University of California, Davis ranked number one U.S. veterinary medicine schoolMarch 15, 2019University of California, Davis is the best school for veterinary medicine in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. The results were released as part of the 2020 U.S. News Best Graduate Schools Rankings. These are the 28 best schools for veterinary medicine: 1) University of California, Davis 2) Cornell University 3) Colorado State University 4) North Carolina State University 5) Ohio State University 6) Texas A&M University, College Station 7) University of Pennsylvania 8) University of Wisconsin, Madison 9) University of Florida 10) University of Georgia 11) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 12) Tufts University 13) Purdue University, West Lafayette 14) Auburn University 15) Iowa State University 16) Washington State University 17) Michigan State University 18) Virginia Tech, University of Maryland 19) Kansas State University 20) University of Missouri 21) University of Tennessee, Knoxville 22) Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 23) University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 24) Mississippi State University, Oregon State University (tied) 25) Oklahoma State University - Tuskegee University, (rank not published (RNP) - Western University of Health …
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Salt Lake City, Utah, tops the list of heartworm cities for February in the U.S.March 15, 2019Salt Lake City, Utah, was the number one city for heartworms in February according to Companion Animal Parasite Council's (CAPC's) top 10 list. The monthly report warns pet owners, veterinarians, and pet-related service providers of U.S. metropolitan areas with highest percentage increase in positive heartworm tests. CAPC is devoted to monitoring and reporting emerging threats to pets. "The new CAPC Top 10 Cities Heartworm Report demonstrates heartworm disease—transmitted by mosquitoes—is a national threat to pets who are increasingly vulnerable to this debilitating and potentially fatal illness in most communities across the country," says CAPC board member, Michael Yabsley, MS, PhD, FRES. These are the U.S. cities with the highest percentage increase in positive heartworm tests for February: 1) Salt Lake City, Utah 2) Alexandria, Va. 3) Riverside, Calif. 4) Topeka, Kans. 5) El Paso, Tex. 6) Paterson, N.J. 7) Chesapeake, Va. 8) Reno, Nev. 9) Modesto, Calif. 10) Boise, Idaho "It takes just one heartworm-infected dog in an area to become a reservoir of infection, increasing the number of infected mosquitoes and ultimately spreading the heartworm parasite to unprotected dogs and cats," Yabsley says. "This is why CAPC recommends monthly …
Second annual ALSC symposium to take place in Phoenix, Ariz.March 14, 2019Veterinarians looking to learn more about surgical CO2 lasers can get their fill at the American Laser Study Club (ALSC) symposium. Held in Phoenix, Ariz., from March 29 to 31, the event will feature the following laser-surgery techniques and photobiomodulation topics: • "A comparison between carbon dioxide surgical laser and non-laser excision of cutaneous and subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas and mast cell tumors in dogs"—Lori Agulian, DVM; • "Comparison of the hemodynamic response in general anesthesia between patients submitted to skin incision with scalpel and CO2 laser using dogs as an animal model"—Pedro Azevedo, DVM, MSc, Pst-Grd; • "Veterinary oral laser surgery: Ahhh!"—Noel A. Berger, DVM, MS, Dip. ABLS; • "Surgical lasers in veterinary medicine"—David S. Bradley, DVM, FASLMS; • "Laser therapy simplified: A quick review of what you really need to know"—David S. Bradley, DVM, FASLMS; • "Comparison of the influence of CO2-laser and scalpel skin incisions on the surgical wound healing process"—Miguel Carreira, PhD, MSc, DTO, Pst-Grd, DMD, DVM; • "Comparative study on the plasmatic CRP level variation in dogs undergoing surgery with CO2 laser and scalpel blade incisions in a pre- and post-surgical time-point"—Miguel Carreira, PhD, MSc, DTO, Pst-Grd, DMD, DVM;
Veterinary Dentistry Specialists expands with new clinic in Chadds Ford, PaMarch 13, 2019Dogs and cats in Chadds Ford, Pa., will now have access to advanced dental care by board-certified veterinary specialists in dentistry and anesthesia. Veterinary Dentistry Specialists (VDS) is opening a second clinic, expanding its services from its original location in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Owned by Carlos Rice, DVM, DAVDC, Veterinary Dentistry Specialists is one of few dentistry practices where a full-time, board-certified veterinary dentist and a full-time, board-certified veterinary anesthesiologist work alongside each other. Veterinary dentist and Veterinary Practice News columnist, John Lewis, VMD, FAVD, DAVDC, and veterinary anesthesiologist, S. Bryce Dooley, DVM, MS, DACVAA, will be at the helm of the new clinic. "We spent a large amount of time and resources creating a facility showcasing the future of veterinary dentistry," Dr. Lewis says. "I think it's safe to say this facility rivals even the best medical facilities for humans. We are excited to open our doors and provide concierge-level care for pets in the region." VDS offers advanced services for the care of orofacial conditions and diseases, which affect the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face. The services cover tooth restoration, periodontal surgery, oral oncologic surgery, jaw fractures, salivary gland diseases, endodontics, orthodontics, palate surgery, etc. There are …
Zoetis's K-9 Courage Program honors retired veteran dogsMarch 13, 2019Today is National K9 Veterans Day, and Zoetis's K-9 Courage Program has partnered up with Mission K9 Rescue to celebrate four-legged veterans. K-9 Courage supports approximately 650 dogs every year by providing the owner of each dog with a $300 debit card, which can be put toward veterinary expenses. The "Paws and Give Thanks" campaign focuses on retired military and police dogs that have had an impact on the safety of the public and continue to live happily with the help of the program. "K9 Veterans Day is the perfect time to honor retired working dogs for their brave service, which too often gets overlooked or taken for granted," says Zoetis Petcare marketing executive director, J. Michael McFarland, DVM, DABVP. "Partnering with Mission K9 Rescue provides Zoetis Petcare with the opportunity to give back to even more retired military and police dogs, which have dedicated their lives to provide us with protection, happiness, and freedom, both at home and abroad." Mission K9 Rescue is a nonprofit organization that works to rescue, reunite, re-home, and rehabilitate retired working dogs. Since 2014, the organization has saved and transported hundreds of retired war dogs from overseas. Mission K9 Rescue has also donated …
Synchrony acquires Pets Best to expand CareCredit platformMarch 12, 2019Pets Best will now operate under Synchrony's CareCredit to offer pet parents more options to pay for veterinary care. "With Pets Best, we now have unique insight into the fast-growing pet health insurance market and can offer pet owners more choices for their pet's care," says CareCredit CEO, Beto Casellas. "This acquisition will further strengthen our strong veterinary relationships by giving veterinarians the ability to offer comprehensive financial options and a seamless customer experience." Pets Best has more than 125,000 pet health insurance policies, more than one million claims processed, and payouts of $200 million in claims. "CareCredit has unmatched expertise with consumer financing in the veterinary industry, and their digital-first, customer-focused culture perfectly complements our priorities," says Pets Best president, Chris Middleton. "Joining forces with CareCredit, we can quickly scale our offerings and provide a full suite of financing options to our customers, benefiting veterinarians, pet parents, and ultimately pets for the long term." As a result of the acquisition, CareCredit will offer consumers comprehensive care for their pets by merging financing and insurance options.
2019 World Veterinary Day highlights the value of vaccinesMarch 12, 2019Vaccines are critical to animal health, which is why this year World Veterinary Day (WVD) is focusing on the value of vaccination. Created by the World Veterinary Association (WVA) in 2000, WVD reminds pet owners of the importance of animal care, and how veterinarians and their teams can help. According to the WVA, vaccines are an essential tool for preventive veterinary medicine, promotion of animal health and welfare, and reducing the risk of human exposure to many zoonotic pathogens. Vaccination programs can reduce the need for antimicrobials, and in turn, decreases the risk of emergent antimicrobial resistance. According to WVA and HealthforAnimals, it is vital for the global veterinary profession to educate the public, particularly animal owners and producers, about the benefits of vaccination for animal, human, and public health. This year, WVD takes place on April 27.
Elanco Animal Health becomes stand-alone companyMarch 11, 2019Elanco Animal Health says it is now a fully independent company after completing its split from Eli Lilly. In 2017, Lilly announced the exploration of potential strategic alternatives for Elanco. "This is a historic day for everyone at Elanco," says company president and chief executive officer, Jeff Simmons. "It reflects our team's hard work over the past two years, and the confidence we have the right strategy and are successfully progressing the execution against it." The share exchange was finalized a little less than six months after 19.8 percent of Elanco's shares were sold to the public. Since then, Elanco reported two quarters of financial and operating results as a standalone company. "With this milestone behind us, we look forward to a singular focus delivering innovative solutions and services for our customers—the farmers, veterinarians, and pet owners that are central to our success," Simmons says. "We welcome our new Elanco shareholders who join us and offer our appreciation to our customers, and Lilly for the decades of support."
U.S. congressmen introduce bill to end deadly experiments on kittensMarch 11, 2019A new bill has been introduced to get the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to stop performing harmful experiments on felines. U.S. congressmen Brian Mast and Jimmy Panetta have introduced the Kittens in Traumatic Testing Ends Now Act of 2019. "The fact we need a piece of legislation to tell the federal government to stop killing kittens is ridiculous on its face, but what's even worse is when you hear the government is actually breeding hundreds of these cats just to intentionally feed them parasite-ridden raw meat and then kill them even though they're perfectly healthy," Mast says. "These tests are awful, abusive, and unnecessary, not to mention a serious misuse of millions of taxpayer dollars. This needs to stop now." "This common sense, bipartisan bill will require the USDA to adhere to the same animal welfare standards the department is charged to uphold," Panetta says. "While I strongly support scientific research, taxpayer money and federal resources should be spent on advancing scientific research in an ethical manner, not on inflicting pain on innocent kittens in outdated experiments. I hope this bill helps us get closer to ending this cruel practice.
Veterinary pain management market expected to be worth $1.73 billion by 2026March 8, 2019A marketing and consulting firm says the global veterinary pain management market is projected to reach $1.73 billion by 2026. According to a report by Grand View Research, the growth will be partially fed by an increase in the number of veterinary practitioners. In addition, a high rate of chronic illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, and osteoarthritis, will help boost the market over the next seven years. Further, North America is expected to be a major player in the growth. In 2018, it held the majority of the veterinary pain management market, as a result of favorable pet insurance policies and strategic initiatives implemented by numerous companies. Other highlights from Grand View Research's report include: • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) accounted for the largest market share regarding revenue in 2018 due to the increase of chronic diseases; • the number of people who own a companion animal is anticipated to grow over the forecast period due to the rise in pet adoption and expenditure for better pet care; • Osteoarthritis (OA) is expected to hold the largest market share as a result of the increasing rate of obesity; • postoperative pain is expected to exhibit …
