Thirteen dogs win Walkin' Pets calendar contest supporting disabled petsSeptember 13, 2018The 2019 Walkin' Pets worldwide calendar contest has announced 13 winners from around the world. This year, the winning dogs hail from eight countries: Thailand, Brazil, Germany, England, United States, Mexico, Italy, and Wales. The champions were selected by popular vote on the Walkin' Pets Facebook page and were announced through a video by the company. The winning dogs range in age from 1 to 11 and are of all sizes and breeds, including a dachshund, a German shepherd, a Siberian husky, French bulldog, and more. Each year, the contest features pets using Walkin' Wheels wheelchairs to help raise awareness of options for disabled pets with mobility challenges. The 2019 calendar is available for pre-order at (888) 253-0777. All proceeds from calendar sales go to the Handicapped Pets Foundation.
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California to test pilot program for injured police dogsSeptember 13, 2018California Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1776 on Sept. 6, establishing a pilot program that would authorize medical technicians to provide emergency, ground-based transportation to a veterinary facility for police dogs injured in the line of duty. This bill would authorize the County of San Bernardino to work with the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency to conduct a pilot project starting Jan. 1, 2019, in which they collect specified data about the results and submit a report to the Legislature by Jan. 1, 2022. As an exception, there must be no person requiring medical attention or transportation at the scene when the request is made, and the ambulance must have a policy permitting the transportation of an injured police dog. The canine handler must accompany the dog and remain in full control during transport. Additionally, the canine handler remains responsible for any first aid given to the injured police dog during transport.
Pet doc publishes more tales of owning a veterinary practiceSeptember 13, 2018P.J. Miller, DVM, has authored a new book, Designer Dogs, Awkward Hugs & a Pigeon: Veterinary Tales, Again, a humorous behind-the scenes novel describing his personal experiences owning a veterinary practice. As a follow-up to his first book, Cute Poodles, Sweet Old Ladies & Hugs, his new volume includes the same characters and relationships loved by fans. It provides an insider's view into life as an animal doctor and gives a deeper glimpse into the emotional human-animal bond. Miller has been practicing veterinary medicine in Central Florida for more than 20 years. Designer Dogs, Awkward Hugs & a Pigeon: Veterinary Tales, Again is published by thirty8street Publishing and is available at Amazon.
Boehringer Ingelheim gives support shots for World Rabies Day 2018September 13, 2018Merial, part of Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), announced it will donate 75,000 doses of rabies vaccine to the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) in recognition of World Rabies Day on Sept. 28. The donation is a result of the Shots for Good initiative, in which BI pledged to donate doses of rabies vaccine for every dose of Purevax, Recombitek, and Imrab vaccine purchased by participating veterinary practices from July 2 to Aug. 10, 2018. The donated vaccines will support a mass dog vaccination campaign in Madagascar to control the disease and limit the potential for reintroduction of rabies from neighboring countries. "The support of our participating veterinary practices made this donation possible," said Zach Mills, DVM, executive director of BI's U.S. Pet Veterinary Professional Services. "BI understands the importance of vaccination to the overall health of pets worldwide. With more than a decade of experience advocating for rabies prevention, the Global Alliance for Rabies Control has the infrastructure to put this donation to good use." GARC will manage the campaign in Madagascar with government veterinary services and international and local nongovernmental organizations. Established protocols will be used to plot and …
Top 12 toughest decisions surgeons makeSeptember 12, 2018Cynics believe that surgeons want to “cut” everything and everybody. However, did you know a surgeon’s inner monologue is a frequent struggle with hesitations and questions? Here are 12 questions surgeons sometimes ponder, either before stepping into the OR or in the middle of surgery.*
Stop hiding patient care "in back"September 12, 2018While consulting at one practice, I observed client after client challenge receptionists over fees for exams and other professional services. The high-volume hospital performed exams, gave vaccines, and delivered other services in the treatment area in the interest of efficiency. Conducting professional services behind closed doors left pet owners questioning charges. Some even wondered whether their pets were really vaccinated.
Pets' role in well-being recognized at Pet Night on Capitol HillSeptember 11, 2018The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the Pet Leadership Council (PLC) met with members of Congress for Pet Night on Capitol Hill to highlight the importance of pets to human health and well-being. During the event, leaders from the pet care community demonstrated their unity and commitment to increasing awareness of the health benefits of responsible pet ownership and displayed programs and legislative initiatives, including the Pet Care Trust, Pets Add Life, and the Pet and Women Safety Act Coalition to the public. More than 400 guests were given the chance to interact with registered Pet Partners therapy animals. "More than 85 million American households have at least one pet and a growing field of science demonstrates that life with a healthy pet is beneficial to all," said Bob Vetere, PLC and HABRI chairman. "Momentum is building toward a more pet-friendly society with 98 percent of Americans considering their pet to be an important part of the family." The pet care community supports bipartisan legislation that increases accessibility to pets, including measures to provide service dogs to veterans with post-traumatic stress, and that helps survivors of domestic violence find safe shelter with …
Trupanion pet insurance appoints new member to board of directorsSeptember 11, 2018Trupanion Inc. pet insurance company announced the appointment of Jackie Davidson to its board of directors, effective Sept. 5. "We are very pleased to welcome Jackie to our board," said Darryl Rawlings, CEO. "Jackie is a seasoned financial leader with a strong track record in guiding companies through periods of growth and innovation. We look forward to working closely with Jackie and our board as we continue to grow Trupanion and the broader medical insurance for pets category." Davidson currently serves on the board of BuildPulse, is a member of the board of trustees for the Washington CPA Foundation, serves on the advisory board of ClientLinkt, and is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Washington Society of CPAs. Most recently, she worked as the CFO at Market Leader.
WSAVA provides continuing education in Latin AmericaSeptember 11, 2018The World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) held a series of meetings and continuing education sessions in Mexico as part of a first step in WSAVA's three-year project aimed at enhancing levels of understanding of infectious diseases among veterinarians across Latin America. WSAVA committee members, including Michael Day, VGG chairman, emeritus professor, met with veterinary association leaders, academics, first-opinion practitioners, and government regulators in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. They delivered three evening CE sessions and live-streamed the Mexico City session to share with registrants for 30 days after the presentation. Prior to the visit, the VGG conducted an online questionnaire to collect data on veterinary demographics, infectious disease occurrence, and vaccination protocols, and presented the results during the CE events. "Mexican veterinarians are accustomed to the principle of annual revaccination of dogs and cats with multicomponent products, but those we spoke to were excited by the new concepts of less frequent and individualized vaccination, incorporated into a preventive healthcare package for pets," said Day. "Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases such as canine distemper and parvovirus infections, remain highly prevalent in Mexico. Increasing herd immunity by improving vaccination coverage is clearly an important goal for …
Steve's Real Food issues recall due to possible Salmonella, L. monoSeptember 10, 2018Steve's Real Food of Salt Lake City, Utah, is voluntarily recalling pet food products due to possible Salmonella and/or L. mono contamination. The recalled products are one lot of 5 lb. Turducken Recipe, one lot of 2 lb. Quest Emu Diet, and one lot of 2 lb. Quest Beef Diet. Animals who eat food and humans who handle contaminated products are at risk for Salmonella and L. mono. Pets affected may experience lethargy, diarrhea/bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. No pet or human illnesses from this product have been reported to date. The affected products were nationally distributed and are identified with the following UPC codes and the "Best by" date located on the front of the bag. Click on the image for detail. This voluntary recall is being initiated after the Washington Department of Agriculture tested a collected sample that tested positive for Salmonella and/or L. mono. The company conducted its own test, which resulted in a negative result for both Salmonella and L. mono. Any product with the …