AMC launches Usdan Institute for Animal HealthSeptember 20, 2017 The Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York, which sees more than 50,000 patient visitors a year and has more than 100 years of veterinary medical experience, announced the launch of the Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education to help educate owners on all aspects of their pet's health. AMC has appointed Jaclyn Skidmore, MSc, an infectious disease epidemiologist, as the institute's director. "The Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education will focus on three areas of education: animal health, public health as it relates to animals, and the human-animal bond," said Kathryn Coyne, Animal Medical Center's CEO. "We hope pet owners everywhere will utilize the institute to find resources for their pet's health needs, and we invite all New York City area pet owners to join us at our Usdan event series." The Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education will present a series of educational events that will be open to the public. On Sept. 28, Mark Macina, DVM, head of AMC's dermatology service, will discuss seasonal pet allergies and advances in treatment. Every Tuesday the Institute will issue a "Usdan Tuesday Tip" on timely animal health information across AMC social platforms with the hashtag #UsdanTuesdayTip. …
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KSU to assume production of One Health NewsletterSeptember 19, 2017The One Health Newsletter will now be produced at Kansas State University, school officials announced. The newsletter was initiated in 2008 by the Florida Department of Health and published through the winter 2014. It was then transitioned to the University of Florida's Emerging Pathogens Institute, which published it until 2017. The first Kansas State University-developed edition of the One Health Newsletter is scheduled for release in October, in advance of International One Health Day on Nov. 3. "The One Health Initiative autonomous pro bono team collaborated with both former outstanding One Health Newsletter publishers and is delighted to continue associating with our longstanding friends and notable One Health colleagues at K-State," said Bruce Kaplan, contents manager/editor of the One Health Initiative website and co-founder of the One Health Initiative team/website. Kansas State University faculty, staff, and students plan to feature current One Heath issues in each newsletter. Each edition will be guided by a faculty editorial board at Kansas State University, including Paige Adams, research assistant professor at K-State Olathe; Jean-Paul Gonzalez, deputy director of the Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases; and Ellyn Mulcahy, director of the Master of Public Health program. Colleagues from the University …
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 …
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, …
American Humane announces 2017 Hero Veterinarian, Veterinary Technician Award winnersSeptember 19, 2017During the seventh annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards, American Humane honored two individuals with the American Humane Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Technician awards, presented by Zoetis.
MAF explores study diversity, applications to animal healthSeptember 18, 2017According to a new research paper from the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF), determining what type of research study to do, and when, are key decisions scientists must make when embarking on a new project. In an editorial published Sept. 11, 2017, in the International Animal Health Journal, "Epidemiology and its Application to Animal Health," Missy Simpson, DVM, intramural research scientist and epidemiologist with MAF, provides guidance on study types for veterinary researchers and animal health scientists. The editorial is an overview of study types, and highlights MAF's Golden Retriever Lifetime Study as an example of a cohort study, and also discusses advances in store for observational studies. "Health research is diverse and varied and covers a spectrum from basic research—which describes the early discovery and development phase—to applied research," said Dr. Simpson. "Each phase of research is essential to move scientific discovery forward and advance health." In the paper, Simpson discusses interventional research consisting of clinical trials, and observational research, including descriptive studies, case-series studies, case-control studies, and ecologic, retrospective, and longitudinal studies. "An advantage of performing clinical trials in animals is that health outcomes tend to be achieved on …
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 …
New AVMA emergency info helps safeguard large animalsSeptember 18, 2017September is National Disaster Preparedness Month, and the importance of animal disaster planning has been made clear by recent hurricanes and wildfires. Livestock evacuations have been all too common, both on large and small scales. A new American Veterinary Medical Association website resource provides critical information that veterinarians can share with owners of horses, poultry, cattle, and other livestock to help them plan in advance to safeguard animals in the event of emergency. The new page, Large Animals and Livestock in Disasters, includes: Steps to prepare for quick action in emergencies Evacuation supply lists for horses, poultry and other livestock Information on proper identification of animals Suggestions to pre-arrange possible evacuation sites The AVMA also offers a range of other emergency planning resources for veterinarians and their clients: Emergency Planning Resources for Veterinary Practices Wildfire Smoke and Animals Pets and Disasters Emergency Contact Cards for Animal Owners
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, …
KC Animal Health Investment Forum companies vie for fundingSeptember 14, 2017By Veterinary Practice News Editors The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor hosted emerging animal health companies from around the world in August at the ninth annual KC Animal Health Investment Forum, which joins animal health start-ups with more than 400 executives and investors. The forum allows early- and mid-stage animal health entrepreneurs to present their business plans to potential investors, giving venture capital funds, investment firms, and potential partners an inside look at the newest technology and innovations. "In many cases, small companies are where new innovation comes from and this is really a place where you see them showcased," said Karthik Ramachandran, vice president and co-founder of Likarda, a cell-based therapy company and forum emcee. "The forum is a unique chance to meet investors, network, and find mentors, advisors and potential partners. It gives entrepreneurs real resources they need to make their dreams reality." This year, 18 animal health companies from around the world were selected to showcase their ideas from a highly competitive group of applicants. Entrepreneurs had 15 minutes to present their ideas in a "Shark Tank" format. Presenting companies sought $500,000 to $20 million in funding and project revenue of $20 million within …
