First veterinary TED Fellow speaks to the plight of an ocean in troubleMarch 1, 2018You don't hear the title conservation medicine veterinarian often. What inspired you to become one, and what did your educational/post-grad path look like? Is this sector lacking in veterinary professionals? My father was an environmentalist, and some of my earliest memories with him were watching David Attenborough and asking questions about nature. I credit my father with inspiring me to love science, wildlife and the environment. My career path trajectory really began after graduating from veterinary school at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. I completed an internship in aquatic medicine with the National Marine Mammal Foundation and SeaWorld San Diego, both of which I credit for giving me my foundation in marine mammal medicine. The aquatic medicine sector is a highly specialized one, but one in which there are many nontraditional veterinary careers—researchers, pathologists, and consulting specialists, to name a few. What does it mean to be the first veterinarian to become a TED Fellow? What are your responsibilities and obligations? It's absolutely a dream come true, and I'm honored to be selected in a field with so many talented and qualified individuals. I'm currently preparing my talk for TED2018, which will involve the intersection of marine mammal …
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Alaska state veterinarian warns of emerging diseaseFebruary 28, 2018Diseases that afflict livestock and wildlife are increasingly emerging in Alaska, said Bob Gerlach, DVM, state veterinarian, as he spoke at the 46th Annual Delta Farm Forum. Other diseases are increasing in northern-tier states and Canada due to climate change, increase in human population, and worldwide movement of agricultural products. Alaska's cool climate and isolation has for millennia helped protect wildlife and the people who subsist on it from many of the diseases that thrive in warmer, lower latitudes, according to Dr. Gerlach. But that's changing, as Alaska is no longer isolated from what's happening globally, he said. "We're in the center of a lot of what's going on," he added. Globalization, including commerce that brings livestock and other agricultural products, new residents and travelers who bring their pets, and wildlife species slowly moving northward due to warming temps, all are to blame, he said. "[It's] not just moving food," he said. "It's moving animals, it's moving products, and it's moving disease." Farmers must be on alert for signs of disease in their livestock and in the wildlife that live or range near their farms and ranches, Gerlach said. "We're seeing some things that we've never seen in the …
VitusVet partners with IAVMAFebruary 28, 2018VitusVet, a digital communication solution for North American veterinary practices, today announced a new partnership with the Indo-American Veterinary Medical Association (IAVMA). Under the terms of the partnership, which launches with select practices in California and soon will extend to the association's 131 members, the company will offer IAVMA members exclusive pricing, service, and product features via a flexible pricing plan. Each participating practice will have access to VitusVet's platform, which they can use and offer to pet owners. The platform includes: Mobile client app, branded for each practice 24/7 pet medical record access and updates (mobile and web) VitusVet Connect text and picture messaging Intelligent digital reminders (text, email, and push notifications) Medication orders and refills via the online store Digital customized appointment confirmations VitusVet's targeted email/push marketing solutions Post-appointment surveys with positive online review solicitation Performance and activity dashboard "IAVMA was searching for a technology platform that is as innovative as the professionals in our practices and we found it in VitusVet," said Dr. Kanwaljit Mann, IAVMA president who practices at Aborn Pet Hospital in Fremont, Calif., and will be among the initial group of practice users. "Our primary goal is …
Did a media reveal help reunite owner, puppy separated at veterinary clinic?February 27, 2018Several days after undergoing a routine spay procedure earlier this month, 4-month-old goldendoodle Roxy developed complications and was rushed to Willowdale Animal Hospital in Toronto. When owner Natasha Goodman said she couldn't afford to pay $8,000 for the emergency surgery, the doctor told her the "other option was to surrender the dog to her clinic," Goodman said. The owner, citing concerns for Roxy's health, surrendered her pet to the hospital, meaning that it could keep the puppy. Goodman instantly regretted the decision, she said. Goodman said that after several attempts on her part to get Roxy back, Willowdale Animal Hospital contacted her to seek a resolution only after a Toronto news outlet, CTV Toronto, aired the story. Goodman thanked news anchor Pat Foran for helping her get Roxy back home. "I don't think I would have got Roxy back had it not been for you," Goodman said. A spokesperson for the clinic said in a statement that emergency surgery was performed at no cost and that the hospital has "been diligently and ethically working with Natasha Goodman… We are pleased to confirm that Roxy has been reunited with her family." Goodman said she and her family were glad to …
Veterinarians research mane growth in Oklahoma zoo lionessFebruary 26, 2018Bridget, an 18-year-old lioness at the Oklahoma City Zoo, has left veterinarians most curious about the mane she grew from March to November last year. Male lions develop their manes at about 1 year of age as a result of increased testosterone production. While female lions growing manes is rare, it's not unheard of, according to zoo officials. Mike Briggs, DVM, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan veterinary advisor, spotted a female lion in Africa with a mane similar in appearance to Bridget's. In 2011, a 13-year-old lioness at the National Zoo in South Africa began developing a mane. An issue with her ovaries resulted in excess testosterone production and once that was resolved, the mane receded. A group of five lionesses in the wilderness of Botswana were observed with manes in 2014. Because these lions came from the same pride and developed the manes at a young age, researchers believe a genetic component in this population resulted in this characteristic. Veterinary staff and caretakers drew blood from Bridget's tail and are currently awaiting results. A potential condition causing the mane growth could be a benign tumor located …
Pet food, treat recalls issued for Northwest Naturals, TruPetFebruary 26, 2018Northwest Naturals of Portland, Ore., and TruPet LLC of Milford, Ohio, are issuing voluntarily recalls for dog food and treat products due to Listeria and Salmonella contamination. Northwest Naturals is recalling its 5-pound frozen food chubs labeled Chicken and Salmon Recipe; TruPet is recalling Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight, 2.5-ounce dog treats. Earlier this month, several pet food companies recalled some of their products after the FDA received complaints of potential Salmonella poisoning. Those products are Darwin's Natural and ZooLogics pet foods made by Arrow Reliance Inc. of Tukwila, Wash.; Beefy Munchies from Smokehouse Pet Products Inc. of Sun Valley, Calif.; 7-inch bully sticks from Redbarn Pet Products of Long Beach, Calif.; and ground turkey pet food from Raws for Paws of Minneapolis, Minn. Also this month, J.M. Smucker Co.'s Big Heart Pet Foods withdrew shipments of Gravy Train, Kibbles n' Bits, Ol' Roy and Skippy brands after products tested contained trace amounts of pentobarbital.
General Mills enters pet food sector with Blue Buffalo acquisitionFebruary 23, 2018Minneapolis-based food conglomerate General Mills is buying Wilton, Conn.-based Blue Buffalo Co., maker of Blue Buffalo pet food, for roughly $8 billion in cash in a deal expected to be completed by May. The acquisition marks General Mills' return to the pet food business. The company produced pet food and sold it through pet stores in the 1930s and marketed food for dogs, cats, and birds in the 1950s. The deal accelerates the General Mills' plan to enhance its growth prospects by diversifying its business through acquisitions and divestitures of brands, said CEO Jeff Harmening. "The acquisition brings back the growth in the U.S. and growth on a consistent basis," he said. Blue Buffalo had annual sales of $1.3 billion in its last fiscal year, Harmening said. The overall pet food market generates $10 billion annually, according to Neilsen. William Bishop Sr. and family founded the company in 2012, and it went public in 2015. General Mills will maintain the company's Connecticut headquarters, and Bishop will remain CEO. The sale has been approved by both company boards, as well as Invus Public Equities, the Bishop family and Blue Buffalo's largest shareholder.
ISU professor receives AAVMC 2018 Melcher awardFebruary 22, 2018 The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) has named James A. Roth, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, the Clarence Hartley Covault Distinguished Professor in Iowa State University's (ISU) College of Veterinary Medicine, as the recipient of the 2018 Senator John Melcher DVM Leadership in Public Policy Award. Dr. Roth directs the Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics, developed an internationally recognized Veterinary Biologics Training Program that trains employees and government officials on the United States Department of Agriculture's regulatory process, and helped establish the Center for Food Security and Public Health at ISU with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He also developed an online course on emerging and exotic diseases for veterinary students that is part of the USDA's initial accreditation process for new veterinarians. Since 2011, more than 30,000 people have taken the course. He is currently working on developing global online training about animal disease outbreaks. Roth also is the recipient of the USDA APHIS Administrator's Award for contributions in Animal Health. The award will be presented officially during the AAVMC's 2018 Annual Conference and Assembly, March 2-4, in Washington, D.C.
Cornell Animal Health Hackathon reveals vet student ingenuityFebruary 21, 2018In Ithaca, N.Y., nearly 200 students competed this January to discover the next big breakthrough concept in animal health and earn $5,000 in cash and prizes at the second annual Cornell Animal Health Hackathon. The competition, co-hosted by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Entrepreneurship at Cornell, invited students from any college or major to develop innovative solutions for the animal health sector. Students from Cornell, Binghamton University, Georgia Tech, New York University, and Tufts University competed. "The Animal Health Hackathon is intended to be an immersion learning experience for students to build business and entrepreneurship skills," said Lorin D. Warnick, the Austin O. Hooey Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell. "The veterinary profession continues to diversify to fill vital roles in society and offering comprehensive business and entrepreneurship opportunities for students is a core strategic priority for the college." During the event, student teams collaborated with veterinarian and entrepreneurial mentors from around the U.S. After 50 original ideas were pitched and groups formed, 10 teams presented their concepts. "The energy and the passion in that room were palpable," said keynote speaker and Cornell alumnus Ted Sprinkle, CEO of Pet Partners LLC. "Normally, at …
WSAVA launches new website to broaden global veterinary communityFebruary 21, 2018 The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has launched a new website. Optimized for viewing on all internet-connected devices, the site includes recordings of lectures at previous World Congresses, an interactive map to enable members to find out quickly about the association's activity or continuing education by region, improved site navigation and search functions, and updated information on the full range of the organization's activities. Later this year, the website will feature Global Village, a forum for WSAVA member veterinarians to participate in discussion boards, view CE lectures, access quizzes, vote on WSAVA business, and connect with fellow WSAVA members from around the world. Reflecting the diversity of the WSAVA's membership, the new site will feature more content in Spanish, Russian, and simplified Chinese. "You only have to attend WSAVA World Congress to see the bond among our members and the extent to which they are keen to build relationships with each other, learn more about veterinary practice in other parts of the world and share experience and opportunity globally," said Siraya Chunekamrai, DVM, Ph.D., WSAVA vice president. "Our new website offers them a wealth of resources and information on the WSAVA, on our various committees …
