AVMA annual report highlights 2017 achievements, programs, initiativesAugust 7, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association's 2017 Annual Report, released Aug. 1, offers a glimpse into progress the association has made in its ongoing effort to support its members and enhance the practice of veterinary medicine. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association subscribers receive a copy of the report; members who don't receive JAVMA can read it online. Report highlights: AVMA LIFE and AVMA Professional Liability Insurance Trust merged with the goal to provide enhanced services and expanded products for members. The Veterinary Career Center (VCC) was used by 23,907 veterinary job seekers and 3,438 employers, with 17,377 jobs posted during the year. It continues to be the premier job board for veterinary medicine. More than 1,000 veterinary professionals earned CE credit while learning about different careers during live webinars offered by the VCC. The American Animal Hospital Association/Veterinary Management Group Chart of Accounts was revised, expanded, and made available to all veterinary professionals. It provides an accessible way for smaller practices to better organize finances. The association hired its first-ever director of member well-being and diversity initiatives, whose work has focused on enhancing …
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New-mover marketing makes a lasting bottom-line impactAugust 6, 2018Pursuing the entrepreneurial dream of small business ownership is a challenging but rewarding endeavor, particularly in the veterinary industry. Inevitably, there will be speed bumps along the path to success, not the least of which is attracting new clients. One of the best ways to gain the attention of potential customers is to capitalize on new movers. Successfully implementing new-mover marketing campaigns can make a notable difference in a veterinary clinic's long-term success. New-mover marketing professionals partner with local businesses to create an enticing welcome package for new movers. As a family settles into a new home, they will find a convenient collection of special offers delivered right to their door that encourage the family to patronize local businesses. Even in today's increasingly technological world, marketing offers for new movers that are delivered directly to mailboxes consistently outperform email and mobile offers. Market trends indicate Americans are on the move More than 40 million Americans will move this year alone, and one in three renters move at least once each year. Today's economy is quite robust—meaning companies are hiring and people are frequently moving to pursue new job opportunities. Boomerang buyers also are coming out in full force. Those …
WSAVA-endorsed paper encourages healthier breedingAugust 6, 2018The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has announced its support of a position paper launched in June 2018 by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) and the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA). The paper, a response to the explosion in popularity of breeds with exaggerated traits, genetic disorders, and those with extreme brachycephalic conformation, such as French and English bulldogs and pugs, calls for health and welfare to be given priority over looks and offers detailed recommendations to address increased demand for and supply of these dogs. Measures to reduce demand, supply Address demand for brachycephalic and other affected breeds through educating owners about the health issues they face Work with influencers to encourage owners to choose a healthy, high-welfare dog suitable for their lifestyle Introduce the mandatory registration of breeders, prebreeding screening programs, and the sharing of data on conformation-altering surgeries and caesarean sections Educate stakeholders and revising breeding standards and practices to put the health and welfare of dogs first In addition, FVE and FECAVA have produced an infographic that explains the causes and consequences of extreme breeding and lists a number of …
Boehringer Ingelheim calls for 2018 Equine Research Awards proposalsAugust 6, 2018Boehringer Ingelheim is accepting proposals for the 2018 Advancement in Equine Research Awards for Equine Respiratory Disease Research. Veterinarians, diagnosticians, and public and private researchers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are eligible to submit proposals for research programs that help advance the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of equine disease. Boehringer Ingelheim will present five separate $15,000 awards focused on two specific disease topics. Proposals must address either equine infectious respiratory disease or equine asthma syndrome for consideration. Proposals must be submitted by Sept. 15 and will be reviewed by an independent review board that will peer review and select proposals based on probability of successfully completing the project, potential for impact to the equine industry, originality, and scientific quality. The awards will be announced at the 64th annual American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention scheduled for Dec. 1-5. Those wishing to participate in the awards program must submit a proposal, a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and two letters of recommendation by Sept. 15 to Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., Attn: Dr. Steve Grubbs, 2018 Advancement in Equine Research Awards, 3902 Gene Field Rd., St. Joseph, MO 64506. Launched in 2011, more than $455,000 has been awarded to date …
Morris Animal Foundation announces second National Dog Day campaignAugust 3, 2018Since 2004, National Dog Day has been observed on Aug. 26 to encourage dog ownership of mixed-breed and purebred dogs, and to remind us all that canine companions deserve to live long, healthy lives. That's why for the second year in a row, Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is running a campaign this month through Aug. 26, in which an anonymous donor will match all gifts made to the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. The $32 million study gathers information on more than 3,000 golden retrievers throughout their lives to identify the nutritional, environmental, lifestyle, and genetic risk factors for cancer and other canine diseases. Its primary goal is to reveal potential risk factors that may lead to the development of four types of cancers common in golden retrievers: hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumors, lymphoma, and osteosarcoma. Donations can be made to the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study at MAF's website here.
ELIAS presents preliminary canine osteosarcoma results at ACVIMAugust 3, 2018During the 2018 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in June, ELIAS Animal Health, a clinical stage development company advancing novel treatments for companion animal cancer, shared preliminary canine osteosarcoma results for its cancer immunotherapy. According to study results presented by Brian Flesner, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology), University of Missouri, the company's new ELIAS autologous cancer vaccine, featuring a patented vaccine and T cell infusion combination approach, demonstrated "impressive survival times and minimal side effects." This cancer immunotherapeutic is being distributed as an experimental product under 9 CFR 103.3 to veterinarians treating dogs diagnosed with cancer. Efficacy and safety have not been established. One in four dogs will be impacted by cancer in their lifetimes, and cancer is the No. 1 cause of death in dogs older than 2. "There has been growing frustration in the veterinary profession with current treatment options, including chemotherapy and radiation, which have only modestly improved outcomes over the past 20 years," said Noe Reyes, DVM, medical director, ELIAS Animal Health. "We are very encouraged by the positive treatment outcomes reported by Dr. Flesner at ACVIM and look forward to starting our pivotal osteosarcoma trial evaluating this T cell-based immunotherapy in a broader population," …
VSMRI offers online forum for rehab, sports medicineAugust 3, 2018The Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute (VSMRI) is a new online resource for veterinary health care professionals focused on or interested in the most current information regarding rehabilitation, sports medicine, surgery, and overall care. Content, video, and forum topics include gait analysis, TPLO rehabilitation, the orthopedic examination, and hip dysplasia rehabilitation, surgery and rehabilitation option impacts, and more. The institute said it aims to join veterinary professionals globally from all aspects of veterinary medicine with an interest in physical rehabilitation and sports medicine; provide a library of rehabilitation exercises and modalities, as well as up-to-date research information in the area of rehabilitation and sports medicine; and provide a discussion board and interactive forum. Download VSMRI in the App Store and register at vsmri.com. Charter registration is $14.95/month.
FDA five-year plan to combat rising threat of antibiotic overuseAugust 3, 2018In its ongoing effort to combat antimicrobial resistance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it will implement a five-year blueprint outlining the administration's strategy to "advance antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings." As part of the FDA's regulatory mission, its Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is responsible for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of animal drugs, including antimicrobials. Progress has been made, but additional work is needed to address the complex challenge of antimicrobial resistance, the organization said in a statement. "At FDA, we believe that the concept of antimicrobial stewardship encompasses several important principles of judicious use," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD. "These are critical to slowing the rate at which bacteria develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. In simple terms, we believe medically important antimicrobial drugs should only be used when necessary to treat, control or prevent disease. In addition, when such use is necessary, these antimicrobials should be used in an optimal manner. They should only be used under the oversight of a licensed veterinarian." The administration's plan, which will cover fiscal years 2019 - 2023, will focus three goals: Aligning antimicrobial drug product use with the principles of antimicrobial stewardship Supporting …
Dan Grooms named Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine deanAugust 2, 2018Dan Grooms, DVM, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Michigan State University, has been appointed the next Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. His tenure begins Oct. 1. An expert in bovine infectious diseases, Dr. Grooms earned a bachelor's degree in animal science from Cornell University and a veterinary medicine degree and a Ph.D. in veterinary preventive medicine from The Ohio State University. He joined Michigan State in 1997 and was promoted to his present position in 2014. He also holds board certification from the American College of Veterinary Microbiologists, with specialty in veterinary virology; is a former president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners; and has served on the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture's Committee on Animal Health. "Dr. Grooms is an accomplished scientist, teacher and leader who will build on the college's reputation for excellence and the great achievements of our students, faculty and staff," said Wendy Wintersteen, Ph.D., dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. "I am confident he will also work effectively with veterinarians across the state, livestock and poultry producers and others who …
FDA reminds vets of Zycortal Suspension amid Percorten-V shortageAugust 2, 2018Due to a shortage of Percorten-V, which is approved for use as replacement therapy for mineralocorticoid deficit in dogs with Addison's Disease, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine is reminding veterinarians that Zycortal Suspension is an alternative treatment option that is not currently in shortage. Elanco Animal Health, manufacturer of Percorten-V (desoxycorticosterone pivalate injectable suspension), reported a manufacturing issue with the product. "Elanco is experiencing a delay in production of Percorten-V due to the inability of our contract manufacturing facility to supply product," according to the company's website. "While we work diligently to resolve this delay, there is an interruption of product supply to veterinarians. The technical challenges in the manufacturing process are being actively investigated with a focus on expediting resolution. The timeframe to resume production is dependent on the investigation conclusions and at this point is unknown. Elanco deeply regrets that this production issue is impacting the veterinarians and pets that rely on us to manage this serious disease, and is working persistently to hurry this product back to those who need it." Zycortal Suspension (desoxycorticosterone pivalate injectable suspension), also approved for use replacement therapies for mineralocorticoid …
