AAEP announces 2018 convention keynote speakerSeptember 10, 2018Abraham Verghese, MD, educator and best-selling author, will share his keynote lecture, "A Doctor's Touch," at the American Association of Equine Practitioners' (AAEP) 2018 Convention in San Francisco. In his presentation, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 2, Dr. Verghese will align equine medicine with human medicine and explain his vision of humanistic medicine—care-grounded medicine and the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship. Verghese is the Linda R. Meier and Joan F. Lane Provostial Professor and Vice Chair for the Theory and Practice of Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine as well as a critically acclaimed author whose memoirs and novels have sold millions of copies, topped best-seller lists, and earned movie deals. In 2015, he received the National Humanities Medal from former U.S. president Barack Obama, "for reminding us that the patient is the center of the medical enterprise." To view the educational program and register for the AAEP's 64th Annual Convention, visit convention.aaep.org. The AAEP keynote address is sponsored by Merck Animal Health.
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University of Illinois uses humane facility for feline reproduction researchSeptember 7, 2018Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a unique study environment designed to bridge the gap between the lab and the real world in which resident cats can roam while participating in a study aimed to find alternatives to traditional spay and neuter services. With a large climbing tree in the center, the completely open pole barn contains two levels, furniture, toys, scented objects, and a quarter-acre outdoor enclosure. "Many facilities have come a long way in making research conditions more humane for the animals, but they still involve small enclosures without a lot of enrichment," said Amy Fischer, PhD, of the Department of Animal Sciences at the university and lead investigator of the study. "We wanted to make our cats' environment much more stimulating." The GonaCon study Though spay and neuter services can help reduce feral and free-roaming cats, they are invasive and expensive procedures that require a high level of veterinary training, said researchers. GonaCon, an injectable contraceptive vaccine that has been shown to be effective in several mammals, including deer, horses, and laboratory-raised cats, has been considered as an alternative, but field-testing such a product is complicated, they added. During the study, female cats were allowed …
Vetology automated AI heart evaluation tech available nationwideSeptember 7, 2018Vetology Innovations LLC now offers automated heart evaluation tools to veterinarians as part of the company's artificial intelligence (AI) radiology software. In August, the San Diego-based company introduced its AI radiology software, designed to provide veterinary professionals with automated diagnostic analysis of patient radiographs. Individuals subscribing to the Vetology AI software suite will now gain full access to cardiac-specific tools, including automated heart-size evaluation and automated vertebral heart score calculations. These features work within the Vetology AI dashboard automatically when a clinic uploads an X-ray to the secure Vetology cloud. There, the software automatically evaluates an animal's heart size and the comparative size of the heart in relation to the vertebral body size. This process results in a Vetology AI heart evaluation report and vertebral heart score delivered to the veterinarian via email/fax in two minutes after the X-rays have fully uploaded. "The ability for a veterinarian to receive rapid heart analysis before they even begin evaluating a patient's radiograph is invaluable," said Seth Wallack, DVM, DACVR, founder of Vetology Innovations. "This technology leverages AI neural networks that are not yet available in human medicine. This new AI resource fulfills every attending doctor's hope …
20-plus clinics to participate in expanded osteosarcoma vaccine clinical trialSeptember 6, 2018Initial results of a pilot study for canine osteosarcoma vaccine are promising, prompting a larger study to test its safety and efficacy. Pharmaceutical company Aratana Therapeutics, which received conditional licensure for Live Listeria Vector (AT-014), has expanded its clinical trial to include more than two dozen veterinary oncology practice groups across the U.S. in order to receive full licensure. Conducted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, the pilot study tested the immunotherapy treatment in 18 dogs. Those that received the vaccine lived more than twice as long as the historical, matched control group, with median survival times of 956 days compared to 423 days. The expanded clinical trial is designed to collect additional safety data for the vaccine in dogs that have undergone amputation of the affected limb and have already completed chemotherapy. If the treatment is found to be as safe and effective as it appeared in the initial clinical trial, Aratana will be given full licensure, allowing it to make the drug commercially available. Live Listeria Vector (AT-014) is created by removing harmful genes from the Listeria bacteria and then attaching markers of osteosarcoma cells. It is designed to supplement standard osteosarcoma treatment of amputation …
VetMedTeam RACE-approved CE examines patient health trendsSeptember 6, 2018VetMedTeam, an online resource offering free continuing education to veterinarians, credentialed veterinary technicians, and practice team members, is hosting a RACE-approved, 1 interactive credit course on evolving patient health trends. "By the numbers: Examining top health risks for dogs and cats," led by Mary Rothlisberger, ACAS, MAAA, associate actuary at Trupanion pet insurance company, is scheduled to go live Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. Eastern. The webinar will highlight current medical condition trends for veterinary patients, including by age and size, as well as some popular purebred dog breeds, and shares how teams can incorporate this information into patient services, from diagnosis to client education. Further, Rothlisberger will share analytical data from Trupanion medical database records, including expected treatment costs. For those unable to attend the live webinar, VetMedTeam will notify members when a free self-study course becomes open for enrollment. All who enroll in the live webinar, regardless of live attendance, also will receive emailed information. Membership in VetMedTeam is free and open to all members of the veterinary practice team as well as veterinary and veterinary technology students. Click here to register for the webinar; click here to find answers to FAQs. Email …
Improving the veterinary experience for catsSeptember 6, 2018It's doubtful any kind of service business is capable of receiving a near-perfect satisfaction rate, including most veterinary practices—except for those that are certified as Cat Friendly Practices (CFP). In January, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) announced the results of its 2017 Cat Friendly Practice Survey, which found a 99 percent satisfaction rate among participating veterinary clinics. The CFP program is a collaboration of feline experts who provide guidelines to ensure a more positive and less stressful veterinary experience for cats and their owners. According to Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, MS, DABVP, AAFP co-chair of CFP, it was a long time coming. "There was recognition that the experience of cats and their owners just hasn't been good enough, and there are ways we can do better," Dr. Colleran said. "Seeing more cats and providing better healthcare, and thus a better quality of life for those cats, is possible." "Using low-stress handling techniques on cats minimizes high stress in the veterinary team. It's a safer and more effective way to practice," said Jan Yaroslav, RVT, VTS (dentistry), of Mangrove Veterinary Hospital in Chico, Calif. Most importantly, when cats panic and their cortisol levels skyrocket, the quality of the exam isn't …
AVMA helps veterinarians prepare pet owners in event of disasterSeptember 6, 2018With hurricane season in full swing, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has gathered resources that veterinarians can share with pet owners to help them prepare for the impact of these potentially devastating storms. The resources provided are made to help owners assemble a pet evacuation kit prior to an incident, deal with a lost pet, and figure out what to do after a disaster. Pet evacuation kit Assemble the kit well in advance of any emergency and store in an easy-to-carry, waterproof container close to an exit. Food and medicine Three to seven days' worth of dry and canned (pop-top) food* Two-week supply of medicine* At least a seven-days supply of water Feeding dish and water bowl Liquid dish soap *Rotate and replace these items to ensure they don't expire. First aid kit Antidiarrheal liquid or tablets Antibiotic ointment Bandage tape and scissors Cotton bandage rolls Flea and tick prevention (if needed in your area) Isopropyl alcohol/alcohol prep pads Latex gloves Saline solution Towel and washcloth Tweezers Sanitation Litter, litter pan, and scoop (a shirt box with a plastic bag works well for pan) Newspaper, paper towels, and trash bags Household chlorine beach or disinfectant …
LMU offers vet med-focused dual degree programSeptember 6, 2018Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) is now offering students an opportunity to earn a master of science in veterinary biomedical science (MS-VBS). Those enrolled in the MS-VBS program will be able to take specific professional courses that are facilitated by the LMU College of Veterinary Medicine and be fully integrated with first-year students at LMUCVM. "With only 30 colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States, admission is very competitive, and therefore it is essential that students acquire as much knowledge as they can throughout their undergraduate and graduate studies," said Holly Napier, director of Student Services and Admissions at LMUCVM. "Our program is specifically designed for students seeking advanced study in the veterinary biomedical sciences, to prepare them for admission into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program." If students complete these integrated courses with a final grade of B or better and are accepted to LMUCVM, they will not have to repeat the course during their first year of DVM studies. The MS-VBS program also provides students with an opportunity to pursue a thesis track of study, which is ideal for students who wish to enter the workforce as researchers or for those that hope to earn a doctorate in …
AAHA releases preventive care protocol publicationSeptember 6, 2018The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released a new publication, developed with the support of an educational grant from IDEXX—Promoting Preventive Care Protocols: Evidence, Enactment, and Economics. "A focus on preventive care can give pets a greater chance at longer and healthier lives. Pet owners are more receptive than ever to engaging in conversations on preventive care and innovation in diagnostics, diets, and treatments," said Janice Trumpeter, DVM, AAHA deputy CEO. Preventive care exams remain a veterinary professional's best chance to influence good outcomes throughout a pet's lifetime, according to AAHA. Through these hands-on moments with patients and regular consultations with pet owners, practitioners can provide advice, preventive care services, and additional recommendations tailored to individual pets, the association said. The new publication features results of various studies and concludes that regular health checks and screenings improve detection and allow for early therapeutic intervention. Notably, it includes findings from a landmark big-data analysis of preventive care profiles from IDEXX. Analysis from 268,817 patient samples across more than 5,000 North American veterinary practices revealed that veterinary professionals who screen pets regularly find significant results in all adult life stages that require further action. The publication also …
Alzheimer's drug used in cognitive dysfunction syndrome clinical trialSeptember 5, 2018Ropesalazine, a drug candidate for Alzheimer's disease (AD), has shown efficacy in a pilot clinical trial conducted for dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), according to the drug's manufacturer, South Korea-based GNT Pharma. There currently is no cure for CDS, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of senior dogs characterized by altered interaction with family, disorientation, sleep/wake cycle changes, increased house soiling, and activity change. It is accompanied by nerve cell death, amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles similar to AD, leading GNT Pharma scientists to design the pilot study to investigate whether Ropesalazine would alleviate signs of CDS, as well. "The companion dogs failed to recognize their owners before the treatment," said Jae Bong Moon, DVM, head of Irion Animal Hospital in Seoul, who led the study. "It was so amazing to see the dogs that wagged their tails for their owners and cuddled up to them within eight weeks of Ropesalazine treatment. [It] appeared to cure CDS." The study was conducted on six companion dogs age 10 or older who revealed severe cognitive dysfunction according to canine cognitive dysfunction and canine dementia rating scales. Within eight weeks following daily oral administration of Ropesalazine, all six dogs returned …
