What's on your radar?August 22, 2018Every year, I do my damnedest to fly up to 35,000 feet so I can take in the immensity of the oceans and the curvature of the planet. But it’s not just Hawaii I’m expecting to see emerge from the clouds. Believe it or not, I’m trying to soak in some perspective. And while what’s happening in the veterinary world may tend to fly below the radar at times like these, it’s never off my screen. Which got me thinking about some the issues I should be writing about. Here are a few:
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Confronting the obesity epidemicAugust 22, 2018Pet obesity is on the rise, although really, that probably isn’t a surprise to most veterinarians since the number of conference sessions, scientific studies, and therapeutic diets addressing this issue are increasing exponentially.
TechAccel, Reliance Animal Health launch Covenant Animal Health PartnersAugust 22, 2018TechAccel and Reliance Animal Health Partners have partnered to bring animal health innovations to market under the name of Covenant Animal Health Partners. The subsidiary will generate income via asset sales or licensing deals instead of marketing and distributing its own products to compete with animal health firms, said Brett Morris, CFA, principal with TechAccel, a venture and technology development organization focused on agriculture and animal health. The new company aims to develop and register animal health products such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, diagnostics, and new drug delivery systems. "This new enterprise assembles an all-star team of industry leaders with first-hand know-how in product development," said Michael Helmstetter, PhD, president and CEO of TechAccel. "Covenant will identify and advance new technologies to market, as well as operate external innovation programs for the global animal health industry." The new team includes the four founders of Reliance: Thomas Campi, DVM, Thomas Kennedy, PhD, Robert Nordgren, PhD, and Thomas Overbay, DVM, who, along with Dr. Helmstetter, will serve as a Covenant board member and managing director. "The market is hungry for external product support," said Morris. "Covenant's thesis is to develop new products for approval by …
UC Davis veterinarian discovers rare blood disorder in catAugust 22, 2018Miao Miao, a four-year-old male domestic shorthair cat, was brought to the University of California, Davis veterinary hospital with persistent nosebleeds. Based on previous medical issues, his owners were aware that he had some variation of a blood platelet disorder, but the exact makeup of that was never discovered. Specialists with UC Davis' internal medicine service ran a range of tests to discover the root of his bleeding issue. A complete blood count showed that Miao Miao was not anemic, had no evidence of inflammation, and a normal platelet count. An ultrasound also was performed, which showed that Miao Miao had no evidence of bleeding into any of his other bodily cavities. Miao Miao was hospitalized for a few days to ensure he did not develop significant bleeding, and so that the team could discuss his case with other clinicians and researchers. Through a collaboration of UC Davis emergency, internal medicine, and research specialists, a unique cause to Miao Miao's bleeding was found. Ronald Li, DVM, MVetMed, PhD, DACVECC, a critical care specialist with the UC Davis veterinary hospital's emergency room, operates a platelet physiology laboratory with equipment and capabilities found in only a handful of veterinary centers around …
FDA approves NexGard expanded label claimsAugust 22, 2018Merial, part of Boehringer Ingelheim, received approval from the U.S Food and Drug Administration to expand the label claims for NexGard (afoxolaner). The flea and tick control product is now approved to prevent Borrelia burgdorferi infections as a direct result of it killing Ixodes scapularis vector ticks, commonly called black-legged, or deer, ticks. NexGard is the first and only flea and tick product to receive FDA approval for preventing infections that cause Lyme disease by killing the vector ticks, the company stated. The approval comes just as veterinarians and pet owners in many parts of the country are being warned about the potential of an increased number of Lyme disease cases in 2018. The FDA approval is based on two well-controlled laboratory studies that showed that NexGard effectively prevented the transmission of B. burgdorfei infections after dogs were infested with wild-caught I. scapularis ticks 28 days after treatment with NexGard, said the manufacturer. "Both studies measured the transmission of B. burgdorferi to dogs after exposure to infected ticks," said Zach Mills, DVM, head of US Pet Veterinary Professional Services. "All dogs treated with NexGard tested negative for B. burgdorferi infection, demonstrating that transmission was prevented as a direct result …
STAAR 2019 canine rehab, wellness conference registration openAugust 21, 2018The Symposium on Therapeutic Advances in Animal Rehabilitation (STAAR) has announced that registration is open for the April 24-28 event held in Florham Park, N.J. This lab-focused working conference is ideal for veterinarians, surgeons, veterinary technicians, physical and occupational therapists, and specialists treating functional impairments and working to prevent injury and maximize performance in canines, the organizers stated. "STAAR's unique method of education incorporates lecture with interactive practical labs designed to imprint and reinforce skills that can be implemented immediately into practice," said the conference hosts in a statement. "Instructors include many of the pioneers in the field of animal rehabilitation, as well as internationally recognized educators in canine physical therapy and sports medicine." Attendees can explore new concepts, advanced techniques, and the latest treatments in rehabilitative medicine and physical therapy while practicing skills on their target audience. Dogs are plentiful—usually one dog per three to four attendees—which allows ample practical opportunity and experience. Also, STAAR allows attendees to register only for the course(s) and the workshop(s) they want, rather than registering for an entire conference. Some of the workshop labs being offered at STAAR 2019: Myofascial manual therapies for the axial skeleton and extremities; Laurie Edge-Hughes, BScPT, …
Rethinking euthanasiaAugust 21, 2018As veterinarians, we need to rethink what a meaningful and spiritual honor it truly is for us to oversee and minister compassionate euthanasia services for beloved pets.
IDEXX-Direct rapid overnight service expands to rural US vet practicesAugust 21, 2018IDEXX Laboratories Inc., announced its U.S. reference laboratory division will expand its rapid overnight service, known as IDEXX-Direct service, to thousands of rural U.S. veterinary practices. A new, state-of-the-art reference laboratory in Louisville, Ky., offers veterinary hospitals the latest possible patient sample pick-up time with next-morning results, the company stated. The advanced laboratory and expanded IDEXX-Direct service are part of a national network of laboratories and logistics that serves more than 20,000 customers in the U.S. Set to open in September, the laboratory is intended to complement the company's other reference laboratory in Memphis, Tenn., which supports IDEXX-Direct service and is also located near a national carrier hub. "Before IDEXX made this major expansion with a new national carrier, we'd need to wait an additional 24 hours or more if we missed our pick-up window—but we don't always have time to wait for a result," said Ken Greene, DVM, owner of Philema Animal Clinic in Leesburg, Ga. "There are important tests we can only get with IDEXX, and this later pick-up option will help us to get results faster and ultimately provide better care." For more information on IDEXX Reference Laboratories, visit idexx.com.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever epidemic at US border, study saysAugust 21, 2018A study published by the School of Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Autonoma de Baja California and the University of California, Davis says ticks are causing a deadly Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) epidemic in Mexico, and health officials are concerned it could spread to the U.S. Dr. Luis Tinoco-Gracia, a research professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Autonoma de Baja California and director of the Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Sciences, in Mexicali, Mexico, and colleagues from the University of California, Davis published the report in the September 2018 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's public health journal. The RMSF epidemic began in 2008 in Mexicali, adjacent to the U.S. border in Baja California. In 2014, a fatal human case was reported in Imperial County, Calif. In 2015, the Mexican Ministry of Health declared an epidemiologic emergency, which as of 2018 has affected approximately 4,000 people. Since that time, four people who have been carrying the disease and crossed the border to the U.S. have died. Overall, since 2000, the incidence of RMSF in the U.S. has increased markedly, the study authors said. "Overall, since 2000, in …
BabelBark gains $4.5 million Series A funding to spur growthAugust 20, 2018BabelBark Inc., a pet related software developer, has announced the completion of its Series A funding target, reaching a sum of $4.5 million. Launched in 2016, BabelBark connects pets with pet care businesses (i.e. veterinary practices, trainers, shelters, groomers, walkers, pet sitters, boarding kennels, and more) through a digital platform with a mobile application. It offers activity monitoring as well as connection to primary care and emergency veterinary services, medical records and medication reminders, regional/local pet service providers, and products designed to help pet parents monitor and manage their pet's unique needs. Since the beginning of 2018 the company has seen a 300 percent growth in the number of dogs connected to the multifaceted platform resulting in additional funding that surpassed the original target of $2.9 million. The surplus will be used toward the company's global expansion as well as more marketing resources and recruiting top talent. "We are excited for this strong financial support from both of our new and existing investors who share our vision to connect everyone in a pet's life," said Roy Stein, founder and CEO. "We are ahead of our targets in every parameter and this funding expansion will help us reach more than …
