Kansas Vet College Focuses on Infectious Diseases with New Center of ExcellenceApril 9, 2015 (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); The CVM's Dr. Roman Ganta, director of the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases, accepts a very generous check... Posted by Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine is establishing a new center of excellence to help control infectious diseases in both humans and animals. The Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases (CEVBD) will officially launch April 8. Specifically, the center is described as an interdisciplinary research center with a mission to combat vector-borne diseases with a focus on pathogenesis, surveillance and disease prevention. “The CEVBD will prepare us well to build a nationally and internationally recognized program to combat the emerging threats of vector-borne diseases in the U.S., including bacterial, parasitic and viral diseases,” said Roman Ganta, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, who will oversee the center. “The center also will strive to synergize with the soon-to-be-established federal facility in Manhattan, the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility, or NBAF. The research that …
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Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease or Canine Influenza hits MidwestApril 8, 2015You’ve seen the news: Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) has hit Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, with 5 dogs reported dead and thousands more infected. The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is recommending that dog owners take immediate, precautionary measures to prevent exposure to the virus. Dr. Donna Alexander, director of Cook County Department of Animal and Rabies Control has been reviewing data on the flu and stated, “The summary of those hospitals that reported through the CVMA to our offices and those who reported directly to this office indicates that 73% of those responding note an increase in CIRD. For those that supplied exact number of animals, we can report that there have been 1,013 cases of CIRD since January and 5 mortalities. The age of the animals presenting vary but show more severe forms in dogs under 1 year of age and greater than 7 years of age. Few veterinarians are submitting diagnostic specimens for evaluation. Of those submitted for PCR or other testing, the majority came back negative, some are still pending. Of those reporting positive, 93% are positive for canine influenza.” The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) describes canine influenza as “a highly …
Western University President to RetireApril 7, 2015Philip Pumerantz, PhD, the founding and sole president of Western University of Health Sciences, will retire Sept. 8. Dr. Pumerantz made the announcement April 3 in a letter to WesternU Board of Trustees Chair Richard Bond, DO. “The time has come for me to move to a new role, and in the process allow for an orderly transition and wise leadership succession for the University,” Pumerantz wrote in his letter. Pumerantz is the second-longest currently serving university president in the United States, having officially taken office on September 6, 1977, the day after Labor Day. His tenure as a university president is currently exceeded only by Dr. Norman Francis of Xavier University (45 years), the university noted. Pumerantz’s retirement date also is the day after Labor Day. “Having known the president for 37 years of his 38-year term, it is hard for me to imagine the University going on without him, as I’m sure it is for all of you,” Bond told WesternU board members in a message. “But go on it must. We will have many opportunities to celebrate Dr. Pumerantz’s legacy. Our first order of business must be to establish a committee and a process for selecting our …
AVBEC Thursday: Enter Our A Veterinary Book for Every Clinic SweepstakesApril 2, 2015Fill out the form below for the chance to win a copy of “Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease,” courtesy of Wiley Blackwell. According to the publisher, "'Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease' is the first book to draw together clinically relevant information on the anesthetic management of dogs and cats with existing disease conditions. Providing a detailed reference on avoiding and managing complications resulting from concurrent disease, the book offers a ready reference for handling anesthesia in patients with common presenting diseases. Organized by body system, 'Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease' is designed to allow the reader to quickly find and apply advice for anesthetizing patients with specific conditions. "Each chapter presents in-depth, practical information on the special considerations before, during and after sedation and anesthesia of a patient with a given disease. 'Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease' is a useful reference for general practitioners, veterinary students, specialists in a variety of areas and veterinary anesthesiologists alike." Entries close at 11:59 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. One entry per household. Loading... RULES & GUIDELINES NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of International Giveaway who are Age of majority in your Country of residence or …
Cornell’s Farm Animal Hospital Gets New NameApril 2, 2015Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has renamed its farm animal hospital to Nemo Farm Animal Hospital. The college made the announcement in late March after receiving a gift from George Goldner and Nancy Krieg, owners of pig named Nemo. Nemo was the first of his species to undergo a multidrug chemotherapy protocol for lymphoma, according to Cornell University. The veterinary college’s oncologists treated Nemo in 2013 with the chemotherapy protocol used to treat lymphoma in dogs, cats and humans, modifying the delivery method for a 730-pound pig. The treatment put Nemo’s disease into remission for more than a year and markedly advanced comparative cancer therapy knowledge, the university noted. Nemo died in May 2014. “We are deeply grateful to George and Nancy for their generous gift in memory of Nemo,” said Michael Kotlikoff, VMD, Ph.D., the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “It will help us to remain at the forefront of cancer research, to purchase the necessary technology and to recruit the very best talent to carry out this vital work.”
AVMA Reacts to Indiana ‘Religious Freedom’ LawMarch 31, 2015The American Veterinary Medical Association’s 2017 convention is more than two years away, but the organization issued a statement today about the get-together in Indianapolis and an expanding controversy. At issue is a new Indiana law called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which opponents say sanctions discrimination and the potential denial of services to gays and lesbians. Gov. Mike Pence has asked the state legislature to quickly clarify the law and forbid business owners from discriminating against customers. AVMA acknowledged the outcry and said the issue “has raised concerns for us regarding our 2017 annual convention.” The AVMA statement reads: “The law poses many unsettling questions and leaves us facing a disturbing problem: We and our members are concerned that not all of our attendees will be welcomed in Indiana and that some may face discrimination. In addition, we are concerned that access to quality animal health care to some groups of the Indiana public may be compromised by this law. Neither is acceptable to the AVMA. We join the growing number of companies who encourage the state of Indiana to revisit this law and take additional measures to prevent its interpretation as enabling discrimination, and we’re encouraged by …
Georgia’s New Teaching Hospital Now OpenMarch 31, 2015The University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital reopened on March 25 at its new location on College Station Road. The facility is expected to allow the hospital to better meet its current patient care demands and the educational needs of the college. The hospital is part of the new Veterinary Medical Center, which also includes a covered equine performance arena; a building dedicated to field services, production medicine and theriogenology; and an education building for teaching and continuing education courses. The previous hospital, which opened in 1979, handled more than 24,500 visits per year in one of the smallest veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States. Now, the hospital will operate out of a building more than double the size of the old facility, the university noted. Other highlights include: flexible design to meet current needs and to allow for future expansion; numerous teaching spaces, including a dedicated rounds room for each service; expanded imaging capabilities and radiation therapy for all species; open lobbies and corridors with picturesque windows to let in natural light; an outdoor courtyard and green space around the buildings; dining area for clients, faculty, staff and students; and a physical address that can be found …
4 Vets Accused of Drugging RacehorsesMarch 30, 2015Four equine veterinarians are cooperating with federal prosecutors after the practitioners were charged with illegally administering drugs to thoroughbred racehorses at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pa. Their cases are part of a continuing investigation that also has ensnared three trainers and even the track’s official clocker. The FBI reported that charges were filed March 26 against veterinarians Kevin Brophy, DVM, the owner of Abba Vet Supply in Wellington, Fla.; Chris Korte, DVM, of Pueblo, Colo.; Fernando Motta, DVM, of Lancaster, Pa.; and Renee Nodine, DVM, of Annville, Pa. All four veterinarians agreed to plead guilty to charges that include administering drugs within 24 hours of races in which the horses were entered. The drugs were not under a valid prescription and were part of a race-rigging conspiracy, prosecutors said. According to the FBI: The veterinarians took drug orders from trainers, administered the medications and backdated billing records to avoid detection. The four defendants submitted false veterinary treatment reports to the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. The false reports and backdated documents were designed “to further the conspiracy by concealing the illegal activity.” The conspiracy defrauded other horse owners, trainers and race bettors, authorities stated. The alleged lawbreaking …
Texas Web Vet Loses Court AppealMarch 30, 2015Internet veterinarian Ronald Hines, DVM, Ph.D., isn’t ready to surrender after an appeals court ruled Friday that his constitutional rights were not violated when Texas regulators ordered him to shut down his online practice. The nonprofit law firm Institute for Justice reported today that Dr. Hines intends to take his case to the U.S. Supreme Court and has until late June to file a petition. The case centers on Hines’ now-suspended business of providing email and telephone advice to pet owners without seeing the animal. Laws in Texas, Mississippi and Utah forbid establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship through telephone or electronic means. Hines’ website, www.2ndchance.info, no longer promotes veterinary advice for a $58 fee, but for the same price he offers to “explain and walk you through the information and the treatment options I give in my [online] articles, and I can give you emotional support in difficult times and with difficult decisions.” Hines, 71, could not be reached to comment on his legal loss, but his attorney, Jeff Rowes, said the case “stands at the crossroads of Internet freedom, free speech and economic liberty.” “Dr. Hines gives advice for a living, and advice is speech protected …
Water Additive Found to Reduce Dental TartarMarch 30, 2015An independent study of Kane Biotech’s StrixNB documented slower growth of dental calculus in dogs given the water additive. The calculus score in a group of 30 dogs was 25.4 percent lower than in the control group at the end of the study, the Canadian company reported Thursday. “Our oral care water additive significantly reduces calculus with daily use,” said Gord Froehlich, president and CEO of Kane Biotech. “This is especially significant as a water additive is the first step in a good oral care program.” The study has not been submitted for publication but “we are currently exploring opportunities,” business development manager Robert Vinet said. The efficacy study was controlled, randomized and masked, the Winnipeg, Manitoba, company reported. Each group was fed a normal diet and given either tap water or water containing StrixNB at the recommended dosage. Teeth cleanings were done on all the dogs at the start, and dental exams were graded on days 28, 56 and 84 using a modified Warrick-Gorrel method. The calculus scores in the StrixNB group were 14.2, 23.5 and 25.4 percent lower at each stage compared with the control group. A separate safety study found no issues when dogs …
