Petco Foundation, Blue Buffalo invest $15 million in pet cancer researchMay 14, 2019Petco Foundation and Blue Buffalo announced they have invested $15 million in pet cancer research and treatment since starting the Pet Cancer Awareness campaign in 2010. Not only that, their goal is to raise an additional $2.6 million this year to support innovative programs at veterinary oncology universities in the U.S., and to continue to help owners afford the cost of cancer treatments for their pets. "Blue Buffalo has been committed to finding a cure for pet cancer since our inception," says the company's vice president, David Petrie. "We are excited about collaborative efforts, together with Petco and the Petco Foundation, to raise funds for research, increase awareness of cancer warning signs, and help pet parents with the cost of pet cancer treatment." Funds raised in the campaign will go toward new investments such as Oklahoma State University's Center of Veterinary Health Sciences, which is focused on ultrasound cancer treatment. The therapy would provide a noninvasive, nontoxic alternative to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Further, additional investments to 10 university veterinary oncology centers will help assist owners cover the cost of cancer treatments for their pets. Petco Foundation will also be launching a fund to help animal welfare organizations offset cancer …
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AAVMC releases updated cost comparison tool for future veterinary studentsMay 14, 2019The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is now making it easier for prospective veterinary students to see how much it really costs to fund a veterinary education. To do that, the association has released an updated version of its Cost Comparison Tool (CCT). The interactive online database offers tuition costs, scholarship resources, and financing options on all 30 accredited U.S. schools, as well as 12 Canadian and international colleges. "Higher education is an expensive proposition in today's world, and educational debt has become a major national problem," says AAVMC chief executive officer, Andrew T. Maccabe, DVM, MPH, JD. "We're committed to providing our applicants and students with the data they need to make informed and intelligent decisions about financing their professional education. Our CCT program is a powerful tool for helping them do that." The CCT was updated to include the total costs of earning a DVM degree for 2019 graduates and median debt levels for 2018 graduates. A tab for a single-year view of tuition costs was also added. Students can now filter the data by tuition costs, total costs, and percentage of students receiving scholarship aid from the colleges. To view the updated CCT, click …
ASU begins clinical study for cancer-preventing vaccineMay 10, 2019An Arizona State University (ASU) professor has begun a five-year clinical study examining the effectiveness of a cancer-preventing vaccine for dogs. Stephen Johnston, PhD, a scientist, professor at the School of Life Sciences, and director of the Biodesign Center for Innovations in Medicine, developed the vaccine over a span of 12 years. He says his goal is to change the way veterinarians treat cancer by preventing it before it can start. Over the course of the five-year study, 800 dogs will either be given the vaccine or a placebo and will be monitored. The University of Wisconsin (UW) School of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University (CSU) and University of California (UC), Davis are also participating in the trial. "We're testing a totally novel way of creating an anticancer immune response," says David Vail, DVM, DACVIM (oncology), professor and board-certified oncologist at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. "The holy grail would be to prevent cancer as opposed to waiting for it to start and then treating it." The vaccine is designed to target common canine cancers, including lymphoma, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and mastocytomas. At the beginning, two sets of vaccines will be given every two weeks and then annually. The …
AVMA offering new well-being certificateMay 10, 2019Veterinarians and clinic staff are now able to improve their knowledge of and skills in well-being, thanks to a new certificate program offered by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The Workplace Wellbeing certificate program was created with the help of an educational grant from Merck Animal Health. The program will be taught by experts from the veterinary community. According to the AVMA, the purpose of the certificate is to provide resources for problem solving to create a work culture focused on well-being. Those who participate will be eligible to receive up to four continuing education (CE) credit hours. The courses can be taken individually and do not have to be done as part of the program. To receive the certificate there are five units one must complete: Creating a culture of wellbeing How to request, receive, and give feedback effectively Transforming conflict Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) assessment Diversity and inclusion
Cornell team develops horse anatomy app for studentsMay 9, 2019An app created by a team from Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is helping students learn and understand the anatomy of a horse. According to the Cornell Chronicle, the Equine X-Ray Positioning Simulator is an augmented reality app that overlays a digital image of a horse limb onto surroundings seen through an iPad. The app was first used in the spring during CVM's eight-week Anatomy of the Horse course. Allison Miller, DVM, lecturer in the department of biomedical sciences and the department of clinical sciences, helped create the app to allow students to study parts of the equine musculoskeletal system. "We try really hard not to teach anatomy as memorization," Dr. Miller told the news source. According to the same article, Miller had students complete exercises such as dragging and dropping bone labels onto parts of a horse's body. "Students can hear a lecture on how to take certain oblique radiographic views, but actually positioning yourself to take them might prove more challenging," Miller told the Cornell Chronicle. "While nothing can fully prepare you for an emergency where you have primary case responsibility and emotions are running high, I think we are doing our absolute best to prepare …
UF VETS unveils new $150,000 disaster response vehicleMay 9, 2019Pets now have additional support when a natural disaster strikes, thanks to a new $150,000 disaster response vehicle. Able to treat large and small animals, University of Florida (UF) Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service (UF VETS) offers technical rescues and logistical support to veterinary clinics and other response teams, as well as provides initial assessments of impacted areas. In the past, the team has responded to hurricanes, wildfires, flooding, and animal hoarding situations. "Disaster relief is a key component of the Banfield Foundation, and we are humbled to support the important work of first responders as they offer help and hope to communities in need," says Banfield Foundation executive director, Kim Van Syoc. "Veterinary professionals who respond during natural disasters are truly inspiring. We hope this new vehicle improves not only the response process, but also the lives of those doing the lifesaving work." Funded by a grant gifted by Banfield Foundation and PetSmart Charities, the truck will function as a communications hub to interact with local emergency operation centers, shelters, and state agencies. The vehicle comprises a 44-ft (13-m) mobile command and infrastructure support truck and trailer. "We're grateful for the support of the Banfield Foundation and PetSmart Charities, as …
Homemade cat food diets low on nutrientsMay 8, 2019Most homemade cat food recipes are unlikely to provide essential nutrients and some may even contain potentially toxic ingredients. Those are the results of a study by researchers at the University of California (UC), Davis who looked at 114 recipes from online sources and books written by non-veterinarians and veterinarians. While recipes authored by veterinarians had fewer deficiencies, the study found they were still lacking nutrients. Of the all the recipes studied, 40 percent did not provide feeding instructions and the rest lacked detail or were unclear. "Only 94 recipes provided enough information for computer nutritional analysis and of those, none of them provided all the essential nutrients to meet the National Research Council's (NRC's) recommended allowances for adult cats," says lead author, Jennifer Larsen, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine veterinary nutritionist. In addition, the study found many of the homemade cat food was lacking concentrations of three or more nutrients, with some missing up to 19 essential nutrients. Further, many recipes provided less than 50 percent of the recommend allowances of several essential nutrients, including choline, iron, zinc, thiamin, vitamin E, and manganese. The study revealed seven percent of the recipes included ingredients that are potentially toxic …
Covetrus signs deal with Mars Petcare for exclusive dental health and medication productsMay 8, 2019Covetrus is now the exclusive supplier of Mars Petcare's Greenies Dental Treats and Pill Pockets. The deal allows veterinarians to purchase the products for both their in-clinic and ecommerce/auto-ship channels, helping to differentiate themselves from online competitors. "With our customer reach, differentiated go-to-market strategy, and our industry-leading service organization, Covetrus is uniquely suited to partner with Mars Petcare to drive increased adoption of dental health solutions and medication administration tools for our customers and their clients," says Matt Leonard, Covetrus's executive vice president, president of North America and global supply chain officer. "This new partnership highlights the opportunity we have at Covetrus to continuously help support veterinarians deliver cost-effective solutions and enhance their client experience." Both Greenies Dental Treats and Pill Pockets are designed to simplify oral care and medicating solutions for pet owners.
Walmart launches pet pharmacy, opening more in-store clinicsMay 7, 2019Walmart says it is launching its first pet pharmacy and opening more in-store veterinary clinics. "These clinics offer affordable, high quality, and convenient services to save customers as much as 40 to 60 percent on vaccines and minor illness packages and exams," the company wrote on its website. The news comes at a time when private practices are already competing with online pharmacy retailers that are digging into their revenue. According to Walmart, it will provide low-cost prescriptions for dogs, cats, horses, and livestock through WalmartPetRx.com. The website will offer more than 300 brands to treat conditions such as flea and tick, heartworm, allergy, and arthritis, which are main sources of income for veterinarians. Walmart will also offer home delivery. The option to pick up pet prescriptions in-store will be available later this month, as the retailer is stocking more than 4,500 of its pharmacies with the 30 most requested pet medications. Walmart says it will be opening nine new clinics in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Tex., in late May and June. It has plans to expand to more than 100 locations over the next 12 months.
New bill allows Florida veterinarians to report suspected abuseMay 7, 2019The Florida Senate has passed a criminal justice bill allowing veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty to authorities without notice to or authorization from the client. Bill 7125 would permit veterinarians to notify law enforcement officers; animal control officers who are trained in animal cruelty investigations, search and seizure, animal handling, courtroom demeanor, and civil citations; or agents dedicated to protecting animals and preventing any act of cruelty, of signs of mistreatment. Currently, veterinarians are required to inform an owner if they are suspicious of animal abuse before going to law enforcement. Under the new bill, the only time veterinarians would be required to inform the client first is if suspected cruelty occurred at a commercial food-producing animal operation on land classified as agricultural. The next step is for the bill to be signed or vetoed by Florida governor, Ron DeSantis.
