Stereotactic radiation may offer better outcomes in nine cancersOctober 24, 2019New data suggests a specific advanced radiation treatment protocol is leading to better survival outcomes than other therapy options for at least nine tumor types. That's according to PetCure Oncology, which presented its findings at the recent Veterinary Cancer Society Annual Conference (VCS) in Houston, Tex. The pet cancer care provider says nine of the 11 tumor types it studied showed increased median survival time relative to the current body of peer-reviewed published literature for pets treated with stereotactic radiation/stereotactic radiation therapy (SRS/SRT), an advanced form of radiation therapy used in human medicine. The list of tumor types includes brain, nasal, osteosarcoma (bone tumors), mast cell, and melanoma. "We have now treated more than 3,000 pets on-protocol with radiation therapy, including more than 2,200 with stereotactic radiation," says PetCure's chief medical officer, Neal Mauldin, DVM, DACVIM (internal medicine and oncology), DACVR (radiation oncology). "The good news is that many of them are still alive and thriving, so the data is still maturing. But objective analysis of the preliminary data at this point suggests stereotactic radiation can be considered a standard of care for the treatment of many tumor types, much like it already is in human cancer treatment. This …
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House passes bill to make animal cruelty a felonyOctober 23, 2019Animal cruelty is now a federal felony. U.S. lawmakers have passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act, closing legal loopholes in previous legislation. The new law builds on the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act, which was passed in 2010. While it made the creation, sale, and distribution of animal "crushing" videos illegal, these acts of cruelty against animals remained legal. The videos are often made for profit. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) president John Howe, DVM, applauded the legislation. "[The] passage of the PACT Act is an important step toward improving animal welfare by criminalizing the cruel and inhumane act of animal crushing," Dr. Howe said. "This legislation also provides key safeguards to ensure enforcement correctly targets bad actors without incidentally ensnaring farmers and ranchers, hunters, researchers, or other groups. AVMA looks forward to working with the Senate to advance this bill." If the Senate passes the bill, those prosecuted and convicted will face fines and up to seven years in prison.
Program funds pets' positive impact on learningOctober 22, 2019Thousands of children across North America will soon benefit from having pets in their classrooms, thanks to PetSmart.
LIU to offer DVM program starting next fallOctober 22, 2019Students in the Northeast now have a fourth option to study veterinary medicine. Long Island University's (LIU's) College of Veterinary Medicine says it has received a "Letter of Reasonable Assurance" from the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education (AVMA-COE). Starting next fall, the school will begin accepting applications for its DVM program. At full enrollment, the veterinary school will serve 400 students, with 100 in each graduating class. LIU joins the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and Tufts University in offering veterinary programs in the Northeast. "We are extremely proud LIU's new College of Veterinary Medicine has met the high standards of the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education," said the university's president, Kimberly R. Cline, EdD. "The launch of our veterinary school further elevates LIU, as we clearly continue on our path to status as a nationally recognized teaching and research institution." LIU says the college will offer hands-on learning experiences through a distributed education model that features supervised clinical experiences throughout the four years of veterinary education. The college has secured partnerships with more than 50 affiliates, including primary care and specialty clinics, zoos, research laboratories and shelters. This allows students to gain real-world experience in …
CBD company enters holistic pet food marketOctober 21, 2019Animal health and wellness CBD company Better Choice has joined the world of holistic pet food with the acquisition of Halo, Purely for Pets.
Global associations commit to improving access to veterinary medicinesOctober 21, 2019Securing equal access to vital veterinary medicines for companion animal veterinarians around the world is at the center of a new campaign spearheaded by World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Restricted access to veterinary medicines is a long-standing problem and limits the efforts of many veterinarians to provide optimal care to their patients in regions such as Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia, the association says. The problem extends to even essential medicines, such as those required to properly manage pain. The result is immense and unnecessary suffering. "Difficulty in accessing therapeutics to treat patients is a critical issue for companion animal veterinarians in many parts of the world," says WSAVA past-president, Walt Ingwersen, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM. "It causes huge frustration and means that many, if not most, companion animals globally do not receive optimum care. It's a situation that requires urgent change. Working in partnership with our colleagues across the veterinary sector, we are focused on bringing this about. "While a number of issues impact the supply of veterinary medicines, duplication of the regulatory medicines approval process in various regions of the world is one of the biggest, and the focus of our joint position statement on regulatory convergence. The …
Pet King Brands receives TICA endorsementOctober 18, 2019Pet King Brands' ZYMOX Dermatology and Oratene Brushless Oral Care are the cat's meow, according to The International Cat Association (TICA). The group has just bestowed its highest level of endorsement, the Seal of Excellence, on two of the company's product lines. The news comes as Pet King Brands celebrates its 22nd year in business. "Pet King Brands is proud to earn TICA's and cat fanciers' trust of our ZYMOX and Oratene solutions for felines struggling with problematic ears, skin, or mouths," says company founder and president, Pamela K. Bosco. "TICA's endorsement will help cat fanciers around the world become more aware of these gentle, soothing products that first do no harm, and help all animals live healthier, happier lives." Founded in 1998, Pet King Brands uses a patented LP3 enzyme system in all its solutions, ranging from ear products to skin topicals to shampoo and conditioning rinse, and brushless oral care products.
UA veterinary school gets AVMA approvalOctober 18, 2019Students interested in veterinary medicine will now be able to study at the University of Arizona (UA).
Oral opioids may be ineffective for dogsOctober 17, 2019Prescribing oral opioids for canine patients may not be the best way to manage their pain.
Covetrus expands NVA partnershipOctober 16, 2019Practices within the National Veterinary Associates (NVA) network will soon have access to Covetrus pharmaceutical services.
