UC Davis Vet School Honored with Legislative ResolutionJune 30, 2015The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine was honored in late June with a state resolution acknowledging its recent ranking as the top veterinary school in the world. Specifically, the school was ranked best in the nation for veterinary medical teaching, research and service by U.S. News and World Report and No. 1 in the world by QS World University Rankings. “This resolution means a lot because it recognizes the faculty, the staff and the students who have done so much hard work built upon the history of helping animals, people and the environment. We really greatly appreciate the resolution which recognizes the excellence here within the School of Veterinary Medicine and all throughout U.C. Davis.” said Michael D. Lairmore, DVM, Ph.D., dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. Assemblyman Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis. presented the resolution. “UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has long been a leader in providing exceptional education to its students.” Dodd said. “The top national and international rankings recognize the outstanding work of the students, faculty and staff in helping animals and continuing to advance veterinary medicine.” “Congratulations to Dean …
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Registration Opens for AABP ConferenceJune 29, 2015The American Association of Bovine Practitioners is advertising a schedule chock-full of continuing education and in-depth training when the organization holds its 48th annual conference. Registration for the convention, set for Sept. 17 to 19 at Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, is available at http://bit.ly/1Lyx7mU. The conference theme, “Embrace Change, Expand Skills, Explore Opportunities,” refers to the evolution of bovine medicine and the need to adopt new skills, the organization stated. “The general sessions will focus on cattle welfare topics for beef and dairy farms, and keynote speaker Dave Daley will present current thoughts on animal welfare and the changing social ethic,” said AABP president-elect and Ohio veterinarian Fred Gingrich, DVM. “Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn from veterinarians and producers who have experienced undercover videos released from their farms,” Dr. Gingrich added. Nearly 20 preconference seminars will be held beginning Sept. 13 on topics ranging from “The Veterinarian’s Role in the Dairy Fresh Pen” to “Dairy Cattle Lameness.” Ten limited-enrollment clinical forums are scheduled for Sept. 17 and 19. Subjects include “The Life of a Young Veterinarian: Debt, Purchasing a Practice, Work/Life Balance” and “VFD’s—What Veterinarians Need to Know.” Also planned are …
FDA Permits Longer Use of Canine Anti-vomit DrugJune 29, 2015Cerenia Tablets have been approved for extended use in older dogs suffering from acute vomiting, manufacturer Zoetis Inc. reported today. The new label claim, sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, allows Cerenia (maropitant citrate) Tablets to be given daily to dogs 7 months or older until the condition is resolved. The drug had been limited to five consecutive days’ use. The dosing limitation for dogs 2 to 7 months old remains five consecutive days, Zoetis stated. The treatment of acute vomiting changed in 2007 with FDA’s approval of Cerenia, said Todd R. Tams, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, the chief medical officer of the VCA veterinary hospital chain. “Now, with the removal of the five-day dosing restriction, veterinarians have greater latitude to treat each patient individually,” Dr. Tams said. “If vomiting isn’t controlled, an animal can become dehydrated,” he said. “Additionally, acute vomiting may result in consequences such as electrolyte abnormalities or aspiration, which can lead to pneumonia or esophageal injury.” The new label claim followed a three-month oral toxicity study and a two-week pharmacokinetics study, Florham Park, N.J.-based Zoetis stated. Cerenia Tablets are indicated for the prevention of acute vomiting and vomiting due to …
New Lego Product Features Female VeterinarianJune 29, 2015Lego has introduced a new line of products of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). One of those new women-in-STEM is a veterinarian! Mia, part of the Lego Friends universe, is now a veterinarian and, according to her product description, girls can: Help injured animals with Mia at the Vet Clinic! Today she is looking after a cat and a dog. Help her examine the dog on the table and check his heart and lungs with her medical tools. Then take him over to the scales to be weighed – he needs more exercise in the Vet Clinic’s animal playground. Later take the cat on the medical trolley to have her paw x-rayed in the sliding scanner. She will need to stay at the clinic for a while, so help clean, feed and pamper her to make her feel better. Then it’s time to answer the phone and check patient records on her computer — it’s another busy day at the Vet Clinic! Heartlake City, the city that’s part of the Friends line, features a lot of stereotypical girl hangouts — e.g., juice bar and hair salon — so Mia’s new clinic definitely adds some science to the town. …
Pittsburgh Zoo Names Child With Leukemia Honorary VeterinarianJune 26, 2015When 7-year-old Emily expressed her dream of one day becoming a veterinarian, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with the help of the Pittsburgh Zoo, made it happen. The young leukemia patient got to visit the zoo and PPG Aquarium and help treat the animals. To treat the animals, however, she needed to be a veterinarian. The Pittsburgh Zoo was on top of it, naming her Honorary Veterinarian, giving her blue scrubs complete with her name and even calling her “Dr. Emily” throughout the day, wpxi.com reports. Dr. Emily’s first patient was an alligator named Hawkeye, and you can see from the video below that she was both excited and nervous to be living out her dream. After treating Hawkeye and recording all the necessary notes concerning the alligator’s exam, Dr. Emily got to help examine a tenrec and then assist in trimming the beak of a penguin. We’re guessing this was a dream come true for Emily and would be for any animal lover and aspiring veterinarian like her.
Veterinarians Give Flamingo a Second Chance With Artificial LegJune 25, 2015When a pink flamingo fractured its leg at Sorocaba Zoo in the southeastern part of Brazil, the veterinary team had to act quickly. Although it is not known how the flamingo injured itself, Breaking News reports that to prevent an infection from killing the bird, Dr. Andre Costa, a veterinarian at the zoo, surgically removed the limb. Noting that the 6-year-old flamingo would not survive with only one leg, Costa and his team chose to supply the ailing bird with an artificial leg. The 7-inch limb — made of carbon — was donated by prosthesis manufacturer that is local to the area. Reuters Video This X-ray shows the leg fracture that the flamingo suffered. Costa attached the new limb and so far the Chilean pink flamingo is adjusting nicely. He has a bit of a limp still as he gets used to it, but he tucks it under himself in the familiar pose we all associate with flamingos.
Virginia Tech Vet Students Put Pets on Weight-Loss ChallengeJune 25, 2015Cricket, a black-and-white shorthaired cat, is the biggest loser, at least when it comes to a recent weight loss challenge that took place at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. The Purina-sponsored challenge takes place every year when a group of students put their overweight pets on a diet. It is inspired by the TV show the “Biggest Loser.” This year, nine cats and one dog participated in the Purina Overweight Management Challenge. Cricket, who is owned by fourth-year veterinary student Liddy Hepner of Hydes, Md., came out on top losing about 2 kg or just over 4 pounds. “It was about 30 percent of his body weight,” said challenge organizer Courtney Walski of Chesapeake, Va. Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech Stewart Morgan, DVM, Ph.D., clinical nutrition resident in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, performs a body condition scoring exam on Cricket, who won the “Biggest Loser”-inspired weight loss challenge. Purina provided ProPlan OM, a therapeutic diet specifically formulated for overweight dogs and cats, for all the participants. “We believe veterinary students learn nutrition best using a hands-on approach,” said Lauren Pagliughi, DVM, Purina college manager. “The …
No Charges Against Texas Veterinarian Who Killed Cat with Bow and ArrowJune 24, 2015A grand jury’s decision to let a Brenham, Texas, veterinarian off the hook after killing a cat with a bow and arrow and boasting about it on Facebook sparked social media outrage and broad mainstream media coverage on Wednesday. An Austin County grand jury "no billed" Kristen Lindsey, DVM, for the alleged April incident in which she shot a cat named Tiger in the head, according to the Austin County District Attorney's Office. While she said in a Facebook post that the cat was feral, news outlets have reported that the cat, Tiger, belonged to a neighbor. Facebook The cat that Dr. Kristen Lindsey was accused of killing is believed to be a neighbor’s pet named Tiger. The Sheriff's Office said it had received an unsworn hearsay report that the veterinarian was acting to protect her pets from a "potentially rabid stray cat." Despite conducting an investigation, deputies were unable to determine where or when the incident took place, and without that they lacked probable cause to obtain a search warrant for any Austin County properties pertaining …
Purina Launches Natural Therapeutic FoodJune 24, 2015Nestle Purina PetCare of St. Louis is launching its first veterinary-channel natural therapeutic food, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Naturals with added vitamins and minerals. The new products will be available July 1 in canine and feline formulations and in dry and canned varieties. “Research tells us that the natural trend in pet food is growing in all segments,” said Grace Long, DVM, director of technical marketing for the company’s therapeutic diets. “Many owners want to feed their pets as they do their family members. Veterinarians are sometimes frustrated with the challenges of recommending a therapeutic diet for a pet with a health condition, only to be refused by an owner who questions the diet’s ingredient list. With EN Naturals, we have the best of both worlds—ingredients that satisfy owners and therapeutic nutrition that meets the needs of the patient.” According to the company, the diets were formulated to provide the same benefits as the traditional EN diet: High total digestibility (dry matter) for optimal nutrient absorption Coconut oil as a source of medium-chain triglycerides in the canine formulas to provide a readily digestible and utilized energy source Moderate fat for growth and maintenance Low fiber for ease of digestion Bovine …
Henry Schein Inc., Acquires 85 Percent of Jorgen Kruuse A/SJune 24, 2015Henry Schein Inc. a provider of health care products and services to office-based animal health, dental and medical practitioners, has announced that it will acquire 85 percent of Jorgen Kruuse A/S, a leading distributor of veterinary supplies in the Nordic countries and an international provider of veterinary products and services. Kruuse’s 2014 sales were about $90 million. The acquisition will extend Henry Schein's geographic presence to Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The deal was announced June 23. The remaining 15 percent of Kruuse will be retained by the Kruuse family. Henry Schein, based in Melville, N.Y., expects the transaction to close in the third quarter, and for the acquisition to be neutral to its earnings per share from the date of closing through the end of 2015 and accretive thereafter. Additional financial details were not disclosed. Founded in 1896 and headquartered in Langeskov, Denmark, Kruuse offers a large portfolio of proprietary products and branded consumable merchandise, as well as pet accessories, capital equipment and pet food to veterinary clinics and retail pet stores in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Kruuse has an operational presence in Poland, the United Kingdom and China, and serves customers in more than 100 countries through a network …
