Cornell, Tufts scientists receive $2.5M from NIH for cancer studyNovember 14, 2017Cornell and Tufts University scientists have received a five-year, $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to use dogs as a model for studying cancer immunotherapies. The dogs used in the study are treated with similar care as human patients, with the potential of being cured of lymphoma. Kristy Richards, Ph.D., MD, associate professor of Biomedical Sciences at the College of Veterinary Medicine with a joint appointment at the Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine is co-principal investigator on the grant, along with Cheryl London, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, a research professor at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. The grant will investigate whether combinations of PD1 inhibitors and other targeted therapies may increase effectiveness of cancer treatment in dogs, thereby setting up the possibility for human trials. Clinical trials in dogs should begin in the next six months, at which time, the researchers will reach out to referring veterinarians for candidate canine patients with lymphoma. Veterinary oncologists at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine and at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in Stamford, Conn., will enroll and treat patients during the trials. Patients also will be enrolled at the …
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Winn Feline Foundation: Funding five decades of feline healthNovember 10, 2017If you’ve never treated a cat for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), thank the Winn Feline Foundation. If you’ve ever vaccinated a cat for feline leukemia, thank Winn. If you’ve adjusted a diabetic cat’s diet by adding protein and simultaneously creating a weight loss plan that sent the cat into remission, thank Winn.
Biomarkers shed light on future healthNovember 9, 2017As the biomarker frontier continues to grow, experts say the next big step is for veterinary practitioners to embrace genetic testing. Kathryn Meurs, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology), Ph.D., was the investigator on two new tests for cardiomyopathy predisposition in Dobermans and boxers.
The importance of adopting best-practice wound management techniquesNovember 8, 2017The subject of wound care is a broad one that encompasses the most superficial of skin dermatitis cases to severe deep tissue damage.
10 mistakes to avoid before veterinary surgeryNovember 6, 2017Trying to cut corners in the anesthesia and surgery world can lead to countless medical and legal problems. Let’s review 10 all-too-common mistakes to avoid before taking a patient to surgery.
What a dental exam of a 4-year-old coonhound revealedNovember 2, 2017Back in the day, when I was a resident at the University of Pennsylvania, Tanya, a second-year veterinary student, brought her black and tan coonhound to my office. Chester was 4 years old, and Tanya was concerned that she found an oral tumor in his mouth.
A tale of four paws, two veterinary practicesOctober 17, 2017You probably remember one of the defining moments of the O.J. Simpson trial, when during closing arguments, in reference to the infamous glove found at the scene, Johnnie Cochran said, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”
Raising greyhound health awarenessOctober 13, 2017When veterinary oncologist Guillermo Couto, DVM, first noticed the medical idiosyncrasies of greyhounds, he was serving as a professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Former veterinary military surgeon shares his experiencesOctober 12, 2017The keynote speaker at the American College of Veterinary Surgeons conference in October 2016 was board-certified veterinary surgeon Jim Giles, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA.
UK veterinarians regularly threatened by clients over pet care costsOctober 9, 2017A new survey from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) found that nearly 85 percent of veterinarians in the UK have experienced some form of intimidation and have felt threatened by a client's language or behavior. The survey queried more than 1,600 members of the BVA. Clients are likely to pressure their pet's veterinarian to waive fees and become angry and aggressive over the cost of care, according to the report. This behavior includes swearing, shouting, threats to damage property, disparage the clinic on social media, and even threats of death, according to survey participants. Support staff, women, and younger veterinarians seem to bear the brunt of client anger, according to the survey. Other survey findings: Vets who work with companion animals or in a mixed practice are particularly likely to have experienced difficult clients, with 89% reporting some form of intimidating experience 6 in 10 vets said they or a team member experienced intimidating language or behavior at least every couple of months, while almost a third at least monthly 1 in 8 vets said they suffered intimidating language or behavior on a weekly basis Cost of treatment was one of the most …