WSAVA-endorsed paper encourages healthier breedingAugust 6, 2018The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has announced its support of a position paper launched in June 2018 by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA). The paper, a response to the explosion in popularity of breeds with exaggerated traits, genetic disorders, and those with extreme brachycephalic conformation, such as French and English bulldogs and pugs, calls for health and welfare to be given priority over looks and offers detailed recommendations to address increased demand for and supply of these dogs. Measures to reduce demand, supply Address demand for brachycephalic and other affected breeds through educating owners about the health issues they face Work with influencers to encourage owners to choose a healthy, high-welfare dog suitable for their lifestyle Introduce the mandatory registration of breeders, prebreeding screening programs, and the sharing of data on conformation-altering surgeries and caesarean sections Educate stakeholders and revising breeding standards and practices to put the health and welfare of dogs first In addition, FVE and FECAVA have produced an infographic that explains the causes and consequences of extreme breeding and lists a number of …
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Morris Animal Foundation announces second National Dog Day campaignAugust 3, 2018Since 2004, National Dog Day has been observed on Aug. 26 to encourage dog ownership of mixed-breed and purebred dogs, and to remind us all that canine companions deserve to live long, healthy lives. That's why for the second year in a row, Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is running a campaign this month through Aug. 26, in which an anonymous donor will match all gifts made to the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. The $32 million study gathers information on more than 3,000 golden retrievers throughout their lives to identify the nutritional, environmental, lifestyle, and genetic risk factors for cancer and other canine diseases. Its primary goal is to reveal potential risk factors that may lead to the development of four types of cancers common in golden retrievers: hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumors, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma. Donations can be made to the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study at MAF's website here.
ELIAS presents preliminary canine osteosarcoma results at ACVIMAugust 3, 2018During the 2018 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in June, ELIAS Animal Health, a clinical stage development company advancing novel treatments for companion animal cancer, shared preliminary canine osteosarcoma results for its cancer immunotherapy. According to study results presented by Brian Flesner, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), University of Missouri, the company's new ELIAS autologous cancer vaccine, featuring a patented vaccine and T cell infusion combination approach, demonstrated "impressive survival times and minimal side effects." This cancer immunotherapeutic is being distributed as an experimental product under 9 CFR 103.3 to veterinarians treating dogs diagnosed with cancer. Efficacy and safety have not been established. One in four dogs will be impacted by cancer in their lifetimes, and cancer is the No. 1 cause of death in dogs older than 2. "There has been growing frustration in the veterinary profession with current treatment options, including chemotherapy and radiation, which have only modestly improved outcomes over the past 20 years," said Noe Reyes, DVM, medical director, ELIAS Animal Health. "We are very encouraged by the positive treatment outcomes reported by Dr. Flesner at ACVIM and look forward to starting our pivotal osteosarcoma trial evaluating this T cell-based immunotherapy in a broader population," …
VSMRI offers online forum for rehab, sports medicineAugust 3, 2018The Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute (VSMRI) is a new online resource for veterinary health care professionals focused on or interested in the most current information regarding rehabilitation, sports medicine, surgery, and overall care. Content, video, and forum topics include gait analysis, TPLO rehabilitation, the orthopedic examination, and hip dysplasia rehabilitation, surgery and rehabilitation option impacts, and more. The institute said it aims to join veterinary professionals globally from all aspects of veterinary medicine with an interest in physical rehabilitation and sports medicine; provide a library of rehabilitation exercises and modalities, as well as up-to-date research information in the area of rehabilitation and sports medicine; and provide a discussion board and interactive forum. Download VSMRI in the App Store and register at vsmri.com. Charter registration is $14.95/month.
FDA five-year plan to combat rising threat of antibiotic overuseAugust 3, 2018In its ongoing effort to combat antimicrobial resistance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it will implement a five-year blueprint outlining the administration's strategy to "advance antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings." As part of the FDA's regulatory mission, its Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of animal drugs, including antimicrobials. Progress has been made, but additional work is needed to address the complex challenge of antimicrobial resistance, the organization said in a statement. "At FDA, we believe that the concept of antimicrobial stewardship encompasses several important principles of judicious use," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD. "These are critical to slowing the rate at which bacteria develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. In simple terms, we believe medically important antimicrobial drugs should only be used when necessary to treat, control or prevent disease. In addition, when such use is necessary, these antimicrobials should be used in an optimal manner. They should only be used under the oversight of a licensed veterinarian." The administration's plan, which will cover fiscal years 2019 - 2023, will focus three goals: Aligning antimicrobial drug product use with the principles of antimicrobial stewardship Supporting …
FDA reminds vets of Zycortal Suspension amid Percorten-V shortageAugust 2, 2018Due to a shortage of Percorten-V, which is approved for use as replacement therapy for mineralocorticoid deficit in dogs with Addison's Disease, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine is reminding veterinarians that Zycortal Suspension is an alternative treatment option that is not currently in shortage. Elanco Animal Health, manufacturer of Percorten-V (desoxycorticosterone pivalate injectable suspension), reported a manufacturing issue with the product. "Elanco is experiencing a delay in production of Percorten-V due to the inability of our contract manufacturing facility to supply product," according to the company's website. "While we work diligently to resolve this delay, there is an interruption of product supply to veterinarians. The technical challenges in the manufacturing process are being actively investigated with a focus on expediting resolution. The timeframe to resume production is dependent on the investigation conclusions and at this point is unknown. Elanco deeply regrets that this production issue is impacting the veterinarians and pets that rely on us to manage this serious disease, and is working persistently to hurry this product back to those who need it." Zycortal Suspension (desoxycorticosterone pivalate injectable suspension), also approved for use replacement therapies for mineralocorticoid …
Toto Pet Insurance enters the market with a social missionJuly 27, 2018Toto Pet Insurance Inc., which launched today in more than 30 states, stated it will donate $1 out of every $5 it earns from carriers and provide benefits that can be customized to fit pet owners' monthly budgets. "We believe Toto not only has the responsibility to be the best pet insurance in America, but also the best for America," said Bruce Trowbridge, CEO and co-founder of Richmond, Va.-based Toto Pet Insurance. "Our main mission is to inspire pet parents to use pet insurance not only for their own dog or cat, but also to 'pay it forward' for pets in their communities that otherwise would be put down too soon." Coverage varies by state and will be available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., within the coming months. Toto Pet Insurance is differentiating itself in the market by bucking the recent "one-size-fits-all" trend of most pet insurance organizations, the company stated. Toto's benefits include: A customizable insurance plan to fit the specific needs of pets and their owners' monthly budgets A wide range of options up to unlimited benefits and 90 percent reimbursement Total protection available, including illness, injury, and preventive care Claims processed fast …
University of Florida 3-D printer gives patients new chance at mobilityJuly 27, 2018Chance, a greater Swiss mountain dog abandoned with a severe limb deformity, is walking better. Bebop, a pot-bellied pig is back to rooting in his yard after a painful shoulder injury stopped him. Chance and Bebop are the first two clinical cases treated over the past six months at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine through a state-of-the-art 3-D printer that uses high-performance plastics and offers numerous advances in patient care, teaching, and research, according to UF veterinarians. Among the printer's capabilities are the ability to create bone models with which veterinarians can "practice" a surgical procedure prior to actual surgery, as well as patient-specific surgical guides that improve accuracy and reduce surgery time, according to the university. "We have the Rolls Royce of 3-D printers," said Adam Biedrzycki, BVSc, Ph.D., an assistant professor of large animal surgery at UF, who purchased the printer with startup funds when he was hired by the UF College of Veterinary Medicine three years ago. "It can not only print parts that are approved in the aerospace industry to go into aircraft but also parts that are biocompatible for medical applications. That is, they can be used in live tissues." …
Purdue vets perform total hip replacement on Bengal catJuly 25, 2018 The orthopedic team at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Purdue University's College of Veterinary Medicine had high hopes for Fridgey, a two-year-old Bengal cat brought in by his owner in 2017 for left hip issues. The orthopedic team performed a femoral head ostectomy (FHO), but Fridgey's problems then shifted to his right hip, and his owner again brought him to Purdue. This time, Mark Rochat, DVM, MS, DAVCS, clinical professor of small animal orthopedic surgery, department of veterinary clinical sciences, and Sarah Malek, DVM, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery, performed a total hip replacement. The procedure had never been performed on a feline patient at Purdue. Hip replacements have been performed on larger dogs for almost 40 years, but smaller dogs and cats had to hold off until the last 10 to 15 years, waiting for the technology to catch up, according to Dr. Rochat. "The technology has been around for years; it's just that the availability of the systems and training for the people performing the procedures weren't as commonplace in the past," Dr. Malek said. "Now it's much more commercially available and technically feasible." The first human hip replacement was inspired …
Client checklist: Tips for traveling with petsJuly 20, 2018Whether traveling by plane, train, or automobile, there are many factors to consider when vacationing with a pet.
