According to a study by the company, Pill Assist enabled successful pill administration in 97 percent of cases. "We understand the stress pet owners face when trying to provide necessary medication for their pets," said Catherine Lenox, DVM, CVA, DACVN, scientific affairs manager for Royal Canin. "A dog's medication cannot help if it is not taken. Royal Canin developed Pill Assist to ease the burden on pet owners and enable dogs to better consume the medication they need." The product's soft texture can be molded around any pill shape, is available in sizes for small and medium-to-large dogs, has moderate calorie content, and includes vitamins and prebiotics. The product can be found at select veterinary clinics.
SPONSORED CONTENTSwitch to Triple Protection in One Monthly DoseSee the difference of triple protection with the one monthly chew. + Learn More
FDA approves Boehringer Ingelheim's Semintra for feline hypertensionOctober 2, 2018The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has approved Semintra (telmisartan oral solution) 10 mg/mL oral solution for the control of systemic hypertension in cats, according to Boehringer Ingelheim. The product was designed specifically with cats in mind to provide safe, reliable, and convenient long-term control of blood pressure, said Boehringer Ingelheim. "We are proud to continue to set new standards of care for cats to optimize their health and well-being through the veterinarian," said Shawn Hooker, global head of Strategic Business Unit Pet Vet at Boehringer Ingelheim. "Early disease detection and early treatment are key to ensure cats live longer and happier lives. With Semintra, we offer a pet owner-friendly, easy-to-give solution to help raise the quality of life of cats with hypertension, while providing reliable long-term blood pressure control." Semintra is for oral use in cats only. The most common side effects reported in field studies include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, anemia, dehydration, poor appetite, and weight loss. It has not been evaluated in cats with systolic blood pressure > 200 mmHg, cats with hepatic disease, cats younger than 9 months of age, or cats that are pregnant, lactating, or intended for breeding. Visit semintra.com for …
Is cancer increasing in cats and dogs?October 2, 2018I often see claims in the media—from veterinarians as well as lay people—that canine and feline cancer rates are rising, and we are experiencing an “epidemic.” Usually, this is a prelude to further claims about the causes of this so-called epidemic. Finally, a solution is typically offered, involving either eschewing the purported causes of cancer or employing a diet, supplement, “detox” program, or some other product or method recommended (and sold) by whomever is making the claims.
IsoPet canine soft-tissue sarcoma treatment delivers 'complete response'September 28, 2018Vivos Inc., a pharmaceutical company that develops minimally invasive treatments to combat cancer in humans and animals, reported that its signature product, IsoPet, was used to treat a hind-leg soft-tissue sarcoma in a Shetland sheepdog at the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center in Columbia, Mo. The treatment of the sarcoma resulted in a "complete response," meaning tumor destruction and disappearance, together with a healthy recovery, according to veterinary oncologist Charles Maitz, DVM, PhD, DACVR-RO. Results will be presented in at the Veterinary Cancer Society's annual conference in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 17 - 20. Post-treatment imaging and dosimetry provided confirmatory data addressing questions previously raised by U.S. Food and Drug Administration review panel, including: Near-uniform placement by injection and interstitial perfusion within the tumor without vascular clearance to normal organs and tissues Very high therapeutic ratios (radiation dose to the tumor relative to normal organs) Effective, highly localized, high-dose radiotherapy, and complete absence of adverse side-effects in critical normal tissues The University of Missouri is now advertising availability of IsoPet treatment for dogs and other species, including treatment of equine sarcoids. "The successful treatment of the cat and dog subjects thus far increases the likelihood of …
Australian researchers discover way to halt T. gondii spreadSeptember 28, 2018According to research published in PLOS Biology, scientists in Australia have discovered a way to halt the invasion of the toxoplasmosis-causing parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) into cells, depriving the parasite of a key factor necessary for its growth. The study found that there are two steps that allow T. gondii to take hold within the body: the parasite needs to enter a host cell; from there it replicates and spreads. "After Toxoplasma infects humans it needs to switch off the infection machinery and switch on replication," said Chris Tonkin, PhD., associate professor at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, who led the study. "Without the ability to do this, Toxoplasma will die and be unable to cause disease. We discovered that the gene protein kinase A (PKA) is required for this switch. Without PKA, Toxoplasma can't hold steady." The findings are an important step in getting closer to developing a vaccine to protect pregnant women from the parasite, which carries risk of miscarriage or birth defects, and may also have a link to neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, according to the study. T. gondii is transmitted by cat feces and can be acquired from …
Tips for improving medication compliance among cat ownersSeptember 28, 2018When dispensing medication for in-home treatment of feline patients, owner compliance is a concern due to the unique challenges of administering medication to cats, according to Kindred Biosciences Inc. "Cats have natural behaviors that may make medication administration challenging, and this can be complicated in ill cats that are also anorexic, nauseated, or vomiting," said Christina Fernandez, DVM, MRCVS, DACVECC, professional services veterinarian with Kindred. "Palatability is also a huge factor, and most cats are finicky when it comes to food." To improve compliance, Dr. Fernandez shares five tips veterinarians can focus on: Communication Written information Frequency of veterinary visits Veterinarian continuity Selection of medications Communication is essential, said Fernandez. Veterinarians or veterinary nurses can demonstrate to cat owners how to administer a medication while still in the office. This helps avoid complications and promotes active discussion with the client. If possible, written instructions can be provided. "Follow-up calls from the veterinary clinic staff can help increase owner compliance," said Fernandez. "This can facilitate identification of issues to be addressed with the clinical state of the patient and concerns with the treatment plan while offering an opportunity to set up a follow-up appointment if one isn't already on the books." …
Large dogs are king according to international surveySeptember 27, 2018 According to a new international survey, dog owners say they are more satisfied owning large dogs than small dogs. The study, conducted online by RightPet starting in 2010 to 2018, surveyed dog breed reviews from 12,167 pet owners from 106 countries. Seventy-five percent of the reviews were of purebred dogs; 25 percent were of mixed breeds. The study found that both women and men are happier owning large dogs than small dogs and that men and younger people are significantly more satisfied with medium, large, and giant breeds, and less satisfied with toy and small dogs. Older people (around age 70) were found to be equally satisfied with dogs of any size, though dog owners with experience owning multiple dogs of different sizes report the greatest satisfaction with large dogs. The RightPet study found a direct correlation between dog size satisfaction and the fact that dog owners rate bigger dogs as more emotionally stable, child-safe, trainable, and less barky than small dogs. "What our study has found is that large dogs score higher in traits that are really important to most dog owners," said Brett Hodges, owner/editor at RightPet. "People don't prefer large dogs per se—they like them …
Pad corns: A pain for both dog and veterinarianSeptember 26, 2018A canine corn is a focal circular area of hyperkeratinization found in the digital paw pads of sighthound breeds (e.g. greyhound, whippet, and lurcher). A prevalence of around five to six per cent in retired greyhounds has been reported in the literature (Lord et al, 2007), making it the most common dermatologic condition among this group of dogs. Approximately 80 per cent of corns occur in digits three and four, while 80 per cent are found in the digits of the thoracic limbs (Guilliard et al, 2010). Their occurrence has not been reported in the metacarpal and metatarsal paw pads. Corns commonly cause lameness, which can be severe. The lesion is analogous to heloma durum (corn/clavus), which usually occurs on the foot in humans (Roven, 1968).
Nationwide pet insurance opens 2018 Hambone Award voting September 26, 2018After reviewing nearly 1.5 million pet insurance claims received over the past year, Nationwide has nominated 12 candidates for the 2018 Hambone Award. Each year, the pet health insurer scours its database of 700,000-plus insured pets to honor the most unusual pet insurance claim of the year. The winner will be decided by a public vote, open now through Oct. 8, at HamboneAward.com. In addition, the veterinary practice that treated this year's Hambone Award winner will receive a $10,000 Nationwide-funded award through the Veterinary Care Foundation to treat pets whose owners could not otherwise afford treatment. From a pair of German shepherds who were found after 21 days trapped in an abandoned missile silo to a cat who went through a dryer's fluff cycle, all 12 nominees have uniquely harrowing tales. All nominated pets have made full recoveries and received Nationwide insurance reimbursements for eligible veterinary expenses. The 2018 Hambone Award nominees Howard the golden retriever (San Diego). This tech-hungry hound swallowed an electronics charger. Veterinary practice that treated Howard: Bodhi Animal Hospital (San Diego) Maddy the Labrador (Charlotte, N.C). Water-loving Maddy found herself playing on the shores of danger when she was suddenly …
BabelBark, Fear Free partner for pets, owners, veterinariansSeptember 26, 2018 Pet software developer BabelBark has announced a partnership with Fear Free, an educational initiative designed to train veterinarians, pet professionals, and pet owners to ease the fear, anxiety, and stress of the pets in their care. The new agreement enables BabelBark to educate pet owners with tailored content developed by Fear Free and become a tool for veterinarians to create unique pet profiles that can be accessible and shared online. "Both [organizations] share a common mission of connecting pet parents, veterinary professionals, and the pet professional community through every step of a pet's health and wellness needs to ensure pets have a Fear Free experience," said Roy Stein, BabelBark founder and CEO. According to Stein, the partnership will provide a new level of support to veterinarians through technology, allowing them to deliver individualized information and consultations to each pet parent. "Fear Free and BabelBark believe in creating a strong bond with the entire pet community, ensuring that each pet visit is a positive and enjoyable experience," said Marty Becker, DVM, Fear Free founder and Veterinary Practice News columnist. When the professional team and pet parent are on the same page regarding a …
