Europe May Get Topical Version of BravectoMarch 24, 2016Merck Animal Health is close to releasing a spot-on formulation of its Bravecto flea and tick preventive—but only in Europe. A committee of the European Medicines Agency on March 17 recommended that the European Commission approve Bravecto (fluralaner) Spot-On for use with cats and dogs. Merck, known outside the United States and Canada as MSD Animal Health, reported Tuesday that the topical formulation provides up to 12 weeks of protection, just like with Bravecto (fluralaner) Chews, which are limited to canine use. The original preventive was released in 2014 in Europe and the United States. To date, more than 13 million chewable tablets have been dispensed in 60 countries, Merck stated. U.S. veterinarians and pet owners could see the spot-on someday. “We do plan to pursue approval in the U.S. but do not have any additional information regarding the timing of that,” Merck spokeswoman Amy Firsching said. The European product would be administered using what the company called “Twist’n’Use” pipettes. The planned sizes are 112.5, 250, 500, 1,000 and 1,400 milligrams for dogs and 112.5, 250 and 500 mg for cats. The topical solution is indicated for the treatment of tick and flea infestations and flea allergy dermatitis on …
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Cuattro X-Ray Unit Touted as SuperfastMarch 24, 2016Heska Corp. this month released what the Loveland, Colo., company is calling the fastest all-in-one X-ray imager in the veterinary industry. The handheld Uno 6 digital radiography unit, sold by Heska’s Cuattro brand, is designed primarily for use in the field with equine patients, but it also may be brought into a small animal exam room, a spokesman said. The 16-pound device is wireless and battery powered, and two detector panels are available: 10 by 12 inches and 14 by 17 inches. Heska is promoting the unit’s speed: the ability to power up within 20 seconds, capture high-definition images in as little as six seconds apart and display X-rays three seconds after exposure on the removable Slate 6 Micro tablet. The Slate 6 Micro is designed to store a minimum of 79,000 images, Heska stated.
Study: Retinal Cells Regenerate Before They DieMarch 24, 2016Until relatively recently, it was believed that neurons, including the eye’s photoreceptor cells, rods and cones, do not regenerate. This is the reason that nerve damage is thought to be so grave. More recent studies have shown that in some vertebrate species, neurons can be stimulated to divide. Yet the belief continued to hold firm with regard to retinal neurons — until findings from a study by University of Pennsylvania researchers came out in 2011. The study showed that in a form of canine blindness, retinal cells continue to differentiate for a period of time early in a dog’s life before overwhelming cell death caused the retina to degenerate. In a new study, reported on March 18, 2016, the Penn researchers have expanded this line of inquiry to consider two other forms of blindness. They found that these diseases, too, possess this unexpected feature of temporarily rejuvenating retinal cells. The findings suggest this feature may be common across many forms of inherited blindness. Further investigation into the reasons for this period of retinal neuron proliferation could lead to molecular targets for intervening in cell death and maintaining functional photoreceptor …
Minnesota’s Vet Lab Names New DirectorMarch 24, 2016The University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has named Jerry Torrison, DVM, Ph.D., as its new director. Dr. Torrison served as an associate clinical professor and diagnostician at the laboratory from 2004 to 2011. Since 2011, he has been a swine veterinarian with the research and nutritional services team at Zinpro Corporation, a Minnesota-based manufacturer of organic trace minerals for beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, aquatic, equine and companion animals. Prior to 2004, he was a swine consultant with Swine Vet Center, PA, in St. Peter, Minn., for six years and health assurance manager with PIC, a swine breeding stock company, from 1994-1998. “Jerry has worked in more than 20 countries and consulted with many food animal production corporations,” said Trevor Ames, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “His ability to identify key opportunities locally and globally, along with his strong relationships with state and national producer organizations, industry partners, and government agencies will be a great benefit to the college.”
'Day of Giving' Campaign Raising Funds for Pets in Underserved CommunitiesMarch 23, 2016You might have heard about “food deserts,” which are, as the American Nutrition Association defines as “parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas. This is largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy food providers.” But did you know there are veterinary deserts as well? That’s something the Humane Society of the United States with its Pets for Life program. As they write, “Many pets don't have access to the care they need because they live in vet deserts — vast areas of underserved communities without access to the vets and pet care suppliers clustered far away in better-served neighborhoods. It's basically impossible for the loving pet owners in these areas to cross vet deserts when they don't own cars and can't take their pets on public transportation.” To address this problem, the Humane Society is having a ‘Day of Giving’ for Pets for Life on March 31, 2016, with donations being raise to bring pet healthcare to ‘vet desert’ communities. The funds will go toward spay/neuter services, vaccinations, emergency …
UK Veterinarians! Want to be a Television Star?March 23, 2016BBC science is on the hunt for veterinarians who might be interested in hosting a show about veterinary medicine. According to the Vet Times, “The show will investigate what’s best for pets and explore the latest innovations in animal medicine — with the aim of educating the public on how to keep their pets healthy and happy.” The BBC has approached the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) as well. The BSAVA has written about what the BBC is looking for in their potential star, saying, “The presenters will be passionate about working with animals, and have great communications skills to engage viewers in a range of different stories. The BBC supports equal opportunities and wants to reflect the UK’s diverse population. Candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply.” The BSAVA recommends sending the BBC the following: A video where you talk about yourself, your area of expertise and the most common questions you are asked. CV Photo of yourself Contact details Applications are due April 17, 2016. Email them to vets@bbc.co.uk.
FDA Approves Aratana Osteoarthritis DrugMarch 22, 2016One day after earning its first FDA drug approval, Aratana Therapeutics Inc. announced pursuit of a second. The Leawood, Kan., company reported Monday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration signed off on Galliprant (grapiprant tablets) for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Commercial sales are expected to begin in the fall. In the meantime, Aratana moved ahead today with the filing of an administrative New Animal Drug Application (NADA) for Entyce (capromorelin oral solution) for stimulating canine appetites. If approved, the drug could be launched late this year. Aratana described Entyce as a ghrelin agonist and “a first-of-its-kind therapeutic to treat inappetence in dogs.” “The therapeutic is a flavored, oral liquid prescription that works by mimicking ghrelin, the hunger hormone, to stimulate appetite,” the company added. “Our market research indicates that millions of dogs with inappetence are treated off-label with drugs, special diets and homeopathic remedies,” said Ernst Heinen, DVM, Ph.D., Aratana’s chief development officer. “The anticipated FDA approval of Entyce would make it the only therapeutic approved for use by veterinarians to fulfill a serious unmet need for dogs that have stopped eating.” The company’s first approved drug, Galliprant, works by blocking prostaglandin …
Top Vet School, Again, Is UC DavisMarch 22, 2016UC Davis has not only the best veterinary school in the United States but also the finest anywhere, according to QS World University Rankings. The annual publication, produced by the British company Quacquarelli Symonds, gave the University of California, Davis, the top spot on the global list for the second year in the row. And if there are any doubters, the university pointed to U.S. News and World Report, which last year declared the School of Veterinary Medicine to be No. 1 in the United States. The school’s people and programs deserve much of the credit for the international achievement, said Dean Michael Lairmore, DVM, Ph.D. “This recognition is also a reflection of the dedication of our philanthropic partners who provide generous gifts that help fund novel research, improved facilities and student scholarships,” Dr. Lairmore said. The QS rankings in the subject of veterinary science weighed each school’s academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact. Only the top 50 schools—17 in the United States—were graded, thus leaving out 13 American institutions. No. 2 on the list, available at http://bit.ly/1q0AThS, was Cornell University, which also held the second spot on U.S. News and World Report’s 2015 rankings. …
Dog With Severely Injured Neck Recovering From Emergency SurgeryMarch 22, 2016Clover is a 6-month-old Shepherd-Pit Bull Terrier Mix. She was recently found by a property manager who saw that she had severe lacerations in her neck – to the point where she could have been decapitated. She had been tied to a banister in the home. “It was an actual plastic coated cable, wrapped around her neck, and because it was hooked to itself, it kinked, so the hook couldn't slide. I didn't even see the problems with her neck until I bent down and I had to lift her head up,” Humane Society Police Officer Ron Riggle told ABC 6. “The dog chewed itself off the cable; it might have taken a while, but when they got it out, it still had the remainder of the collar in its neck,” added Kenny Gee, the man who kept an eye on Clover while the property manager called for help. “It was bad; I couldn't see having a kid and a dog in that house.” Clover was rushed to the Delaware County SPCA where she underwent emergency surgery to clean the lacerations and remove any diseased tissue. Clover …
VetBadger Software Announces New Cloud-Based Practice Management SoftwareMarch 22, 2016VetBadger Software has announced the release of their new practice management software. The VetBadger Practice Management Software provides veterinary practices with a simplified, role-optimized, task-based practice management system, which helps with clinic workflow and management. "The VetBadger Practice Management Service is a game changer in the practice management field," said Dr. Alexandra McLaughry, chief medical officer for VetBadger Software. "It solves the No. 1 dissatisfaction with practice management systems — unnecessary complexity — while also giving team members the confidence of knowing exactly what needs to happen when, plus seamless integration of clinic operations with QuickBooks." VetBadger A screenshot of the VetBadger Practice Management Software. Enhanced QuickBooks integration, a feature included in the software, provides up-to-date financial data that allows accountants to immediately answer questions about clinic performance. Integrated referral tracking allows clinics to gauge the efficacy of advertising dollars spent, and direct those dollars to advertising sources that are most efficient. VetBadger is a cloud-based system and works on multiple platforms, including desktop, mobile and tablets. The software is subscription-based, with monthly and annual subscription tiers available. For more information, go to the VetBadger
