Study finds owners are humanizing their pets more and moreOctober 28, 2019Thinking about moving to the beach because your dog loves water? You're not alone. A new survey finds a pets-are-people-too mentality is influencing marketing and retail trends.
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LIU to offer DVM program starting next fallOctober 22, 2019Students in the Northeast now have a fourth option to study veterinary medicine. Long Island University's (LIU's) College of Veterinary Medicine says it has received a "Letter of Reasonable Assurance" from the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education (AVMA-COE). Starting next fall, the school will begin accepting applications for its DVM program. At full enrollment, the veterinary school will serve 400 students, with 100 in each graduating class. LIU joins the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and Tufts University in offering veterinary programs in the Northeast. "We are extremely proud LIU's new College of Veterinary Medicine has met the high standards of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education," said the university's president, Kimberly R. Cline, EdD. "The launch of our veterinary school further elevates LIU, as we clearly continue on our path to status as a nationally recognized teaching and research institution." LIU says the college will offer hands-on learning experiences through a distributed education model that features supervised clinical experiences throughout the four years of veterinary education. The college has secured partnerships with more than 50 affiliates, including primary care and specialty clinics, zoos, research laboratories and shelters. This allows students to gain real-world experience in …
Pet King Brands receives TICA endorsementOctober 18, 2019Pet King Brands' ZYMOX Dermatology and Oratene Brushless Oral Care are the cat's meow, according to The International Cat Association (TICA). The group has just bestowed its highest level of endorsement, the Seal of Excellence, on two of the company's product lines. The news comes as Pet King Brands celebrates its 22nd year in business. "Pet King Brands is proud to earn TICA's and cat fanciers' trust of our ZYMOX and Oratene solutions for felines struggling with problematic ears, skin, or mouths," says company founder and president, Pamela K. Bosco. "TICA's endorsement will help cat fanciers around the world become more aware of these gentle, soothing products that first do no harm, and help all animals live healthier, happier lives." Founded in 1998, Pet King Brands uses a patented LP3 enzyme system in all its solutions, ranging from ear products to skin topicals to shampoo and conditioning rinse, and brushless oral care products.
Fear Free launches shelter programAugust 27, 2019Rescued animals can now enjoy a less anxious shelter experience thanks to a new Fear Free initiative. The Fear Free Shelter Program is a free computer training course designed to help staff members and volunteers of animal shelters, rescue groups, and other animal welfare organizations to create a Fear Free experience for pets from intake to adoption and beyond. In addition, it provides resources adopters and foster homes can use to promote the emotional well-being of the pets in their care and ease the transition to a new environment. "We created the Fear Free Shelter Program to improve the experiences of animals by educating shelter personnel about the emotional needs of dogs and cats," says VPN columnist Marty Becker, DVM, founder and CEO of Fear Free. "This program will empower them to apply key concepts, strategies, and techniques designed to reduce the negative emotional states that are commonly experienced by shelter animals, including fear, anxiety, stress, and frustration." Brenda Griffin, DVM, MS, DACVIM, is lead author of the Fear Free Shelter Program. She is also co-instructor of courses in shelter medicine and animal behavior at both the University of Florida and the University of Georgia. Three board-certified veterinary behaviorists with …
VCA launches 35 cancer centers across North AmericaAugust 26, 2019Pets diagnosed with cancer will now have greater access to advanced, collaborative pet cancer care. VCA Animal Hospitals says it is launching 35 VCA Pet CancerCare Centers across North America, which will be staffed by multidisciplinary oncology teams that will design individualized treatment plans using the latest in medical health-care technology. Canadian centers are also slated for Laval and Brossard near Montreal, Quebec; Ottawa, Newmarket, Oakville, and Scarborough in Ontario; Victoria in British Columbia; and Calgary, Alberta. "At VCA Pet CancerCare Centers, we are leading cancer care into a hopeful new era with longer lifespans and improved quality of life," says Zack Wright, DVM, DACVIM/Oncology, director of oncology at VCA Animal Diagnostic Clinic in Dallas, Texas. "Our dedicated oncologists across the network are committed to working with primary care veterinarians to make advanced cancer care accessible to pet owners, with the goal always being extended, high quality of life for our patients." By introducing these cancer centers, VCA hopes to provide greater accessibility of world-class treatment to help improve the quality of life for pets, as well as to cultivate open lines of communication and collaboration between oncologists, primary care veterinarians, and pet owners. According to a VCA survey, 58 …
Elanco and Aratana Therapeutics finalize deal to mergeJuly 18, 2019Elanco Animal Health has acquired Aratana Therapeutics. Structured as a stock-for-stock transaction, the deal was accepted by Aratana stockholders. "Aratana's strong position in the specialty market—with its current portfolio and pipeline—complements Elanco's field presence and capitalizes on new opportunities for key existing Elanco pet therapy brands," says Jeff Simmons, president and chief executive officer of Elanco. "This deal furthers Elanco's value-generating innovation, portfolio, and productivity (IPP) strategy, while continuing to bring great value to veterinarians and pet owners." Aratana produces Galliprant, a canine NSAID for osteoarthritis for which Elanco has had the exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize since 2016. Aratana also contributes two additional products to Elanco's portfolio: Entyce, the only FDA-approved veterinary therapeutic to stimulate appetite in dogs, and Nocita, a long-acting local anesthetic that provides up to 72 hours of post-operative pain relief following certain surgeries in dogs and cats. Further, Aratana's research and development pipeline will contribute to Elanco's efforts to sustain the introduction of novel and innovative companion animal therapeutics. As a result of the acquisition, Elanco says it is forming a new commercial team dedicated to the veterinary specialty business into which the Aratana field force will transition. This specialty sales force will …
AAFP releases educational toolkit for feline diabetesMay 22, 2019Managing and treating feline diabetes mellitus can be complicated, which is why the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) is releasing a Diabetes Educational Toolkit. A digital information source, the online toolkit provides veterinarians with the most relevant diagnostic and treatment information for diabetes mellitus, which is not always easy to diagnose. Further, veterinary professionals can access and gather information quickly via navigation tabs. Users can move directly to information focusing on diagnosis, treatment, remission strategy, troubleshooting, frequently asked questions, and client resources. According to AAFP, cats with diabetes mellitus require a customized treatment plan, including frequent reassessment and adjustments. The association notes that patient goals, finances, implementation of the treatment plan, and the patient's response are all aspects of effective treatment. "We are excited to release this digital resource to the veterinary community in hopes we can help veterinary professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of their diabetic feline patients through providing easy-to-access information that can be implemented for each cat," says Apryl Steele, DVM, president of AAFP's board of directors. "The purpose is to create more informed veterinary teams, as well as cat caregivers. This Diabetes Educational Toolkit is intended to be an on-the-ground tool for veterinary professionals …
HSVMA accepting applications for veterinary student scholarshipApril 30, 2019The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) Compassionate Care Veterinary Student Scholarship is now open for applications. Three scholarships ($3000, $2000, and $1500) will be awarded to veterinary students who have demonstrated an interest in and commitment to animal welfare, animal rights, or animal protection in veterinary medicine. Only first-, second-, and third-year students who are enrolled in an American Veterinary Medical Association- (AVMA-) accredited veterinary school in Canada or the United States can apply. Students must provide two letters of recommendation, their transcripts, and exhibit a need for financial aid. The deadline to apply online is May 31.
Bayer, adivo to develop therapeutic antibodiesApril 17, 2019Bayer Animal Health and adivo have signed an agreement to develop therapeutic antibodies for companion animals. The collaboration may be good news for veterinary medicine. Although the use of therapeutic antibodies is not widespread, they offer a variety of healing options for diseases that still cannot be treated with current technology. "Today's agreement is another example of how we realize our innovation strategy," says Douglas Hutchens, DVM, PhD, Bayer Animal Health's head of drug discovery, external innovation and chief veterinary officer. "By combining the know-how from creative start-up companies like adivo with opportunities derived from Bayer's research, we broaden our space of therapeutic medicine options and complement our portfolio. We are constantly looking for innovative technologies enabling us to generate novel treatment options for the companion animal sector. Now, we will focus on evolving the options presented by adivo from research and development to market maturity." Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer will have access to adivo's species-specific monoclonal antibody technology, which uses an exclusive fully canine phage display library. Bayer will provide targets involved in severe animal diseases. "At adivo, we truly believe pets have a positive impact on our society," says the company's managing director, Kathrin …
Canadian RVT wins Petplan's 2019 Veterinary Nurse of the Year awardMarch 26, 2019Canadian registered veterinary technician Katie Berry was named the 2019 Veterinary Nurse of the Year at the Petplan Veterinary Awards in Orlando, Fla. When she went to the Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX) conference in January, Berry says she unaware she had won the award. Accepting the award was a blur she explains. "I don't know if I took a single breath. The amount of gratitude and love I felt was beyond belief." The Petplan Veterinary Awards recognize the industry's best in the U.S. and Canada. The award highlights veterinary professionals who go above and beyond to provide pets with exceptional care and clients with outstanding customer service. Berry says a co-worker nominated her for the award. According to Berry, the most fulfilling part of her job is the patients and the clients. "When I have clients I have a good relationship with, it makes this job worth it," says Berry who has been an RVT at Montgomery Village Veterinary Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, since the clinic opened in November 2017. "I love seeing my patients thriving and I like my clients knowing I am there for them when they need me." Berry believes veterinary technicians everywhere need recognition. …
