WSAVA announces Purina Institute as first Diamond PartnerOctober 1, 2018The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) announced that the Purina Institute has become the organization's first Diamond Partner, lending support to some of the WSAVA's key clinical committees and initiatives. These include: The Global Nutrition Committee, which produces research and resources to help the veterinary healthcare team understand the importance of nutrition in companion animal health The Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee (AWWC), which promotes advances in companion animal wellness and welfare around the world (the committee published its Global Guidelines on Companion Animal Welfare at this year's WSAVA World Congress) The Hereditary Disease Committee, which raises awareness and understanding of hereditary disease and genetic predispositions in dogs and cats WSAVA One Health Committee, which works to highlight the importance of the small companion animal-human interface on the global One Health agenda The Purina Institute is also a Global Partner for WSAVA One Care, an initiative to motivate veterinary associations in countries where companion animal practice is still emerging to raise standards of care. Serving as the global voice of Purina's science and its more than 500 scientists and pet care experts, the Purina Institute aims to put nutrition at …
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American Humane honors lifelong aquatic animal advocateOctober 1, 2018John Nightingale, PhD, animal advocate, conservationist, and educator, received American Humane's Humane Hero Award in Los Angeles on Sept. 28. at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Dr. Nightingale is president and CEO of Ocean Wise and its initiatives, including the Vancouver Aquarium, the first Canadian zoological institution to receive certification through the American Humane Conservation program; Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood Program; Plastic Wise; the Coastal Ocean Research Institute; the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup; and partner/operator of Europe's largest Aquarium, Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain. As a professional biologist and public communicator with a background in marine biology, nonprofit management, education, and ocean conservation, Nightingale helps raise awareness about preserving the world's oceans, said American Humane. Through his work at the Vancouver Aquarium, now Ocean Wise, and prior to that at the New York Wildlife Conservation Society/New York Aquarium, the Seattle Aquarium, the Maui Ocean Centre, and Bios Inc., he spearheaded the development and delivery of some of the world's most effective aquatic ecosystem science, interpretation, and public engagement programs, according to American Humane. "It is my great pleasure and honour to receive the American Humane Hero Award," said Nightingale. "Having dedicated my life to conserving our natural world, I am …
AVMA economist shares findings on antibiotics, sustainabilityOctober 1, 2018Matthew J. Salois, chief economist for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), presented to the New York Academy of Sciences on the implications of raising animals without antibiotics. The presentation, "Sustainability and Antimicrobial Use in Animal Agriculture," calls for nuanced and evidence-based antibiotic policies that consider a holistic view of antibiotics' impacts on animal welfare, the environment, and economics. In recent years, some companies and consumers have embraced raising animals without antibiotics; today, nearly half of all broiler chickens are raised without antibiotics, according to the AVMA. During his presentation, Dr. Salois cautioned that reduced use of antibiotics in farm animals can have negative implications for animal welfare and the overall sustainability of animal agriculture, if not accompanied by appropriate changes in management practices. For example, the average mortality rate for broiler chickens raised without antibiotics can be 25 to 50 percent higher than for conventionally raised broiler chickens, he said. Additionally, birds raised without antibiotics are much more likely to suffer from painful medical conditions, such as being more than three times as likely to experience ammonia burns in their eyes, Salois added. The higher incidences of disease and mortality for birds raised without antibiotics, …
IsoPet canine soft-tissue sarcoma treatment delivers 'complete response'September 28, 2018Vivos Inc., a pharmaceutical company that develops minimally invasive treatments to combat cancer in humans and animals, reported that its signature product, IsoPet, was used to treat a hind-leg soft-tissue sarcoma in a Shetland sheepdog at the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center in Columbia, Mo. The treatment of the sarcoma resulted in a "complete response," meaning tumor destruction and disappearance, together with a healthy recovery, according to veterinary oncologist Charles Maitz, DVM, PhD, DACVR-RO. Results will be presented in at the Veterinary Cancer Society's annual conference in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 17 - 20. Post-treatment imaging and dosimetry provided confirmatory data addressing questions previously raised by U.S. Food and Drug Administration review panel, including: Near-uniform placement by injection and interstitial perfusion within the tumor without vascular clearance to normal organs and tissues Very high therapeutic ratios (radiation dose to the tumor relative to normal organs) Effective, highly localized, high-dose radiotherapy, and complete absence of adverse side-effects in critical normal tissues The University of Missouri is now advertising availability of IsoPet treatment for dogs and other species, including treatment of equine sarcoids. "The successful treatment of the cat and dog subjects thus far increases the likelihood of …
Tips for improving medication compliance among cat ownersSeptember 28, 2018When dispensing medication for in-home treatment of feline patients, owner compliance is a concern due to the unique challenges of administering medication to cats, according to Kindred Biosciences Inc. "Cats have natural behaviors that may make medication administration challenging, and this can be complicated in ill cats that are also anorexic, nauseated, or vomiting," said Christina Fernandez, DVM, MRCVS, DACVECC, professional services veterinarian with Kindred. "Palatability is also a huge factor, and most cats are finicky when it comes to food." To improve compliance, Dr. Fernandez shares five tips veterinarians can focus on: Communication Written information Frequency of veterinary visits Veterinarian continuity Selection of medications Communication is essential, said Fernandez. Veterinarians or veterinary nurses can demonstrate to cat owners how to administer a medication while still in the office. This helps avoid complications and promotes active discussion with the client. If possible, written instructions can be provided. "Follow-up calls from the veterinary clinic staff can help increase owner compliance," said Fernandez. "This can facilitate identification of issues to be addressed with the clinical state of the patient and concerns with the treatment plan while offering an opportunity to set up a follow-up appointment if one isn't already on the books." …
Elanco steps up fight against antimicrobial resistanceSeptember 28, 2018Elanco Animal Health has announced new commitments in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, focusing on three key areas of stewardship, including combating antimicrobial resistance through responsible antibiotic use, reducing the need for medically important antibiotics in livestock, and significantly investing in researching new alternatives. New commitments include: Investing at least half of Elanco's food animal research and development budget in projects dedicated to developing alternatives to shared-class antibiotics Increasing veterinary and professional oversight access in countries with limited resources through new partnerships Expanding data collection and analytics to inform animal health professionals on best practices Encouraging vaccination and nutrition programs that reduce the need for medically important antibiotics by preventing disease The Antimicrobial Resistance Challenge, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), is a yearlong effort to accelerate the fight against antimicrobial resistance with action across governments and industries. "It is of utmost importance we address the complex challenge of antimicrobial resistance and preserve the effectiveness of medicines for people and animals," said Jeff Simmons, president and CEO of Elanco. "Supporting the CDC and HHS effort is an important step in reaffirming our commitment to responsible …
OVC veterinarian removes tumor, replaces dog's skull using 3D printingSeptember 27, 2018A veterinarian from Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) has replaced part of a dog’s skull with a 3D-printed titanium plate after removing a tumour that was weighing down her head.
Large dogs are king according to international surveySeptember 27, 2018 According to a new international survey, dog owners say they are more satisfied owning large dogs than small dogs. The study, conducted online by RightPet starting in 2010 to 2018, surveyed dog breed reviews from 12,167 pet owners from 106 countries. Seventy-five percent of the reviews were of purebred dogs; 25 percent were of mixed breeds. The study found that both women and men are happier owning large dogs than small dogs and that men and younger people are significantly more satisfied with medium, large, and giant breeds, and less satisfied with toy and small dogs. Older people (around age 70) were found to be equally satisfied with dogs of any size, though dog owners with experience owning multiple dogs of different sizes report the greatest satisfaction with large dogs. The RightPet study found a direct correlation between dog size satisfaction and the fact that dog owners rate bigger dogs as more emotionally stable, child-safe, trainable, and less barky than small dogs. "What our study has found is that large dogs score higher in traits that are really important to most dog owners," said Brett Hodges, owner/editor at RightPet. "People don't prefer large dogs per se—they like them …
WSAVA releases first global guidelines for companion animal practitionersSeptember 26, 2018The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is highlighting the key role of veterinarians as animal welfare advocates with the launch of its Animal Welfare Global Guidelines for Companion Animal Practitioners and the Veterinary Team. The guidelines, introduced during WSAVA World Congress 2018 in Singapore, aim to bridge differing perceptions of welfare around the world and help veterinarians to tackle the ethical questions and moral issues that impact welfare. They offer guidance to ensure that veterinarians can advocate for animals' psychological, social, and environmental well-being. WSAVA currently offers Global Guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, including pain management, vaccination, nutrition, and dentistry. "As veterinarians, our responsibility extends far beyond the physical health of our patients," said Shane Ryan, BVSc, MVC, CVA, MRCVS, incoming president of WSAVA and former chair of the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee. "Animal welfare as a science is a new and rapidly developing discipline and veterinarians need current, evidence-based information to enable them to maintain the highest welfare standards and to provide knowledgeable, accurate advice for pet owners and communities. "Our new guidelines provide recommendations, checklists, and other tools to promote optimal levels of welfare throughout the veterinary visit. They also offer guidance …
Nationwide pet insurance opens 2018 Hambone Award voting September 26, 2018After reviewing nearly 1.5 million pet insurance claims received over the past year, Nationwide has nominated 12 candidates for the 2018 Hambone Award. Each year, the pet health insurer scours its database of 700,000-plus insured pets to honor the most unusual pet insurance claim of the year. The winner will be decided by a public vote, open now through Oct. 8, at HamboneAward.com. 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 a pair of German shepherds who were found after 21 days trapped in an abandoned missile silo to a cat who went through a dryer's fluff cycle, all 12 nominees have uniquely harrowing tales. All nominated pets have made full recoveries and received Nationwide insurance reimbursements for eligible veterinary expenses. The 2018 Hambone Award nominees Howard the golden retriever (San Diego). This tech-hungry hound swallowed an electronics charger. Veterinary practice that treated Howard: Bodhi Animal Hospital (San Diego) Maddy the Labrador (Charlotte, N.C). Water-loving Maddy found herself playing on the shores of danger when she was suddenly …
