Michigan specialty veterinary care center seeks dogs for cancer studySeptember 19, 2017 Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) specialty veterinary care center is conducting a nationwide study on dogs with canine splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and the benefits of using traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) as treatment to significantly extend life expectancy. Erin Bannink, DVM, DACVIM, VCHM, CVA, is leading the study, according to Lucy Henney, DVM, DACVS, owner of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based OVRS. Most dogs diagnosed with HSA are treated by removal of the spleen after the tumor has ruptured and bled, causing life-threatening blood loss; most dogs living only two months after surgery due to the spread of cancer to other organs, according to Dr. Bannink. Because of HSA's aggressive nature, chemotherapy is usually recommended after surgery in the hope of prolonging life, but it only modestly prolongs survival, and most dogs still die of cancer spread within three to four months of diagnosis, she said. "The purpose of this study is to determine if treatment with a specific herbal therapy regimen is helpful in prolonging survival time after surgery in dogs with HSA and no evidence of cancer spread," said Bannink. "We hypothesize that dogs treated with this standardized protocol after splenectomy will have …
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CE explores expanded treatment options for improving mobility in geriatric petsSeptember 19, 2017Companion Animal Health has opened enrollment for an educational course that the company said is "designed specifically to give general veterinary practices access to the tools required to meet the need for expanded osteoarthritis treatment options in companion animals" and "will equip practices with the practical knowledge of the best multimodal approaches for successfully managing the geriatric, arthritic, and obese dog and/or cat." Attendees will earn 11 continuing education credits, with the option of adding a regenerative medicine wet-lab to advance their expertise (for an additional four CE credits). A panel of speakers will educate attendees on the following topics: Nutritional Management for the Geriatric Dog or Cat Photobiomodulation (Laser Therapy) for OA Nutriceutical Use for the Geriatric, Arthritic Pet Pharmacologic Management of OA Business & Marketing Strategies "We took a look at what courses were being offered in our profession currently, and there weren't really any that combined more than one or two OA treatment options," said Lisa Miller, DVM, CCRT, CVA. "This disease responds best to a multimodal approach, so we designed a course to accommodate that need." Veterinary professionals interested in attending this course can find more information on dates, …
Petplan, National Police Dog Foundation announce first grant award recipientsSeptember 18, 2017Petplan and the National Police Dog Foundation (NPDF) announced the winners of the inaugural K-9 Health Insurance Grant, a joint effort between the Newtown Square, Pa., pet insurer and the Foundation, awards one year of pet insurance to five currently active police dogs throughout the U.S. The winning grant recipients are: Reximus, a 3-year-old German shepherd dog with the Nome Police Department in Alaska. ' handler, started the K-9 program at the Nome Police Department after many years without a K-9 unit. Reximus specializes in narcotics detection and is the only four-legged officer in all of Western Alaska. "I've been paying for Reximus' veterinary care, including airfare for emergency transport, with the understanding it may not be reimbursed," Timm said on his grant application. With his new Petplan policy, 90 percent of Reximus' unexpected veterinary expenses will be covered. Rudy, a 2-year-old German shepherd dog/Belgian malinois mix with the Upland Police Department in California Rudy's K-9 team is funded primarily through donations from the public (the city covers vehicle upkeep and the handlers' salaries only). The Petplan/NPDF grant will allow the Upland PD to maximize existing funds and put future donations toward …
When should you refer a surgical patient?September 15, 2017From a legal standpoint, any licensed veterinarian can perform any surgery on any patient. But just because you can doesn’t mean that you should.
Veterinary oncology market profiled in new Brakke Consulting reportSeptember 15, 2017Brakke Consulting in Dallas has announced the release of a new study that profiles the veterinary oncology sector. "Oncology is one of the highest interest areas in veterinary medicine today," said Lynn Fondon DVM, a senior consultant at Brakke Consulting. "In the past decade, the U.S. has gone from zero cancer therapies approved for veterinary use to a more than a half-dozen, with dozens more in development." The study, Cancer in Dogs and Cats, provides information on the incidence of cancer in pets, examines how cancer is diagnosed and treated in veterinary medicine, and offers estimated costs for treatment. The report reviews the FDA-approved cancer treatments that are now on the market; new and developing veterinary cancer products, including therapies, diagnostics, and supportive care, are also presented. It estimates the current sales of veterinary-approved cancer therapies, as well as provides estimates of the total number of pets treated with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. "We surveyed both veterinarians and pet owners for this study, and we found that despite costs that can reach thousands of dollars, many dog and cat owners are willing to pursue treatment when their pets are diagnosed with cancer," said Dr. Fondon. The report, …
AKC Canine Health Foundation funds clinical trial to study cannabidiol in treating drug-resistant epilepsy in dogsSeptember 14, 2017By Veterinary Practice News Editors The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), which has funded more than $2 million for canine epilepsy research, launched an initiative in 2017 to further understand the most common neurological disorder that affects pure- and mixed-breed dogs. Improved treatments are urgently needed, especially for dogs with drug-resistant epilepsy or where side effects of currently available drugs are not tolerated, according to the organization. To that, the CHF has announced the beginning a major clinical trial to study the use of cannabidiol to treat drug resistant epilepsy in dogs. Stephanie McGrath, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, will lead "Efficacy of Cannabidiol (CBD) for the Treatment of Canine Epilepsy." According to Dr. McGrath, up to 30 percent of dogs receiving standard anti-epileptic therapy remain uncontrolled for their seizures, and the side effects of the antiepileptic drugs are often unacceptable. CBD, a nonpsychotropic component of the Cannabis sativa plant, has been shown to have anticonvulsant properties; this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial study will be utilized to prove its effectiveness, she stated. "The timeliness and importance of research into the role of cannabis in …
AHS urges best practices to prevent, minimize heartworm transmission in dogsSeptember 14, 2017By Veterinary Practice News Editors The American Heartworm Society (AHS) has announced a new set of veterinary best practices for minimizing heartworm transmission in dogs relocated due to recent natural disasters, a cross-country family move, or other circumstances. The guidelines include recommendations for heartworm testing, treatment, and prevention, and were developed in collaboration with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV). "Preventing transmission of D. immitis has always been a focus of the AHS Heartworm Guidelines," sais Chris Rehm, DVM, AHS president. "However, we believe we need to do more, given the potential for heartworm-positive dogs to serve as reservoirs for infection. For example, if a microfilaria-positive dog is rescued in one state and subsequently moved to a new home in another state where nearby pets are unprotected, mosquitoes feeding on the new dog can quickly become heartworm vectors. The results can be disastrous for unprotected pets in the vicinity." Measures can be taken to protect the health of both infected animals and their new neighbors, according to Dr. Rehm. While the ideal scenario is to treat infected dogs before transporting or traveling with them, situations often dictate that infected animals cannot undergo …
Pros, cons of surgical sterilization, neutering options for femalesSeptember 14, 2017Among the most common surgical procedures in small animal practice are those for sterilization and neutering. The goal of these procedures is both to prevent reproduction and to provide a net health benefit for the patient that may include avoiding the risks of reproduction, reducing the incidence of those disease that are more common in intact animals, and reducing behaviors associated with intact status that can lead to relinquishment.
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 …
Mars Inc. completes VCA Inc. acquisitionSeptember 12, 2017What started in January is a done deal, as Mars Inc. has announced that its acquisition of VCA Inc. is now complete. VCA will operate as a distinct and separate business within Mars Petcare, alongside Banfield Pet Hospital, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, and Pet Partners. Bob Antin, co-founder and CEO of VCA animal hospitals, will remain at the helm at its Los Angeles headquarters. "I welcome the 25,000-plus VCA team members to the Mars Petcare family of companies," said Poul Weihrauch, president of Mars Global Petcare. "VCA's partnerships with veterinarians and pet care providers, as well as their breadth and expertise in veterinary services, diagnostics and technology, will position all of us to deliver more comprehensive care and continue on our journey supporting our purpose: a better world for pets." Mars, which reports approximately $35 billion in sales per year and operates in more than 80 countries, produces Pedigree, Royal Canin, and Whiskas pet food brands, in addition to owning Banfield, BluePearl, and Pet Partners. VCA delivers pet health care services through more than 800 small animal veterinary hospitals in the U.S. and Canada; Antech Diagnostics, a nationwide clinical laboratory system that services all 50 states and Canada; animal diagnostic …
