They Ate What?! X-ray Contest 2017September 29, 2017 Our annual X-ray contest didn't fail to deliver on the most odd and incomprehensible items removed from the stomachs of clients' animal companions. We received dozens of entries—more than ever before—and it was close. Check out this year's winner and most honorable mentions! Check out the winner >
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Canine rabies vaccination promises unexpected benefitsSeptember 28, 2017 New research funded by Morris Animal Foundation shows the rabies vaccine may have a positive impact on overall canine health and is associated with a decrease in death from all causes. Darryn Knobel, BVSc MSc MRCVS PhD, associate professor of epidemiology and population health at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine recently published his research results in the journal Vaccine. What the findings show The study found that vaccination reduces the risk of death from any cause by 56 percent in dogs 0 to 3 months of age. While all dogs had decreased mortality, the percentage decrease was highest in young dogs, with the effect diminishing over time. Dr. Knobel's study area incorporates an impoverished region of South Africa, where infectious diseases, including rabies, are an ever-present threat to humans and dogs. The research team concluded that the decrease in mortality couldn't be explained by a reduction in deaths due to rabies alone. "This led us to propose that the vaccine may have a non-specific protective effect in dogs, perhaps through boosting the immune system to provide enhanced defense against other, unrelated diseases," said Knobel. "A similar phenomenon has been observed in children, although …
Dental product earns veterinary oral health council sealSeptember 28, 2017Two clinical studies show that SwedencareUSA's ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Bites for dogs significantly reduce the formation of plaque and tartar. As a result, the bites earned the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) health claim seal "helps control plaque and tartar." Jerzy Gawor, DVM, Ph.D., president of Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations and president elect of the European Veterinary Dental College, performed the studies. "VOHC acceptance is an important indicator in the efficacy of pet dental health products," said Martin Shimko, president of SwedencareUSA in Poulsbo, Wash. "Pets love them, and now … there is science behind the product." Study methods Two groups of dogs, one group with small dogs, and one with small and medium size dogs, participated in the studies. Between two subgroups, one received ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Bites and one received a placebo without the bites' active ingredient, Ascophyllum nodosum. All dogs were examined and had their teeth cleaned prior to the study. Study results After 30 days, researchers measured for plaque and tartar. Groups receiving ProDen PlaqueOff Dental Bites had significantly less plaque and …
Pet trade exhibit co-sponsored by Purdue CVMSeptember 28, 2017The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette in Indiana is hosting an art exhibit titled "Caged: The Illegal Pet Trade." The exhibit, by Justin Ladoux, hopes to shed light on this important but often neglected subject. "Animal health and well-being is our specialty, and everyone in the college of veterinary medicine encourages responsible ownership," said Willie Reed, DVM, Ph.D., dean of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. "The illegal pet trade is a cruel, inhumane business, and this outstanding art exhibit is an excellent means of educating people about this issue." Educating the public First of all, the internet fuels exotic ownership by making it easier for people to shop for various wildlife species, said Lori Corriveau, DVM, pet wellness veterinarian in the college's Small Animal Community Practice. "Many people are unaware of where exotic pets are from and how the pet trade affects world populations," she said. "Some exotic pets are bred from captivity, and some are taken directly from the wild. Sadly, many of those taken from the wild will die in transit." Further, many owners don't have the knowledge, money, or ability to adequately replicate a natural habitat for an …
PetSmart announces launch of online pharmacySeptember 28, 2017PetSmart announced the launch of PetSmart Pharmacy, a new online-only pharmacy that offers ordering and autofill of prescription and over the counter medications, and veterinary diet prescription pet food, combined with home delivery. According to Packaged Facts, the pet medication market would be a more than $10 billion industry by 2018. The market researcher's 2016 National Pet Owner survey found that 46 percent of pet owners buy pet products online, up from 41 percent in 2015. During the online ordering process at PetSmart.com, pet owners enter information about their pet and veterinarian. From there, fully licensed and pharmacy-certified PetSmart pharmacists coordinate with the veterinarian. Once validated, prescriptions are filled and the products are shipped directly to pet owners' homes. An auto-ship feature is available. PetSmart Pharmacy offers options to treat pet allergies, anxiety, arthritis, heartworm, seizure and diabetes, as well as rare ailments. Brand-name and generic prescription and OTC medications include Bravecto, Trifexis, Carprofen, Sentinel, and Vetmedin. PetSmart Pharmacy will not offer pet opiates as part of its product offering. Veterinary diet formulas, wet and dry, as well as treats, from Hill's, Royal Canine, and ProPlan will be available, as …
Nationwide annual 2017 Hambone Award voting underwaySeptember 21, 2017After reviewing nearly 1.5 million pet insurance claims received over the past year, Nationwide has nominated 12 candidates for the 2017 Hambone Award. Each year, the pet health insurer combs its database of more than 600,000 insured pets to honor the most "Unusual Pet Insurance Claim of the Year." The winner will be decided after a public voting period of Sept. 21 – Oct. 4. Originally named after a dog who ate an entire Thanksgiving ham while stuck in a refrigerator, the annual Hambone Award has since been given to the most bizarre medical claim each year since 2009. In addition, the veterinary practice that treated this year's Hambone Award winner will receive a $10,000 Nationwide-funded award through the Veterinary Care Foundation to treat pets whose owners could not otherwise afford treatment. From the dog who was impaled by a tree branch to the cat who fell down an abandoned well, each of the 12 nominees have uniquely harrowing tales. All nominated pets have made full recoveries and received Nationwide insurance reimbursements for eligible veterinary expenses. Below are brief summaries of the 12 unusual claims nominated for the 2017 Hambone Award. For a more detailed account of each story, photos of the …
AMC launches Usdan Institute for Animal HealthSeptember 20, 2017 The Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York, which sees more than 50,000 patient visitors a year and has more than 100 years of veterinary medical experience, announced the launch of the Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education to help educate owners on all aspects of their pet's health. AMC has appointed Jaclyn Skidmore, MSc, an infectious disease epidemiologist, as the institute's director. "The Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education will focus on three areas of education: animal health, public health as it relates to animals, and the human-animal bond," said Kathryn Coyne, Animal Medical Center's CEO. "We hope pet owners everywhere will utilize the institute to find resources for their pet's health needs, and we invite all New York City area pet owners to join us at our Usdan event series." The Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education will present a series of educational events that will be open to the public. On Sept. 28, Mark Macina, DVM, head of AMC's dermatology service, will discuss seasonal pet allergies and advances in treatment. Every Tuesday the Institute will issue a "Usdan Tuesday Tip" on timely animal health information across AMC social platforms with the hashtag #UsdanTuesdayTip. …
KSU to assume production of One Health NewsletterSeptember 19, 2017The One Health Newsletter will now be produced at Kansas State University, school officials announced. The newsletter was initiated in 2008 by the Florida Department of Health and published through the winter 2014. It was then transitioned to the University of Florida's Emerging Pathogens Institute, which published it until 2017. The first Kansas State University-developed edition of the One Health Newsletter is scheduled for release in October, in advance of International One Health Day on Nov. 3. "The One Health Initiative autonomous pro bono team collaborated with both former outstanding One Health Newsletter publishers and is delighted to continue associating with our longstanding friends and notable One Health colleagues at K-State," said Bruce Kaplan, contents manager/editor of the One Health Initiative website and co-founder of the One Health Initiative team/website. Kansas State University faculty, staff, and students plan to feature current One Heath issues in each newsletter. Each edition will be guided by a faculty editorial board at Kansas State University, including Paige Adams, research assistant professor at K-State Olathe; Jean-Paul Gonzalez, deputy director of the Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases; and Ellyn Mulcahy, director of the Master of Public Health program. Colleagues from the University …
Michigan specialty veterinary care center seeks dogs for cancer studySeptember 19, 2017 Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) specialty veterinary care center is conducting a nationwide study on dogs with canine splenic hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and the benefits of using traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) as treatment to significantly extend life expectancy. Erin Bannink, DVM, DACVIM, VCHM, CVA, is leading the study, according to Lucy Henney, DVM, DACVS, owner of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based OVRS. Most dogs diagnosed with HSA are treated by removal of the spleen after the tumor has ruptured and bled, causing life-threatening blood loss; most dogs living only two months after surgery due to the spread of cancer to other organs, according to Dr. Bannink. Because of HSA's aggressive nature, chemotherapy is usually recommended after surgery in the hope of prolonging life, but it only modestly prolongs survival, and most dogs still die of cancer spread within three to four months of diagnosis, she said. "The purpose of this study is to determine if treatment with a specific herbal therapy regimen is helpful in prolonging survival time after surgery in dogs with HSA and no evidence of cancer spread," said Bannink. "We hypothesize that dogs treated with this standardized protocol after splenectomy will have …
Many happy returnsSeptember 19, 2017The task of determining the best return on investment (ROI) on veterinary clinic equipment isn’t easy. Myriad variables enter into purchasing decisions, including cost and tax savings from depreciation; whether to pay cash or finance; operating costs, maintenance, and service plans; personnel costs to operate the equipment; staff training; projected frequency of use; and client charge structure.
