Three international programs awarded CIVME research grantsApril 23, 2019The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges' (AAVMC's) Council on International Veterinary Medical Education (CIVME) has awarded its 2019 research grants to three international programs. The grants are aimed at fostering the enrichment and advancement of international academic veterinary medicine. CIVME's goal is to advance AAVMC initiatives by promoting inter-regional collaboration. This year, 27 proposals representing collaborative efforts from more than 40 institutions around the world were received. The three funded programs and principle investigators are: • Optimizing work-based learning in veterinary undergraduate studies by identifying factors and issues contributing to the experiences of students, placement providers, and faculty by Ahasanul Hoque, DVM, MS, PhD, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Bangladesh; • Establishing evidence-based wellness practices for veterinary medical students to decrease burnout, depression, anxiety, and improve quality of life: A response to increasing rates of veterinarian suicide by Munashe Chigerwe, BVSc, MPH, PhD, University of California, Davis; and • Art and Identity: Using creative methods to support professional identity formation: The students' perspective by Elizabeth Armitage-Chan Vet MB, PhD, Dip ACVAA, FHEA, Royal Veterinary College, London, U.K.
SPONSORED CONTENTFast Itch Relief for Canine PatientsA treatment for allergic and atopic dermatitis, given just once a day. Visibly improves itch fast. + Learn More Now
New bill would allow California veterinarians to recommend cannabisApril 22, 2019A new bill introduced to the California legislation could repeal an original ban on veterinarians recommending cannabis to their clients. The bill, SB 627, would allow licensed veterinarians to discuss the use of and recommend medicinal cannabis or related products on an animal patient for any condition for which these products provide relief. The bill would also prohibit a veterinarian who makes a recommendation under these provisions from being punished, or denied any right or privilege, for recommending these products. Currently, The Veterinary Medicine Practice Act authorizes the board to revoke or suspend the license of a person to practice veterinary medicine, or to assess a fine, for discussing medicinal cannabis with a client while the veterinarian is employed by or has an agreement with a Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) licensee and is distributing advertising for cannabis in California. Further, the bill would permit pet owners to purchase medicinal cannabis or medicinal cannabis products on a veterinarian's recommendation.
Zoetis named one of America's best employers, says ForbesApril 18, 2019For the fourth year in a row, Zoetis has been named one of America's best midsize employers, according to Forbes Magazine. The list comprises 150 companies. It is based on an independent survey among a sample of 50,000 American employees working for companies with at least 1,000 people in their U.S. operations. The most important factor in the assessment was the willingness to recommend one's own employer. Employees were consulted anonymously through online access panels allowing them to express their opinions. "At Zoetis, we know our people shape our reputation as a great place to work and drive our success," says Roxanne Lagano, Zoetis executive vice president, chief human resources officer and communications. "We are proud of the culture we have at our company, and we are excited our colleagues and others recommend Zoetis as one of America's best employers."
Boston's Museum of Science receives AZA accreditationApril 18, 2019The Museum of Science, Boston, has once again been granted an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accreditation. The certification comes after the museum underwent a thorough review by the AZA's independent accreditation commission to ensure it has and will continue to meet standards in animal care and welfare, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. The accreditation process must be completed every five years for members to remain in good standing. The museum has been an accredited AZA member since 2002. "Less than 10 percent of animal facilities registered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have achieved AZA accreditation, so the Museum of Science is truly a leader in the profession," says AZA president and CEO, Dan Ashe. "AZA accreditation signifies the Museum of Science's active role in protecting our world's wild animals and wild places while providing exemplary animal care and meaningful guest experiences." The accreditation process comprises of a detailed application and an on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspection team observes all aspects of the institution's operation, including animal care and welfare, keeper training, visitor safety, staff and animals, educational programs, conservation efforts, veterinary programs, financial stability, risk …
Nine tips for tidying up our practices this yearApril 17, 2019If it doesn't bring you joy… throw it out. It's an inexplicably alluring (if slightly depressing) code to live by. Championed by professional organizer Marie Kondo in her wildly successful book, The Life-Changing Method of Tidying Up, the eponymous KonMari approach to organization urges us all to examine the impulses tethering us to things that don't really matter. Among other human urges that define spring as a season (procreation comes to mind), the drive to reestablish control over our lives plays a prominent role in our culture. Maintaining our homes and workplaces clean, tidy, and ordered represents a psychological thawing of our winterized brains and a resurrection of our normal daily activities. We as veterinary professionals experience much the same as it applies to our workplaces. As the busier seasons approach, many of us take stock of what we have and seek to improve our environment. Tidying up à la KonMari, with an eye toward getting rid of what doesn't serve us, is how I'm managing my life this year. To that end, here are this year's things to tackle and tips for tidying, as I seek to tame the chaos that inevitably builds over the previous year. 1) …
Understanding equine infectious anemiaApril 17, 2019In January, four horses in Rutherford County, Tenn., were euthanized after contracting equine infectious anemia (EIA). Six other horses were quarantined after an initial negative test, pending a second test. Such incidents highlight the reasons equine veterinarians should be vigilant in their surveillance for this incurable viral disease. In fact, in 2017, 80 EIA-positive horses were identified in the U.S., with 38 premises testing positive for the disease (Figure 1). What is equine infectious anemia? EIA is a viral disease affecting only members of the equidae family (horses, ponies, zebras, mules, and donkeys). It is caused by an RNA virus from the Lentivirus, a genus of Retroviridae. EIA remains an uncommon, albeit persistent problem both in this country and abroad. While EIA is not a direct threat to human health, it is a reportable disease in all the U.S. How is the disease transmitted? The most important mode of transmission of EIA is via blood-feeding insects, especially biting flies such as horse flies, deer flies, and, possibly, stable flies. Horses may react strongly to biting flies; their defensive behaviors can interrupt feeding by the insect. This makes the flies particularly efficient transmitters of EIA because when a horse reacts, …
Bayer, adivo to develop therapeutic antibodiesApril 17, 2019Bayer Animal Health and adivo have signed an agreement to develop therapeutic antibodies for companion animals. The collaboration may be good news for veterinary medicine. Although the use of therapeutic antibodies is not widespread, they offer a variety of healing options for diseases that still cannot be treated with current technology. "Today's agreement is another example of how we realize our innovation strategy," says Douglas Hutchens, DVM, PhD, Bayer Animal Health's head of drug discovery, external innovation and chief veterinary officer. "By combining the know-how from creative start-up companies like adivo with opportunities derived from Bayer's research, we broaden our space of therapeutic medicine options and complement our portfolio. We are constantly looking for innovative technologies enabling us to generate novel treatment options for the companion animal sector. Now, we will focus on evolving the options presented by adivo from research and development to market maturity." Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer will have access to adivo's species-specific monoclonal antibody technology, which uses an exclusive fully canine phage display library. Bayer will provide targets involved in severe animal diseases. "At adivo, we truly believe pets have a positive impact on our society," says the company's managing director, Kathrin …
Overland Park, Kans, tops list of heartworm cities for MarchApril 17, 2019According to Companion Animal Parasite Council's (CAPC's) top 10 list, Overland Park, Kans, was the number one city for heartworms in March. CAPC says annual testing is more important than ever to ensure dogs and cats are protected no matter where they live or travel. It also recommends year-round heartworm protection. "It takes just one heartworm-infected dog in an area to become a reservoir of infection, increasing the number of infected mosquitoes and ultimately spreading the heartworm parasite to unprotected dogs and cats," says CAPC board member, Michael Yabsley, MS, PhD, FRES, professor in the department of population health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. According to CAPC, national frequency rates for heartworm have increased each of the last five years and are now up 20 percent from 2013 levels. The following U.S. cities have the highest percentage increase in positive heartworm tests for March: 1) Overland Park, Kans. 2) San Francisco, Calif. 3) Laredo, Tex. 4) Thousand Oaks, Calif. 5) Salinas, Calif. 6) Oceanside, Calif. 7) Clarksville, Tenn. 8) Portland, Ore. 9) Providence, R.I. 10) Jersey City, …
UF studies anesthetic with potential for misuse in racehorsesApril 16, 2019A local anesthetic with the potential for misuse in racehorses is being studied by veterinarians at the University of Florida (UF) College of Veterinary Medicine in collaboration with UF Racing Laboratory. The study will observe bupivacaine as there are concerns the extended release form of the drug could be used unethically to mask pain or an injury in a racehorse. "Bupivacaine has been around for a while," says Taralyn McCarrel, DVM, an equine surgeon and the grant's principal investigator. "We don't use it a lot, as most of the time we're doing very short procedures and for those, we tend to use drugs that are shorter-acting. This is true also when we're using them in a lameness examination. We only need the drugs to last a few hours in most cases." "In this new formulation, tiny droplets of bupivacaine are wrapped in a membrane, which is the liposomal component. After injection, the liposomes start to break down, and gradually release these small pockets of drug over a long time." The research team will start by determining the minimal effective dose to block pain in a horse's foot and to assess how long the anesthetic effect lasts. They will then …
New website pinpoints whether cats are picky eaters or sickApril 16, 2019A new website launched by KindredBio will inform owners about their cat's eating and drinking habits and as a result will lead to more visits to the veterinary clinic. PickyOrSick.com will help owners identify a problematic change in their cat's eating and drinking behavior and will direct them to a veterinarian should there a problem. "The best resource will always be the veterinarian. Yet, the society we live in today is technologically capable of providing answers at the stroke of a keyboard," says Christina Fernandez, DVM, DACVECC, MRCVS, KindredBio senior manager, veterinary affairs. "What's not often mentioned online is cats do not tolerate even short periods of inadequate nutrition. It can be critical to seek veterinary care immediately if an adult cat refuses food for even just a day." The science-based resource directs owners to make an appointment with their local veterinarian. The website features: • a five-question quiz to encourage owners to seek veterinary advice concerning changes in their cat's eating and drinking habits; • suggestions for determining whether their cat's behavior is a sign of illness or just picky eating; • a downloadable log to help monitor their cat's behavior, which can be shared …
