KSU selects first NBAF Scientist Training Program fellowshipsAugust 9, 2018Five graduate students from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine have been awarded National Bio and Agro-defense Facility Scientist Training Program fellowships. The awardees will receive tuition, stipends, and funds for supplies and travel from a five-year, $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). The students were selected for their interest and expertise in emerging animal diseases, diseases that infect both animals and people, or foreign animal diseases that threaten global health and food security. Once they complete the fellowship program, they are committed to working at the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York and, ultimately, the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF), which is under construction adjacent to the university's Manhattan campus. The selected students already have received training in high-containment facilities that work with pathogens that will be studied at NBAF. The fellowship recipients, who will be mentored by professors with whom they have worked with for at least one to three years, are Kaitlynn Bradshaw, a master's student in veterinary biomedical science; Chester McDowell, a concurrent doctor of veterinary medicine …
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IDEXX Laboratories sues former employees, Vets First ChoiceAugust 8, 2018IDEXX Laboratories, a veterinary diagnostic testing and product manufacturer, is taking two former employees and Vets First Choice, a prescription management company, to court. The company's lawsuit, filed Aug. 3 in U.S. District Court, states that Dan Leach and Agostino Scicchitano did not reveal they resigned from IDEXX to gain employment with Vets First Choice and engaged in alleged "actual and/or threatened misappropriation of trade secrets." The lawsuit claims the pair took confidential materials from company computers when they moved to their new employer. This takes on significance several reasons, not least of all the announcement in April by Vets First Choice and Henry Schein Inc. that Henry Schein would merge its animal health business with Vets First Choice to create Vets First Corp., an independent publicly traded company. A recent analysis by Zack's Investment Research of IDEXX concluded that while IDEXX had been outperforming in its industry, Henry Schein's spin off of its animal health business poses a threat to the company. Since 2017, seven other IDEXX employees had been hired by Vets First Choice, the lawsuit states. "As a result of the aggressive hiring practices that Vets First Choice was utilizing, …
Utah State University veterinary school to get $1.8M barnAugust 8, 2018Veterinary students at Utah State University (USU) will soon have better insight into the care and handling of horses, thanks to a $1.8 million barn planned for the school's 26-acre South Farm education center. The Utah State Board of Regents authorized construction of the new facility, which will serve USU's School of Veterinary Medicine. The 20,000-square-foot metal barn also will cater to the university's College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, which includes an animal, dairy, and veterinary sciences program with an emphasis on equine science and management. The new facility will help accommodate the growing number of students interested in that discipline. In 2014, 65 students were enrolled in equine science and management; that number grew to 103 in 2018. Additionally, students enrolled in classes to earn a minor in equine-assisted activities and therapy nearly doubled in 2018 compared to the previous year. "Students in USU's School of Veterinary Medicine work with faculty who specialize in equine medicine, and they gain important experience with horses," said Ken White, Ph.D., dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. "We simply need more space to accommodate all these growing programs and to continue to provide a healthy environment for our …
Take Your Cat to the Vet Day gains celebrity supportAugust 8, 2018Veterinarians across the U.S. might see more cats in their clinics in coming weeks, thanks in part to a campaign launched by Royal Canin that is being promoted by actor Ian Somerhalder. Take Your Cat to the Vet Day aims to improve the healthcare of cats across the country by encouraging owners to schedule regular veterinary checkups for their feline companions. The initiative, supported by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the International Cat Association, CATalyst Council, and the Cat Fanciers' Association, hopes to increase visibility of cats in veterinary clinic by dispelling widespread assumptions about feline health. Research from Royal Canin found 53 percent of owners whose cats have not seen their veterinarian in the past 12 months said they did not take their pet to the clinic because they "did not think it was necessary." However, annual veterinary checkups are vital for early identification and treatment of illness and disease. "Regular feline veterinary care is crucial for the health and happiness of your cat," said Catherine Lenox, DVM, DACVN, Royal Canin scientific affairs manager. "Just like dogs, cats need to see the veterinarian on a regular basis for wellness exams, not only when there's a serious medical need." …
Meet the 2018 National Veterinary Scholars award recipientsAugust 7, 2018The 29th annual National Veterinary Scholars Symposium drew more than 650 veterinary students from across North America and Europe, animal health researchers, and leaders from more than 36 veterinary schools, to view research accomplishments by veterinary students completing summer research internships. The Boehringer Ingelheim-sponsored program, which allows veterinary schools to introduce first- and second-year veterinary medical students to biomedical research, was held Aug. 4-5 at Texas A&M University. Presentations and panel discussions provided students with perspective on various topics, including global food security and sustainability, emerging and zoonotic infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. "Innovation in both animal and human health is inextricably linked, and to address unmet clinical need in both areas we need motivated and skilled scientists and researchers," said Fabian Kausche, Ph.D., MS, AMP, global head of research and development for BI's Animal Health business. "Over the last few decades, more than 3,000 veterinary students have participated in this annual program and benefited from this tremendous experience and exposure to career pathways. The impact of such experiential learning programs to the students involved, to industry and to human and animal patients is significant." At each of the more than three dozen participating institutions, BI Veterinary Scholars are assigned …
AVMA annual report highlights 2017 achievements, programs, initiativesAugust 7, 2018The American Veterinary Medical Association's 2017 Annual Report, released Aug. 1, offers a glimpse into progress the association has made in its ongoing effort to support its members and enhance the practice of veterinary medicine. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association subscribers receive a copy of the report; members who don't receive JAVMA can read it online. Report highlights: AVMA LIFE and AVMA Professional Liability Insurance Trust merged with the goal to provide enhanced services and expanded products for members. The Veterinary Career Center (VCC) was used by 23,907 veterinary job seekers and 3,438 employers, with 17,377 jobs posted during the year. It continues to be the premier job board for veterinary medicine. More than 1,000 veterinary professionals earned CE credit while learning about different careers during live webinars offered by the VCC. The American Animal Hospital Association/Veterinary Management Group Chart of Accounts was revised, expanded, and made available to all veterinary professionals. It provides an accessible way for smaller practices to better organize finances. The association hired its first-ever director of member well-being and diversity initiatives, whose work has focused on enhancing …
FDA approves sale of Baytril soft chew formulationAugust 6, 2018The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for sale Bayer Animal Health's Baytril Soft Chewable Tablets, based on a soft-chew formulation by Piedmont Animal Health, as a new option for administering enrofloxacin to cats and dogs. The antibiotic has been used for 30 years in tablet form to treat bacteria that cause skin, urinary, respiratory, and other infections. Piedmont's soft chew uses meat-free cubes made without water, heat, or an extrusion process so they can be stably infused with active pharmaceutical ingredients. Bayer also uses Piedmont's soft chew for Advantus canine oral flea medicine and Quellin canine pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. Claro, a single-application treatment for canine otitis externa, gives Bayer four FDA-approved products in the last five years. Piedmont said it will gain FDA approval for 10 or more products in the next five years. "I fully expect that Piedmont's current portfolio of proprietary drugs will significantly grow and disrupt the indication areas we are targeting," said Roland Johnson, the company's founder and CEO. "This (Baytril) approval is yet another stepping stone toward that objective."
New-mover marketing makes a lasting bottom-line impactAugust 6, 2018Pursuing the entrepreneurial dream of small business ownership is a challenging but rewarding endeavor, particularly in the veterinary industry. Inevitably, there will be speed bumps along the path to success, not the least of which is attracting new clients. One of the best ways to gain the attention of potential customers is to capitalize on new movers. Successfully implementing new-mover marketing campaigns can make a notable difference in a veterinary clinic's long-term success. New-mover marketing professionals partner with local businesses to create an enticing welcome package for new movers. As a family settles into a new home, they will find a convenient collection of special offers delivered right to their door that encourage the family to patronize local businesses. Even in today's increasingly technological world, marketing offers for new movers that are delivered directly to mailboxes consistently outperform email and mobile offers. Market trends indicate Americans are on the move More than 40 million Americans will move this year alone, and one in three renters move at least once each year. Today's economy is quite robust—meaning companies are hiring and people are frequently moving to pursue new job opportunities. Boomerang buyers also are coming out in full force. Those …
Boehringer Ingelheim calls for 2018 Equine Research Awards proposalsAugust 6, 2018Boehringer Ingelheim is accepting proposals for the 2018 Advancement in Equine Research Awards for Equine Respiratory Disease Research. Veterinarians, diagnosticians, and public and private researchers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are eligible to submit proposals for research programs that help advance the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of equine disease. Boehringer Ingelheim will present five separate $15,000 awards focused on two specific disease topics. Proposals must address either equine infectious respiratory disease or equine asthma syndrome for consideration. Proposals must be submitted by Sept. 15 and will be reviewed by an independent review board that will peer review and select proposals based on probability of successfully completing the project, potential for impact to the equine industry, originality, and scientific quality. The awards will be announced at the 64th annual American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention scheduled for Dec. 1-5. Those wishing to participate in the awards program must submit a proposal, a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and two letters of recommendation by Sept. 15 to Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., Attn: Dr. Steve Grubbs, 2018 Advancement in Equine Research Awards, 3902 Gene Field Rd., St. Joseph, MO 64506. Launched in 2011, more than $455,000 has been awarded to date …
AVMF offers resources, seeks support for colleagues affected by California firesAugust 3, 2018As massive wildfires rage across California, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AMVF) is working to help veterinary colleagues and animals in need. The Carr Fire, a week old, is the sixth most destructive fire in California history, destroying nearly 1,000 structures and claiming several lives. With less than 30 percent containment achieved and continued hot, dry, and windy weather conditions, it's expected to worsen before headway is made. The AVMF has been in contact with several area animal clinics that are not only inundated with emergency cases, but also caring for animals that residents could not take with them when evacuating on a moment's notice. The AVMF, which grants to veterinarians to ensure emergency medical care of animal victims and relief grants to help veterinarians and veterinary students who require basic necessities due to a disaster, is seeking support in its efforts to help as many colleagues as possible. Donations to the AVMF Disaster Relief Fund can be made at avmf.org/donate. Use the AVMF Code "Disaster Relief" when filling out the donation form. Disaster preparedness reminder These fires serve as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness. There's no better time than now …
