VCA Animal Hospitals kick off second Pennies for Pets campaignMarch 30, 2018VCA Animal Hospitals second annual Pennies for Pets fundraising program, which leverages its 800 hospitals in North America to raise awareness and funds for local companion animal welfare organizations, hopes to hit the $600,000 mark this year, topping last year's total. The campaign is administered by VCA's non-profit partner organization, VCA Charities. During the national campaign, clients at participating VCA hospitals can donate to help companion animal welfare organizations in their local communities. The objective of the Pennies for Pets program is to provide a platform for collecting donations at VCA Animal Hospitals to financially support local companion animal welfare organizations. Last year, the campaign raised $450,000 nationwide through VCA hospitals to benefit more than 85 animal welfare organizations. "VCA has always believed that companion animals deserve a happy and healthy home since our inception in 1986," said Brandon Antin, VCA vice president of social responsibility and innovation. "Through the Pennies for Pets campaign, we will continue our efforts to improve the lives of pets and their families by supporting local companion animal welfare organizations." "The need for assistance for pet welfare organizations continues to rise," said Ron Tatum, VCA …
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Hill's Global Symposium 2018 highlights nutrition, healthy agingMarch 30, 2018The role of nutrition in healthy aging is the focus of Hill's Global Symposium 2018, scheduled for April 27 and 28 in Lisbon. The symposium will have an expected attendance of 200 veterinarians from more than 30 countries, but a 24-hour educational livestream will make the event free of charge to veterinary professionals and students around the world. The symposium's theme, Adventures of Aging: Early Chronic Kidney Disease & Growing Older, addresses the reality of veterinarians treating an increasing number of elderly dogs and cats. Helping these animals age healthily is a rapidly growing area of practice and one in which nutrition plays a key role, according to Iveta Becvarova, DVM, DACVN, director of global academic and professional affairs at Hill's Pet Nutrition, and organizer of this year's event. Veterinary experts participating in the symposium from around the world will discuss the implications of recent research into older dogs and cats by Hill's, early chronic kidney disease, and the key role of nutrition in increasing both quality and length of life. Speakers also will advise members of the veterinary healthcare team on strategies to debunk potentially misleading and inaccurate information, and give practical advice on optimizing practice performance …
MedVet expands specialty veterinary hospital networkMarch 30, 2018Three specialty animal hospitals have joined the MedVet Medical & Cancer Centers for Pets family: WestVet Boise in Garden City, Idaho, and WestVet Northern Utah and Animal Emergency Center, both in Sunset, Utah. The new partners will be referred to as WestVet. "MedVet and WestVet, as individual organizations, have been at the forefront of veterinary medicine for years," said Eric Schertel, DVM, Ph.D., DACVS, MedVet president and CEO. "Together, we enhance our ability to collaborate with referral partners to deliver exceptional service and care while maintaining our commitment to leading specialty healthcare for pets." "Becoming a partner broadens our capabilities and strengthens our resources to help ensure we continue to achieve the best possible outcomes for many years to come," said Jeff Brourman, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, veterinary surgeon and chief of staff of WestVet. The company currently operates a growing network of emergency and specialty veterinary hospitals located throughout the Midwest and Southeast.
BodeVet, distributor partners prepare to launch StablePlate RXMarch 29, 2018BodeVet, a company that develops novel blood products for use in hemostasis and regenerative medicine for the veterinary industry, has partnered with Blue Ridge Veterinary Blood Bank, HemoSolutions, and Northwest Veterinary Blood Bank to support distribution of its first product, StablePlate RX. Billed as the world's first injectable freeze-dried platelet derived product, StablePlate RX Canine is used to treat acute uncontrolled hemorrhage in bleeding canine patients, according to Anne Hale, DVM, chief technical officer for the Rockville, Md., company. Last year, BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Friendship Animal Hospital, Cornell University, the University of Georgia, and Iowa State University participated in clinical trials; Ethos Veterinary Health and North Carolina State University recently joined the clinical trial group, as well. Findings are to be released later this year. For more information on BodeVet, StablePlate RX, or its team of experts in veterinary transfusion medicine, visit bodevet.com.
AKC top breeds list features longtime faves, two surprisesMarch 29, 2018The American Kennel Club (AKC) released its annual breed popularity rankings Wednesday, and unsurprisingly, the nation still loves its happy-go-lucky Labrador retrievers 27 years after their first appearance as top dog. German Shepherd dogs and golden retrievers remain in the AKC's No. 2 and No. 3 spots, respectively. What is surprising is the rise of French bulldogs to No. 4 from No. 76 in just 20 years. Bulldogs, beagles, poodles, Rottweilers, and Yorkshire terriers make up No. 5 through No. 9. The German shorthaired pointer made the No. 10 spot this year (a GSP won Westminster Kennel Club dog show in 2016). The dogs are cute, compact, and relatively quiet, making them a breed of choice for urbanites. But not everyone is excited about the French bulldog's rising popularity. However, they suffer from health issues common among brachycephalic breeds, as well as and spinal and eye problems, and are often born by cesarean section. Sometimes they require nasal or palate surgery. John de Jong, DVM, a Newton, Mass., veterinarian who is president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association said he acknowledges the breed's conditions and challenges, but added that other dogs face their own particular challenges. …
WSAVA launches campaign for global access to veterinary therapeuticsMarch 27, 2018The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has launched a campaign to secure equitable access to veterinary therapeutics for veterinarians. The association also is forming a Therapeutics Guidelines Group (TGG) to spearhead its efforts improve access to veterinary therapeutics. The organization, represents more than 200,000 veterinarians worldwide through its 105 member associations, has launched the campaign to address long-standing problems experienced by companion animal veterinarians in some regions of the world in gaining access to the veterinary medicinal products they require to provide a high level of patient care. The WSAVA's Position Statement was drawn up following concerns raised by WSAVA member associations during discussions at member forums during 2017. The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations, the Federation of Asian Small Animal Veterinary Associations, the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations, the Federación Iberoamericana deAsociaciones Veterinarias de Animales de Compañía, the Commonwealth Veterinary Association, and HealthforAnimals, the global animal medicines association, are statement co-signatories. The TGG aims to: Develop minimum standards for a veterinary hospital pharmacy to ensure it can support a veterinarian's ability to provide an appropriate standard of care Monitor issues relating to access to veterinary therapeutics and recommend solutions using an evidence-based approach Engage global stakeholders to raise awareness of the issue and build a collaborative approach to resolve the issues. "The ready access by veterinary professionals to diagnostics and therapeutic modalities is the foundation of proper patient care," said Walt …
Pet industry hits close to $70B in spending for 2017March 27, 2018Pet owners spent $69.5 billion on their companions in 2017, according to the latest figures from the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Pet food accounts for the single greatest source of spending, veterinary care spending remains the second highest at $17.07 billion, up 7 percent from 2016. The latest pet industry spending figures were announced at Global Pet Expo, an annual pet products trade show presented by APPA and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). APPA's annual comprehensive industry figures report covers pet spending in the market categories of food, supplies/over-the-counter medications, veterinary care, live animal purchases, and other services. "It's incredible to not only see growth for the pet industry in general, but also to experience growth across all categories—with the exception of live animal purchases, which remained the same," said Bob Vetere, APPA president and CEO. "Talk to any pet owner and they'll tell you how difficult it is to put a dollar limit on what they'd spend to give their loyal companion a happy life, and it's this outlook that continues to drive growth." Spending on pet food continues to be the highest source of dollars spent, with spending …
Could noise sensitivity in dogs be a cry for pain relief?March 26, 2018 A study conducted by animal behavior scientists from the U.K. and Brazil found that dogs that show fear or anxiety when faced with loud or sudden noises could actually be in pain. The researchers examined cases of dogs that had developed sensitivity to variations in noise volume, pitch, and occurrence, and found they also had associated musculoskeletal pain. The undiagnosed pain could be exacerbated when auditory stimuli makes the dogs tense or jump, placing extra stress on muscles or joints that already are inflamed, causing further pain, according to the study. That pain is then associated with a loud or startling noise, leading to sensitivity to noise and avoidance of situations where they had a previous bad experience, such as at a local park or in a loud room at home. According to the researchers, veterinarians should give any dog with a behavior issue a thorough physical exam to determine that if pain is a factor, it can be diagnosed and treated, and the behavior issue can then be addressed. In the study, all dogs that experienced pain and were treated showed improvement in behavior. Pain, behavior issues, and the onset of pain "Although the average ages of the …
Salmonella outbreak linked to pet guinea pigsMarch 26, 2018 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported nine cases of Salmonella infection connected to pet guinea pigs across eight states. The illnesses, which resulted in one hospitalization, ranged from July 2015 to Dec. 2017. "This outbreak is a reminder that pet rodents such as guinea pigs, regardless of where they are purchased or adopted, can carry Salmonella bacteria even when they look healthy and clean," states the advisory. States cited in the advisory include Colorado, with two reported cases, as well as Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Virginia, and Vermont, with one case each. The outbreak strain of the bacteria was identified in a sample collected from the guinea pig belonging to the patient in Vermont. Illness resulting from exposure to Salmonella usually lasts four to seven days. Those affected usually recover without treatment, but extreme cases of diarrhea and vomiting can lead to hospitalization. Infection is considered most dangerous for children younger than 5, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. The CDC recommends veterinarians remind clients with pet rodents to enforce good hygiene practices, especially in regard to young children. To read the full report, click
Why AAHA accreditation is a big dealMarch 23, 2018Becoming an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited veterinary practice isn't about prestige—it's about operating at a higher level, according to an article at consumersadvocate.org. The accreditation process is challenging, rigorous, voluntary, and not guaranteed. When a veterinary facility steps up to become accredited, it's making a proclamation that the organization is committed to excellence, the article stated. That's not to say unaccredited practices are engaging in sub-par animal health care. However, it "raises the question of how much more successful they would be if they truly reached for their full potential by obtaining accreditation," said Darren Taul, DVM, AAHA president elect. Since 1933, the association has charted the course for approximately 3,700 practices to achieve accreditation. "Accreditation is a way to force yourself to be the best you can be," said Bo Williamson, DVM, owner of the Tennessee Avenue Hospital in Cincinnati, the oldest continuously accredited AAHA animal hospital in the world. "Owners and employees of accredited hospitals constantly look to make things better." Currently, only 12 to 15 percent of animal hospitals are accredited; the association wants more practices to make the commitment to achieve accreditation. Accreditation serves two purposes. First, …
