ASU awarded $6.4M grant to test preventive canine cancer vaccineJanuary 8, 2018Arizona State University (ASU) professor Stephen Albert Johnson, Ph.D., has received a $6.4 million grant from the Open Philanthropy Project to support a clinical trial of a vaccine to prevent canine cancer. The trial will involve approximately 800 middle-aged, healthy pet dogs and will test the effects of a multivalent frameshift peptide (FSP) vaccine developed at ASU that has shown promise in mouse studies. Scientists think the vaccine has potential for human use, too. "Our goal has always been that if this is possible, we should at least try it," said Johnston, director of the Biodesign Center for Innovations in Medicine and CEO of Calviri Inc., a cancer vaccine company. "Open Philanthropy was the only organization that responded to support our high-risk project, the biggest cancer intervention trial in dogs ever." Johnston and his team developed the new FSP vaccine over the past 10 years. The vaccine, already tested for efficacy in mice, is shown to be safe in dogs, according to Johnston's research. Cancer is the leading cause of death in pet dogs and their cancers are very similar to their human counterparts. Some breeds have a very high cancer rate, as much as 40 percent. The canine …
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IDEXX offers Catalyst SDMA test to point-of-care customersJanuary 8, 2018IDEXX Laboratories Inc. announced that its Catalyst SDMA test will be commercially available to all North American customers on Jan. 16, enabling IDEXX's point-of-care customers to add SDMA as an essential element of the routine chemistry panel. The Catalyst SDMA test can be added to any chemistry panel on IDEXX's Catalyst One and Catalyst Dx chemistry analyzers as part of the patient sample run, with the full chemistry panel results, including SDMA, available within minutes. The company expects to bring the Catalyst SDMA test to customers beyond the U.S. and Canada over the course of the next several months. Additionally, to further explore SDMA's potential applications to human health, the company has signed a collaboration agreement with Yale University. As part of this partnership, the IDEXX SDMA test was validated for accuracy in measuring SDMA in human blood samples, and the results were presented at the 2017 annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology last November by Yale and IDEXX researchers. Future research with Yale will focus on the clinical utility of SDMA in human patients using the validated IDEXX SDMA Test. IDEXX first launched the IDEXX SDMA test at its reference laboratories in 2015, and has run …
American Heartworm Society announces 2018 Heartworm University scheduleJanuary 5, 2018The American Heartworm Society (AHS) is redoubling efforts to bring the latest heartworm information directly to veterinarians and veterinary nurses via scientific symposia and proceedings. Heartworm University—a traveling four- to six-hour symposium taught by AHS faculty—provides practical clinical information in an interactive format that enables presenters to address specific audience concerns and questions. Course content incorporates essential disease pathophysiology, diagnostics, screening and testing, treatment protocols, prevention strategies, and pet owner counseling, while also covering issues such as heartworm incidence trends and resistance. A preliminary schedule for Heartworm University includes the following dates and venues: Tennessee VMA/Music City Conference, Feb. 25. This six-hour session, which will be taught by veterinary cardiologist Dr. Clarke Atkins, will be held in Murfreesboro, Tenn. For more information see http://tvmanet.com/music-city-veterinary-conference/. Louisiana Academy of Veterinary Practice, March 18. This six-hour session, taught by Dr. Atkins, will be held at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge, La. For more information, visit http://www.lsu.edu/vetmed/continuing_education/courses/laavp.php. Emerald Coast Veterinary Conference, June 14. This four-hour session, presented by AHS past president Dr. Stephen Jones, will be held at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Destin, Fla. For more information see http://emeraldcoastvc.com. …
ACVIM Foundation dissolves, gives funds to MAFJanuary 4, 2018 The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Foundation, as part of its planned dissolution, has selected Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) to receive its remaining funds to invest in animal health research. "We believe that partnering with Morris Animal Foundation is the best way to see execution on the ACVIM Foundation's mission," said Linda Fineman, DVM, DACVIM, president of the ACVIM Foundation. "Through a named fund at Morris Animal Foundation, we will continue to improve the health of animals worldwide." The ACVIM board of regents previously voted to dissolve the ACVIM Foundation on a recommendation from the foundation's board of directors. A transition task force was created to oversee distribution of remaining funds. Morris Animal Foundation has established the ACVIM Fund, while the ACVIM plans to support MAF by sharing MAF research findings with veterinary audiences. "We look forward to working collaboratively with ACVIM to use these funds in a manner that will best advance veterinary medicine and improve animal health and well-being," said John Reddington, DVM, Ph.D., president and CEO of MAF. The ACVIM Foundation has distributed remaining funds totaling nearly $424,000 to MAF. Grants awarded with these funds will recognize …
Henry Schein helps raise $10K for AAEP's 'Collegiate Challenge'January 4, 2018Henry Schein Animal Health, the U.S. animal health business of Henry Schein Inc., recently led a fundraising effort that raised $10,000 for the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation in support of its educational programming for the next generation of equine veterinary professionals. Jeannie Jeffery, national director of equine sales for Henry Schein Animal Health, presented the check to Richard Mitchell, DVM, AAEP Foundation chairman, at the 63nd annual AAEP Convention held in San Antonio. Henry Schein joined supplier partners Zoetis, Neogen, and Rood & Riddle to support the AAEP Foundation's "Collegiate Challenge," an initiative that encouraged convention attendees to make donations that support the following AAEP programs: student chapter activity; courses in dentistry, podiatry, and horses handling; and continuing education programs. Henry Schein and its supplier partners matched convention attendee donations up to a total donation of $10,000. Combined with Henry Schein and its partners' donation, the AAEP Foundation raised more than $24,000 through the "Collegiate Challenge." "We extend a heartfelt thank you to all who donated during the convention to the 'Collegiate Challenge'," Dr. Mitchell said. "The incredible match made by our friends at Henry Schein, Zoetis, Neogen, and Rood & Riddle will allow our foundation to continue …
Hydrocephalic fur seal undergoes brain surgery at TuftsDecember 28, 2017A neurosurgical team at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has successfully performed a first-of-its-kind brain surgery on a female adult Northern fur seal in an attempt to address her worsening neurologic condition. Ziggy Star is recovering well at her permanent home at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Conn. Ziggy was first seen at the Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University in September for a progressive condition that was causing severe neurologic episodes, difficulty moving, reduced training response, and cluster seizures. An MRI revealed an accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain—hydrocephalus. Mystic Aquarium took in Ziggy approximately four years ago after she was found stranded on the California coast and deemed non-releasable by the federal government. At the time, she had an MRI that showed some neurologic abnormalities. She received treatment, but her symptoms continued to progress at a concerning rate, with the seizures emerging more recently. "The MRI taken recently by our team showed that the brain was disappearing due to the excess fluid, and it was significantly worse than the last study four years ago," said Ane Uriarte, DVM, Diplomate of the European College of …
Zomedica, Celsee Inc. partner to deliver cancer liquid biopsy platformDecember 21, 2017Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. has entered into a license and supply agreement with Celsee Inc., an innovator of progressive rare cell capture, characterization, and retrieval products in the emerging field of liquid biopsy. Under the terms of the agreement, Zomedica will have animal health exclusive global rights to develop and market Celsee's liquid biopsy platform for use by veterinarians as a cancer diagnostic. A liquid biopsy is a blood test with the potential to detect the presence of circulating tumor cells in the blood. Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are shed from a primary tumor into neighboring blood vessels and are transported throughout the body's circulatory system. The detection of CTCs in the blood could indicate a cancer diagnosis without the need for an invasive tissue biopsy, according to Zomedica. "Liquid biopsy is cutting-edge technology in human medicine right now and we're excited about the opportunity to develop and market this platform for use in veterinary medicine," stated Gerald Solensky, Jr., CEO at Zomedica. "We selected the Celsee platform because of the ease of use, workflow simplicity, and flexibility to use our novel canine biomarkers. If we successfully develop Celsee's technology, we believe we will be able to …
Giving the topic of sound veterinary nutrition the respect it deservesDecember 20, 2017Do enough professionals among the veterinary profession treat companion animal nutrition with the significance it deserves? What's driving the US pet obesity epidemic? Are practitioners doing enough to address it? Veterinary Practice News asked Martha G. Cline, DVM, DACVN, president, American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, and a clinical veterinary nutritionist at AAHA-accredited Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls, N.J., these questions and more about the topic of diet and nutrition. Here's what she had to share. Why did you decide to specialize in veterinary nutrition? During the summer between my first and second year of veterinary school, I worked with the nutrition department at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) through a summer research program. The focus of this research was canine obesity. This experience was the foundation of my interest, which solidified during my clinical year when I spent additional time rotating through the nutrition services at UTCVM, Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, N.J., and Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. I had excellent mentorship at all of these facilities that helped guide me on my way (shout out to Drs. Angela Witzel, Joe Bartges, Claudia Kirk, Laura …
UC Davis announces 32nd annual Heumphreus Lecture headlinersDecember 19, 2017The 32nd Annual Charles Heumphreus Memorial Lecture will take place Feb. 3 at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). This year's event features farrier Daisy Bicking, APF-I, CFGP, CE/CI, founder of Daisy Haven Farm: School of Integrative Hoofcare, and Nicholas Frank, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, professor of large animal internal medicine, the chair of the Clinical Sciences Department, and associate dean of Academic Affairs at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Farriers and equine veterinarians are invited to attend the lecture, which honors Charles Heumphreus, the school's farrier from 1967 to 1985. The program was initiated to foster the veterinarian-farrier relationship in order to develop a better understanding of equine foot disorders. Registration and a complete schedule for the event can be found on the UC Davis website. The Heumphreus Lecture serves as an opportunity for farriers and veterinarians to share insights and collaborate on industry best practices. A veritable "who's who" of farriers and veterinarians have served as past guest lecturers. This year's program will focus on laminitis and endocrine disorders. Lecture details During the morning session, Bicking will present …
Henry Schein acquires eVetPracticeDecember 19, 2017Henry Schein Inc. has acquired eVetPractice, a provider of cloud-based practice management solutions to veterinary clinics. The company will join Henry Schein Veterinary Solutions. "As the veterinary practice management software market expands into cloud-based solutions, we at Henry Schein understand that partnering with eVetPractice enhances our ability to power successful practices by providing our customers with the latest in value-added services and technology solutions," said Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and CEO of Henry Schein. "Our distribution footprint and comprehensive technology offerings, which now include the cloud, ensure that veterinary professionals can continue to rely on us as a trusted advisor, as we endeavor to help them operate more efficient and successful practices while delivering quality care." Based in Athens, Ga., and founded in 2011, eVetPractice serves approximately 900 customers. The company was founded by Eddie Heinz, who will join the HSVS executive team and continue to lead the eVetPractice solution and customer support teams. Henry Schein Veterinary Solutions has North American offices in Oshkosh, Wis., Piedmont, Mo., and Trevose, Pa. Henry Schein Animal Health is based in Dublin, Ohio.
