Heartworms in dogs: An ever-present global problemSeptember 29, 2020Heartworm in dogs is a global problem and is well documented in South America, Southern Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Japan, and North America.
SPONSORED CONTENTHelping manage the hidden signs of stressOur therapeutic nutrition targets underlying stress in cats with GI or urinary issues — helping provide relief to pets and their humans. + Learn More
Conflicts of interest in narrative reviews can be especially problematicSeptember 29, 2020In the last few years, several scientific publications have reported on a cluster of cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs that appear to be associated with grain-free foods .
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveFood is love—So why is nutrition a problem area for veterinarians?September 29, 2020By Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMAAs a child, I was a big fan of the Peanuts cartoons. One of my favorite characters was Snoopy, a suave, bipedal beagle who wrote novels and engaged in breathtaking aerial combat with his nemesis, the Red Baron. Though Snoopy was unlike most other beagles I have known, he had one characteristic in common to others of his breed, and indeed most dogs. When suppertime arrived, all other activities were forgotten, and he often launched into an exuberant, joyful, food-induced dance. Every feeding was a celebration for Snoopy, not only of food but of the bond between dog and owner. Few subjects generate the same intensity of emotion in pet owners as the question of what to feed our animal companions. Feeding our pets is the quintessential act of caring and love. And based on how most dogs and cats act at feeding time, it certainly seems like a highlight of the relationship for them. There is also a deep sense in most pet owners that choosing a pet food has tremendous significance for the health and well-being of their pets. Everyone wants to give their pets the "best" food that will keep them active and happy and prevent illness …
Still no evidence of animal-to-human COVID transmissionSeptember 28, 2020Animal health professionals should encourage kindness amidst the pandemic to minimize unnecessary animal relinquishment.
Mass vaccinations, One Health bolsters fight against rabiesSeptember 28, 2020Protecting animals and humans from a deadly, preventable disease is the focus of new global campaign.
Teaching owners about pain in pets: A technician's guideSeptember 25, 2020The treatment of pain in pets does not start and end at the veterinary clinic; owners are critical players in the long-term analgesic plan for our patients.
Diversity in veterinary medicine: No longer the whitest, but still the biggest loserSeptember 25, 2020Veterinary medicine is no longer the whitest profession in the country. Speech pathologists and dental hygienists beat us out this time. Still, 90 percent white (down from 92 percent in 2013) is nothing to celebrate. As our country convulses anew over the ingrained effects of slavery, bigotry, and racism, the thoughtful veterinarian should probably question how these cultural forces affect our profession and what we should be doing to address its persistent homogeneity. Risks and rewards of homogeneity It can always be argued that, as in milk production, homogenization has its benefits. And it's true—we're somewhat more insulated against controversy, dissent, and unproductive infighting this way. But we're also lacking in diversity of thoughts, opinions, interests, ideas, and experiences. Oh… and don't forget the flavor. I mean, we're really quite bland (as our conferences' musical events continue to demonstrate). As a consequence of our composition, veterinarians don't argue much about race or diversity. We all seem to agree on one thing: Most of us appear to believe the ideal demographic composition of the veterinary profession should reflect the diversity of its entire community. We intuitively understand we can't adequately serve a nation as diverse as ours without graduating veterinarians …
Brain Teaser: Test your knowledge of thyroid tumorsSeptember 25, 2020Test your veterinary knowledge with our October Brain Teaser!
Intermittent fasting could regulate feline eating habitsSeptember 24, 2020Cats fed once daily were found to be more satisfied with their food intake than those who eat multiple times.
Charting puppy growth can avoid plump poochesSeptember 24, 2020Sixty-eight percent of dogs that develop obesity by age three have been larger-than-average since puppyhood, research shows.
